Ashour, Shorbagy set up all-Egyptian final at world championship

DOHA, Dec 14: Ramy Ashour, the unpredictable squash genius from Egypt, reached the final of the world championships, ended the titleholder’s defence, and made sure of regaining the world No 1 spot — all in one go here on Thursday.

Ashour also frustrated the two top Englishmen simultaneously.

By winning 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8 he halted Nick Matthew’s bid for a hat-trick of world titles and guaranteed that he will depose James Willstrop from the top of the rankings.

That is certain irrespective of the outcome of final later on Friday. That is against a surprise survivor — his compatriot Mohammed el Shorbagy, a 21-year-old Bristol-based student who has become the great new contender.

Shorbagy delivered an up-and-down 9-11, 11-9, 12-14, 11-4, 11-8 triumph over Willstrop in almost two hours, first appearing likely to win in four games and then certain to lose in five.

By contrast Ashour’s success was always on the cards, and only for a 15-minute spell when Matthew fought back bravely to lead 5-3 in the fourth was it in a great deal of doubt.

Typically though it still contained its share of drama.

“I feel right on top of the world,” Ashour said. “After being injured in the last two world championships it feels very good to be back in the final. And he [Matthew] was the most impressive player on the tour and has had a good attitude to the sport.”

But Matthew did not entirely return the compliment.

Instead he made known his disapproval that Ashour several times ran into him, knocking him over, eventually in the fourth game causing the referee to give the Egyptian a conduct warning.

“That’s the fifth or sixth time it’s happened,” Matthew lectured the official. “I wonder if the roles had been reversed how long it would have taken to award a point.” His remark hushed a crowd which had supported Ashour vociferously.—AFP