Gaultier and ElShorbagy To Meet In 2016 Grasshopper Final by Nathan Clarke photos PSA
April 16, 2016
- The 2016 Grasshopper Cup final will see 2015 champion Gregory
Gaultier aim to defend his title against Egyptian World No.12 Marwan
ElShorbagy after the duo came through their respective semi-final
encounters against Ali Farag and Simon Rösner, respectively, inside
Zurich's Puls5.
A capacity crowd watched on as current World
Champion Gaultier produced a masterclass performance to see off the
very dangerous Farag 3-1 as he shot of the blocks, playing with pace
and intent from the first exchanges in what was a high quality opening
game that went the way of the Frenchman 11-5.
After quickly
doubling his lead Gaultier was guilty of a lapse of concentration in
the third which allowed Farag, who cut a frustrated figure on court as
he searched for a way through the World No.2, the chance to attack and
get himself back into the game but after squandering game ball in the
fourth Farag could only watch on as Gaultier surged back to keep his
title defence alive.
"I think I played quite well today and I was moving well which really helped me," said Gaultier.
"I
think the match yesterday helped give me some rhythm which helped me
today. He's already a top class player - he's ten years younger than me.
"I
lost my focus a little in the third and I maybe got too greedy and
tried to go short to early. I had to get my basics back in the fourth
and it was a matter of just a few crucial points in the end. I'm happy
with the performance and the way I am moving - I felt today was the
first time I was moving well without any pain after the injury."
Gaultier
will now face ElShorbagy in what will be the fourth meeting between the
pair, after the Egyptian saw off Rösner, the 2015 runner-up, 3-0 to
move into the final without the loss of a single game after over 140
minutes of action.
ElShorbagy put in a controlling
performance to make life difficult for the powerful German who was
struggling to back up from his gargantuan efforts to down Gregoire
Marche in an 86 minute quarter-final as ElShorbagy played with patience
to extend the rallies in the opening game and force Rösner into an
arduous physical battle which paid dividends.
"I tried to make the first game as long as possible and that worked in my favour today," said ElShorbagy.
"It
was a long game and I think it took a lot out of him and I got more
confident throughout. I'm pleased with how I have played here, I
haven't dropped a game do far but there's still one match to go so I'm
going to give it my all tomorrow.
"Greg is the World
Champions - he's a great player. Every time I go on court against him I
make the most of it - I enjoyed it today and I want to keep enjoying
being on court and loving every single second on court and that's the
plan for tomorrow as well."
