El Halaby Battles To Baltimore Success

Egypt's Yasser El Halaby captured the Baltimore Cup in a thrilling final of the $10,000 PSA Tour squash event at Baltimore Country Club in Baltimore, USA.

It was a topsy-turvy match, and one which held the capacity crowd enthralled. After losing the first game to USA's Julian Illingworth, the third-seeded Egyptian came storming back to take a 2/1 lead against an increasingly despondent looking second seed.

However, the American would not give up without a fight - and the fourth game turned into a classic. Towards the end of the game, there were some superb rallies, with both players attacking and retrieving in equal measure.

Illingworth won the game, but the effort took its toll and El Halaby always looked the stronger in the fifth, deservedly winning the title 7-11, 11-1, 11-2, 9-11, 11-4 in 70 minutes, having beaten both the top seeds.

The triumph marks the third Tour title of El Halaby's career - and his third of the year.

Final:
[3] Yasser El Halaby (EGY) bt [2] Julian Illingworth (USA) 7-11, 11-1, 11-2, 9-11, 11-4 (70m)