10:32 am
10 Dec 2024

Elshorbagy & El Sherbini Win Historic British Open Double

28 Mar 2016

After the first all-Egyptian finals in the event's 86-year history, world No.5 Nour El Sherbini and world No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy claimed the 2016 Allam British Open titles following victories over Nouran Gohar and Ramy Ashour, respectively, in the PSA World Series tournament at the Airco Arena in Hull.

The women's final saw the lead change hands several times during the 75-minute encounter with both players trading points with gusto in a tightly-contested and highly-charged battle. El Sherbini eased to the opening game before 18-year-old underdog Gohar, playing with a maturity that belied her youth, fought back to go a game ahead and put herself within touching distance of the famous trophy.

But El Sherbini came back at her and showcased the credentials that have seen her surge to the upper echelons of the women's game, taking the match 11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8 to become the tournament's second youngest winner, at just 20 years of age, after New Zealand's Susan Devoy in 1984.

"It was a really tough match," said El Sherbini, the first Egyptian to win the women's title.

"Nouran is just 18 and she brought out all of the squash I had today. I really had to do all I could to win, it was really close. The last two points were really hard, I'm speechless.

"I'm really proud to be representing Egypt anywhere, so to be the first Egyptian to win the British Open is a huge thing for me. I'm really proud to be one of the four finalists today. I'm really happy that Egypt is proud of me and I want to keep making them proud."

Meanwhile, defending champion Elshorbagy has made it five World Series titles in a row after a strong display saw him end a four-match losing streak against fierce rival Ashour.

The man from Alexandria was in fine form against 2013 winner Ashour, whose movement looked restricted, and powered to victory in the first two games before seeing off a resurgent Ashour in the third to close out an 11-2, 11-5, 11-9 triumph.

"I'm really happy to be able to defend my title and win my second British Open," said Elshorbagy, who now boasts 10 World Series titles to his name.

"It's been a crazy season for me. Last season, when I won four World Series titles, I was telling my mother and my brother that I didn't know how I was going to keep up with that next season but I've won five already so this is a dream for me. I'm just really proud of what I have been achieving this season.

'I have to be thankful to my team, they are the ones that are keeping my body healthy because our matches are just something different. We give something different to our sport and I really hope we keep playing for the future and we have such a great rivalry. It's great to have him [Ashour] back here again."