[9/16] Marwan ElShorbagy (Eng) 3-1 [9/16] Victor Crouin (Fra) 11-7, 11-8, 10-12, 11-6 (47m)
PSA reports
Up first was Marwan, who was targeting revenge after a defeat to Crouin in their last match, a 3-2 epic at the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions.
The Englishman looked sharp on court from the first rally today, finding his range early on and playing some excellent squash as he took a 2-0 lead.
ElShorbagy then went two match balls up in game three only for a valiant effort from Crouin to stymie him, with the Frenchman getting a foothold in the match with a 12-10 win.
ElShorbagy, however, did not let the setback derail him, and he successfully booked his spot in the quarters with a comfortable 11-6 victory in game four.
🚕 Taxi for Marwan!@VCrouin sent ElShorbagy flying with this one!#EgyptianOpen pic.twitter.com/uKUD4I2aC2
— SQUASHTV (@SquashTV) September 2, 2024
Victor : Yes, I started discussing with the ref as early as the 2nd point, because he penalised both of us with two strokes that, in my opinion, were neither justified nor necessary. But then again, it’s Ashraf; we know how he referees, he’s very stubborn, he strongly believes in his own vision, and he stands out from other referees – not in terms of level, but in terms of the reasoning line he uses.
I know it’s up to me to adapt, but in the moment, it’s difficult – like on the last ball [Victor receives a no let], according to his view, I should have made the effort to go around him to play it… Once again, I need to do what’s necessary to adapt, something I’ve always struggled with and continue to struggle with. But if I could do it, it would make my life much easier…
Because in every game, it comes down to just a little bit that tips the scale in his favour. It’s often in the middle of the game where he takes a lead, and then I manage to come back little by little, but that lead is still significant, and I managed to come back once (in the 4th), a bit like against Zakaria the day before yesterday.
There were good things today, but there were also mistakes on volley interceptions where I tried to reach too far, which were good shots and good tactical choices, but unfortunately, they didn’t go through – not enough aggression in the intent to score.
I need to be a bit more disciplined with my shots to the back to take away his volleying opportunities, and I need to be more incisive with mine because when I am, I regain the advantage and start making him doubt again… In the past, I’ve managed to beat him.
I saw myself in the 5th, but at the end of the 4th, I lost two points quickly, a bit foolishly, and I need to be better than that to win these matches…
Marwan
“I’m happy with the win over Victor. He’s a great player and beat me last time at TOC. I definitely didn’t want to lose again today. I respect him a lot. He’s the type of player who’s always learning and trying to improve, learning from his mistakes and trying to figure out the game and I respect that about him.
“I played very well, to be honest. I was very solid from the first point and didn’t want to give him a chance to get into the match and he was digging in, the way he came back.
“To be honest, I didn’t think I did much wrong in the third, I thought he played well and put the pressure on, put me under pressure. I made a couple of mistakes but not the wrong mistake. Then I came back in that fourth game and played well. I love the way I came back in the fourth game and didn’t let what happened in the third let me down.
“I’m happy overall with the two wins I’ve had and am looking forward to my day off and a chance to play the quarter-final in this amazing venue!”
