ElShorbagy Overcomes US Open Champion Elias To Set Up All-Egyptian Finals Day At Grasshopper Cup

Egypt’s World No.7 Marwan ElShorbagy got the better of U.S. Open champion Diego Elias to ensure an all-Egyptian finals day on Sunday at the Grasshopper Cup in Zurich, Switzerland.

ElShorbagy came up against Elias for the third time this season, having already met at the CIB Egyptian Open and Oracle NetSuite Open in the last couple of months. The pair both had one win in that time, with ‘the Jackal’ taking the most recent victory in San Francisco on route to the final there.

In his only previous trip to Zurich, the Egyptian had taken victory at the Grasshopper Cup, and he continued that unbeaten run in Switzerland on Saturday evening. The first game was a close affair, with some top quality squash being played. ElShorbagy saved two game balls before going on to win on a tie-break 14-12.

The second was another tight affair that went ElShorbagy’s way 12-10, with the Egyptian coming out better after a number of exciting duels at the front. In a stunning third game, ‘the Jackal’ was able to coast into the final after blowing a dejected Elias away 11-3.

“I guess I love this venue so much! I’ve no words to describe how amazing Diego is. He’s the U.S. Open champion and is only 25,” ElShorbagy said after the match.

He’s going to be World No.1 one day. He’s a great player. Today was all about mentality. It’s always hard to back it up after winning a Platinum event. It was hard mentally on both of us of course. But I’m really glad to get the win today.” 

“I was so fired up today because during the warm up I was listening to Joey [Barrington, SQUASHTV pundit] say Diego’s going to get the win today. It fired me up as I thought ‘he doesn’t know what he’s talking about!’ I’m joking of course, but he doesn’t know what he’s talking about! 

“I’m glad to win and get into another final here. As I’ve said, I love playing here and this crowd is incredible. They always stay up until it’s late. It’s always sold out. You guys are amazing, thank you for coming!”

ElShorbagy will now face compatriot Mostafa Asal in the final of the Grasshopper Cup after the World No.5 came through a feisty contest with Fares Dessouky. The pair did battle for more than 80 minutes, with the ‘Raging Bull’ coming back from behind to win in a deciding game.

In the women’s event, World No.2 Nour El Sherbini had to produce a thrilling comeback to fight from two games down to overcome compatriot and World No.7 Rowan Elaraby in the opening semi-final contest of the evening’s action.

Elaraby had never taken a game off the six-time World Champion, but she raced into the lead thanks to some sublime squash. After going two games down, El Sherbini came back well in the third game and opened up a 10-4 lead. Incredibly, though, Elaraby saved all six of the game balls.

The ‘Warrior Princess’ was eventually able to take it 12-10, and she then converted her first game ball in the fourth to send the match into a decider. The two then traded points in a thrilling finale, it was El Sherbini who was able to pull away, ending things 11-7 with an intelligent shot down the middle.

“I’m really proud of myself today and how I kept fighting mentally and physically. Rowan played really well today as you can see. In the third she was coming back and nearly won the match,” the World No.2 said.

“I’m really surprised by the way she played today. She’s been improving a lot. This was our first 3-2 and I don’t think it’s going to be the last one.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time and all the experience I have in the last 10-15 years came out on court. I just tried to focus on every point and forget that I was 2-0 down. I just focused on each point and tried to win the next one. Winning the third made a huge difference.”

The six-time World Champion will now take on World No.3 Hania El Hammamy in the final on Sunday evening, after the Egyptian got the better of Welsh No.1 Tesni Evans in a cracking four-game battle.

The finals of the Grasshopper Cup will take place on Sunday, October 23, with play starting at 13:30 (GMT+2) at Halle 622 in Zurich, Switzerland. All of the action from finals day will be streamed live on SQUASHTV.

Men’s Semi-Final Results: Grasshopper Cup
[7] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt [4] Diego Elias (PER) 3-0: 14-12, 12-10, 11-3 (44m)
[3] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [8] Fares Dessouky (EGY) 3-2: 6-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5 (85m)

Men’s Final Draw: To Be Played Sunday, October 23rd
[7] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) v [3] Mostafa Asal (EGY)

Women’s Semi-Final Results: Grasshopper Cup
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [4] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) 3-2: 4-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-7 (68m)
[2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Tesni Evans (WAL) 3-1: 11-3, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9 (51m)

Women’s Final Draw: To Be Played Sunday, October 23rd
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY)