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Wed 13th Jan, Semi-Finals:
Women's Semis:
[10]
Amanda Sobhy (Usa) 3-0 [8] Nouran Gohar (Egy)
11-9, 11-9, 12-10
[7] Nour El Sherbini (Egy) 3-0 [2] Nicol David (Mas)
11-8, 11-5, 11-6 (26m)
Men's Semis:
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (Egy) 3-1 [7] Mathieu Castagnet (Fra)
11-9, 11-6, 3-11, 11-7, (49m)
[2] Nick Matthew (Eng) 3-0 [3] Gregory Gaultier (Fra)
3-3 rtd (14m) |
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Sobhy sweeps into final in Grand Central
History maker Amanda Sobhy moved into her first ever PSA
World Series final with a scintillating victory over Egypt’s Nouran
Gohar.
 Sobhy, who yesterday became the first American-born woman to reach
the last four of the tournament, started on the back foot after a
fast start from Gohar saw the world junior champion took an early
lead.
Roared on by a raucous crowd, World #8 Sobhy battled back and came
out on top to in three close games.
 “I’m a little shocked, I don’t really have any words,” a
breathless Sobhy said.
“It was a battle. Even though it was 3-0 it was so tough from the
beginning to the end. I just tried to stay in my bubble and not let
the pressure of getting to the finals in front of my home crowd get
to me."
 Nour El Sherbini will go head-to-head with Sobhy in the final
after she produced a commanding display to down 2014 winner Nicol
David.
The 20-year-old came through a brutal five-game encounter with World
#4 Camille Serme in the previous round but showed no signs of
fatigue as she pounced on any loose drops from David to claim an
emphatic straight-games victory.
“It was very special to beat Nicol 3-0 and it was one of the best
things that is ever going to happen to me,” said El Sherbini.
“I’m really happy. With Nicol you have to attack any shots you can
so I was trying to finish the points off. Nicol seemed like she was
struggling with her movement today so I think that it gave me an
advantage."
 Defending champion Mohamed Elshorbagy moved through to the
men's final after a commanding victory over Frenchman Mathieu
Castagnet underneath the chandeliers in Grand Central Terminal’s
Vanderbilt Hall in New York.
The Egyptian controlled the early portions of the match by forcing
Castagnet into the front corners of the court before stepping up to
punish the number seven seed on the volley.
After falling 2-0 behind, Castagnet cut the deficit by drawing out
some errors from 25-year-old Elshorbagy but Elshorbagy took control
of the match once more in the fourth and he held off a late attempt
at a comeback from the Frenchman to see out the win.
 “He is a great competitor,” said Elshorbagy. “He’s been
making so much progress lately and has made it into the top eight
and then played in his first ever World Series final.
"He is an
inspiration to all players on how they should work hard in their
career because he has worked so hard. To be able to make it to the
semi-final here is such a great achievement and I’m really happy for
him.
“We played such a great match together, we always do. I’m really
happy for him and I want to congratulate him.”
Last year’s runner up Nick Matthew will meet the World No.1
in the final after a serious injury to his semi-final opponent,
World Champion Gregory Gaultier, handed the Englishman the win.
The match began on an even keel with the packed crowd looking
forward to some exciting squash between the two players who had
battled against each other 33 times previously on the PSA World
Tour.
However, with the score level at 3-3, Gaultier rolled his ankle
painfully after contact with Matthew and was carried off the court
in distress.
 Despite receiving treatment, the Frenchman was unable to continue
the match to ensure that Matthew will advance to face World No.1
Mohamed Elshorbagy for the distinction of lifting the prestigious
title in a repeat of last year’s final.
"My heart goes out to Greg," said Matthew.
"The match had barely got going. We were feeling each other out on
the first few points.
"I feel bad for everyone who came down to see a
great match but that’s nothing to what I’m feeling for Greg because
it’s his livelihood.
"I’ve got to take advantage of the fact that my legs will be fresh
tomorrow and it will be my sixth Tournament of Champions final. I’m
really proud of that record but I have only won one out of those
five so far. I need to improve that ratio tomorrow."
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