Marwan Stuns Top Seed To Join Brother Mohamed In NetSuite Final

Egypt's world No.9 Marwan Elshorbagy produced an impressive performance to down No.1 seed and world No.4 Diego Elias to reach the men's final of the Oracle NetSuite Open in San Francisco, where he will meet his brother Mohamed Elshorbagy for the PSA World Tour Silver event title.

ElShorbagy and Elias opened the action on day four at Pier 70 in San Francisco, both looking to reach their first final of the new season. ElShorbagy got off to the perfect start, catching Elias off guard to race out to a 7-1 lead. The Peruvian battled back however and hit a superb backhand cross-court nick to draw level at 9-9. Two errors followed from the racket of the No.1 seed to hand ElShorbagy a 1/0 lead.

Despite Elias equalising by winning the second game 11-7, ElShorbagy maintained his concentration and continued to test the movement of 'The Puma' by moving him into all four corners with intelligent squash. No.4 seed, Elias, was becoming distracted by refereeing decisions and subsequent errors flowed from the Peruvian to hand ElShorbagy the win and a spot in his second final of the season.

"I had a good lead in the first game and Diego came back at me, even in the second game I thought that if I could have just got ahead I could have won it," said Elshorbagy junior. "But I'm happy with the way I refocused after he came back in the third game and happy that I got the match. He's a very experienced player and I'm glad to get the win this time.

"Since the beginning of the season, I've been feeling like I've been hitting the ball pretty well and I'm happy with the way I've been moving and I'm backing up matches well. I haven't been getting the results I think I'm worthy of but I've been speaking to Rod [Martin] and he assures me that the wins are coming, I just need to stay patient.

"I haven't played my brother in a long time, as much as I hate playing him I would love to have a match with him in the final and I know we haven't played in a while so I would love to be on court with him once again."

Marwan's opponent in the final overcame Egypt's Mazen Hesham in a tight two games to also secure a second final appearance of the season.

Mohamed started the match in superb style, pinning the talented Hesham deep in the back corners, giving him no opportunity to showcase his skills. ElShorbagy secured the first game 11-8 then lead 6-1 in the second game. A fall in concentration from 'The Beast' allowed Hesham back into the match and he took full advantage. Elshorbagy recovered in the final game and returned to his accurate hitting to win 11-5 and reach the final.

In the women's draw, Egypt's Farida Mohamed closed out semi-final day with an impressive upset win over New Zealand's Joelle King to reach the biggest final of her career. The world No.18 had beaten King previously and showed her confidence in the opening game, hitting hard to the back corners to set up attacking opportunities.

King showed her class after losing the first game and started to dominate proceedings on the glass court in San Francisco. The New Zealand No.1 stepped up the court and looked to volley at any opportunity to take the game and force a decider. King continued her form and ran out to a 5-1 lead, looking sure to book her place in the final. Mohamed had other ideas however and started to fire off winners to take the next eight points to lead 9-5. She closed out the final game 11-9 to reach the biggest final of her career.

"I knew it would be very tough. It felt like a best of five match," said Mohamed.

"I'm very happy to be through, it meant a lot to me to win this one. The first game was comfortable but Joelle is very smart and she completely outplayed me in the second game and she came back at me in the third and I started to panic but I'm very glad I could close it out"

"Amanda [Sobhy] has been playing amazing, it's fun to play against her. I have only played her twice and I'm looking forward to the match. It's one last push tomorrow and I can't wait to leave everything on the court."

Amanda Sobhy reached the final after defeating fellow North American Hollie Naughton in straight games to keep her title defence alive.

Sobhy didn't have it all her own way in the match and was tested by the Canadian's changes of pace and deception on several occasions. The USA No.1 used her superior accuracy and shot-making skills to close out both games 11-9, however, to win in just 22 minutes.