World No1 Mohamed Elshorbagy cements his status among the greats in squash history

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  • World No. 1 Mohamed Elshorbagy further cemented his status as one of the greats of the game after clinching his second successive PSA World Series Finals crown on Saturday.

    The ‘Beast of Alexandria’ beat his compatriot and world No2 Ali Farag in four games 9-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-8 to secure his eighth piece of silverware this season.

    With 30 PSA titles to his name, the 27-year-old’s incredible form over the past four years has already seen him compared to legends such as Amr Shabana and eight-time world champion Jansher Khan.

    Although he may not have the same number of world titles to match the likes of Khan, he is continuing to set the bar while playing squash at a ferocious and attacking level.

    Three Hong Kong titles, two British Opens, two Windy Opens, two US Opens, two Tournament of Championships, two Dubai titles, one El Gouna crown and one world championship are just some of the silverware that sit on his mantelpiece at home.

    And more is expected to follow in an illustrious career to date.

    The Bristol resident arrived in the UAE last week as the defending PSA World Series Finals champion, a win that subsequently kick-started a successful 12 months and a return to the pinnacle of the world rankings after Karim Abdel Gawad briefly occupied top spot.

    In the 12 PSA tournaments since last year’s triumph at Dubai Opera House, he has secured seven titles and reached another three finals as well as qualifying for the semi-final in El Gouna.

    In Dubai this week, Elshorbagy cut the same composed and influential figure that we are so normally used to seeing light up the PSA events worldwide, with his supreme fitness levels, strong game plan and overall shot selection head and shoulders above other competitors on the circuit.

    He stormed to group stage wins over Miguel Angel Rodriguez of Colombia and compatriot Tarek Momen on Wednesday and Thursday, setting up a dead-rubber final group match against Nick Matthew with both players already booking their semi-final places.

    Although he suffered defeat in just 17 minutes – his first loss to the Briton since March 2017 – he was clearly not at his immaculate best, instead perhaps, saving energy for Friday’s last four tie with Simon Rosner.

    The world No5 had cruised through his group with three wins and looked every bit as intimidating as the man who sealed the Tournament of Champions title back in January, but Elshorbagy dispatched the German 12-10, 10-12, 11-3.

    In the final, Elshorbagy lost the first game 11-6 before closing out the next three 11-3, 11-9, 11-8 to beat Farag in 51 minutes.

    With six Egyptians in the top-10 in the world rankings and four in the top five, Elshorbagy is strengthening his position as one of the best there’s ever been.

    He may be 13 years into his professional career, but as it stands, he is the marquee man with a natural ability to control the game on the T, adding to his array of shotmaking skills.

    Squash is a punishing sport, with the relentless schedule and travelling adding to the on-court demands.

    But the reigning world champion has proven he can manage his body in the right way and stay injury-free throughout the season.

    With Matthew retiring and 35-year-old Gregory Gaultier showing a serious drop in form this season, Elshorbagy is entering his peak years in the sport and now has the chance to push further away from his rivals.

    He is only three titles away from matching Shabana’s record of 33 PSA crowns, and with sheer improvements in his overall game, expect the Egyptian powerhouse to occupy top spot for years to come.

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