Top Seeds Safely Through In St Louis

The top four men’s seeds safely negotiated their first hurdles in the Stifel World Hardball Doubles Squash Championships in St Louis in the US state of Missouri.

No.1 seeds Michael Ferreira & Jonny Smith – bidding to win the title for the first time while keeping the trophy in English hands – saw off their second round opponents in straight games, beating US pair Hameed Ahmed & Adam Perkiomaki 15-10, 15-5, 15-10 (both pairs pictured in action below).

The favourites will now meet fifth seeds Viktor Berg & Justin Todd in the quarter-finals after the Canadian duo also despatched a USA pair Tony Brettkelly & Ray Lindsay in a 15-7, 15-4, 15-8 scoreline.

Boosted by a rise in seeding to fourth position after the late withdrawal of second-seeded Indians Manek Mathur & Parth Sharma, defending champions Clive Leach & John Russell saw off South Africans Clinton Leeuw & Jacques Swanepoel 15-14, 15-7, 15-10 to claim a place in the last eight.

New York-based Leach, a 43-year-old former European Junior Championship finalist from Birmingham in England, is bidding to reach the final for the fifth time in a row.

For a place in the semi-finals, Leach & Russell will line up against Hamed Anvari & Julian Illingworth, a record nine-time US national singles champion. The unseeded US pair upset sixth-seeded Canadians Will Mariani & Freddie Reid15-9, 15-14, 15-9.

Men’s First Round:
Hameed Ahmed & Adam Perkiomaki (USA) bt Ryan Abraham & Mandela Patrick (TRI) 15-4, 15-5, 15-6
Tony Brettkelly & Ray Lindsay (USA) bt Neil Martin & Joseph Roberts (IRL) w/o
Hamed Anvari & Julian Illingworth (USA) bt Iago Cornes & Michael Puertas (USA) 15-9, 15-10, 15-7
Adam Bews & Greg McArthur (SCO) bt Mark Heather & Alex Ingham (ENG) 15-6, 15-6, 11-15, 15-9

Second round:
[1] Michael Ferreira & Jonny Smith (ENG) bt Hameed Ahmed & Adam Perkiomaki (USA) 15-10, 15-5, 15-10
[5] Viktor Berg & Justin Todd (CAN) bt Tony Brettkelly & Ray Lindsay (USA) 15-7, 15-4, 15-8
Hamed Anvari & Julian Illingworth (USA) bt [6] Will Mariani & Freddie Reid (CAN) 15-9, 15-14, 15-9
[4] Clive Leach & John Russell (ENG) bt Clinton Leeuw & Jacques Swanepoel (RSA) 15-14, 15-7, 15-10
[3] Christopher Callis & Greg Park (USA) bt Graham Bassett & Jordan Greenberg (USA) 15-14, 12-15, 12-15, 15-13, 15-10
Thomas Brinkman & Robin Clarke (CAN) bt [8] Bobby Burns & Ed Garno (USA) 15-9, 15-8, 9-15, 14-15, 15-10
James Bamber & Alex Stait (ENG) bt [7] Imran Khan Riaz & Aaron Luque (USA) 15-8, 15-11, 13-15, 15-5
[2] Scott Arnold & Matt Jenson (AUS) bt Adam Bews & Greg McArthur (SCO) 15-10, 15-6, 10-15, 15-13

  

For live coverage and streaming, visit www.worlddoubles.com/live/

Gaultier Withdraws from Oracle NetSuite Open

French World No.1 Gregory Gaultier has withdrawn from next week’s 2017 Men’s Oracle NetSuite Open in San Francisco due to an ankle injury.

 

The 34-year-old, who has won three Oracle NetSuite Open titles, was seeded first for the PSA M100 tournament but his ankle injury - a reoccurrence of the one that saw him forced to pull out of last year’s PSA Men’s World Championship at the semi-final stage - will prevent him from defending the title he won 12 months ago.

 

As a result of the injury, Mohamed ElShorbagy moves up from third seed to number two seed and will take on a qualifier, while Willstrop will now face a qualifier instead of Australia’s Ryan Cuskelly, who now becomes the number eight seed..

