ISM June18-web

PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS
I dared to dream for a second that I could go all the
way. Even a week ago, if you’d have offered me a semifinal
place here I wouldn’t have believed it
NICK MATTHEW
fought back in typical style to level the match before prevailing
in a physically punishing third game to set up the platform for
a deserved 51-minute 9-11 11-3 11-9 11-8 victory which sees him
end the season as World No.1, World Champion and World Series
Finals Champion.
“It’s been an amazing week here in Dubai,” said ElShorbagy.
“There have been some great matches and I’m very proud to
have been part of this event at the end of the season and to
have won it.
“Ali and I have played so many battles this season and I’m
happy that we managed to end the season playing against each
other - he’s a great guy and great player and I look forward to
being back on court battling with him again next season.”
The championships marked the final PSA World Tour
appearance of England’s Nick Matthew who brought the curtain
down on a glittering 20-year-career by reaching the semi-finals
following impressive wins over Tarek Momen, recently crowned
British Open Champion Miguel Angel Rodriguez and World No.1
Mohamed ElShorbagy in the group stages.
37-year-old Matthew was set to retire after defeat to Germany’s
Raphael Kandra at the Allam British Open which meant he
failed to qualify for the World Series Finals, but a hamstring
injury sustained by World No.3 Marwan ElShorbagy saw the
Englishman receive a deserved late call-up.
Having topped his group, Matthew’s tournament, and career,
came to an end in the semi-finals at the hands of Farag
who progressed with an 11-5 11-7 victory. Matthew, the most
successful male English squash player of all time, bows
out with 35 PSA World Tour titles to his name, including
three PSA World Championship crowns, alongside a trio of
Commonwealth Games gold medals.
“I dared to dream for a second that I could go all the way.
Even a week ago, if you’d have offered me a semi-final place
here I wouldn’t have believed it,” admitted Matthew.
“A few people this week have been trying to talk me out of
retirement but that’s not happening. I’m 100 per cent going
to stay in squash but I’m going to have a rest this summer,
I’ve got some camps in the US and I’ll have a lot of family
time and regroup.
“I’ve got a great role which I’m looking forward to doing with
England Squash and I’ll be growing my academy around the
world. I’m still going to play, I’m not going to totally stop
because I’m too competitive,” added the three-time World
Champion who will take on a coaching and ambassadorial role
with England Squash.
PSA Dubai World Series Finals
Men’s Final:
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt [2] Ali Farag (EGY)
9-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-8
Women’s Final:
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [2] Raneem El Welily (EGY)
11-5, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5
INTERNATIONALSQUASHMAGAZINE June 2018 | 09
www.isportgroup.com/InternationalSquashMagazine