[4] Marwan ElShorbagy (Egy) 2-1 [5] Mohamed ElShorbagy (Egy) 8-11, 11-4, 11-4 (24m)
A bit of a strange match today between the two Bagies.
To start with, as Tarek and Grégoire were playing, they were both side by side, watching from the side of the court. That is pretty unusual nowadays. For a few years now, normally, they don’t talk to each other when they play against each other.
Mohamed played very well in the first game, Marwan forcing him to cover quite a lot of ground, and from Mohamed in front 6/3, the Controller managed to level it 7/7. Pace was pretty high, and the game was decided by three strokes: one for Marwan; 8/9, and two for Mohamed, 9/8, 10/8. So 11/8 in a quick 12m.
From that point on, Marwan was serving very fast, and Mohamed not playing his normal squash. Lifting the ball a lot, not running, not getting frustrated when making errors and going for silly winners. Something was just not right.
That went on till the end of the match, where Marwan actually commented that his brother only needed one game to qualify. And when I talked to Mohamed quickly at the end, he just said that he just wanted to save a bit of energy as his group was brutal!
I remember actually a few other players doing that after they qualify to make sure they were fresh for the semis, I could tell you but then, I would have to kill you…
Marwan :
“Today’s match was a little bit different of course. I knew my brother only needed one game to qualify so I knew as soon as he won the first game, things were different for him, he was a bit more relaxed knowing he was qualified.
“I had a tough night last night, very disappointing. I just had to try and stay as professional as possible in the match, keep my focus as much as possible, and it was just another match with my brother. It is always tough to play him. The conditions were a little bit different today, because, as I said he needed just one game. Now I am hoping for a result tomorrow.
“It is a tough group. I beat the World No.1 and World No.2 and I still don’t know whether I have qualified or not. I have enjoyed being part of that group and being a part of the World Tour Finals. Karim Darwish does a great job, very good organisation.”
