World Champions Ali Farag & Nour El Sherbini named PSA World Tour Players of the Month for August
September 07 2023
Ali Farag and Nour El Sherbini have been named as the PSA World Tour Players of the Month for August following their spectacular wins at the inaugural Paris Squash 2023, the first PSA World Tour Platinum event of the new season.
Ali Farag demonstrated an extraordinary display of skill and determination throughout the tournament. His journey to the semi-finals was marked by sheer dominance, as he did not drop a single game while dispatching formidable opponents Youssef Soliman, Greg Lobban, and Victor Crouin. The pinnacle of his performance was a gruelling semi-final clash against New Zealand's No.4 seed, Paul Coll. Farag emerged victorious after a marathon 96-minute battle, securing his spot in the final.
The championship showdown brought him face-to-face with World No.2, Diego Elias. This match held immense significance, with not only the championship title but also the coveted World No.1 ranking on the line. Initially, Farag struggled, conceding the first game 2-11, however the Egyptian swiftly regained his composure, clinching a tightly contested second game 13-11 despite facing a 9-6 deficit. From there, the World No.1 found his rhythm and stormed to victory, continuing his impressive form from last season and successfully defending his top-ranking position.
Nour El Sherbini, the reigning PSA World Champion, entered the Paris Squash 2023 tournament as the No.2 seed. Her momentum from the previous season, where she triumphed in the CIB PSA World Tour Finals, carried her forward. She encountered a challenging path in the opening rounds, facing three tenacious compatriots, but El Sherbini displayed her prowess by dispatching Rowan Elaraby and Salma Hany in straight games, before defeating her close friend and World No.6 Nour El Tayeb in a four-game quarter-final.
In the semi-finals, El Sherbini showed sheer dominance against first-time PSA World Tour Platinum event semi-finalist Georgina Kennedy, beating the English No.1 in a mere 25 minutes.
The championship final pitted her against another compatriot, Nouran Gohar. Despite dropping the opening game due to Gohar's formidable play and a few errors in the latter stages of the game, El Sherbini swiftly regained her form. She took control of the middle of the court, effectively neutralising her opponent's attacks and power. El Sherbini emerged triumphant 11-4 11-8 11-5 to secure another victory over Gohar and reclaiming her World No.1 ranking.
These remarkable performances by Ali Farag and Nour El Sherbini not only solidify their positions as squash champions but also serve as a testament to their unwavering dedication and prowess on the court, with their achievements in the Paris Squash 2023 tournament have left an indelible mark on the sport.
Ali Farag demonstrated an extraordinary display of skill and determination throughout the tournament. His journey to the semi-finals was marked by sheer dominance, as he did not drop a single game while dispatching formidable opponents Youssef Soliman, Greg Lobban, and Victor Crouin. The pinnacle of his performance was a gruelling semi-final clash against New Zealand's No.4 seed, Paul Coll. Farag emerged victorious after a marathon 96-minute battle, securing his spot in the final.
The championship showdown brought him face-to-face with World No.2, Diego Elias. This match held immense significance, with not only the championship title but also the coveted World No.1 ranking on the line. Initially, Farag struggled, conceding the first game 2-11, however the Egyptian swiftly regained his composure, clinching a tightly contested second game 13-11 despite facing a 9-6 deficit. From there, the World No.1 found his rhythm and stormed to victory, continuing his impressive form from last season and successfully defending his top-ranking position.
Nour El Sherbini, the reigning PSA World Champion, entered the Paris Squash 2023 tournament as the No.2 seed. Her momentum from the previous season, where she triumphed in the CIB PSA World Tour Finals, carried her forward. She encountered a challenging path in the opening rounds, facing three tenacious compatriots, but El Sherbini displayed her prowess by dispatching Rowan Elaraby and Salma Hany in straight games, before defeating her close friend and World No.6 Nour El Tayeb in a four-game quarter-final.
In the semi-finals, El Sherbini showed sheer dominance against first-time PSA World Tour Platinum event semi-finalist Georgina Kennedy, beating the English No.1 in a mere 25 minutes.
The championship final pitted her against another compatriot, Nouran Gohar. Despite dropping the opening game due to Gohar's formidable play and a few errors in the latter stages of the game, El Sherbini swiftly regained her form. She took control of the middle of the court, effectively neutralising her opponent's attacks and power. El Sherbini emerged triumphant 11-4 11-8 11-5 to secure another victory over Gohar and reclaiming her World No.1 ranking.
These remarkable performances by Ali Farag and Nour El Sherbini not only solidify their positions as squash champions but also serve as a testament to their unwavering dedication and prowess on the court, with their achievements in the Paris Squash 2023 tournament have left an indelible mark on the sport.