Willstrop In Five Over Shorbagy To Reach US Open Semis, Gaultier Beats Darwish
from Steve Cubbins


October 9, 2012

Willstrop wins a bruiser

For anyone to take a 10-0 lead at this level takes some doing, but that’s what top seed and world number one James Willstrop did tonight. He had to wait until the fifth though to open up that commanding lead, having shared the first four games with young Egyptian Mohamed El Shorbagy in a tough, often brutal encounter lasting 90 minutes.

The Englishman started well enough, helped by a number of errors from Shorbagy, to take the first game, but Shorbagy stepped up the pace, cut down the errors, and for the next three games there was nothing to choose between them.

Into the decider then, and now Willstrop’s control and physical conditioning that has improved so much started to pay dividends.

At 10-0 Shorbagy finally found a dropshot to claim a bagel-saving point, raised his arms and cried “yes” to the delight of the crowd. Four more points, all from crisp winners followed, and thoughts started to turn to the impossible comeback. A loose shot resulting in a stroke put paid to those hopes and a relieved and tired Willstrop was through to a second successive U.S. Open semifinal.

“I had a good first, but then he started playing at a really good place and I was failing to take the chances I gave myself at the front, I was a bit weak and tentative in that area ad that helped him.

“I was pleased with the fifth, mentally and physically, but when he starts coming back hitting winners you just have to pay your game and not panic. If he’d made it you’d have to take your hat off to him, but it was unlikely.

“I’m pleased to get through a match like that, and the format of this tournament with split first round and quarters is best for the players, so I’ll be able to get a bit of recovery tomorrow.”

Greg finishes strongly

A few too many errors from third seed Gregory Gaultier, together with solid play from Karim Darwish, put the Egyptian fifth seed into the lead in the final match of the night.

The Frenchman found improved consistency from the outset of the second game and proceeded to dominate the rest of the match, showing determination when necessary as well as his renowned shotmaking skills.

Never behind in those final three games, it took a minute over the hour for him to set up a semi-final with James Willstrop, a repeat of their marvelous match in last month’s British Grand Prix.

“I struggled at the beginning,” admitted Gaultier, “I had the wrong strategy, going to the front too soon and he dominated me. I changed my tactics completely at the start of the second, tried to push him to the back and take things on the volley as much as I could and it paid off.

“I’m happy to play James again, we had an unbelievable match in Manchester and I’m looking forward to trying to get my revenge.”

[1] James Willstrop (Eng) bt [8] Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egy) 11-6, 7-11, 12-10 , 8-11, 11-5 (90m)

[3] Gregory Gaultier (Fra) bt [5] Karim Darwish (Egy) 6-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 (61m)


Wednesday - sees the completion of the quarterfinals with two more England v Egypt men’s matches including a repeat of last year’s final between Amr Shabana and Nick Matthew, and defending women’s champion and new world number two Laura Massaro also in action, starting at 5pm.

MEN's DRAW