Elshorbagy & El Welily Are Windy City Winners

Egyptian duo Mohamed Elshorbagy and Raneem El Welily, ranked one and three, respectively, in the world, triumphed in the finals of the Guggenheim Partners & Equitrust Life Insurance Company Windy City Open to lift the silverware at the fifth PSA World Series tournament of the season.

With equal prize money on offer it was double delight for Egypt as El Welily overcame compatriot Nour El Sherbini to win her first PSA World Tour title since September 2015 - while Elshorbagy collected his fourth consecutive World Series crown after opponent Nick Matthew, the world No.3 from England, was forced to retire in the third game of their match due to injury.

After reaching the world No.1 spot last September, defending champion El Welily suffered a huge drop in form, failing to reach the final on her last five outings. But the Alexandria-born 27-year-old put in a performance of note to defeat her in-form 20-year-old compatriot, who came into the match following back-to-back 3/0 wins over Nicol David and Laura Massaro.

"I'm lost for words right now," said an emotional El Welily after the match. "I'm very, very happy to have won today. It's the first title in a long time.

"I never thought I'd be No.1 after winning here last year so I'm just going to take it one step at a time. It's all about baby steps and taking it one match and one point at a time," added El Welily, now with 12 PSA World Tour titles to her credit.

"I need to work hard to make sure I have that same attitude and huger on court for the rest of the season. There's still a few tournaments to play but I'm really grateful that I won today and hopefully I can keep it up."

Vanquished opponent El Sherbini said: "She was just too good today - she deserves to win. She has been playing so well all week from the first match. It's nice to see her back at her best form."

For Elshorbagy celebrations were muted as he collected his maiden Windy City Open crown - and the 20th Tour title of his career.

The opening game of the encounter lived up to the pre-event billing between the two perennial foes as they slugged it out in a series of tough, punishing rallies but it was evident early that Matthew was struggling on court and the tenacious 35-year-old was forced to concede early in the third game and hand Elshorbagy the victory.

"I noticed at the start of the second he was struggling to move," said the Egyptian.

"I live for great battles and to play against great players like Nick. It's unfortunate what happened today as that's not the way that I wanted to win.

"But this is the first time I've won this title and I'm very happy to have my name on there - it is an achievement that I'm very proud of."

Speaking afterwards Matthew said: "I felt a muscle in my glute go in the first game and it seized up. Mohamed is hard enough to play when you're fully mobile never mind injured so it was a frustrating end.

"I don't mind losing - it's just disappointing when you can't do yourself justice and give Mohamed the fight he deserves."