Colombian Cannonball Miguel Angel Rodriguez Roars Into El Gouna Semis by Nathan Clarke photo WSF
April 27, 2016
- Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez produced a performance of note and
intent as he defeated hard-hitting Egyptian Omar Mosaad, the World
No.4, on home soil during the quarter-finals of the El Gouna
International to reach the semi-finals of the PSA World Series
tournament, taking pace against the backdrop of the Red Sea, for the
first time in his career.
Three days of scorching heat and
humidity were substituted by blistering winds on the fourth day of
competition and it was Rodriguez who took advantage, slowing the pace
of the match and extending rallies with frequent use of height to
exploit the blustery conditions on court, and come through a bruising
80 minute battle 3-1.
The victory, which saw the tenacious
World No.6 fightback from one-game down, sees Rodriguez through to the
last four of a World Series tournament for the first time since
February's Windy City Open, where World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy awaits.
"I
think the biggest opponent today was the wind - I was trying to get
used to it but it was hard to control it," said Rodriguez.
"I
think I adapted to it well and hit the zone and hit the corners and
dealt with it better today. He wanted to win too quickly and I was
playing with more patience. I think I had a great performance and I'm
very happy to win and make the semi-finals here in Egypt.
"I
haven't won a World Series tournament yet and this is my fourth time in
the semi-finals. My goal for this year is to make the final of a World
Series and win one - being in the last four here in Egypt is very
special for me, for Colombia and for South American squash."
Rodriguez
will line up against tournament favourite Elshorbagy after the World
No.1 saw off Simon Rösner, his toughest test so far, in a 46 minute 3-1
victory while Marwan ElShorbagy, the World No.12 and recent Grasshopper
Cup champion, suffered a surprise defeat to fellow Egyptian Fares
Dessouki.
Prior to the tournament 21-year-old Dessouki
hadn't won back-to-back matches on the PSA Word Tour during 2016 but he
followed up impressive wins over Daryl Selby and Karim Abdel Gawad with
a gritty come form behind win over ElShorbagy.
Dessouki
trailed 2-0 and faced multiple match balls in both the fourth and fifth
games as he fought tooth and nail and was rewarded when he clinched the
decisive fifth 12-10 to reach the last four of a World Series
tournament for the first time ever in his career.
"I am so happy I came back from 2-0 down to win that match," said Dessouki.
"It
was a very tough match mentally and physically. Marwan had a massive
tournament last week - beating Gregory in an amazing final in Zurich -
so I knew it would be a very tough match.
"The was the first
time I reached a quarterfinal here in El Gouna and to now reach my
first ever semi-final in front of this amazing crowd is such a good
feeling."
Dessouki will face World Champion Gregory Gaultier
for a place in the final after the Frenchman got past Ali Farag in a
rapid fire five-game encounter that saw him prevail 4-11, 11-6, 6-11,
11-4, 11-4 after just 50 minutes.
