Gaultier And Mosaad To Contest 2015 Wold Championships Final by Nathan Clarke
photos squashpics.com
November 21, 2015
- A new name will be etched on to the most prestigious trophy in squash
tomorrow (Nov 22) when debutant finalist Omar Mosaad and four-time
runner-up Gregory Gaultier go head-to-head in the finale of the 2015
Men’s World Squash Championship in Bellevue, Washington in one of the
most unexpected finals in the tournament’s 39-year history (Nov 22).
Gaultier, the Frenchman who lost the 2007 final after squandering five
match balls before also falling at the final hurdle in the 2008, 2011
and 2013 tournaments, produced a masterclass against giant-killer James
Willstrop to secure his berth in the title-decider. Willstrop had
already taken out top seed and pre-event favourite Mohamed Elshorbagy
and World No.5 Miguel Angel Rodriguez in stunning style to reach the
last four but Gaultier was impeccable as he saw out the match in
straight-games, winning 11-1, 11-8, 11-8 after just 50 minutes.
“I’ve lost four finals in my life and I had five match balls and
obviously didn’t make it,” said Gaultier, who was quick to mention the
impact of the Paris attacks on his hunger to win.
“But I am more than motivated to win tomorrow. I came here and I was
sick the first few days and I was struggling but I had to deal with it.
The motivation makes the difference at the end of the day - if your
head is there you can deal with anything.
“Everybody was really touched about what happened in France and what’s
happening at the moment in the whole world - I’m determined to make it
for myself, for my country, for my team and for everybody who supports
me in the world.”
Gaultier will line up against Omar Mosaad in a repeat of the 2015
Delaware Investments U.S. Open final after the man known as the ‘Hammer
of Thor’, for his hard-hitting style, followed up his huge
quarter-final upset win over 2014 champion Ramy Ashour with a classy
straight-games victory over compatriot Tarek Momen.
The number eight seed outclassed Momen in one of the finest
performances of his career to secure his place in what could be a
career-defining contest, which poignantly comes just three months after
the 28-year-old lost his mother and sister in a tragic car accident in
Egypt.
“To be in the final of the World Championship is an amazing feeling,” said Mosaad.
“It’s the second time this season I’ve made a big final so I’m really
happy and I hope I can play well tomorrow and win. Today was tough but
I will pick myself up now, recover, and hopefully come back string
tomorrow.
“Three months ago my family had an accident and I lost two of them, so
I hope I can win tomorrow and dedicate this title to my father because
he deserves it. He’s been a role model for me and I want to win for
him.”
