ZURICH – Egypt duo Nour el-Sherbini and Mostafa Asal were victorious in the finals of the Grasshopper squash Cup, claiming the PSA World Tour Gold level titles at Halle 622 in Zurich, Switzerland.
El-Sherbini, the World No.2, secured her first title on Tour since winning her sixth World Championship crown back in May, thanks to an incredible comeback performance to overcome World No.3 Hania el-Hammamy in a thrilling five-game battle.
El-Hammamy, who defeated the ‘Warrior Princess’ in the semi-finals of the CIB Egyptian Open last month, made a bright start as she opened up a 7-2 lead in the first game, one she eventually won 11-9 despite a fightback from the World No.2.
A close, high quality second game then went the way of El-Sherbini who came out on top to draw level, edging it 11-9.
Both players exchanged the lead in the third before El-Hammamy eventually reclaimed the lead with a 12-10 victory.
The World No.3 then requested the new ball heading into the fourth as she looked to notch another title for the season, but it was El-Sherbini who profited, taking game four 11-3 with a dominant display.
The tournament’s top seed was in her groove, and that showed in the decider as El-Sherbini came out on top 11-4 to become the first women’s champion of the Grasshopper Cup in Zurich.
“It’s hard coming from 1-0 and 2-1 down. I always try to get my experience out on the court and I’m glad I had my coach today Greg [Gaultier] – he gave me full support and pushing by telling me I can win this, keep focusing on every point and I think it worked,” El-Sherbini said according to psaworldtour.com.
“it’s never easy, it’s always hard winning each point and Hania’s [El-Hammamy] an amazing player and she beat me the last four times I think.
“For most of the match I was leading and she came back, which she’s known for. I just wanted to keep focusing on every point – I didn’t want to give any cheap points and try to win.”
Egypt’s World No.5 Mostafa Asal bounced back from his disappointing exit at the US Open earlier this month to claim the Grasshopper Cup title on his first visit to Switzerland, defeating compatriot Marwan el-Shorbagy in straight games.
Asal moved into an 8-3 advantage early on in the first game, but El-Shorbagy managed to pull it back to 10-10 as he saved two game balls; however Asal was able to edge past his fellow countryman to win 13-11.
From there, the ‘Raging Bull’ dropped just seven more points as he cruised to the title in Zurich.
“Thanks to the crowd! It’s my first time being here in Switzerland and I got the tournament (win). I’m really happy to play in front of you guys (the crowd), it’s such an amazing tournament.
“Thanks to everyone who made this tournament, it’s fantastic and a fantastic crowd for the squash as that’s what we need. I couldn’t be more proud of myself,” Asal said.
“He’s (Marwan el-Shorbagy) really dangerous, he’s someone I looked up to when I was a junior and he’s playing fantastic. All credit to him – he’s no 100 per cent or even 70 per cent because he’s been playing so many tournaments.
“My early exit in the US Open helped me to perform here. I couldn’t be more proud of myself, thanks to everyone and thanks to the sponsors of the tournament.”
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