 

Mexico’s World No.21 Cesar Salazar moves into the main draw and will take on Cuskelly for a place in the quarter-finals.

 

2017 Oracle NetSuite Open - Revised Men's First Round Draw

[2] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) v [Qualifier]

[Qualifier] v [7] Daryl Selby (ENG)

[8] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) v Cesar Salazar (MEX)

[Qualifier] v [4] James Willstrop (ENG)

[3] Nick Matthew (ENG) v Borja Golan (ESP)

Diego Elias (PER) v [6] Fares Dessouky (EGY)

[5] Tarek Momen (EGY) v [Qualifier]

[WC] Faraz Khan (USA) v [1] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)

 

The qualifying stages and first round of the Oracle NetSuite Open will be held at local clubs between September 24-26, with matches from the quarter-finals onwards taking place on the Oracle NetSuite Challenge court on Justin Herman Plaza between September 27-30.

 

Action from the Oracle NetSuite Challenge court will be shown live on SQUASHTV (Rest of World) and Eurosport Player (Europe Only), while tickets start from $20 and can be purchased at www.netsuiteopensquash.tix.com

Titanic Clashes in Store as Qatar Classic Main Draw is Released

The Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex will play host to a series of blistering first round fixtures at the 2017 Qatar Classic after the main draw for the World Series tournament was released today (September 22).

The Qatar Classic, which takes place between October 29 - November 3, is the second World Series tournament of the 2017/18 season and will see Egypt’s World No.6 Marwan ElShorbagy take on New Zealand’s World No.10 Paul Coll in the pick of the first round fixtures.

Defending champion Karim Abdel Gawad joins Coll and ElShorbagy in the bottom half of the draw and has a first round clash with Spain’s former World No.5 in store, with Golan memorably getting the better of the reigning World Champion in February’s Windy City Open.

Gawad is seeded to meet 2009 winner Nick Matthew in the semi-finals but the Englishman’s route to the last four is filled with peril.

The 37-year-old will be competing at his last ever Qatar Classic after announcing his retirement earlier this week but will have to be at his best to make sure his final appearance in Doha isn’t cut short at the second round stage - with Egyptian three-time World Champion Ramy Ashour seeded to meet him there.

Ashour, who takes on a qualifier in round one, will return to the scene of his second and third World Championship triumphs, while the man he beat in both finals, two-time Qatar Classic champion Mohamed ElShorbagy, is seeded on the top half of the draw, alongside World No.1 Gregory Gaultier, who he is seeded to meet in the semi-finals.

Elsewhere, 2005 winner James Willstrop has a difficult first round clash with Diego Elias to negotiate, while tournament wildcard and local hero Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi is in action against World No.9 Fares Dessouky.

The 2017 Qatar Classic has $165,000 up for grabs in prize money - the most in the tournament’s history - while players will also compete for points for the World Series Standings as they bid to finish in the top eight at the end of the season, which will enable them to qualify for the lucrative PSA World Series Finals next June.

The qualifying stages will be held between October 27-28, while the main draw takes place between October 29 - November 3. Entry to the tournament is free of charge.

Action from every round of the tournament will be shown live on SQUASHTV (Rest of World) and Eurosport Player (Europe Only), while the semi-finals and finals will be shown live on mainstream broadcast channels around the world, including BT Sport, beIN Sports, Fox Sports Australia and Astro.

2017 Qatar Classic - First Round Draw

[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Cesar Salazar (MEX)

Zahed Mohamed (EGY) v Gregoire Marche (FRA)

Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Qualifier]

Diego Elias (PER) v [7] James Willstrop (ENG)

[5] Ali Farag (EGY) v [Qualifier]

Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) v [Qualifier]

Fares Dessouky (EGY) v [WC] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT)

[Qualifier] v [3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY)

[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) v [Qualifier]

Ramy Ashour (EGY) v [Qualifier]

Cameron Pilley (AUS) v [Qualifier]

Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v [8] Tarek Momen (EGY)

[6] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) v Paul Coll (NZL)

Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v Omar Mosaad (EGY)

