El Welily & Gaultier Take China Open Titles

Raneem El Welily celebrated her new world number one status in perfect style by winning the Stars On The Bund China Open, beating fellow Egyptian Nouran Gohar in the final of the PSA W50 championship at The Peninsula Shanghai in Shanghai.

Unseeded teenager Gohar had reached the final after a succession of sensational upsets, including an impressive 3/1 win over former world No.1 Nicol David. But El Welily reinforced just why she now tops the rankings with an assured performance that sees her collect a fourth major title so far in 2015.

The 26-year-old from Alexandria overcame her 17-year-old challenger 13-11, 11-9, 11-7 in just 32 minutes to take the title for the loss of just one game during the entire tournament.

"I'm very glad with how I started the season and how I was focused and steady throughout the tournament," said El Welily, who now boasts 11 PSA World Tour titles.

"I won today against a real fighter that will soon break into the top 10 and make Egypt proud as well as my other team mates - so I'm very pleased.

"It's been a crazy time lately so thanks to everyone who sent me messages and wishes."

In the men's PSA M100 event, world No.3 Gregory Gaultier saw off Marwan Elshorbagy to pick up the 30th tour title of his career courtesy of a comfortable 11-6, 11-2, 11-4 victory.

"I'm very happy to win the first tournament after the summer training break," said the Frenchman.

"Thanks to my team back home for the work they have done for me during the summer to get me ready for the season, my family, sponsors and all the people who supported me and the event," added Gaultier

Unseeded Marwan became the unexpected Elshorbagy to reach the final after his top-seeded brother Mohamed Elshorbagy, the world No.1, made a shock exit in the first round.

22-year-old Marwan, the world No.12, upheld the family name after storming through to the biggest final of his career following upsets over two top-ten-ranked opponents.