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11 Oct 2024

Elshorbagy & El Sherbini Mark Egyptian World Series Finals Double

10 Jun 2018

World number ones Mohamed Elshorbagy and Nour El Sherbini celebrated a notable Egyptian double by claiming both titles in the 2017/18 ATCO PSA Dubai World Series Finals at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.

After beating the sport's second-ranked players, the pair etched their names onto the trophies to bring the curtain down on what has been one of the most competitive and thrilling seasons in the history of the PSA World Tour - with Elshorbagy successfully defending the title he won twelve months ago and El Sherbini claiming the coveted crown for the first time in her career, and becoming the first ever Egyptian winner of the women's trophy.

In what was the tournament's third consecutive staging in Dubai, it was Ali Farag who started stronger against Elshorbagy in the men's final to take the opening game as he looked to exploits the tired legs of the 27-year-old from Alexandria who had reached 12 finals from 14 events during the campaign.

But Elshorbagy showed just why he's known as 'The Beast' on tour as he demonstrated tremendous fighting spirit to level the match before prevailing in a physically punishing third game to set up the platform for victory.

The eventual 9-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-8 triumph in 51 minutes - in the 50th PSA Tour final of his career - sees Elshorbagy end the season as world No.1, World Champion and World Series Finals champion!

"It's been an amazing week here in Dubai," said the victorious top seed.

"There have been some great matches all week 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."

After the match, Farag said: "Mohamed has been proving day in and day out that he is the best player in the world. Every time I feel like I match him, he keeps fighting back - I will work hard over the summer to try and match him next season."

El Sherbini, the 22-year-old from Alexandria who has occupied the world No.1 position unchallenged for the past 26 months, underlined her dominance over the rest of the field as she swept compatriot Raneem El Welily aside in a one-sided 11-3 opening game.

El Welily, who scalped El Sherbini to win the 2017 World Championship final, managed to find her footing in the second game but it proved to be in vain as El Sherbini regained the upper hand to move 2/1 ahead, before controlling the fourth game to seal the win courtesy of an 11-5, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5 scoreline.

"It feels amazing to have won this title," said El Sherbini.

"I was proud just to be one of the eight players who came here. It's been a long season so I'm really proud and happy to end the season with this title.

"This season has been one of the most successful of my career but there are still improvements to be made and I can still become a better player.

"Raneem and I keep playing each other and battling against each other on court, but we both go to Russia together in just a few days to cheer on Egypt in the World Cup. It's difficult when you pay against the same player so many times.

El Welily said: "All credit to Nour tonight, she played very well. I was maybe a little slow and not at my best on court. I'm happy with my week and my season but there are certainly things to work on over the summer, hopefully next season will be even better."