Thaindian News

New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) Mohamed El Shorbagy overcame a mental block to beat fellow Egyptian and idol Karim Darwish in the quarterfinals of the Punj Lloyd PSA Squash Masters at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here Friday.

World No. 8 Shorbagy outplayed fifth-ranked Darwish 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 11-3 in exactly an hour to register his win first against a player who had guided him to two world junior crowns. It was also the first time the 20-year-old defeated a top-10 player from his country, besides opening his account against Darwish after four losses.

The win has also given Shorbagy the “belief” he can match Egyptian greats Amr Shabana and Ramy Ashour.

Shorbagy said he had learnt from his latest loss to Darwish in Kuwait and unlike in the past, he left the excess baggage of respecting his senior countrymen aside before stepping on the court.

“I don’t what to say. I am out of words and have mixed feelings. I am extremely happy that I beat him finally but then I have utmost respect for him. He helped me a lot during my junior days and I have always looked up to him,” said Shorbagy, who has inherited the Egyptian style game besides learning the English way in Bristol, where he now stays.

Egyptians are known for their delightful touches and both Shorbagy and Darwish did not disappoint the sparse crowd on that front. The first two sets were evenly contested, with Darwish using all his experience to take the second.

The younger legs of Shorbagy helped him in the remainder of the match as he kept on piling the pressure by playing the short game that featured precise nicks, deft drop shots and the powerful backhand while standing close to the wall. Darwish, 10 years older than his opponent, ran out of steam and looked tired by the end of third set. Shorbagy raced to 9-0 lead in the fourth, resulting in what could be called a pathbreaking win of his career.

“I had beaten the top-10 guys but could never won against an Egyptian. I went on the court thinking about too much respect for them. But here I was able to put that aside from point one. This will give me immense confidence going into the future,” said Shorbagy, who crossed the quarterfinal hurdle for the first time in three attempts here.

He meets France’s Gregory Gaultier in the last four. The World No. 3 brushed aside Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema 11-5, 11-2, 11-5 in the first quarterfinal.

Tournament favourite James Willstrop had to toil hard against England teammate Daryl Selby before securing a 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5 win.

Willstrop will face the winner of the match between compatriot Peter Barker and former World N. 1 Ashour.

The semifinals will be played Saturday.