Sabry & Finitsis In PSA Galway Final
by Howard Harding

31 March 2013 - Egypt's Mazen Hesham Ga Sabry and Australian Steven Finitsis are each hoping to be the first from his country to win the Paddy Whack West of Ireland Open trophy after surviving contrasting semi-finals of the PSA World Tour Challenger 10 squash event in its seventh successive year at the Galway Lawn Tennis Club in Galway.

Unseeded Ga Sabry, the 18-year-old world No77 from Cairo, took on fellow countryman Mohamed Abouelghar, a qualifier aged a year older but ranked five places below.

"The showdown between two young but superbly talented Egyptians was played at a blistering pace with the ball barely touching the back wall," exclaimed tournament spokesman Andre Davies.

"The energy on court was a sight to behold and the shot-making skills of two players so young was breath-taking. Abouelghar played a great first game and looked full of confidence but Mazen Hesham took the next three in a row to secure the first spot in the final on Easter Sunday."

The 6-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 victory in 44 minutes takes Ga Sabry into the fifth Tour final of his career, but his first this year.

Finitsis, also unseeded, battled for 80 minutes before overcoming England's Eddie Charlton.

"Both played some outstanding squash but it was Finitsis who took the early initiative and opened a two-game lead," continued Davies. "Eddie showed how determined he was by digging deep and grinding out the next two games to level the match.

"But it was Finitsis who took the opportunities when they presented themselves and won the fifth 11-7 after a draining 80 minutes of top squash."

The 30-year-old Amsterdam-based Queenslander, who won 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 4-11, 11-7, is celebrating the 19th PSA Tour final of his career, and also his first of the year.

RESULTS: PSA Challenger 10 Paddy Whack West of Ireland Open, Galway, Ireland

Semi-finals:
Mazen Hesham Ga Sabry (EGY) bt [Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 6-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 (44m)
Steven Finitsis (AUS) bt Eddie Charlton (ENG) 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 4-11, 11-7 (80m)

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