Dessouky Downs Asal To Claim Canary Wharf Classic Crown

Egypt's world No.10 Fares Dessouky produced a sublime display to win the 2022 GillenMarkets Canary Wharf Classic title in London after defeating compatriot Mostafa Asal in straight games at East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf.

The last time the two players met was in the quarter finals of the 2021 El Gouna International when Dessouky took the win in 123 minutes. However, it was much more straightforward for the 27-year-old this time around as he got over the line by an 11-5, 13-11, 12-10 margin to win the PSA World Tour Gold event.

Asal had spent a huge 264 minutes on court en-route to the final, beating Peru's Diego Elias in five games in the semis. However, that looked to have taken its toll on the 20-year-old in front of a packed-out final crowd as Dessouky dominated the first game to take it 11-5.

World No.4 Asal responded well in the second game and looked as though he was going to draw level, but Dessouky fought fire with fire to save game balls as he doubled his lead on the tie-break.

Dessouky was once again too sharp in the third as he picked off Asal's attacks and despite the younger Egyptian saving three championship balls, held his nerve to close out 12-10 to win his first Canary Wharf Classic title and fifth PSA World Tour title overall.

"I want to congratulate Asal for an unbelievable week," said Dessouky. "You played so well, you are number one material you have to keep working hard and keep believing in yourself. I think we're playing first round in the British Open, so we have to get on with that.

"This is one of the best venues in the world so we want to make it bigger and bigger. I want to thank Tim Garner [Tournament Director] for everything that he does, he makes all of our lives easier. Thanks to the refs, they did a great job this week, I know it's not easy with some ups and downs during the week, but they dealt with it very well.

"I want to thank my team, Ahmed Effat, my coach, Samy Farrag, my fitness coach, and I want to thank my family for my support. I want to thank my ex-fitness coach, he's back in Alexandria. I used to train with him but now I'm in Cairo but he's always catching up with me and making sure I'm fit and healthy, so I want to thank him so much for that."

Runner-up Asal added afterwards: "I gave it more than 200%. Fares and I are good friends. I'm really happy that he's back. His squash is unbelievable, his skills are unbelievable and I'm glad to see him back with a bang.

"This tournament is unbelievable. Thanks for the sponsors, we appreciate every tournament on the calendar, thank you guys you made the tournament unbelievable."