Simon Rösner (GER) v [Qualifier]

Borja Golan (ESP) v [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)

Massaro Hoping to Get Season Up and Running at Oracle NetSuite Open

England’s World No.4 Laura Massaro is aiming to bounce back from a disappointing start to the season when she returns to San Francisco between September 26-30 to defend her Oracle NetSuite Open, PSA W50 title. Massaro, whose final victory over United States No.1 Amanda Sobhy 12 months ago saw her lift the second of four Tour titles throughout the 2016/17 season, began her campaign with a surprise first round defeat to New Zealand’s Joelle King during last month’s J.P. Morgan China Squash Open. But the 33-year-old from Preston is anticipating an improved showing in San Francisco as aims to become the first woman to win the Oracle NetSuite Open on more than one occasion. "I’ve got really good memories of my first time in San Francisco," said Massaro, the 2013 World Champion. "It always helps when you win but I loved the area and the court. The Bay Bridge is a spectacular backdrop and I loved the feel of things last year. "For a player, being close to the hotel [Hyatt Regency] is a big deal and the court is literally outside the back of the hotel, so it’s a bonus. "I have been looking to adjust things in my training after losing in China, so hopefully I can perform well in San Francisco and settle in again. "I really enjoyed it [last year]. The squash community is very passionate and I look forward to feeling that again." Massaro gets her tournament under way against wildcard Aisling Blake in round one and is seeded to meet England No.2 Sarah-Jane Perry in a blockbuster semi-final clash. A win there could see Massaro take on legendary Malaysian Nicol David in the title decider, with David seeded second for the tournament. Meanwhile, World No.1 Gregory Gaultier heads up the men’s PSA M100 tournament and he is joined by former World No.1s Karim Abdel Gawad, Mohamed ElShorbagy, Nick Matthew and James Willstrop in the strongest ever men's Oracle NetSuite Open draw. The qualifying stages and first round of the Oracle NetSuite Open will be held at local clubs between September 24-26, with matches from the quarter-finals onwards taking place on the Oracle NetSuite Challenge court on Justin Herman Plaza between September 27-30. Action from the Oracle NetSuite Challenge court will be shown live on SQUASHTV (Rest of World) and Eurosport Player (Europe Only), while tickets start from $20 and can be purchased at www.netsuiteopensquash.tix.com 2017 Oracle NetSuite Open - Men's First Round Draw [1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [Qualifier] [Qualifier] v [8] Daryl Selby (ENG) [5] James Willstrop (ENG) v Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) [Qualifier] v [3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) [4] Nick Matthew (ENG) v Borja Golan (ESP) Diego Elias (PER) v [7] Fares Dessouky (EGY) [6] Tarek Momen (EGY) v [Qualifier] [WC] Faraz Khan (EGY) v [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 2017 Oracle NetSuite Open - Women's First Round Draw [1] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [WC] Aisling Blake (IRL) [Qualifier] v [8] Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY) [7] Donna Urquhart (AUS) v [Qualifier] [Qualifier] v [3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) [4] Emily Whitlock (ENG) v Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND) Millie Tomlinson (ENG) v [6] Olivia Blatchford (USA) [5] Victoria Lust (ENG) v [Qualifier] Heba El Torky (EGY) v [2] Nicol David (MAS)

ElShorbagy and Farag Seeded to Meet in All-Egyptian Channel VAS Championships Final

