Pittsburgh Open 2023 Semi-Finals Round-Up: Elias and ElShorbagy To Meet In ToC Final Rematch

Diego Elias and Marwan ElShorbagy will meet in a Tournament of Champions final rematch, when they battle it out for the Pittsburgh Open title tomorrow afternoon.

Elias secured his place in the final first when he defeated Mohamed Abouelghar in straight games.

Abouelghar, who took down Tarek Momen and Joel Makin in the previous rounds, kept within touching distance of Elias in the first game with the two playing some excellent, free-flowing squash. 

However Elias, who’s been in scintillating form of late, was able to gain some valuable breathing space before he won the first 11-9. 

Elias, who’s lifted the Tournament of Champions title and the Sturbridge Capital Motor City Open crown already this year, made a solid start to the second as he went 7-3 up. 

Abouelghar dug deep to produce the fighting spirit that’s been on display throughout the tournament to claw his way back into the game, but Elias was able to fend him off again and go 2-0 up.

The Peruvian Puma got daylight in the third game which resulted in a comfortable victory for Elias, winning 11-4.

“I’m happy with my performance. Mohamed (Abouelghar) was playing some great squash, but I’m really happy with the result,” said Elias afterwards.

“It was a really good match, I felt I played really well. Now I have to recover and get ready for tomorrow.

“It’s always very enjoyable playing him. He’s such a great and fair player and it’s always great fun playing against him.”

ElShorbagy, who’s through to his sixth final this season, overcame Youssef Soliman 3-1 to progress to the final.

ElShorbagy and Soliman, who have met on four occasions before today, both came through five-game matches yesterday, defeating Mazen Hesham and Ali Farag, respectively.

An error from ElShorbagy in the first game at 9-9 presented Soliman the opportunity to take the first game, which he claimed 11-9. 

Only two minutes were gone on the clock in the second when play was halted for a lengthy period of time due to a blood injury sustained by Soliman. After the long stoppage, ElShorbagy went on to level the match with an 11-5 victory.

The Jackal was in the groove as he stormed into a 7-0 lead at the start of the third. Soliman chipped away at the deficit to claw some points back, but ElShorbagy was able to hold him off and go 2-1 ahead. 

ElShorbagy looked to be on course to sealing his spot in the final comfortably when he had five match balls, but Soliman saved all five superbly to send the fourth game into a tiebreaker. ElShorbagy eventually pulled clear to secure a final berth.

ElShorbagy said afterwards: “I’m happy to win today in four games. It was a tough match, and the first game was tough, but I’m really happy that I played well after that injury break (in the second game).

“I calmed down a bit and after the second game I felt a bit more comfortable with the game, so I’m really happy to focus on my game from the second game and I did quite well from there.

“The fourth game, I was 10-6 up and it’s another lesson to learn after yesterday but I’m glad to be learning those lessons while winning the matches.”

The final of the Pittsburgh Open will be played tomorrow (February 12) at 13:00 (GMT-5). The action will be streamed live and free on the PSA website, and live on SQUASHTV.

For more on the Pittsburgh Open, visit the PSA website or follow the PSA on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Results – Semi-Finals: Pittsburgh Open 2023

[3] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt [7] Youssef Soliman (EGY) 3-1: 9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 13-11 (83m)

[2] Diego Elias (PER) bt Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 3-0: 11-9, 11-7, 11-4 (39m)

Draw – Final: To be played February 12

[3] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) v [2] Diego Elias (PER)