Golan Over Gawad in $300K Windy City Quarters, World No 1 Elshorbagy Falls to Brother, El Welily Stops Sobhy by Nathan Clarke
photos PSA
February 27, 2017
- World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy saw his hopes of winning the 2017 Windy
City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners & EquiTrust Life
Insurance Company for the second consecutive year dashed at the hands
of younger brother, and World No.6, Marwan ElShorbagy in Chicago today
(Feb 27) - while World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad also suffered a shock
defeat to 34-year-old Borja Golan.
On seven previous attempts 23-year-old Marwan had failed to take more
than a solitary game from 26-year-old Mohamed but, under the
chandeliers of the University Club of Chicago, he fought through the
mental barrier to come through a compelling five-game battle 1-11,
11-8, 13-11, 5-11, 11-8.
It was Mohamed who started stronger, taking the first game 11-1 as he
set a blistering pace. But Marwan responded, mixing up the pace and
using deception in the front court to level before going on to seal the
match, ushering an outpouring of emotion from both.
"It's tough - we both new it was going to happen at some point," said Marwan.
"Every time we play it's a battle on court - but we are best friends
off court. I'm grateful for the sport - it has allowed me to have my
brother as my best friend. We share the same life, have the same dreams
and we support each other.
"We're there for each other. It's a tough day today for us. But I have
a big match tomorrow to look forward to and a chance to reach a first
World Series Final."
Mohamed ElShorbagy's main contender for the number one spot atop the
World Rankings, Gawad, came into Chicago bidding to win a third
straight PSA World Series title but found himself up against an
inspired Golan - who will compete in a major semi-final for the first
time since the 2014 Hong Kong Open after winning 8-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9.
Prior to the tournament the Spanish former World No.5, and current
World No.21, hadn't won a match for six months following a back injury
but produced a tactically superb display to take Gawad out of his
comfort zone and seal the match after 73 minutes.
"I had a back injury and a few months ago I didn't know if I'd be able
to play again - I was 34 and my back wasn't responding well," said
Golan.
"I kept doing the work and I was so happy to get back on court last
year. But I hadn't won a match until this week and I think that match
winning confidence is so important to help you increase your level.
"And today I had nothing to lose. I knew I'd have to be at my best and
I took the opportunities. I defended well and tried to be very
aggressive as well and change the pace, and it worked.
"Tomorrow is another match. I want to enjoy this one - eat well and
sleep well and then I'll worry about the next one. There's no point
playing if you can't take some time to enjoy the win."
In the Women's draw an Egyptian finalist is guaranteed after the trio
of Nour El Sherbini, Raneem El Welily and Nouran Gohar came through to
join the in-form Frenchwoman Camille Serme in the last four.
After stuttering early in the tournament Gohar secured an eye-catching
3-0 win over former World No.1 Laura Massaro courtesy of a dominant
performance that saw her control proceedings from the start and leave
Massaro powerless to halt the charge.
"In the first round I didn't think my shots were going well and I
didn't feel like I was moving very well," said 19-year-old Gohar. "But
I've stuck to the plan and been improving with each match.
"I tried to make sure I stayed positive. My mum was with me reminding me that I've trained very hard in the past few weeks.
"But even at 2-0 today I knew I had to stay fully focused because she
can come back. She's so strong mentally, so I'm very happy to have come
through."
Gohar will face defending champion El Welily while El Sherbini will
face Serme, who extended her unbeaten run to 12 matches, after
recording a seventh straight victory over eight-time World Champion
Nicol David.
"I've watched Nicol since I was six years old and I've learnt a lot from her," said El Sherbini.
"She's always difficult to play against - she fights for everything and
never gives up. It is always very tough and she brings the best out of
me but I am happy that I am through."