ElShorbagy and Farag Seeded to Meet in All-Egyptian Channel VAS Championships Final Egyptian duo Mohamed ElShorbagy and Ali Farag have been seeded to go head-to-head in the final of the 2017 Channel VAS Championships at St George’s Hill after the draw for the PSA M100 tournament was released today (September 19). World No.3 and top seed ElShorbagy will look to improve on a shock first round defeat at last year’s tournament as he takes on Spain’s former World No.16 Borja Golan for a place in the last eight. A win for the Egyptian powerhouse could see him face compatriot Fares Dessouky, while he is seeded to meet younger brother Marwan in a titanic semi-final encounter. The other side of the draw sees Farag take on tournament wildcard Joe Lee in round one, while the World No.5 is seeded to meet defending champion Paul Coll in a mouthwatering quarter-final clash if the Kiwi World No.10 can come through against Australia's Ryan Cuskelly in what looks set to be the pick of the first round matches. Coll and Cuskelly are set to meet for the sixth time on the PSA World Tour, with Cuskelly currently leading the head-to-head record by four wins to one. It was the man from New Zealand who prevailed in their last meeting at the 2016 Delaware Investments U.S. Open, however, so it's all to play for in Weybridge. Elsewhere in the draw, 2016 runner-up Tarek Momen faces a qualifier in round one and a win would see him take on either England’s Daryl Selby or Peru’s World No.17 Diego Elias for a place in the semi-finals - with the former getting the better of Mohamed ElShorbagy on the opening day of last year’s tournament. Qualification for the Channel VAS Championships at St George’s Hill will take place between October 16-17, with the main draw held between October 18-22. The whole tournament will take place at the St George's Hill Lawn Tennis Club. Every match from the main draw will also be shown live on SQUASHTV (Rest of World) or Eurosport Player (Europe only). Tickets start from £11.85 and be purchased here: www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Channel-Vas-Squash-Championships-tickets/artist/2295837 2017 Channel VAS Championships at St George’s Hill - First Round Draw [1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) v Borja Golan (ESP) [Qualifier] v [5] Fares Dessouky (EGY) [8] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v [Qualifier] [Qualifier] v [3] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) [4] Tarek Momen (EGY) v [Qualifier] Diego Elias (PER) v [7] Daryl Selby (ENG) [6] Paul Coll (NZL) v Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) [WC] Joe Lee (ENG) v [2] Ali Farag (EGY)

Professional Squash to Return to Pakistan in December

Professional Squash to Return to Pakistan in December Pakistan will host professional squash tournaments for the first time since January between December 19-23 when the Pakistan Open Mens’ Squash Championship and the Chief of the Air Staff International Women Squash Championship take place in Islamabad following last month’s decision by the Professional Squash Association (PSA) to begin sanctioning PSA World Tour events in the country again. Staged at the Mushaf Squash Complex & PSB Roshan Khan Squash Complex, the Pakistan Open Mens’ Squash Championship will consist of a $50,000 prize money tournament, while the Chief of the Air Staff International Women Squash Championship will feature a prize fund of $25,000. In February 2017, the PSA made the decision to withdraw the sanctioning of PSA World Tour events in Pakistan due to security concerns but, after a comprehensive security evaluation was carried out by security consultants Sports Risk, the PSA now deem it safe to sanction tournaments again, although the tournament will remain under the strict supervision of Sports Risk. "We are delighted to confirm that professional squash tournaments will return to Pakistan," said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough. "We look forward to working with both the tournament promoters and the Pakistan Squash Federation in the coming months and hope that a successful tournament will enable us to add more tournaments based in Pakistan to the calendar in the future." Tournament Promoter and Pakistan Squash Federation Honorary Secretary, Tahir Sultan, said: "The entire Pakistani nation is very excited about conducting the Pakistan Open Squash Championship of $50K for men and $25K CAS International Squash Championship for Women. "Pakistan will warmly welcome all international players for the tournaments and will provide requisite security to all players. We are also looking forward to conducting more tournaments with more prize money in the year 2018."

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World’s Best to Do Battle in Doha For Qatar Classic

The Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex will host the world’s greatest players once again between October 29 - November 3 when the 2017 Qatar Classic, World Series tournament takes place in Doha. A record $165,000 will be up for grabs as the likes of World No.1 Gregory Gaultier, defending champion Karim Abdel Gawad, two-time winner Mohamed ElShorbagy and 2009 champion Nick Matthew battle it out for the second World Series title of the 2017/18 season. Egyptian maverick Ramy Ashour will appear at the Qatar Classic for the first time since the 2011 edition as he returns to the scene of his second and third PSA Men’s World Championship triumphs in 2012 and 2014, respectively, with ElShorbagy losing out in both finals. Meanwhile, Qatari No.1 and World No. 42 Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi takes the tournament wildcard spot for the fifth instalment in succession as he aims to progress beyond the opening round for the first time in his career. In addition to the lucrative prize fund, players will also earn points for the World Series Standings, where only the top eight players will qualify for a coveted berth at the PSA World Series Finals in June. The qualifying stages will be held between October 27-28, while the main draw starts the following day and finishes with the final on Friday November 3. Entry to the tournament is free of charge. Action from every round of the tournament will be shown live on SQUASHTV (Rest of World) and Eurosport Player (Europe Only), while the semi-finals and finals will be shown live on mainstream broadcast channels around the world, including BT Sport, beIN Sports, Fox Sports Australia and Astro. 2017 Qatar Classic - Entry List 1) Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 2) Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 3) Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) 4) Nick Matthew (ENG) 5) Ali Farag (EGY) 6) Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) 7) James Willstrop (ENG) 8) Tarek Momen (EGY) 9) Fares Dessouky (EGY) 10) Paul Coll (NZL) 11) Simon Rösner (GER) 12) Daryl Selby (ENG) 13) Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 14) Ramy Ashour (EGY) 15) Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) 16) Borja Golan (ESP) 17) Diego Elias (PER) 18) Cameron Pilley (AUS) 19) Zahed Mohamed (EGY) 20) Cesar Salazar (EGY) 21) Gregoire Marche (FRA) 22) Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 23) Omar Mosaad (EGY) Wildcard) Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT)

ElShorbagy to Headline Channel VAS Championships

ElShorbagy to Headline Channel VAS Championships World No.3 Mohamed ElShorbagy will top the Channel VAS Championships at St George’s Hill draw in October as six of the world’s top 10 players compete for the PSA M100 title in Weybridge. Held between October 18-22 at the St George’s Hill Lawn Tennis Club, the third edition of the Channel VAS Championship will see ElShorbagy joined by fellow Egyptians Ali Farag, Marwan ElShorbagy, Tarek Momen, Fares Dessouky and Mohamed Abouelghar in fighting for the title. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Paul Coll will return to the scene of his biggest ever title triumph as he looks to consolidate his place in the world’s top 10. The 25-year-old Kiwi shot up the World Rankings last season after downing Momen in the final and he will aim for another taste of success in October. Home interest in the main draw comes in the form of England's World No.12 Daryl Selby - the 2015 runner-up - and tournament wildcard Joe Lee, while Australia’s Ryan Cuskelly, Spain’s Borja Golan and Peru’s Diego Elias make up the rest of the entries. The qualification draw features a number of experienced home players vying to make it into the main draw, with the likes of 2015 winner Chris Simpson, World No.36 Declan James, World No.38 Adrian Waller and World No.39 Tom Richards, who has played at the St George’s Hill club for almost 30 years, all in action. There are also a number of local Englishmen aiming to come through qualifying. World No.53 Charles Sharpes will aim to reach the main draw at the second attempt after falling in the final qualifying round last year, while 19-year-old Charlie Lee and 20-year-old Matthew Broadberry also feature. But they will face stern competition if they are to qualify for the main draw, with World No.18 Cameron Pilley, former World No.4 Miguel Angel Rodriguez and Indian No.1 Saurav Ghosal just some of the big names in the qualifying draw. Qualification for the Channel VAS Championship at St George’s Hill will take place between October 16-17, with the main draw held between October 18-22. The whole tournament will take place at the St George's Hill Lawn Tennis Club. Every match from the main draw will be shown live on SQUASHTV (Rest of World) or Eurosport Player (Europe only). Tickets start from £11.85 and be purchased here: www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Channel-Vas-Squash-Championships-tickets/artist/2295837 2017 Channel VAS Championship at St George’s Hill - Entry List 1) Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) 2) Ali Farag (EGY) 3) Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) 4) Tarek Momen (EGY) 5) Fares Dessouky (EGY) 6) Paul Coll (NZL) 7) Daryl Selby (ENG) 8) Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 9) Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) 10) Borja Golan (ESP) 11) Diego Elias (PER) Wildcard) Joe Lee (ENG)

