28-Jul, Finals:

27-Jul, Semi-Finals:

Marwan ousts Mosaad in Cairo

Clearly inspired by his new status as world junior champion, Egyptian teenager Marwan El Shorbagy pulled off his third successive giant-killing victory in the inaugural Sportsmax Open when he defeated top-seeded compatriot Omar Mosaad to reach the final at the American University in Cairo.

After two rounds of qualifying, the 17-year-old from Alexandria began his main draw run by beating India's experienced Siddharth Suchde, before despatching third-seeded Pakistani Aamir Atlas Khan in the quarter-finals.

But only four months after losing in straight games to world No14 Mosaad, El Shorbagy recovered from a game down to beat his formidable opponent 4-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-8 in 54 minutes.

"I feel so happy," said the youngster after reaching the fourth final of his brief PSA career to date. "I expected that Omar would win - he is a very talented player and I like his professionalism.

"This is the match of my life!"

El Shorbagy will now face another higher-ranked fellow countryman for the title.

But second seed Ali Anwar Reda was tested for 81 minutes before getting the better of unseeded compatriot Omar Abdel Aziz 11-13, 11-5, 11-9, 11-2.

"It was too tough a match," conceded Reda, who is now in his 14th PSA final. "Omar is a friend of mine. We train together - I know his style and he knows my style.

"It was 50/50 till the third game and then he lost his concentration and so I won."

The final will be the first PSA meeting between El Shorbagy and Reda.

"It will be a great match," conceded 22-year-old Reda. "Marwan is perfect and he is in form."
 

19.00

Qualifying:

26-Jul, Quarter-Finals:
Marwan marches on

Newly-crowned World Junior Champion Marwan El Shorbagy claimed another scalp in the quarter-finals of the SportsMax Open in Cairo as he ousted Pakistan's third seed Aamir Atlas Khan in four games to set up an all-Egyptian semi-final with top seed Omar Mosaad, who overcame Stephane Galifi in four games.

An Egyptian winner is already assured with second seed Ali Anwar Reda, who survived an 88-minute five-setter with Kristian Olesen, set to face Omar Abdel Aziz for a place in the final.


Tarek Shamekh talks to the players ...

Draw & Results

Marwan:
Q: Do you expect to win that match?

A: At first, I wasn’t expecting to win but my brother gave me the right plan as he played him so many times before and all my coaches told me that I have a good chance to win.

Q: What are the special points he told you?

A: Just to be calmer in the court, to do my best. He told me that I have nothing to lose, so I did my best without any stress as he is 29th on the world and I’m just 94th , so I’m really proud of the match.

Q: Do you think the World Junior Championship gave you a push?

A: Really it’s the main push, without it, I’d have never won such a record, and all of these great matches in this beautiful tournament are due to confidence I gained after the title of World Championship

Q: Would you like to add something?

A: I’m really so happy with this result. This match I will remember for the rest of my life since it’s the first time to beat someone ranked in the top 30.

Q: Steph, hard luck it was a hard game

A: yeah it was

Q: what’s your comment about the game?

A: Omar is good and I'm back from injury, only starting playing again two weeks ago, so I need some matches.

Q: what’s your opinion about Omar?

A: perfect - Omar is a good player and he will have a good future

Q: what’s your comment about the Competition?

A: it great Competition and one of the best I played, the prize money is really good... It's perfect!

Q: do you have any complaints?

A: no I am happy, only thing, it's very hot!

Q: ok thank hope you enjoyed it

A: Thanks and I will come again

Q: Omar Abdel Meguid, what’s your comment about the match, ?

A: it was a good match and I really enjoyed it

Q: what about performance today?

A: I wasn’t at my top form today because I just finished my bachelor degree in medical studies and I am 3 months out of squash so it’s a good start...

Q: what about Omar?

A: his performance was good and he deserves to win.

Q: what about the competition?

A: it was a great competition and I hope to come again.

25-Jul-2011 - First round

MARWAN STILL ON COURSE...

Competing on home soil for the first time since winning the world junior title earlier this month in Belgium, Marwan El Shorbagy upset India's Siddharth Suchde to claim an unexpected place in the quarter-finals.

The 17-year-old from Alexandria, a qualifier, despatched Suchde, ranked 64 in the world, 11-4, 11-7, 11-3 and will now face third seed Aamir Atlas Khan for a place in the semi-finals.

Khan, inspired by his surprise appearance in the Malaysian Open final last week, battled to an 11-9, 11-8, 11-9 victory in 43 minutes over Englishman Robbie Temple.



There will be domestic interest in all four quarter-finals - led by event favourite Omar Mosaad, the world No14, who defeated Cairo-born Italian qualifier Amr Swelim 11-9, 11-9, 11-9.

Omar Abdel Aziz and Omar Abdel Meguid secured surprise places in the last eight after their opponents suffered injuries. Aziz faced fellow countryman Mohammed Abbas, a former world No13 who took the opening game. But Abbas dropped the next two games and had to withdraw in the fourth to give 27-year-old Aziz the match.

Qualifier Meguid had played just two points when opponent Amr Khaled Khalifa, the former world junior champion, was forced to concede the match.

Aziz and Meguid will line-up in the quarter-finals to guarantee home interest in the last four.

All the results
  

24-Jul
Qualifying Finals:

World Junior champion, Marwan El Shorbagy bt Mohamed Essam El Sherif 3/0 (11/8 - 12/10 - 11/7) in 38 min.

Omar Abdel Meguid bt Mohamed Abouelghar (World Junior Runner up) 3/0 (11/7 - 11/8 - 11/9) however in 58 min

Mazen Gamal bt Ahmed El Zabidi 3/1 (5/11 – 11/7 – 11/2 – 11/8) in 60 min

Amr Swelim bt Wael Farag 3/0 (11/5 - 11/8 - 11/3) in 34 min

 

23-Jul-2011

TAREK CATCHES UP WITH MARWAN

Q- What was your expectation before the start of the World Junior?

A- I knew I had a chance to win the world junior as I was seeded 2, however I tried always to think match at a time. Only knew I can be the world champion at the final match point.

Q- How does it feel being a World Champion?

A- its a great feeling specially that I had an extra special target to be the World champion as my brother won the title in 2008 in Switzerland.

Q- How do you feel about Sportsmax open being your first tournament after being no1, is there any extra pressure?

A- I have no pressure what so ever as even if I loose, no one can take it from me being the World Champion, so I will just enjoy the tournament.

Q- And how do you feel after this first day?

Good start for the tournament, I like the venue. Today I was just getting used to the courts, I think I played well, looking forward for my next match tomorrow. The promoters are doing a great job.

FIRST DAY OF QUALIFYING

First surprise in the tournament was the seeded no1 qualification Dick Lau has lost to Ahmed Al Zabidi 1/3 in 51minutes all close games (7/11 - 11/8 - 11/9 - 11/7).

World Junior champion, Marwan El Shorbagy, won 3/0 (11/9 - 11/5 - 11/8) over Moustafa Bayoumy in 39 min.

Both Amr Swelim and Mohamed Essam El Sherif have won by Walkover.

The rest of the results :