Elshorbagy proves his quality by winning US Open and reaching world number one as his dreams come true at Drexel
By NATHAN CLARKE – Squash Mad PSA Correspondent
Mohamed Elshorbagy, the powerhouse from Alexandria who will top the PSA world rankings for the first time on November 1, capped of the most successful week of his career by claiming the 2014 Delaware Investments US Open at Philadelphia’s Drexel University.
Elshorbagy, who is based in Bristol, England, saw off fellow Egyptian and four-time world champion Amr Shabana to win the 2014 event and extend his winning-streak to 18 matches, a run that has seen him win back-to-back PSA World Series titles in Hong Kong and Philadelphia either side of further victories in Malaysia and Mexico.
After going down one game to nil early on to an in-form Shabana, the 23-year-old Elshorbagy ramped up his play to storm to an 8-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-3 victory and claim his 199th match victory on the PSA World Tour.
“I’m feeling so happy right now,” said an elated Elshorbagy.
“I just can’t believe what has happened. It’s just been such an unbelievable week for me – I knew I could become number one coming into this tournament but I didn’t think both things would happen.
“I had a tough draw to get to the final, I had to beat World No.1 Gregory Gaultier and a legend like Amr Shabana to win so not only did I get to number one, I feel like I have proved it as well.”
Elshorbagy will now go into next month’s 2014 Qatar PSA World Series Championship in the form of his life and he’ll be hoping to maximise on his momentum to take the tittle away from current holder Nick Matthew.
“It’s been a great season until now but there’s the World Series Championships in three weeks so I’m hopefully going to make it very hard for the other players and keep my momentum going,” he said.
“I’m feeling confident right now but that’s not fooling me, I know I still need to work very hard.
“For me becoming World No.1 is just the first step on the ladder.”
2014 Delaware Investments US Open: Final:
[3] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [4] Amr Shabana (EGY) 3-1: 8-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-3 (46m)
Pictures courtesy of PSA and US Open Squash