Golan Sees Off Meguid to Reach PSA Sporta Semis

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Spanish former World No.5 Borja Golan fought back from a game down to defeat Egypt’s Omar Abdel Meguid and reach the semi-final of the Sporta IX Torneo Internacional PSA Sporta, PSA M50 tournament.

The 33-year-old went down 11-7 in the opening game after a typically industrious display from Meguid allowed the World No.14 to dominate the ‘T’ against his higher-ranked opponent.

The second and third games were pivotal moments in the match, with a plethora of gruelling rallies sending each of them to tie-breaks. Golan, boosted by his 15 years of experience at the top level, managed to edge ahead in both to take the lead for the first time and powered to a win in the fourth to close out the victory by a 7-11, 15-13, 14-12, 11-6 scoreline to secure his place in the last four.

The Spaniard will take on Egyptian maverick Mazen Hesham for a place in the final after he narrowly staved off an upset by Stephen Coppinger. The 22-year-old found himself 2-1 down but finally found his rhythm as his superior shot-making abilities came to the fore and he recovered to claim the win.

Elsewhere, Cesar Salazar and Zahed Mohamed will go head-to-head in the other semi-final fixture. Salazar overcame Peru’s Diego Elias, who had earlier defeated top seed Marwan ElShorbagy, with a 3-1 triumph, while Mohamed came through in five against Alfredo Avila.

Results – Quarter-Final: Sporta IX Torneo Internacional PSA Sporta 2016
[8] Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt Diego Elias (PER) 3-1: 7-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-3
[6] Zahed Mohamed (EGY) bt Alfredo Avila (MEX) 3-2: 11-9, 5-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-4
[3] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt [5] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 3-2: 4-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-5, 11-4
[2] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [7] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) 3-1: 7-11, 15-13, 14-12, 11-6

Watch live streaming of the Sporta IX Torneo Internacional PSA Sporta
Semi-Final: Order of play (all times are local CST)
20:00 [3] Mazen Hesham (EGY) v [2] Borja Golan (ESP)
21:00 [8] Cesar Salazar (MEX) v [6] Zahed Mohamed (EGY)