Gawad Survives All-Egyptian Final To Win Swedish Open

Egypt's world No.9 Karim Abdel Gawad overcame compatriot and close friend Tarek Momen in a dramatic final of the 2016 UCS Swedish Open in Linköping to become the first Egyptian winner of the prestigious PSA World Tour title for 12 years.

Former world No.7 Momen, who has not beaten Gawad since their first Tour meeting in the quarter-finals of the 2013 Swedish Open, twice came back from behind in the 80-minute clash to force a fifth game decider.

But second seed Gawad, who had already survived a five-game quarter-final against 8th seed Chris Simpson, dug deep to see off Momen 12-10, 8-11, 11-9, 3-11, 11-4 to win the first PSA M70 title of his career.

"It's a great feeling, I've been working so hard for this," said Gawad.

"It's my first big title, my biggest title before this was an M35 tournament so, for me, it's a great step forward and hopefully this is just the beginning.

"In the fifth game, when it was at four-all, I said to myself that I just needed seven more points. I had to push and put in everything I could.

"Obviously, Tarek was doing the same but I had to focus and remember all the work I have been doing over the last couple of months. I'm very thankful I won the last few points. It's given me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season."

The triumph - the first Swedish Open win by an Egyptian since former world number one Karim Darwish in 2004 - marks the 13th PSA World Tour title of Gawad's career.