Elshorbagy Overcomes Elias To Set Up All-Egyptian Grasshopper Finals

Egypt's world No.7 Marwan Elshorbagy got the better of US Open champion Diego Elias to ensure an all-Egyptian finals day at the Grasshopper Cup in Zurich, Switzerland.

Elshorbagy came up against Elias for the third time this season, having already met at the Egyptian Open and NetSuite Open in the last couple of months. The pair both had one win in that time, with 'the Jackal' taking the most recent victory in San Francisco en-route to the final there.

In his only previous trip to Zurich, the Egyptian had taken victory at the Grasshopper Cup, and he continued that unbeaten run in Switzerland this time. The first game was a close affair -ElShorbagy saving two game balls before going on to win on a tie-break 14-12.

The second was also tight, eventually going Elshorbagy's way 12-10. In a stunning third game, 'the Jackal' was able to coast into the final after blowing a dejected Elias away 11-3.

"I guess I love this venue so much! I've no words to describe how amazing Diego is. He's the US Open champion and is only 25," said Elshorbagy.

He's going to be world No.1 one day. He's a great player. Today was all about mentality. It's always hard to back it up after winning a Platinum event. It was hard mentally on both of us of course. But I'm really glad to get the win today."

"I was so fired up today because during the warm up I was listening to Joey [Barrington, SQUASHTV pundit] say Diego's going to get the win today. It fired me up as I thought 'he doesn't know what he's talking about!' I'm joking of course, but he doesn't know what he's talking about!

"I'm glad to win and get into another final here. As I've said, I love playing here and this crowd is incredible. They always stay up until it's late. It's always sold out. You guys are amazing, thank you for coming!"

Elshorbagy will now face compatriot Mostafa Asal in the final after the world No.5 came through a feisty contest with fellow Egyptian Fares Dessouky. The pair did battle for more than 80 minutes, with the 'Raging Bull' coming back from behind to win in a deciding game.

In the women's event, world No.2 Nour El Sherbini had to produce a thrilling comeback to fight back from two games down to overcome compatriot and world No.7 Rowan Elaraby in the opening semi-final cof the day.

Elaraby had never taken a game off the six-time World Champion, but raced into the lead thanks to some sublime squash. After going two games down, El Sherbini came back well in the third game and opened up a 10-4 lead. Incredibly, though, Elaraby saved all six of the game balls.

The 'Warrior Princess' was eventually able to take it 12-10, and she then converted her first game ball in the fourth to send the match into a decider. The two then traded points in a thrilling finale, it was El Sherbini who was able to pull away, ending things 11-7 with an intelligent shot down the middle.

"I'm really proud of myself today and how I kept fighting mentally and physically. Rowan played really well today as you can see. In the third she was coming back and nearly won the match," the world No.2 said.

"I'm really surprised by the way she played today. She's been improving a lot. This was our first 3/2 and I don't think it's going to be the last one.

"I've been doing this for a long time and all the experience I have in the last 10-15 years came out on court. I just tried to focus on every point and forget that I was 2/0 down. I just focused on each point and tried to win the next one. Winning the third made a huge difference."

The six-time World Champion will now take on world No.3 Hania El Hammamy for the title after the Egyptian got the better of Welsh No.1 Tesni Evans in a cracking four-game battle.