World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad moved past compatriot Marwan El Shorbagy to earn his place in the semi-finals of the PSA Dubai World Series Finals.
The 25-year-old was in stunning form throughout the contest, and despite being three game balls down in the second, El Shorbagy looked to be suffering with illness as Gawad fought back to claim the win.
“I didn’t have the best start to the tournament,” said Gawad. “I just wanted to be on court as much as I could. I didn’t expect to get to the semi-finals, especially at the top of the group.”
Elsewhere, France’s Camille Serme survived a tense winner-takes-all encounter with last year’s runner-up Raneem El Welily to top Group A.
Despite taking two wins from her first two matches, Serme had to beat El Welily to progress to the semi-finals, with the Egyptian now out of the event.
“I can barely realise that I’ve made it,” said a delighted Serme, who had only won two of her previous 12 matches with El Welily.
“You can count on one hand the times I’ve beaten her, so I’ll take this one. It could have gone either way, it was so close and I had a different tactical plan from yesterday. I’m very excited for the semi-finals and will have a look at the other matches tonight to know who I will be playing.”
Meanwhile, Nouran Gohar took the other qualifying place from Group A with victory over England’s Alison Waters.
The Englishwoman did push through the gears in the second game to hold three game balls, but Gohar recovered to force a tie-break and take the game 14-12 to seal her place in the semi-finals for the first time.
“I’m really happy to have made it to the semis, it’s a dream to make it to the semis in Dubai,” said Gohar.
“I’m really happy that I get to play one more match on this beautiful court. It was mentally so tough to adapt and it was a crucial match today. To keep calm and relaxed was really important for this match.”
World No11 Simon Rösner became the first German ever to qualify for the last four after beating England’s Nick Matthew to qualify from Group A.
The 29-year-old claimed a first ever win against Matthew at the 12th time of asking, in a thrilling 39-minute battle by a 13-11, 11-8 scoreline.
“It’s huge, just qualifying for this tournament was a huge success for me,” said Rösner. “I tried to play fast today with a high accuracy level. He’s able to come back at any time, so I just tried to focus and concentrate on each point. I’m just glad I made it.”
Tickets to the evening sessions, semi-finals and finals can be purchased at https://dubaiopera.etixdubai.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=PSAUMB
Results – Men’s Group A Day Three: 2016/17 PSA Dubai World Series Finals
[1] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [4] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) 2-0: 11-7, 12-10 (33m)
[7] Simon Rösner (GER) bt [5] Nick Matthew (ENG) 2-0: 13-11, 11-8 (39m)
Results – Men’s Group B Day Three: 2016/17 PSA Dubai World Series Finals
[3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 2-0: 12-10, 11-7 (17m)
[6] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [8] Ali Farag (EGY) 2-1: 4-11, 11-9, 11-6 (40m)
Draw – Semi-Finals
[1] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [6] James Willstrop (ENG)
[7] Simon Rösner (GER) v [3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY)
Results – Women’s Group A Day Three: 2016/17 PSA Dubai World Series Finals
[1] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [4] Raneem El Welily (EGY) 2-0: 11-7, 7-11, 12-10 (40m)
[5] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [8] Alison Waters (ENG) 2-0: 11-7, 14-12 (35m)
Results – Women’s Group B Day Three: 2016/17 PSA Dubai World Series Finals
[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [3] Laura Massaro (ENG) 2-1: 6-11, 12-10, 11-2 (35m)
[7] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt [6] Nicol David (MAS) 2-1: 6-11, 11-4, 11-8 (41m)
Draw – Semi-Finals
[1] Camille Serme (FRA) v [2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
[5] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v [3] Laura Massaro (ENG)
