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Nick Matthew meets Mohamed Elshorbagy in Windy City showdown

Rivals: Mohamed Elshorbagy and Nick Matthew will meet in the Chicago final
Rivals: Mohamed Elshorbagy and Nick Matthew will meet in the Chicago final

Top seed tames younger brother as Matthew masters Gaultier
By NATHAN CLARKE in Chicago

World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy and World No.3 Nick Matthew will meet in a second consecutive PSA World Series tournament title-decider after reaching the final of the 2015 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and EquiTrust Life Insurance Company.

The pairing contested January’s J.P Morgan Tournament of Champions final in New York, where Elshorbagy prevailed a 3-2 victor, but with Matthew coming off the back of success in February’s CASE Swedish Open and an impressive victory over World No.2 Gregory Gaultier to reach the final, the showdown looks set up cause a storm in the Windy City.

Elshorbagy is aiming to collect a fourth consecutive PSA World Series title and booked his berth in the decider with victory over his younger brother, World No.14 Marwan Elshorbagy.

“It was tough mentally tonight to stay fully focused but I knew I had to do a professional job and get to the final as fresh as I possibly could,” said Elshorbagy.

“I had to play well. My brother proved that he didn’t get to this stage by luck and I’m looking forward to having him in my corner tomorrow for the final because he is a great source of support for me.

“It’s great to be in another major final. I’ve had a good year so far and I’m looking forward to competing for another title tomorrow.”

Matthew was in commanding form as he beat long-time adversary Gaultier, the man whom he beat to achieve World Championship glory in 2011 and 2013, in a gripping encounter at the prestigious University Club of Chicago, winning 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5 in 79 minutes.

“Greg seemed to get better as the games went on today and I was hanging on in there at points but fortunately I managed to sneak it,” said Matthew.

“It was a tough match. He’s the defending champion and he’s been in great form this week so I’m just happy to have got through and off court in four games.”

2015 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and EquiTrust Life Insurance Company

Semi-finals:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) 3-0: 12-10, 11-8, 11-4 (42m)
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 3-1: 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5 (79m)

Final (Wednesday March4, 2015):
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v [4] Nick Matthew (ENG) 

Pictures courtesy of MARIAN KRAUS and PSA 

 

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