Egyptians maintain success at most paid World Champs
Egyptian squash stars dominated the first day of the men and women’s PSA World Championships in Chicago, with a combined $1 million prize on offer, the highest in squash history.
In the women's draw, world number 3 Nour El Tayeb of Egypt needed only 21 minutes to beat Rachel Arnold of Malaysia 3-0 (11-2, 11-6 and 11-6), while world number one Raneem El Welily, also of Egypt, defeated Alexandra Fuller of Russia 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-3) in 23 minutes.
Egyptian star and world number two Nour El Sherbini defeated Lily Taylor of England 3-0 (11-8, 11-5, 11-9) in 24 minutes.
In the men's draw, Egyptian star and world number one Mohamed ElShorbagy faced a tough mission to beat Joshua Masters of England 3-1 (11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5) in 45 minutes.
"It’s obviously the biggest tournament in the calendar," ElShorbagy was quoted as saying on the tournament's official website.
"It took me a while to win it, which just shows how big a title it is and how much pressure you play under.
"I’m really excited to be back in Chicago again, it’s always been a great city for me and I’ve always played well there. I’m just really looking forward to being back," the Egyptian squash star added.
Meanwhile, world number four Tarek Momen of Egypt defeated Todd Harrity of USA 3-1 (11-5, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6) in 34 minutes, Ali Farag of Egypt also defeated Daryl Selby England 3-0 (11-2, 11-5, 11-4) in 30 minutes.
Omar Mosaad is the only Egyptian who failed to achieve the victory in the opening day of the tournament after losing to world number three Simon Rosner of Germany 3-0.
This will be the first PSA World Championships to offer an equal prize fund in the men’s and women’s draws, with a $500,000 prize purse available in both divisions.
They are taking place at Chicago’s Union Station from February 23 to March 2.
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