Marwan Overcomes Greg To Grab Grasshopper Glory

Egypt's 22-year-old Marwan Elshorbagy produced the biggest victory of his career when he upset world champion Gregory Gaultier in the final of the 2016 Grasshopper Cup in Switzerland to lift the biggest title of his career and record his first ever win over the world No.2 from France.

In front of a capacity crowd in the Puls5 arena in Zurich, Elshorbagy - who had reached the final of the PSA M70 event without dropping a game - faced off against defending champion Gaultier in a match the 33-year-old was expected to win having won all three previous meetings. Indeed the youngest player in the world top 16 had never before even taken a game from the 'French General'!

True to form it was Gaultier who took the early advantage as he nullified the Egyptian in the opening game, taking it 11-6. But in the second, the match was flipped upside down as Elshorbagy upped his game to pressure the Frenchman and gain a foothold in the proceedings. After taking the second 13-11, the underdog then found himself ahead after winning the third 11-9.

Gaultier found himself on the defensive during the fourth and managed to edge ahead at the end to force a decider - but it was Elshorbagy who commanded it, playing relaxed, attacking squash to seal the greatest win of his life.

"This is the biggest win of my career - I'm not sure what to say - I'm just over the moon," said Elshorbagy after his shock 6-11, 13-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6 triumph.

"To beat the world champion is something I will never forget. I've been training very hard recently and there have been a lot of people - coaches, friends and family - that have been pushing me and their support is vital.

"I loved every single second of being here and it was a great tournament. Squash is nothing without the crowd and they have been excellent this week and I can't wait to be back here next year."