Diego Elias of Peru pulled off a huge upset as he defeated defending champion and world number one Mohamed ElShorbagy of Egypt to reach the semi-finals of the 2018 Qatar Classic – the PSA World Tour Platinum event yesterday.
At the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex the eight seed overcame the Egyptian, who was aiming for his fourth title in Qatar, 11-8, 11-13, 13-11, 10-12, 11-7, in 76 minutes.
“I’m really happy to be into the semis of a major event for the first time in my career and to do it by beating the World No.1 is special,” Elias said.
In the semi-finals, Elias will meet Germany’s Simon Rosner.
“I have a big opportunity now and I don’t want to waste it so I will do everything I can to recover for tomorrow and come back and do my best against Rosner. It will be tough against him – we’ve only played once before and he smashed me – but I’m feeling good and hopefully I can play well,” Elias said.
Earlier in the day, Rosner defeated New Zealand’s Paul Coll 3-1 (8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 12-10) to book a place in semi-finals.
“I’m trying to improve constantly and put in everything that I can. I have good memories from here last year, it’s good to be back at the semis and it’s time to prepare for a really tough battle tomorrow,” said Rosner.
In the second semi-final, Egypt’s Tarek Momen will be against compatriot Ali Farag. Farag defeated 2016 champion Karim Abdel Gawad in straight games (11-9, 11-7, 11-8) in their quarter-finals earlier in the day.
Farag was delighted with his maiden semi-final spot.
“I’m very, very happy to be into the semis. I haven’t been in the semis in Qatar, so I had my eye on this one but it’s too early to celebrate – hopefully I can go all the way” he said.
Third seed Tarek Momen of Egypt won 3-1 (8-11, 11-6, 14-12, 11-6) against Welsh’s Joel Makin in the quarter-finals.
RESULTS
[4] Simon Rosner (Ger) bt [7] Paul Coll (Nzl) 3-1 (8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 12-10) (64m)
[8] Diego Elias (Per) bt [1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (Egy) 3-2 (11-8, 11-13, 13-11, 10-12, 11-7) (76m)
[2] Ali Farag (Egy) bt [6] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-8) (45m)
[3] Tarek Momen (Egy) bt Joel Makin 3-1 (8-11, 11-6, 14-12, 11-6) (Wal)
