Ramy Ashour and Mohamed Elshorbagy come face to face on Friday in an all-Egyptian El-Gouna final on Friday. 

It is the second time this year that both contenders will meet in the final of a Grand Open as they met last month in the final of the World Series where Ashour emerged as winner. 

Ashour - World number four - beat veteran Amr Shabana in straight sets 3-0 (11/9, 11/5 and 11/9).

"I have a lot of respect for Amr Shabana he is an example to follow. Today I was mentally better. "The final will be very difficult but I am hungry for victories." Ashour said after the game. 

World number 3 Mohamed Elshorbagy secured a place in the final in the El-Gouna International Open after defeating world number 1 Gregory Gaultier  of France 3-1 (11/6, 14/16, 11/9,12/10) on Thursday.

The 112-minute marathon victory was Elshorbagy's first ever against the Frenchman in their run of 10 matches.

"Greg is not the number one for nothing, I've played him nine times and this is the first time that I actually beat him. And to do that, here, in Egypt.. thanks very much for the support of the crowd. I couldn't have done it without you," the Egyptian said afterwards.

"It was two fighters fighting each other out and he never gave up. Even in the 4th, I was 5-0 up and he was playing a bit of mind games telling me don't worry I am not coming back and the next thing I know I'm back to 8/8.

"I'm so happy I made it in the end, I can't believe I'm in the final" he concluded. 

The final will be purely an all-Egyptian affait as the second game of the semis will see Egypt's Rami Ashour facing off against his compatriot Amr Shabana 

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