Teenager meets top seed Raneem in China final as Gaultier faces Marwan
By NATHAN CLARKE
Just 24 hours after knocking out former World No.1 Nicol David in the 2015 Stars On The Bund China Open, 17-year-old Egyptian talent Nouran Gohar has booked her place in the final courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 defeat over World No.3 Camille Serme.
Gohar came from a game-down to see off Malysian star David and continued her emphatic vein of form to dominate from the start against 2015 British Open winner Serme – taking the match 11-8, 11-9, 11-8 as she demonstrated her world class potential on the all-glass court at the spectacular Shanghai Peninsula.
The 2015 World Junior Champion will now take on the current reigning World No.1, compatriot Raneem El Welily, in the showpiece finale after the 26-year-old dispatched American Amanda Sobhy with ease, running out an 11-5, 11-5, 11-9 winner.
In the men’s PSA M100 tournament Marwan Elshorbagy, younger brother of World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy who suffered a shock first round exit, upset compatriot and World No.6 Omar Mosaad to move into the biggest final of his career to date where he will line up against World No.3 Gregory Gaultier.
In a tense and nervy affair both players pushed each other to the limit physically and after eventually taking the fourth game to force a decider, Mosaad felt the effects and was forced to retire midway through the last game, ensuring Elshorbagy of his place in the title-decider.
“That was the toughest and longest match of my career by far,” said Elshorbagy afterwards. “Unfortunately had to end that way though.
“Being in the final of a big tournament feels great but it’s time to recover now and refocus for a big match tomorrow against Gaultier – I can’t wait!”
Gaultier (right) said: “All credit to Leo for how he played this week but I played fast today to take control of the match as I knew coming all the way from qualification and winning against top ten players would take its toll on him.”
Results title (i.e. First Round):
PSA W50 – Semi-final Results:
Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [3] Camille Serme (FRA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-9, 11-8 (42m)
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [4] Amanda Sobhy (USA) 3-0: 11-5, 11-5, 11-9 (25m)
PSA W50 – Final:
Nouran Gohar (EGY) v [2] Raneem El Welily (EGY)
PSA M100 – Semi-Final Results:
Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [4] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 5-11, 11-9, 15-13, 8-11 (Mosaad retired)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Leo Au (HKG) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-4
PSA M100 – Final:
Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) v [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
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