Ng Eain Yow (right) lost to Marwan El Shorbagy (left) in the New Zealand Open semi-finals on Saturday. Credit - PSA Squash Tour
PETALING JAYA: Top squash player Marwan El Shorbagy had some kind words for Ng Eain Yow after knocking out the Malaysian in the New Zealand Open semi-finals.
The world No. 10 Egyptian El Shorbagy, who now plays for England, defeated Eain Yow 11-9, 11-8, 11-4 in 44 minutes at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch.
Both players know each other well thanks to the time spent training together in Bristol and their two previous meets on Tour, which both went in El Shorbagy’s favour.
El Shorbagy’s perfect record against the world No. 12 Eain Yow, however, looked to be in danger during the match and the second seed Englishman admitted the Malaysian was not a walk in the park.
“It was a tricky match. We have lived in the same city for a very long time and we used to train every day so we know each other’s game pretty well,” said El Shorbagy.
“We’re good friends as well, and it’s always tough to play a good friend and I know he knows my game.
“I had to study Eain Yow quite a lot and I spoke to a lot of people I know.
“As a player, he’s gotten so much better and now he believes he can beat anyone, and I saw that during the match.
“He played with a purpose to win, he had a game plan and kept changing.
“I’m happy to see him getting closer and hopefully one day he can get to the top of the rankings,” he said.
El Shorbagy will take on defending champion and home favorite Paul Coll in the final today, repeating last year’s clash between the two which Coll won 3-0.
SEMI-FINAL RESULTS
Men: Marwan El Shorbagy (Eng) bt Ng Eain Yow (Mas) 11-9, 11-8, 11-4; Paul Coll (Nzl) bt Baptiste Masotti (Fra) 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8.
Women: Amina Orfi (Egy) bt Rowan Elaraby (Egy) 12-10, 12-10, 11-2; Satomi Watanabe (Jpn) bt Salma Hany (Egy) 11-4, 12-10, 6-11, 11-5.
