Elshorbagy and El Sherbini Take Tournament of Champions Spoils by Sean Reuthe January 14, 2016
- World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy continued his recent dominance over
England’s Nick Matthew in the final of the 2016 Men’s J.P. Morgan
Tournament of Champions to defend his crown in the stunning setting of
New York’s iconic Grand Central Terminal and extend his unbeaten run
over the 35-year-old to four matches.
The pair have one of
the most intense rivalries on the PSA World Tour and went head-to-head
in a nail-biting 93-minute spectacle that saw Elshorbagy repeat his
heroics against the Englishman, who he defeated in last year’s final,
with an 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6 triumph.
Elshorbagy has
been in superb form after capturing both the Qatar Classic and the
Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open in recent months
and his latest victory sees him strengthen his lead on the PSA Road to
Dubai Standings with a third consecutive PSA World Series title.
"It’s a great start for me to 2016 and I’m glad," said Elshorbagy.
"Nick
and myself always have such great battles. I told him after the match
that it’s always an honour to play him in a World Series final and I
was really happy to get my second title here. I really enjoyed the
match today and I look forward to having more great battles with him in
the future.
"I think that’s the best I’ve seen him
[Matthew] play so far this season and I’m really glad to see him back
at his best again because the game needs him and he is very important
for the game. I want to congratulate him for his great performance. He
had already beaten my brother [Marwan] and I didn’t want him to beat
both of us in the same tournament."
Meanwhile, the Women’s
event saw Egyptian No.2 Nour El Sherbini scoop the most lucrative title
of her career to date after overcoming home favourite Amanda Sobhy to
claim part of the biggest prize fund in the tournament’s history after
2016 saw the prestigious event offer parity in prize money for the
first time ever.
El Sherbini was in the form of her life
after defeating 2014 winner Nicol David in the previous round and the
20-year-old played with a maturity beyond her years as she rose to
claim an 11-4, 9-11, 12-10, 11-8 victory and capture her first ever PSA
World Series crown.
"It’s an unbelievable feeling, I can’t express it," said El Sherbini.
"Words
can’t describe how I’m feeling now. This one is really special and to
win it is something that I’m never going to forget. I’m really glad
that I won this year, I’m really happy."
Result: J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions - Men’s Final
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [2] Nick Matthew (ENG) 3-2: 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6 (93m)
Result: J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions - Women’s Final
