Farag Fells World No.1 Elshorbagy To Reach Al-Ahram Final

24-year-old Ali Farag recorded one of the biggest wins of his career when he halted the charge of fellow Egyptian Mohamed Elshorbagy, the title-favourite and World No.1, to move one step closer to becoming the first home-based player since Ahmed Barada in 1998 to win the iconic Al Ahram Squash Open NewGiza.

Competing in the $100k PSA event taking place at the foot of the Great Pyramids of Giza, Farag - who earned a berth in the last four following the retirement of three-time World Champion Ramy Ashour during their quarter-final encounter - produced a sublime performance to come through in four games and earn a richly-deserved win after 70-minutes of high quality squash.

After losing the opening game Farag fought back to level against ElShorbagy and then take a 2/1 lead. Then, with both men giving their all, they traded points in a series of ferocious exchanges as the score reached 10-10 in the crucial fourth. A first match ball went to waste as ElShorbagy mounted a last ditch charge before Farag responded in style to take the game, and with it the match, 14-12.

"I have the upmost respect for Mohamed - he's been the best in the game for the past two seasons hands down," said Harvard graduate Farag.

"I knew that to have a chance I needed to be at my absolute best, but I've been preparing well since Hong Kong and got in a big chunk of training before this event that I think made the difference.

"Mohamed can be very intimidating at times with how big he makes himself on court - like any top player does - but I knew the biggest battle today would be mental. I had to match him mentally and that's what I did.

"Before the event I looked at the draw and knew it would be tough - but names are just names - you go out and play to win. At Motor City Open I had the toughest draw possible and won so I know I just have to believe in myself."

Farag will face compatriot Karim Abdel Gawad in the decider after the Hong Kong Open runner up upset second-seeded Omar Mosaad 3/0 with a performance that underlined his status as one of the most in-form players on the Men's Tour.

Earlier, Farag's new wife Nour El Tayeb bowed out of the women's event at the semi-final stage, losing in straight game to the in-form player on the Women's Tour this year - Nour El Sherbini.

World No.1 El Sherbini has scythed her way through the tournament so far without dropping a single game and she impressed once again to prevail 11-7, 11-8, 11-4 in less than 30 minutes.

"I was very focused from the beginning today and worked hard not to let her get in front and I'm glad to come through in three games," said El Sherbini.

"I've been dreaming of playing here since I was ten years old and playing in front of the Pyramids and the Egyptian crowd. I'm really proud to be here and have my family and sponsors there to see me play so hopefully I can keep it going now in the final."

El Sherbini will face Raneem El Welily, the 27-year-old who held the World No.1 spot at the end of 2015, in what promises to be a gripping encounter. Third seed El Welily stormed past England's Sarah-Jane Perry to end all international interest in the $100k event.

World No.14 Perry was looking for a hat-trick of first ever wins over her Al-Ahram opponents after reaching the semis following maiden Tour victories over France's Camille Serme and Malaysian Nicol David, ranked six and three in the world, respectively.

"I used to come here with my brother and my parents, we were so young then, and I remember we were fascinated by everything, so being here means a lot for me," said El Welily.

"Tomorrow, I hope it's going to be a great match. She is a good person, on and off court, and a great player."

Al-Ahram image courtesy of www.squashpics.com