Mighty Massaro makes it two titles in month as Gaultier ends Mosaad’s brave run
By NATHAN CLARKE in Philadelphia
England’s Laura Massaro came through triumphant in a gritty five game encounter with Egypt’s Nour El Tayeb to win the 2015 Women’s Delaware Investments US Open, PSA World Series tournament, in Philadelphia today while Frenchman Gregory Gaultier defeated Omar Mosaad to lift the men’s trophy for the third time in his career.
Massaro displayed the tenacious fighting spirit that has epitomised her career as she dug deep to come from two games to one down against an in-form El Tayeb while Gaultier continued his scintillating form this week at Drexel University as he outclassed 27-year-old Mosaad to record a straight-games win.
“Winning this title feels extra special to me because of the break that I had from the sport earlier this year and going 18 months without a title before winning in Macau a few weeks ago,” said Massaro.
“To win two tournaments in a month, and a major title such as the US Open, means a lot and I’m really proud with what I’ve achieved.” Massaro had opened the match in confident style, winning the first game, but El Tayeb took the upper hand to win the next two.
A determined Massaro returned to the court focused on the fourth game and the work she has put in since her break from the game kicked in as she began to win the important points.
She levelled the match at two games all and continued with a solid game plan throughout the fifth to win it 11-7.
In the men’s final, Gaultier backed up impressively from his victory over World No.1 and 2014 champion Mohamed Elshorbagy in a tough 3-2 semi-final to produce a polished performance against Mosaad, who looked to be feeling the effects of his intense semi-final victory over Nick Matthew.
Gaultier has a reputation for being temperamental on court but here he showed phenomenal discipline and control to dominate the match, with clinging widths, near-perfect length and the ability to suddenly terminate rallies from any position on the court.
“Winning this title again is an amazing feeling – it’s tough to describe it,” said Gaultier.
“You work hard all your life for these moments. I started playing squash when I was four years old and I always believed in my capacity that I could one day be a top player but it’s a team effort to win tournaments like this.
“The individual lifts the trophy but there’s a team behind me of physios, coaches, family and friends and all these people are the ones who keep you motivated. I’ve played well for 10 days and I’ve had a great vibe with the crowd here so it’s great to end the week on a high.
“Omar has had an amazing week and he’s a great fighter,” he said. “He’s had some big wins this week so he has to be very proud of that.
“But I’ve had an amazing week here. It’s my third title and I’m really proud of what I have achieved. I barely slept last night I was so excited to be in the final again so hopefully I can come back and keep my name on this trophy again next year.”
Delaware Investments US Open, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA.
Men’s Final:
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [6] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 3-0: 11-6, 11-3, 11-5 (38m)
Women’s Final:
[5] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [8] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) 3-2: 11-6, 9-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7 (67m)
Pictures by STEVE LINE (www.squashpics.com) courtesy of PSA and US Open Digital Drive