Darwish Denies El Shorbagy In Macau
by Howard Harding
22 October 2012 - Karim Darwish survived the all-Egyptian battle against Mohamed El Shorbagy in the final of the Macau Open - but the top seed was taken the full distance before claiming the title in the PSA World Tour International 50 squash event on an all-glass court sited by the famous A-Ma Temple in Macau.
Both players dropped games in their semi-finals - second seed El Shorbagy prevailing in his first Tour meeting with younger brother Marwan while world No4 Darwish held off the challenge of another up-and-coming fellow countryman Karim Abdel Gawad.
World No8 El Shorbagy went into the final 6/1 down in his career record against Darwish - but immediately took the advantage by winning the opening game.
Darwish drew level - but again underdog El Shorbagy recovered the initiative to regain the lead.
However, former world number one Darwish - ten years his opponent's senior - dug deep, calling upon all his experience to close out the match 9-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-4, 11-9 to take the title.
"I'm really happy to win the Macau Open," said the new champion later. "It was a very tough match against Shorbagy in the final."
Darwish, now celebrating the 22nd Tour title of his career, was marking his third appearance back on the PSA Tour after the birth of his son Omar.
"It's a kind of a special win for me because it's the first after having my first baby in May.
"I'm happy about my performance now after having a minor injury few weeks ago and am looking forward to the rest of the season."
The match flagged up 21-year-old El Shorbagy's tenth PSA final appearance: "Another crazy battle against Darwish," tweeted the runner-up later.
"Lost a lot of close matches this year and I think it's time that I do something about it!!!"
RESULTS: PSA International 50 Macau Open, Taipa, Macau
Final:
[1] Karim Darwish (EGY) bt [2] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) 9-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-4, 11-9
Back To Main
