Marwan Elshorbagy To Face Champion Gaultier In Grasshopper Final

Egypt's world No.12 Marwan Elshorbagy denied Germany's No.2 seed Simon Rösner a second successive appearance in the Grasshopper Cup final in Switzerland after upsetting the world No.9 in the semi-finals of the PSA M70 event at Puls5 in Zurich, where he will meet title-holder Gregory Gaultier, the world champion from France.

Elshorbagy put in a controlled performance to make life difficult for the powerful German who was struggling to back up from his gargantuan efforts to down Gregoire Marche in an 86-minute quarter-final. The 22-year-old from Alexandria played with patience to extend the rallies in the opening game and force Rösner into an arduous physical battle which paid dividends.

"I tried to make the first game as long as possible and that worked in my favour today," said Elhorbagy, now in the 12th Tour final of his career.

"It was a long game and I think it took a lot out of him and I got more confident throughout. I'm pleased with how I have played here, I haven't dropped a game so far but there's still one match to go so I'm going to give it my all tomorrow.

"Greg is the world champion - he's a great player. Every time I go on court against him I make the most of it - I enjoyed it today and I want to keep enjoying being on court and loving every single second on court and that's the plan for tomorrow as well."

A capacity crowd watched Gaultier produced a masterclass performance to see off the dangerous Ali Farag, playing with pace and intent from the first exchanges in what was a high quality opening game that went the way of the Frenchman 11-5.

After quickly doubling his lead, Gaultier suffered a lapse of concentration in the third which allowed Farag the chance to attack and get himself back into the game. But after squandering game balls in the fourth, Farag could only watch on as Gaultier surged back to keep his title defence alive.

"I think I played quite well today and I was moving well which really helped me," said Gaultier after the 11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 12-10 victory which takes the 33-year-old into his 68th Tour final.

"I think the match yesterday helped give me some rhythm which helped me today. He's already a top class player - he's ten years younger than me.

"I lost my focus a little in the third and I maybe got too greedy and tried to go short too early. I had to get my basics back in the fourth and it was a matter of just a few crucial points in the end. I'm happy with the performance and the way I am moving - I felt today was the first time I was moving well without any pain after the injury."

Gaultier will now face Elshorbagy in what will be the fourth meeting between the pair.