Willstrop Stuns World No 1 Elshorbagy in Men's World Championship Round of 16 from PSA Media
photo PSA
20TH NOV 2015 -
England’s James Willstrop came up with one of his greatest ever
performances to shock World No.1 and last year’s runner-up Mohamed
Elshorbagy in the third round of the 2015 PSA Men’s World Championship.
The 32-year-old has suffered an injury ravaged two years but produced
the sort of squash that he has become known for over an extensive
16-year-career that has seen him top the World Rankings for 11 months
in addition to winning 18 PSA World Tour titles.
Willstrop, known as ‘The Marksman’, was impeccable in the early stages
of the match as he sought to drop the ball short and force Elshorbagy
into the front of the court to take an unlikely two-game lead.
Egypt’s Elshorbagy responded by upping the pace considerable in the
third but he still struggled against the Yorkshireman’s incredible
accuracy and was forced to save three match balls to claw a game back.
A tense battle resumed in the fourth with Willstrop again amassing a
trio of match balls. This time he converted to continue a superb return
to form for the World No.24.
“In the context of everything it’s maybe one of my best ever performances,” said Willstrop.
“When I got to number one I was ready to be number one but I haven’t
played to that kind of level for so long. It’s probably about as good
as I’ve ever played all things considered. There are times when I’ve
left a match and said I didn’t get the rub of the green or things
didn’t go my way but no doubt about it I had the rub of the green today.
“My shots were going into nicks and clinging when they could have hit
the wall. People always say, even the best, that you always need a
little bit of luck in matches and tournaments.”
After spending so long out injured, Willstrop paid tribute to his team
and admits that it has been a slow process to get back to something
approaching his best.
“It’s much, much more than squash,” he said.
“It’s people’s days and lives and efforts, it’s such as selfish game
but so many people behind the scenes are so selfless and I want to
acknowledge everyone. I feel very lucky to do what I do and to play
like that today is a hat off to all the people who’ve supported me.
It’s been a slow process and it’s taken a while to get moment into it
and maybe now that I’ve been going since January my body is getting
used to the training load and match play again.
“I feel great for the moment but I can’t get too carried away, it’s not
the end. This is the biggest tournament in the world and I need to get
myself together now for the next round, it’s as simple as that. I’ve
won but I need to perform again tomorrow.”
Willstrop will do battle with Miguel Angel Rodriguez in the last 8 with
the Colombian seeing off Mathieu Castagnet earlier in the day.
Result – Third Round: PSA Men’s World Championship 2015
