SF: Zakaria contains the Firework Ibrahim in 4

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Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) 3-1 [6] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY)  11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7 (66m)

 

BREAKING!

Zakaria Becomes Youngest Male Major Finalist In 20 Years After Ibrahim Victory At El Gouna International (the previous one was Ramy Ashour in HK, 2006)

Those two only played once, it was less than 6 months ago, in China, and Yous won, only just in 5. So tonight, Zak had nothing to lose, and it showed.

It started by a very very very long rally between those two. A bit like the first rally between Hania and Amina. And for the first game, Youssef was in front, dispatching his usual explosive bullets all over the court, while Zakaria was absorbing the speed, the pace, the power.

To be honest, the first could have gone either way, although Youssef was ahead 8/5 in the middle of the game, but thanks to 3 errors and a winner from Zak , we were back at 8/8.

The youngster had a first game ball at 10/8, another incredibly long rally, one game ball saved, but after another marathon rally, Zak clinched a crucial opener, 18m game!

0 error from the young man, 4 for Youssef, 6 winners for Zak, 7 for Youssef.

The second is weird, 7/1 for Zakaria, 9/3, 10/4. Suddenly, the winners are pouring out the Golden Boy’s racquet, 7/10, but a stroke ends that game, 11/7, 10m. 6 winners each…

After seeing the physio between the game, Youssef ups the pace, and from the middle of the game, nothing between them up to 10/8, and with a superb half volley drop shot, Youssef reduces the game deficit to 1/2, 19m long game… 10 winners for Youssef, only 4 for Zak.

A new ball is warmed up at the beginning of the 4th. That seems to suit Youssef, 3/0, quickly caught up, 4/4, 5/5. A big push from Zakaria, in front of his opponent most of the rallies, 9/5.

An incredibly fast paced mad rally, ending with an incredible reflex backhand from the youngster, 10/5. A tin, 6/10. A stroke, 7/10. A video ref decision, stroke to Zakaria, 11/7, 11m.

Pfew, not even midnight…

Zakaria :  “I can’t put it into words, I’m so happy. I knew I worked hard and I know I believe it – the crowd here are amazing and they gave me a big push.

“Youssef is a great player and you have to bear in mind that he is playing with an injury in his shoulder – it just shows the levels he can play. I hope he can get rid of this injury to be even more devastating and harder to play.

“I mean I’m so luck to have someone like him [Jonathon Power] in my corner. He’s been there, he’s done it and been World No.1. Everything he says is just an experience for me and something new. It’s really good to have someone like this in may corner when I’m playing these high events. I’m happy I can learn from him.

“I’m going to have a really hard one with Diego and hope I can win the tournament for Egypt.”