Egypt’s world No.3 aims to start season with KL title
By Squash Mad Malaysian Bureaux
Egyptian Mohamed Elshorbagy, the World No.3, will be aiming to claim his ninth PSA World Tour title when the CIMB Malaysian Open, a PSA International 50 event, gets underway in Kuala Lumpur on August 20.
The 23-year-old powerhouse, who has leapt up the rankings over the last year, tops the seeding for the 2014 staging of the event which has been a staple on the PSA World Tour circuit since 2008.
Elshorbagy’s stiffest competition is likely to come from second seed and World No.7 Borja Golan of Spain while the Egyptian duo of World No.12 Tarek Momen and World No.18 Karim Abdel Gawad will be hoping to upset the favourites and steal glory for themselves.
“I am excited to start my season with the Malaysian Open,” said Elshorbagy.
“I love going back to Malaysia, I have played there many times and it has always been such an enjoyable experience and I am sure it will be the same this year as the Malaysian federation and CIMB do an amazing job and we have to be thankful to them.
“It is very important to have a good start to the season as that builds up confidence for the rest of the year.
“I am normally a slow starter so my team thought playing Malaysia would be the perfect start for me and I am really looking forward to being back on court for the big battles again.
“I am taking the tournament as preparation for the season – I am not expecting to be at my peak – so I am going to just go there and enjoy myself and give it my best shot.”
CIMB Malaysian Open 2014 – First Round Draw:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS)
[Qualifier] v [5] Stephen Coppinger (RSA)
[7] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [3] Tarek Momen (EGY)
[4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v Leo Au (HKG)
[Qualifier] v [6] Max Lee (HKG)
[8] Olli Tuominen (FIN) v [WC] Ivan Yuen (MAS)
Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v [2] Borja Golan (ESP)
For more information on the PSA World Tour visit: www.psaworldtour.com
Picture courtesy of PSA