Kuala Lumpur - The 2011 CIMB KL Open has reached its final stage and went according to seeding.
In form Azlan Iskandar of Malaysia was beaten in a highly contested semfinal matchup with second seed Mohamed El Shorbagy of Egypt.
In the pivotal second game, Iskandar held game ball but couldn't convert. Shorbagy capitalized and evened the match at one before pushing ahead. Said Shorbagy, "the second was big. I think he [Iskandar] held a game ball or two, I'm not sure, but getting that game was important,".
Indeed, he looked to be two games down to a strong looking Iskandar in front of his home crowd. After having tied the match, thereafter Shorbagy flew around the court with confidence and aggression, pursuing his brand of free squash. "I knew I could relax and play my shots being a game ahead," said Shorbagy afterwards.
Shorbagy will face compatriot Karim Darwish in the final.
Nicol David continued her run as she forced aside a tough Alison Waters.
Waters, after a slow start, forced a tiebreak in the second but couldn't get ahead. David, now ahead 2-0 in games, was too strong to force another. David moves on to face a similar style in Madeline Perry.
Perry beat young Annie Au of Hong Kong in a scrappy early semifinal. Perry's pace proved difficult for Au to counter without unforced error. Regardless, it was a great run for Au as it was her best finish in a WISPA Gold event, and certainly her best finish in KL.
Indeed, he looked to be two games down to a strong looking Iskandar in front of his home crowd. After having tied the match, thereafter Shorbagy flew around the court with confidence and aggression, pursuing his brand of free squash. "I knew I could relax and play my shots being a game ahead," said Shorbagy afterwards.
Darwish dismissed Gregoire Marche in an uneventful first semifinal. The young Frenchman last appeared in Kuala Lumpur playing a one star PSA tournament, a significantly lower tournament. When asked about what it means for the forthcoming year as he builds upon this tournament, he quipped without hesitation, "it will be harder!" Lining up across from Darwish has that affect.
Waters, after a slow start, forced a tiebreak in the second but couldn't get ahead. David, now ahead 2-0 in games, was too strong to force another. David moves on to face a similar style in Madeline Perry.
The 2011 CIMB KL Open finals kick off tomorrow at 3pm beginning with the men and finishes with the women's championship.
No comments:
Post a Comment