PSA Dubai World Series Finals: Maiden title for El Shorbagy, Massaro defends crown

Former world No.1 Egypt's Mohamed El Shorbagy clinched his maiden title, while England's Laura Massaro defended her crown in the season-ending PSA Dubai World Series Finals.

The men's and women's finals served up classic contests befitting the venue - the iconic Dubai Opera and the 26-year-old El Shorbagy, who held the No.1 ranking for 28 months until April this year, hit the right notes to tame Englishman James Willstrop 12-10, 11-9, 11-8 in just under an hour.

Earlier in the night, England's Laura Massaro completed a successful title defence by getting the better of Egypt's Nour El Sherbini, in 35 minutes.

It was El Shorbagy's first ever PSA World Series finals title and his first Tour title since the US Open last November. It was also El Shorbagy's 25th title on the Tour.  

His previous best showing at the Finals was a runner-up finish to countryman Ramy Ashour in 2013, when it was held in Richmond, USA.

The clash against Willstrop was a repeat of the Group B match which Shorbagy had won 11-8, 11-9.

Meanwhile, Massaro became only the second woman after former world No.1 Malaysia's Nicol David to win two World Series Finals titles.  It was her 22nd Tour title.

Massaro, who won the British Open this year, her second British Open title after 2013, was making her third appearance on the bounce in the World Series Finals. She had won against Egypt's Raneem El Welily last year and was runner-up to Nicol David in 2012.

Massaro and Sherbini had also met in the group stages with the latter overcoming Match Ball to win that best of three match.

Massaro also improved her head-to-head record against El Sherbini to seven wins to the latter's four.  It was also their third meeting this season.

It was second time unlucky for El Sherbini, who had lost to Massaro in the semifinals here last year.

Willstrop had begun well, moving to a 4-2 lead in the first game but El Shorbagy clawed his back to level it 4-4 after the Egyptian won a successful review on the Yes Let decision, to win a Stroke.

That was to be the turning point as he went on to take the lead and had four Game Balls in hand. But Willstrop cut the deficit with a near backhand drop and an error from El Shorbagy saw the gap reduced to 10-9.

Another mistake saw Willstrop draw level at 10-10 and a brilliant rally ensued thereafter before Willstrop wilted.

El Shorbagy was staring at Game Ball yet again and an error from Willstrop saw him close it out.

The second game too went along similar lines before both were deadlocked at 9-9. But El Shorbagy nudged ahead and won the game to take a commanding 2-0 lead.

El Shorbagy, nicknamed 'The Beast,' steamrolled Willstrop in the third game and had five Championship Balls in hand.

But that one point was proving to be elusive as Willstrop staged a fine rally, and a brilliant backhand which had El Shorbagy applauding his opponent.

It was getting too close for comfort as Willstrop moved to within two points but El Shorbagy managed to get it, in the nick of time.

RESULTS (Final):

Men: 3-Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egypt) beat 6-James Willstrop (England) 12-10, 11-9, 11-8.

Women: 3-Laura Massaro (England) beat 2-Nour El Sherbini (Egypt) 11-8, 12-10, 11-5.

Source: Khaleej Times