Revenge For Farag As Defending Champion Reaches CIB Egyptian Open Final

Defending champion Ali Farag reached his sixth Egyptian Open final after a comprehensive win over Peruvian world champion Diego Elias in the 2024 CIB Egyptian Open.

Farag went into the match with a dominant 22-4 head-to-head record, marred by the significant caveat that the last match – which took place on this court during the semi-finals of the CIB PSA World Championships – went Elias’s way.

In a brutal 20-minute opening game defined by attritional rallies, it was Farag who nudged into the lead, with the Egyptian World No.1 returning from 3-6 down take the opener 11-9.

Farag dominated proceedings in the second game, volleying early and pinning a seemingly tiring Elias to the back.

After doubling his lead with an 11-3 game two win, Farag continued to push in game three as he sensed the chance to get off court in three games against one of the game’s most dangerous players.

Elias, who appeared to be struggling with a hip injury towards the end, pushed hard, but could not find a way past the World No.1 as Farag continued to defend and attack well.

As the game wore on, Farag began opening up the court as he sensed his opponent’s exasperation, hitting his targets with the softening ball and – after a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes – finishing things 11-9.

Afterwards, Farag said: “It’s a motivation to start the new season and show to yourself that you can be there again and repeat what you did last season and the season before.

“I can’t be more grateful to be playing the sport I love in front of amazing people against such great players, who are so skilful with the racket and move so smoothly on court.

“I don’t know how to click it every time, but it was one of those days that you’re really enjoying being on court and the challenge of the battle and I’m really pleased to be playing this sport.

“The flow, movement and ball striking, [Elias] has been born with them, and obviously he’s worked immensely on them with his dad and his team, but that’s something that comes natural and it’s something no one on Tour does better than him.

“But that killer instinct, that maybe he was lacking coming out of juniors, he’s definitely grown that in abundance and any time you step on court it’s a 50-50.”

Farag added praise for his family and coaching team for their role in his successes.

Results: 2024 CIB Egyptian Open Men’s Semi-Final

 [1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt [4] Diego Elias (PER) 3-0: 11-9, 11-3, 11-9 (49m)

The finals of the 2024 CIB Egyptian Open take place tomorrow, Friday 06 September, from 19:00 (GMT+3) at Club O West, Cairo.

Watch the 2024 CIB Egyptian Open live on SQUASHTV and on the channels of the PSA Squash Tour’s broadcast partners. For more information on the CIB Egyptian Open 2024, follow the PSA on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.