Top seeds through to women’s final in Chicago as Matthew deposes Gaultier in men’s semis …

Matthew And Elshorbagy In Windy City Showdown

World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy and World No.3 Nick Matthew will meet in a second consecutive PSA World Series tournament title-decider after reaching the final of the 2015 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and EquiTrust Life Insurance Company.

The pairing contested January’s J.P Morgan Tournament of Champions final in New York, where Elshorbagy prevailed a 3-2 victor, but with Matthew coming off the back of success in February’s CASE Swedish Open and an impressive victory over World No.2 Gregory Gaultier to reach the final, the showdown looks set up cause a storm in the Windy City.

Elshorbagy is aiming to collect a fourth consecutive PSA World Series title and booked his bert in the decider with victory over his younger brother, World No.14 Marwan Elshorbagy.

“It was tough mentally tonight to stay fully focused but I knew I had to do a professional job and get to the final as fresh as I possibly could,” said Elshorbagy.

“I had to play well. My brother proved that he didn’t get to this stage by luck and I’m looking forward to having him in my corner tomorrow for the final because he a great source of support for me.

“It’s great to be in another major final. I’ve had a good year so far and I’m looking forward to competing for another title tomorrow.”

Matthew was in commanding form as he beat long time adversary Gaultier, the man whom he beat to World Championship glory in 2011 and 2013, in a gripping encounter at the prestigious University Club of Chicago, winning 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5 in 79-minutes.

“Greg seemed to get better as the games went on today and I was hanging on in there at points but fortunately I managed to sneak it,” said Matthew.

“It was a tough match. He’s the defending champion and he’s been in great form this week so I’m just happy to have got through and off court in four games.”

Windy City Open Men’s Semi-finals:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) 3-0 Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) 12-10, 11-8, 11-4 (42m)
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) 3-1 [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5 (79m)

David & El Welily To Contest Chicago Climax

The world’s top two squash players will contest the women’s final of the Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim and EquiTrust Life Insurance Company after Malaysia’s world number one Nicol David and Egypt’s Raneem El Welily, the world No.2, prevailed in contrasting semi-finals of the WSA World Series event at the University Club of Chicago in Chicago, USA.

After her shock quarter-final exit at the Tournament of Champions in New York in January, David has been in scintillating form. The 31-year-old from Penang swept through the field of the WSA International Cleveland Classic in Ohio last month to win the title without dropping a game – and extended this straight games run in Chicago with an 11-9, 13-11, 12-10 semi-final victory over Egypt’s eighth seed Nour El Tayeb.

The win takes David into the 99th WSA World Tour final of her career – one step away from her 80th title triumph!

“I tried hard to stick to my game plan tonight and to keep my focus and I really fought hard and dug deep in each of those games to make sure she did not take them,” explained the Malaysian who has topped the women’s world rankings unopposed since August 2006.

“It’s exciting to be here in Chicago playing this tournament and it’s fantastic for women’s squash that there is equal prize money for the women – and to be in with a chance of winning the title makes it extra special.

“I’m very pleased to be in the final and I’m going to prepare for the final tomorrow to make sure I am ready.”

El Welily, winner of the 2015 Tournament of Champions title, is unbeaten by any player on the WSA Tour – except for David – since October last year.

But the 26-year-old from Cairo was taken the full distance before surviving her Chicago semi-final against France’s Camille Serme.

The pair have been rivals throughout their careers – and contested both the World Junior Championship and British Junior U19 Open finals in 2007.

Sixth seed Serme opened up a 2/1 lead in their latest encounter, but El Welily regained control in the fourth before closing out the match 11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-3 in 58 minutes to extend her Tour head-to-head record over the world No.6 from Creteil to 6/2.

David and El Welily will be celebrating their 21st Tour meeting since July 2006 – and their 11th in a final. The Malaysian currently leads the head-to-head 17/3.

Windy City Open Women’s semi-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) 3-0 [8] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) 11-9, 13-11, 12-10 (52m)
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) 3-2 [6] Camille Serme (FRA) 11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-3 (58m)