Marwan Makes Maiden World Series Final In Windy City

Egypt's Marwan Elshorbagy will compete in a PSA World Series final for the first time when he bids to put his name alongside that of elder brother Mohamed Elshorbagy, the defending champion, on the winners' board of the Guggenheim Partners & EquiTrust Life Insurance Company Windy City Open at the University Club of Chicago.

After defeating Mohamed, the world No.1, in an emotional quarter-final 24 hours earlier, Elshorbagy junior regrouped and came through a last four encounter with sixth-seeded compatriot Ali Farag 11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9.

The No.5 seed will now take on third seed Gregory Gaultier, the world No.3 from France whom he beat in the final of the 2016 Grasshopper Cup, with the aim of keeping the silverware in the family.

"It was very hard to back up what happened yesterday - emotionally, mentally and physically," said Marwan.

"I didn't sleep very well last night and I tried to stay away from my phone - there was a lot of messages on social media.

"But my brother called me before the match today and helped me prepared me for it - he gave me the game plan and told me that these opportunities, once you get them you have to take them. I felt ready for it because of him.

"I've had some good wins so far to reach the final but I want to keep it going. I really want that title and I'll give it everything that I have tomorrow."

Gaultier, the 2014 champion, secured his place in the final by defeating unseeded Spaniard Borja Golan in a highly charged 3/0 victory that belied the intensity and competitiveness of the encounter.

Golan began where he left off in yesterday's hugely impressive victory over World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad - playing high level, patent squash to frustrate Gaultier and embroil the Frenchman in a battle of attrition which left the former champion cutting an increasingly frustrated figure.

But the former world No.1 found a way to answer every question Golan put to him, saving four game balls in a mammoth 28-minute second game to set up the platform for victory.

"It was a really intense match - we were both playing well," said Gaultier.

"It's great to see Borja back in good shape after his injuries and the second game was unbelievable. It could have gone either way but I took the momentum with me into the third.

"I'm feeling like I'm in great shape and I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I've been playing well all week and haven't played many long games so there's still a lot left in the tank."

Egypt's 2015 and 2016 Women's champion Raneem El Welily kept alive her hopes of a third Chicago title by winning a mammoth battle with 19-year-old world No.4 Nouran Gohar.

Former world No.1 El Welily can often be guilty of losing her concentration and focus during key stages but showed improved composure and mental strength, twice coming from behind to take the match and maintain her winning Windy City streak.

"Today at the end, there was so much relief - it was so intense," said El Welily.

"She played fantastic. I'm just very happy to be through. It's a very important win for me mentally.

"I love it here in Chicago. It's amazing to be in the final for a fourth time - there's no pressure tomorrow but it would be fantastic to win here for the third time."

El Welily will face world No.1 Nour El Sherbini in the all-Egyptian title decider - a repeat of the 2016 final - after the 21-year-old signalled a return to her top form with an impressive 3/1 win over Camille Serme, ending the Frenchwoman's 12-match winning streak in the process.

El Sherbini looked out of sorts during January's Tournament of Champions but cut a very different figures on court in a superb 8-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-4 victory.

"It feels like things are coming together this week - I regrouped after ToC and trained very hard the past few weeks," said El Sherbini.

"I feel like I'm playing well again and I'm trying to enjoy being out there. I'm happy more with the fact I'm playing well than with the win.

"There are no expectations for me tomorrow - I'll do my best to win. I'm happy to be back in the final, I love playing here and I'm really happy that it's going to be an all-Egyptian final."