Sun 17th Apr, Day SEVEN, the Final

[4] Marwan Elshorbagy (Egy) 3-2 [1] Gregory Gaultier (Fra)
                   6/11, 13/11, 11/9, 9/11, 11/6 (65m) 

Marwan makes the breakthrough

Both semi-finals pitted European players against Egyptians, as did the final which saw top seed and defending champion Gregory Gaultier take on rising youngster Marwan Elshorbagy - both had been in good form this week, although Gaultier had won all three of their previous meetings.

It was Gaultier who started the better, controlling most of the early play and making Marwan do most of the work as he took the first 11/6.

The Egyptian worked his way into the match though, edging ahead at the end of the second to take the lead, and capitalising on a quick start in the third to take the lead.

He started the fourth better too, leading 4-1, but Gaultier settled, went ahead 6-5 and levelled the match after a tremendous diving recovery on gamer ball which Marwan tinned.

With the rallies shortening in the cool conditions the fifth was the shortest game of the match and it was Elshorbagy who found the winners needed to capture his biggest title to date.

"I'm over the moon, really happy!"

"This is the biggest win of my career, I grew up watching Greg so to beat him here today, it's something I'll never forget.

"A lot of people have been helping me and pushing me, so thanks to all of you."