Egyptian Ramy Ashour, the 27-year-old appearing in his first competitive tournament since May’s Allam British Open, defied all critics to claim his third World Championship crown, beating compatriot Mohamed Elshorbagy in a thrilling final win Doha.Ashour, who has been plagued with injuries since retiring during his 2013 World Championship semi-final, completed a miraculous return to action to come through 3-2, 13-11, 7-11, 5-11, 11-5, 14-12 in a dramatic 90-minute encounter that saw both players squander match points before Ashour eventually prevailed in a repeat of his 2012 victory over Elshorbagy, at the same venue.
“I’m speechless,” said Ashour afterwards. “It’s an unbelievable feeling and I just can’t believe it.
“I have worked so hard both mentally and physically to get myself ready for this tournament and I have pushed myself so hard – It doesn’t get any better than this.”
In the early stages of the match both players displayed nerves, making uncharacteristic errors, but it wasn’t long before the capacity crowd at the Khalifa Squash centre, which has packed over 1,200 fans in for the all-Egyptian encounter, were treated to some of the most enthralling action ever witnessed in a World Championship final as both players produced squash of the highest standard.
“It was dramatic and it was brutal – it was like a fight. We were both trying to get inside the other’s game but nobody succeeded – we were both producing our best squash,” added Ashour.“In that last game we both had match balls and it was back and forth between us, we both wanted so badly to be World Champion and winning my third World title means so much to me – this is a very special moment.
“Mohamed is an amazing player and he will win a lot more tournaments but I was very proud of the way both of us represented Egypt in such a great manner today and it makes me proud of my country.”
Result: 2014 Qatar PSA World Championship – Final:
[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [2] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) 3-2: 13-11, 7-11, 5-11, 11-5, 14-12 [90m]
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