Gaultier Straight-Sets Ashour In PSA Windy City Final from PSA Media March 3, 2014
- Gregory Gaultier lifted the 2014 METROsquash Windy City Open title at
the University Club of Chicago today, following a 3-0 victory over
Egyptian World No.3 Ramy Ashour.
The Frenchman took
just 25 minutes to ease past a visibly hampered Ashour, whose recent
run of bad luck with injuries appeared to resurface in his eighth title
match-up with Gaultier, taking the match 11-7, 11-3, 11-4.
The victory gave Gaultier his first win over the Cairo-native in nine attempts, but he celebrated in reserved fashion.
“It is tough to win in
this way and it makes it hard to enjoy the victory in the same way,”
said a subdued Gaultier after the match.
“It is not enjoyable
when you see your opponent injured and he has had so many injuries in
the past and it is a shame as he is such an unbelievable player.
“But I am happy with
how I played through the whole week. I had some tough matches and of
course I’m happy to win the trophy as it is these moments that we all
work so hard for.”
Victory saw Gaultier
add to his 25 PSA World tour titles exactly a decade after losing in
his last appearing in the final at the University Club of Chicago, when
he lost to Nick Matthew, and lift a trophy for the first time since the
2013 US Open in October.
“I’ve lost a few finals here and a few in my career and obviously I always try to change that,” he said.
“The level of
competition with guys like Ramy, Nick (Matthew), Mohamed (Elshorbagy)
and all the others guys is so tough that there are only small things
that make the difference now.
“Without all my team
at home and the support of my family and sponsors I would never be in
these finals and these moments would never happen so I’m really
thankful to them.”
Speaking after the match, Ashour said: “I’m happy I reached the final today but I felt a little niggle.
“Sometimes these things get in the way of your dreams but that takes noting away from Greg’s win as he’s an incredible athlete.”
