An all Egyptian final in Pakistan Open Squash

ISLAMABAD: It turned out to be an all Egyptian final in the $ 50000 Pakistan Open Squash as Marwan El Shorbagy and Mohamed Abouelghar lived up to their seeding, winning their respective semifinals in contrasting style at the Mushaf Ali Mir Complex Friday.

World No 5 Shorbagy was in ruthless form and yet again come out clean with a straight game 11-9, 11-4, 11-3 win over his countryman Zahed Mohamed. World No 11 Mohamed Abouelghar had to exert little is disposing off Hong Kong Leo Au challenge beating him 11-9, 12-14, 11-4 and 11-6 following an hour tussle at the Centre Court.

Watched by none other than great Jahangir Khan, Shorbagy gave a modern display of his fast nimble footed approach, taking the full measure of the match from the second game onward. Zahed showed some resistance in the first game which went neck and neck only to see Zahed losing at the fag-end.

There was no stopping Shorbagy from the second game onward as he stared playing masterly game, unleashing some exceptional top of the court drops to unsettle Zaid. He continued with the same vein, going on to win the third with utmost easy for a place in the final. Never during the 30 minutes of semis, there was any doubt about the ultimate winner. When asked whether he had any plans of losing just one game during the Open, Shorbagy said, wait for the final. “You never know in squash. You have to play well to win every match. Smallest of slackness and you start losing. Thanks God everything is going fine so far.”

He praised Zahed for playing well. “He has played well and showed his true mettle.”There was no such smooth passage for Abouelghar in the second semi-finals as Leo Au gave him a tough time and even went on to win the second game before losing in a hour battle. The Hong Kong player who had an injury scare in between the match started off well, posing tough challenge for Egyptian player before letting him off the hook, losing the next last two easily.

Results: Marwan El Shorbagy bt Zahed Mohamed 11-9, 11-4, 11-3. Mohamed Abouelghar bt Leo Au 11-9, 12-14, 11-4, 11-6.