Gregory Gaultier Retains Toluca Title by Howard Harding 23 September 2013
- France's world No2 Gregory Gaultier survived 'one of the toughest
matches I ever played' to beat Mohamed Elshorbagy and retain the PSA
International 70 Abierto Mexicano de Raquetas squash title at Alameda
Park in Toluca, Mexico.
It was the climax the
crowd surrounding the all-glass court was hoping for - one featuring
the event's top two seeds and one which went the full distance.
Event favourite
Gaultier reached the final - the 52nd of his career - after ending the
brave run of unseeded Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez in the
semi-finals.
Second-seeded Egyptian
Elshorbagy faced top-ranked Spaniard Borja Golan in the other semi in
what was the pair's seventh meeting in the past five years. The
22-year-old from Alexandria extended his head-to-head tally to 5/2
after beating the third seed in four games.
Elshorbagy, looking
for his first win in six meetings with the Frenchman, took the opening
game - then the third for the loss of only three points after Gaultier
drew level.
But the top seed
exerted his authority in the next two games, ultimately closing out the
match 7-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-6, 11-6 after 79 minutes to keep the title
in his grasp.
"It was long and a
tough game - we both gave everything we had," said champion Gaultier
(pictured above, foreground, in the match), now with 24 PSA titles to
his name, afterwards. "Mohamed was always ahead in the match but I
managed to come back to win 3/2.
"We played with great
spirit and determination. It was one of the toughest matches I ever
played, especially here with the high altitude and Mohamed playing so
well!
"I am thankful to the
organization, sponsors, my coaches back home and my family," added the
30-year-old from Aix-en-Provence. "Next, San Francisco in few days!"
Elshorbagy (pictured
below, left) was unequivocal about how his 13th PSA Tour final figured
in his all-time performances: "I gave it all and thought I had him when
I was 4-0 up in the fourth ... but I got over excited and he used a lot
of experience to get out of it," said the world No6. "Overall, I'm
happy with my start of the season!!
"Greg telling me after
the match that it was one of the best matches he ever played - for me,
that was THE best match I have played!
"Now I will go back to the UK and have 10 good days of training for the US Open and the worlds!!
"I want to congratulate Greg today for his performance ... and I wish him luck in San Fran - not that he needs it!!
"I also want to thank the squash Delta family for taking care of us here like last year - they do such an amazing job!!"
RESULTS: PSA International 70 Abierto Mexicano de Raquetas, Toluca, Mexico
