ElShorbagy
captured his third successive PSA World Tour title – and the 29th of
his career – after an 11-6, 5-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-3 victory over Farag in
64 minutes at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre saw him pick up his
third Hong Kong Open title after also winning the tournament in 2014 and
2015.There were some brutal rallies in the first four games until, at two games apiece, ElShorbagy overpowered his fellow Egyptian to continue his incredible start to the season, completing a third win in a row over the World No.4 and making it four titles from five tournaments this season.
“We’ve
played so many battles in the last few weeks and I want to congratulate
him and all of his team,” said ElShorbagy, who overtakes World Champion
Karim Abdel Gawad to move back up to No.2 in the World Rankings.“He’s played unbelievable squash at the last few tournaments and I’m looking forward to having many more battles with him in the future.
“I’m happy I’m playing well again this year, I’ve done a lot of work this summer and I’m really proud with the way I’ve started this season, but there is still a long season ahead. I’m going to enjoy this trophy for a day or two and then I will look forward to my next event.”
In
the women’s final, World Champion Nour El Sherbini ended a 20-month
wait for a World Series title after she claimed a comfortable victory
over World No.2 Raneem El Welily.22-year-old El Sherbini’s last World Series crown came back in March 2016 when she felled World No.5 Nouran Gohar to win the prestigious British Open, and she overcame Egyptian opposition once again in Hong Kong to win this tournament for the first time.
The match was a repeat of April’s PSA Women’s World Championship final, in which El Sherbini prevailed, and the 22-year-old from Alexandria rediscovered that form against a tired El Welily, who had come through five-game encounters against Nour El Tayeb, Joelle King and Camille Serme in the build-up to the final, with an 11-5, 11-8, 11-5 victory seeing her capture the 13th title of her career.
“It’s my first World Series title in almost two years, so it’s special,” said El Sherbini.“This title was really important for me so I could get my confidence back and to feel that I’m playing well before the World Championships.
“This tournament has given me a huge push and I’m really happy to win the Hong Kong Open.
“It’s my second time here and I played well, so I can’t wait to come back next year.”
Men’s Final:
[3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) 3-2 [4] Ali Farag (EGY) 11-6, 5-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-3 (64m)
[3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) 3-2 [4] Ali Farag (EGY) 11-6, 5-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-3 (64m)
Women’s Final:
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 3-0 [2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) 11-5, 11-8, 11-5 (29m)
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 3-0 [2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) 11-5, 11-8, 11-5 (29m)
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