$50K Macau Marks First El Shorbagy Siblings Meeting
by Howard Harding
19 October 2012 - The first Tour meeting between Mohamed El Shorbagy and Marwan El Shorbagy will take place in the semi-finals of the Macau Open after the Egyptian brothers brushed aside their opponents in straight games in today's quarter-finals of the PSA World Tour International 50 squash event at the Macau Squash Association Complex in Taipa, Macau.
Marwan, the 19-year-old world junior champion, created the biggest upset by beating higher-ranked compatriot Omar Mosaad, the No3 seed, 11-6, 11-3, 11-5.
Later, big brother Mohamed set up the long-awaited family showdown when he beat Hong Kong's Max Lee 11-9, 11-6, 11-7.
"I'm happy with the way I played today, beating the world number 10 player in three games is a great result for me," said jubilant teenager Marwan afterwards.
"And tomorrow I'm sure it's going to be a great match from both of us!"
Mohamed, the 21-year-old world No8, was clearly overwhelmed by the prospect of playing his brother, room-mate and practice partner in the next round.
"Is this really happening?!! Am I actually playing against brother tom??!!" tweeted the No2 seed. "Feel like I'm dreaming!! This should not be happening!!!"
The other semi will also be an all-Egyptian affair, between top seed Karim Darwish and unseeded Karim Abdel Gawad. Darwish, the world No4 from Cairo, ended qualifier Karim Ali Fathi's run, beating his fellow countryman 11-5, 11-9, 11-6.
Gawad, the 21-year-old world No31, produced one of the best wins of his career when he saw off fourth seed Tom Richards. The Englishman is 17 places higher in the world - but it was Gawad's day as he powered to an 11-7, 11-5, 11-9 victory.
"Very happy to win the quarter final match against Tom Richards the current world rank number 14," said Twitter newcomer Gawad. "I'm also very happy with my performance."
RESULTS: PSA International 50 Macau Open, Taipa, Macau
Quarter-finals:
[1] Karim Darwish (EGY) bt [Q] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) 11-5, 11-9, 11-6
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [4] Tom Richards (ENG) 11-7, 11-5, 11-9
Marwan El Shorbagy (EGY) bt [3] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 11-6, 11-3, 11-5
[2] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) bt Max Lee (HKG) 11-9, 11-6, 11-7
Semi-final line-up:
[1] Karim Darwish (EGY) v Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
[2] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) v Marwan El Shorbagy (EGY)
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