James Willstrop PSA Dubai World Series Finals runner-up
June 10 2017
Mohamed ElShorbagy claimed the men’s titles at the season-ending PSA Dubai World Series Finals following a hard-fought victory over James Willstrop inside the stunning Dubai Opera.
The championships brought together the top eight qualifiers from the annual men’s & women’s Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Series tournaments, featuring a format of two pools of four players, with best-of-three-game matches, leading to semi-finals & best-of-five-game finals.
ElShorbagy ended a difficult season on a high to lift his first ever PSA World Series Finals crown & his first World Tour title since November with an impressive 57-minute 12-10 11-9 11-8 win over surprise finalist James Willstrop.
James Willstrop, the former World No.1 reached the showpiece finale for the first time in his career after a sequence of impressive victories over reigning World No.1 Gregory Gaultier, Ali Farag & World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad, with his only losses in the prestigious event coming at the hands of ElShorbagy who also defeated the 33-year-old Englishman on the opening day of the group stages.
Whilst remaining unbeaten throughout the five-day championships, which also included wins over Farag, Gaultier & Simon Rösner of Germany in the semi-finals, ElShorbagy’s form remained inconsistent although offered renewed hope for the new season.
"To win this tournament has been a dream for so long," acknowledged the Egyptian after lifting his 25th PSA World Tour title.
"It’s a very emotional win. I lost some confidence in myself during the season but I feel like I bounced back this week. I don't want to lose. I hate losing. This season I didn't play with my spirit, but I'm really proud I got that back this week. It was my best squash since being World No.1."
PSA Dubai World Series Finals
Men's Final:
[3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt [6] James Willstrop (ENG) 12-10, 11-9, 11-8
The championships brought together the top eight qualifiers from the annual men’s & women’s Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Series tournaments, featuring a format of two pools of four players, with best-of-three-game matches, leading to semi-finals & best-of-five-game finals.
ElShorbagy ended a difficult season on a high to lift his first ever PSA World Series Finals crown & his first World Tour title since November with an impressive 57-minute 12-10 11-9 11-8 win over surprise finalist James Willstrop.
James Willstrop, the former World No.1 reached the showpiece finale for the first time in his career after a sequence of impressive victories over reigning World No.1 Gregory Gaultier, Ali Farag & World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad, with his only losses in the prestigious event coming at the hands of ElShorbagy who also defeated the 33-year-old Englishman on the opening day of the group stages.
Whilst remaining unbeaten throughout the five-day championships, which also included wins over Farag, Gaultier & Simon Rösner of Germany in the semi-finals, ElShorbagy’s form remained inconsistent although offered renewed hope for the new season.
"To win this tournament has been a dream for so long," acknowledged the Egyptian after lifting his 25th PSA World Tour title.
"It’s a very emotional win. I lost some confidence in myself during the season but I feel like I bounced back this week. I don't want to lose. I hate losing. This season I didn't play with my spirit, but I'm really proud I got that back this week. It was my best squash since being World No.1."
PSA Dubai World Series Finals
Men's Final:
[3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt [6] James Willstrop (ENG) 12-10, 11-9, 11-8