12:21 pm
29 Apr 2024

Marwan Ousts Mosaad In Latest Cairo Upset

28 Jul 2011

Clearly inspired by his new status as world junior champion, Egyptian teenager Marwan El Shorbagy pulled off his third successive giant-killing victory in the inaugural Sportsmax Open when he defeated top-seeded compatriot Omar Mosaad to reach the final of the PSA World Tour International 25 squash event at the American University in Cairo.

After two rounds of qualifying, the 17-year-old from Alexandria began his main draw run by beating India's experienced Siddharth Suchde, before despatching third-seeded Pakistani Aamir Atlas Khan in the quarter-finals.

But only four months after losing in straight games to world No14 Mosaad, El Shorbagy recovered from a game down to beat his formidable opponent 4-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-8 in 54 minutes.

"I feel so happy," said the youngster after reaching the fourth final of his brief PSA World Tour career to date. "I expected that Omar would win - he is a very talented player and I like his professionalism.

"This is the match of my life!"

El Shorbagy will now face another higher-ranked fellow countryman for the title.

But second seed Mohd Ali Anwar Reda was tested for 81 minutes before getting the better of unseeded compatriot Omar Abdel Aziz 11-13, 11-5, 11-9, 11-2.

"It was too tough a match," conceded Reda, who is now in his 14th Tour final. "Omar is a friend of mine. We train together - I know his style and he knows my style.

"It was 50/50 till the third game and then he lost his concentration and so I won."

The final will be the first Tour meeting between El Shorbagy and Reda.

"It will be a great match," conceded 22-year-old Reda. "Marwan is perfect and he is in form."

Semi-finals:
[Q] Marwan El Shorbagy (EGY) bt [1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 4-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-8 (54m)
[2] Mohd Ali Anwar Reda (EGY) bt Omar Abdel Aziz (EGY) 11-13, 11-5, 11-9, 11-2 (81m)