MF : Elshorbagy 3-0 Coll

[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy(Egy) 3-0 [3] Paul Coll (Nzl)       11-5, 11-2, 11-7 (49m)

Frustration for Paul. Zone for Mohamed

Seriously, I cannot remember a Gouna final with such a one sided outcome. Again, like in the match before, Paul was a different player than the one that played Tarek yesterday. Push around from the word go, he was never able to really put his two feet on the ground today.

Mohamed was turning and twisting him endlessly, and from 2/4 in the opener, the Egyptian dominated the score from start to finish.

8/4, 11/5 in 23 very very long minutes, where Mohamed and Paul were grinding it away Jahangir Jansher squash but it worked for the Egyptian as probably Paul left a lot on the court in that first, visiting the four corners.

The second was a masterclass on its own, 6/1, 11/2 in 9m. I haven’t seen Paul losing a game that fast I think. A big push from the Kiwi in the third, although his frustration became more and more obvious as he was truly struggling to get the ball in the back in particular on the backhand

From 4/0, 5/1, 9/3 in the last game, Paul started his come back, and strung a few points but too little late, he couldn’t save the third match ball, 11/7 in 14m.

Like I wrote in the previous match, Mohamed far far too good. The end.

Paul:

I came up against a very strong and hungry opponent.

Mohamed was all class and he was just too good tonight. I fell short again, but a really good learning experience, the quality of squash he played tonight is I think what everyone needs to play if they want to beat him and win these big events.

Egypt saved the sport over the last 10 months, our last four or five tournaments have been here and that’s largely down to the sponsors that have been supporting us.

As hard as it is to come here and win against all these Egyptians, I think all of the Tour is so grateful to be able to come here and compete.

Mohamed:

I’m really happy to win here at home.  To win my second title here means the world to me and to do it in front of my parents, this means so much for me.

I’m here today because of them and I never dreamt of achieving everything I have in my career if you didn’t take me to every training session, my parents have done everything so thank you both for everything.

This is the ninth edition of El Gouna and I’ve played all nine times. I can remember the first time Mansi did this tournament and I remember all the conversations. Your whole story is inspiring and I’ve seen your story from day one, everything you have achieved and thank you so much for everything you have done for the sport – you’ve taken it to another level. I’d also like to thank all the sponsors for getting us back here, they have done an amazing job to support a great event.

I would also like to congratulate Paul on an amazing season so far. You are one of the most inspiring athletes I have ever come across and every match I watch you it inspires me. I would like to thank the crowd for coming to support us and I wouldn’t have had this performance today if you didn’t come to support me.

Thank you to all my sponsors for sticking with me through COVID and everything. They are amazing.

Lastly, I would like to dedicate this tournament to the whole family of Pontefract and Malcolm Willstrop – he has left a great image to the sport and has done so much for our sport. We have lost such a great man, so I would like to dedicate this title to him and the whole family at Pontefract.