PSA & WSF Sign Squash Partnership Agreement

Following a series of meetings between the International Federation, led by President Jacques Fontaine and Chief Executive Andrew Shelley, and the PSA, led by Chief Executive Alex Gough, both organisations have agreed to tackle the sport’s future in a united and cohesive manner – by means of a unity that will lead to greater support for and interaction between all levels of the sport. Central to the partnership will be the development of a global strategy, focusing on objectives such as, securing a place on the Olympic Games programme; maintaining squash’s presence on other international multi-sport games programmes; growing participation levels around the world; and encouraging the development of court facilities in conjunction with centres, local associations and national federations. “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with the PSA which we have now signed, that will see both organisations work side-by-side throughout the coming years to help squash achieve greater visibility and profile around the world. This was a key objective for me since my election as WSF President last November,” said WSF President Jacques Fontaine. “It is vital for the future of the sport that the governing body of the professional game and the international federation representing the nations and their players, coaches and referees, work in unison towards joint objectives that will ultimately help ensure squash continues to expand its global profile. The ability to plan for our future together, developing clear roles and responsibilities for the PSA, WSF and other key stakeholders within the sport, is an exciting moment for squash and we look forward to a very bright future working together.” PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough said: “Our ambition, aligned with that of the WSF, is to create a more stable and successful platform from which to market squash around the world. “Creating a unified refereeing structure, expanding squash’s commercial profile and improving working relationships with all stakeholders are key to the future success of squash and we are pleased to begin a new working relationship with the WSF. “The Professional Tour has made enormous strides in recent years and we hope to continue that growth, while at the same time helping grow the sport at a grass roots level. We have been hugely encouraged in all our conversations with the WSF and are excited to begin a new era of greater cohesion.”

Squash Youth Olympic Games Debut Formalised In Buenos Aires

World Squash Federation Vice President Pablo Serna led a delegation representing Squash in the Pan American region at a meeting with the Organising Committee of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires at which the sport’s debut in the event was formalised.

The first meeting to discuss the logistics and presentation of Squash as a showcase sport at the Games in October next year took place at the Argentine Olympic Committee offices in Buenos Aires.

Squash will be presented at Tecnololis, the venue where Badminton, Futsal and Table Tennis will be played.

“It is an exciting moment for squash and our young players who will represent our sport in Buenos Aires,” said VP Serna after the meeting. “We are very grateful to the YOG18 Organising Committee for including Squash in their Games and they can be certain that we will make sure we do them proud.”

The event days for squash, the format and other general arrangement and presentation details, will be decided at follow up meetings, where WSF will be liaising with the hosts in conjunction with the Argentinean Squash Federation.

Pablo Serna is pictured above (2nd from right) with (L to R) Andres Nieto, President South American Squash Federation; Federico Serna, President Pan American Squash Federation, & Juan Pablo Garcia, President Argentinian Squash Federation.

male and female world Ranking for the month of September 2017

Ashour And El Sherbini Claim China Open Crowns




Egyptian Women's World No.1 Nour El Sherbini and former Men's World No.1 Ramy Ashour claimed the honours at the 2017 J.P. Morgan China Open, prevailing in two all-Egyptian title-deciders to take the first major honours of the 2017/18 PSA World Tour season.


Atop The Peninsula Hotel overlooking Shanghai's iconic Bund, El Sherbini dominated compatriot Nouran Gohar to take the Women's crown in straight-games while Ashour - who last tasted tournament success in nearby Hong Kong twelve months ago - came through a captivating five game affair with tournament top seed Ali Farag.


Ashour started strong, replicating the form that took him to straight game wins over Daryl Selby and Marwan ElShorbagy during the past two days as he varied the pace to unsettle Farag and take a 2-0 lead.


Undeterred Farag managed to fight his way back into proceedings and, following a drop in level from Ashour, forced a decisive fifth game. But, over eager to reach the finish line, the younger man began to give away errors, allowing Ashour to come through 11-3, 11-8, 10-12, 2-11, 11-5.


"I'm very, very happy to win," said Ashour.


"I've enjoyed being here this week - it's my first time competing in Shanghai. I always seem to play well in the Far East, I'm not sure why but I feel comfortable in this part of the world.


