Squash On Fire Open Finals: Crouin Secures Third Win Of Season

France’s Victor Crouin secured his third title of the 2022-2023 season, defeating Egypt’s Mohamed ElSherbini in four games to win the Squash On Fire Open crown. 

The opening game was a tight battle, with neither player able to pull away until the latter stages. The score was level at 7-7 but some crucial errors from ElSherbini allowed Crouin to take the first game, to rapturous applause from the crowd at Squash On Fire.

The Egyptian came out fighting in the second game though, and used his speed around the court to hold the advantage through the middle part of the game. A couple of lovely winners from his racket were enough to see him level the contest at one game apiece.

The third game was disrupted somewhat by talk of the court being cleaned between all three parties involved. The talks seemed to distract the Egyptian a little, with Crouin able to run away with the third game. The game break saw ElSherbini take some extra time due to blisters on his right foot which needed treatment. Due to him being late back on to court, Crouin started the fourth game 1-0 up.

The World No.10 then showed why he has been one of the Tour’s most consistent players, as despite the lengthy break, he was able to keep the momentum in his favour. He went on to win the fourth game 11-5 to secure his third title of the campaign, and his second Squash On Fire Open crown.

“I am very relieved, I would say! I am happy, but mostly relieved. It has been a long four weeks, with the French Championships, then playing in Calgary. That was bittersweet because I lost in the final after playing some great squash all week, I just couldn’t convert that final,” Crouin said.

“I came here with the title in my mind. I got off to a scrappy start with a five-game against Dimi [Steinmann], and now I am standing here with the title. It is pretty amazing how things can turn sometimes! I stayed confident, believed in myself and seized the opportunity.

“I knew the French community was going to come and support me today, so I thought about what it was like to play in front of the French crowd at the Open de France. It was my biggest title and probably one of the best memories of my life. That was what was in my mind before I came on court and that paid off.

“All credit to Mohamed who played tactically brilliantly today, but yeah… Super happy to have that support here in Washington. I have won eight matches here in a row now, two titles, so I will be back!”

Result:
[1] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) 3-1: 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-5 (69m)