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BritOpen Update: Elshorbagy Through to Semis After Downing Rodriguez

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Defending Allam British Open champion Mohamed Elshorbagy safely secured his passage into the semi-finals of the 2016 instalment of the prestigious PSA World Series tournament with a strong 3-0 victory over Colombia’s Miguel Angel Rodriguez in Hull’s Airco Arena.

Rodriguez put in a valiant display but, despite some excellent retrieval skills and a trademark dive wowing an enraptured crowd, Elshorbagy’s class shone through as the World No.1 powered through to the win in straight games.

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The match was one of the fastest-paced encounters in the whole tournament with Rodriguez falling short by narrow margins in all three games. The ‘Colombian Cannonball’ fought back from 6-1 down in the first after forcing Elshorbagy into four successive errors but a crucial rally at 8-5 went in the favour of the Egyptian as he went on to open up a one-game lead and he extended his performance into the second after coming out on top in a number of gruelling rallies.

The World No.8 never gave up and battled well in the third game, managing to pull himself within a point of Elshorbagy, who had match ball. The pair endured one final marathon rally, which produced a brilliant moment from the South American who displayed a fine flying retrieval, but Elshorbagy kept his composure and Rodriguez hit the ball out to conclude yet another top quality encounter.

“Trying to defend this title is going to mean so much to me and my team,” said Elshorbagy.

“Winning it the first time is always the toughest but, now I have won, I’m relaxed. You deal with each match differently. Today was very tough because it was very hot today and they are the perfect conditions for him and the worst conditions for me. It’s easier to play a quick player in cold conditions because you can kill the ball and go for your shots.

“I had to deal with and I was glad I was able to slow down the pace and keep it as tight as I can. He played really well but this is the British Open and I am playing my best squash here.”

Elshorbagy could face his brother, Marwan, in a sibling semi-final showdown with the younger Elshorbagy set to meet compatriot Karim Abdel Gawad for a place in the last four.

Result – Quarter-Final: Men’s Allam British Open 2016
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [6] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 3-0: 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 (47m)

By Paul Joannou

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