Ashour Over Matthew in Four in Windy City Semis, To Face Gaultier in Final by Nathan Clarke March 2, 2014 -
Egyptian World No.3 Ramy Ashour and French World No.2 Gregory Gaultier
are set to renew their long-standing rivalry in the final of the 2014
METROsquash Windy City Open at the University Club of Chicago tomorrow.
The pair will meet for
the 24th time on the PSA World Tour in a head-to-head series that the
Cairo-born player dominates and he’ll be aiming to make it win number
20 in order to take home the Windy City Open title on it’s return to
PSA World Series standings for the first time since 2007.
Ashour, who has
recently returned to fitness following an injury-plagued four-month
period, booked his place in the final following a 3-1 victory over
World Champion Nick Matthew in a subdued match which saw the Englishman
hampered by a back injury picked up in the third game.
“When your opponent is
injured it is a very frustrating way to win a match,” said Ashour, who
took just over an hour to win 11-9, 10-12, 11-1, 11-4.
“It’s not easy when someone is injured and you are trying to keep your focus.
“You try not to think
about it too much, which is hard because even though we all play tough
matches and want to win we also want the best for each other, but you
still have to stay out there and stay focused until the last point.
“Nick and I always
have tough battles and we bring the best out of each other. He’s a
great player and such an amazing fighter so hopefully his back gets
better soon and I’m sure we will play a lot more matches in future.”
Gaultier ensured his
place in his 57th PSA World Tour final by defeating rising Egyptian
star Mohamed Elshorbagy, the World No.4, in an impressive 3-1 display,
his ninth consecutive win over the 23-year-old.
“I was very happy to win the match against Mohamed as it is never easy against him,” said Gaultier.
“It was a very tough
battle, especially when he brought it back to one-all, and I had to
stay mentally positive and strong and I think that is why I won the
match.
Having lost to Ashour in three finals during 2013, Gaultier will be hoping to overturn his recent run against the Egyptian.
“Winning a big event
like the Windy City Open event would mean a lot to me," he said. "It’s
always an amazing feeling to play in a final so I’m very happy to be
playing tomorrow.
“We train so hard
every day just for that two minutes when you get to lift a trophy. It’s
such a big adrenaline rush and an unbelievable feeling and that is what
we all work for.
“I’m looking forward to it and I’m going to try and be as fresh as possible for the final and we will see what happens.”
