Strapped-up top seed sees off battling Borja Golan after losing fourth game 11-1
By NATHAN CLARKE in Hull
World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy narrowly avoided crashing out of the 2015 Allam British Open at the second round stage following a gritty encounter with top Spanish player Borja Golan at Hull’s Airco Arena today (May 13).
The 24-year-old Bristol-based Egyptian, who has failed to add to his World Series trophy tally since winning January’s J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions, appeared to struggle at times with a heavily strapped right leg but managed to find enough in his locker to see off a spirited challenge from 32-year-old Golan.
“Borja played very well tonight and he played completely differently to how he normally plays against me and he had me very nervous,” said Elshorbagy.
“Especially in the fourth game he played very well and I had to dig deep in the fifth and use some experience to stay in there and I’m just glad I was able to finish it off at the end.
“I had a bit of slip against James (Willstrop) in the first round and hurt my leg but hopefully I can carry on all week.
“It’s the last event of the season and I know that even on one leg I can keep going – I’m in the quarter–finals now and I have a rest day to take full advantage of tomorrow.”
PSA World Series. Allam British Open 2015, Hull, England.
Results – Second Round (Top Half)
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt Borja Golan (ESP) 3-2: 4-11, 11-8, 11-6, 1-11, 11-7 (68m)
[7] Simon Rösner (GER) bt Fares Dessouki (EGY) 3-1: 11-9, 11-4, 12-14, 13-11 (91m)
Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) 3-0: 11-6, 11-3, 11-4 (41m)
[3] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 3-1: 7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 (65m)
Draw – Second Round (Bottom Half – To Be Played May 14)
[4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
[Q] Zahed Mohamed (EGY) v [5] Tarek Momen (EGY)
[8] Omar Mosaad (EGY) v Mazen Hesham (EGY)
[Q] Tom Richards (ENG) v [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Picture by STEVE LINE (www.squashpics.com)