Elshorbagy to Meet Matthew in Tournament of Champions Final While Sobhy Sets up El Sherbini Clash by Sean Reuthe photos squashpics.com
January 13, 2016
- Defending champion Mohamed Elshorbagy moved through to the final of
the 2016 Men’s J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions after a commanding
victory over Frenchman Mathieu Castagnet underneath the chandeliers in
Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall in New York.
The
Egyptian controlled the early portions of the match by forcing
Castagnet into the front corners of the court before stepping up to
punish the number seven seed on the volley. After falling 2-0 behind,
Castagnet cut the deficit to a single game by drawing out some errors
from 25-year-old Elshorbagy but a series of punishing rallies saw the
hard-hitting Elshorbagy take control of the match once more in game
four and he held off a late attempt at a comeback from the Frenchman to
see out an 11-9, 11-6, 3-11, 11-7 triumph.
“He [Castagnet] is a great competitor,” said Elshorbagy.
“He’s
been making so much progress lately and has made it into the top eight
and then played in his first ever World Series final. He is an
inspiration to all players on how they should work hard in their career
because he has worked so hard. To be able to make it to the semi-final
here is such a great achievement and I’m really happy for him.
“We played such a great match together, we always do. I’m really happy for him and I want to congratulate him.”
Last
year’s runner up Nick Matthew will meet the World No.1 in the final
after a serious injury to his semi-final opponent, World Champion
Gregory Gaultier, handed the Englishman the win.
The match
began on an even keel with the packed crowd looking forward to some
exciting squash between the two players who had battled against each
other 33 times previously on the PSA World Tour.
However,
with the score level at 3-3, Gaultier rolled his ankle painfully after
contact with Matthew and was carried off the court in real distress.
Despite receiving treatment, the Frenchman was unable to continue the
match to ensure that Matthew will advance to face World No.1 Mohamed
Elshorbagy for the distinction of lifting the prestigious title in a
repeat of last year’s final.
"My heart goes out to Greg," said Matthew.
"The
match had barely got going. We were feeling each other out on the first
few points. I feel bad for everyone who came down to see a great match
but that’s nothing to what I’m feeling for Greg because it’s his
livelihood.
"I’ve got to take advantage of the fact that my
legs will be fresh tomorrow and it will be my sixth Tournament of
Champions final. I’m really proud of that record but I have only won
one out of those five so far. I need to improve that ratio tomorrow."
Elsewhere,
history maker Amanda Sobhy has moved into her first ever PSA World
Series final with a scintillating victory over Egypt’s Nouran Gohar.
Sobhy,
who yesterday became the first American-born woman to reach the last
four of the prestigious tournament, started on the back foot after a
fast start from Gohar saw the 18-year-old rattle off a number of early
points. Roared on by a raucous crowd, World No.8 Sobhy battled back and
came out on top after a multitude of frenetic rallies saw the United
States No.1 seize the win with a 11-9, 11-9, 12-10 margin of victory.
“I’m a little shocked, I don’t really have any words,” a breathless Sobhy said.
“It
was a battle. Even though it was 3-0 it was so tough from the beginning
to the end. I just tried to stay in my bubble and not let the pressure
of getting to the finals in front of my home crowd get to me."
Nour
El Sherbini will go head-to-head with Sobhy in a mouthwatering final
fixture after she produced a spellbinding display to down 2014 winner
Nicol David.
The 20-year-old came through a brutal five-game
encounter with World No.4 Camille Serme in the previous round but no
signs of fatigue as she pounced on any loose drops from David to claim
an 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 victory.
“It was very special to beat Nicol 3-0 and it was one of the best things that is ever going to happen to me,” said El Sherbini.
“I’m
really happy. With Nicol you have to attack any shots you can so I was
trying to finish the points off. Nicol seemed like she was struggling
with her movement today so I think that it gave me an advantage."
Results: J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions - Men’s Semi-Finals
