The U.S. Open Squash finals was a climax-filled Egyptian affair that set a historic landmark win for Ali Farag and Nour El Tayeb. The married couple took on compatriots Mohamed ElShorbagy and Raneem El Welily in the men and women’s category respectively.
The Cairo-based couple became the first married pair ever to reach the finals of the PSA World Series event, triumphing at the 2017 U.S Open Presented by Macquarie Investment Management to become the first married couple in the history of the sport to ever win the same major sports title on the same day.
“I’m very pleased with my performance,” 24-year-old El Tayeb said prior to the finals. “I made the final three years ago but I’m just enjoying it. My squash couldn’t be going better – I’ve been working really hard and I’m happy that it’s starting to pay off.”
And indeed it paid off, making crucial recoveries to come twice from a game done in what was a spectacular five-game match-up to win it 3-2: 8-11, 11-4, 5-11, 11-7, 11-5 (52m).
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“…. I’ve been improving every single tournament – it feels amazing to back-up wins against top four athletes – it’s amazing and I hope this is just the start,”[/perfectpullquote]
the finalist winner said after the title win.
The focus then shifted to Farag who outclassed ElShorbagy – the 2016 title winner in his third final – to take home his first major title, not just adding to the household’s trophy collection, but also firmly stating his presence as one of the sport’s top male players.
“As soon as I finished my match, I just wanted to watch him and I was so nervous. It’s a dream – I see him every day working hard so it feels really special that both of our first World Series titles happen to be together,” El Tayeb added.
Ali Farag beat Omar Mosaad of Egypt 3-0: 11-6, 14-12, 11-6 (45m) to secure a spot with World No.2 Mohamed ElShorbagy in the finals in which he won 3-0: 12-10, 11-9, 11-8 (49m).
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“It’s a dream, especially that we have done it together on the same night. We couldn’t have asked for a better and I hope it’s the first of many to come together.[/perfectpullquote]
“…. It’s a good omen when she plays before me! It was a rollercoaster of emotions but I think I dealt with it really well and I couldn’t be happier,” said Farag.
Featured Photo: OA Sport