"And with a venue like, with these views, it's make me proud of our sport. But I couldn't have done it today without the team who've been behind me both at this event and back home.


"Ali is a very fair and smart player and it was a great battle on court today - and I hope we are going to have many more in the future."


After the match Farag said: "It was a great match. He's one of the most naturally gifted players ever to play the game so to be on court pushing him to five games in a final was a privilege for me. We both gave it our very best.


For 21-year-old El Sherbini the win sees her extend her lead atop the Women's World Rankings courtesy of a routine 3-0 win that saw her inflict a fourth consecutive China Open final defeat on 19-year-old Gohar.


"I'm really happy - it's a great start to the season," said El Sherbini.


"I'm happy with the way I played and the level of my performance. I had no real expectations today - I was just focusing on my game plan and I think the first game gave me a lot of confidence.


"So I'm happy with the way it came together today and hopefully I can continue to play well throughout the season."


Results - J.P. Morgan China Open: Women's Final

[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [4] Nouran Gohar (EGY) 3-0: 12-10, 11-7, 11-9 (39m)


Results - J.P. Morgan China Open: Men's Final

[3] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [1] Ali Farag (EGY) 3-2: 11-3, 11-8, 10-12, 2-11, 11-5 (60m)

Ashour Leads Egyptian Whitewash In China Open Semis

Former World No.1 Ramy Ashour put in a dominant display, in which he looked back to some of his best ever form, to overcome Marwan ElShorbagy and lead a quartet of Egyptian players into the finals of the 2017 J.P. Morgan China Open - the PSA M100 tournament taking place atop The Peninsula Hotel.  Current World No.14 Ashour was at times mesmeric as he overpowered and outmanoeuvred World No.6 ElShorbagy from start-to-finish to record a straight-games victory that sees him reach his first tournament final since the 2016 World Championship - when injury derailed his title bid. "For me it's not just about the match and the result," said Ashour afterwards, having wrapped up the victory in 41 minutes.  "It's beyond that - it's about the long term. I'm proud of my past achievements but it's about now. There are other players coming up and I'm trying to stay there and today I showed that I can still be up there. "In the past few seasons I'd do well in one event but not be able to back it up or have that consistency. I'm trying to get things right, find that balance, and at the moment, it's good." Ashour will face tournament top seed Ali Farag, World No.5, after he defeated New Zealand's Paul Coll over four games while 21-year-old Women's World No.1 Nour El Sherbini will hope to get her season off to a winning start against her younger compatriot Nouran Gohar, the 19-year-old who will be competing in her fourth consecutive China Open final. Gohar, who has lost out in the showpiece event for the past three years running, booked her place in the decider after a hard fought four-game win over World No.3 Camille Serme, using her pace and power to keep the Frenchwoman on the back foot and enforce her style on proceedings. "All my past matches with Camille have been very tough and she won the last few meetings, so I knew what to expect from her today," said Gohar. "She's been on top of her game recently but I tried to focus on enjoying the match. I didn't put any pressure on myself, I just concentrated on enjoy being here and giving it my best.  "I like this event and I've a good record here - it's an amazing location. I've made the final here three times and the first time I reached the top ten, my first win over Nicol David and my first big final all came here.  "I've got great memories here so hopefully I can add another one by winning the final tomorrow." Results - J.P. Morgan China Open: Women's Semi-finals: [1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt Joelle King (NZL) 3-0: 12-10, 11-4, 11-6 (29m) [4] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [2] Camille Serme (FRA) 3-1: 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8 (49m) Draw - Final [1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [4] Nouran Gohar (EGY)  Results - J.P. Morgan China Open: Men's Semi-finals: [1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt [6] Paul Coll (NZL) 3-1: 11-8, 5-11, 11-3, 12-10 (51m) [3] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [2] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) 3-0: 12-10, 11-3, 11-6 (41m)  Draw - Final [1] Ali Farag (EGY) v [3] Ramy Ashour (EGY)  -ends-

Happening this September- 3rd National Youths Games

At the Ilorin citadel of Learning!