[1] Mostafa Asal (Egy) 3-0 [4] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 11-6, 11-3, 11-4 (39m)
PSA report:
World No.1 Mostafa Asal continued his quest for a third straight Egyptian Open title after his three-game win over Karim Gawad saw him advance to the CIB Egyptian Open final.
The reigning World Champion had won his past ten meetings with Gawad on the PSA Squash Tour coming into tonight’s semi-final, and he always looked in control as he wrapped up a comprehensive 11-6, 11-3, 11-4 victory in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
All throughout the 39-minute encounter, Asal played with the perfect combination of precision and power, playing with a great mix of paces and catching Gawad out with some sudden, explosive patterns of play.
After holding off a steady start from Gawad to take the first game 11-6, there only looked to be one winner beyond this point. Despite Gawad trying his best to deploy his trademark deception around the mid-court areas, Asal had a match for everything, displaying some sublime defensive play whenever under pressure.
“His experience and taking me on board since I was 11 or 10, full respect to him. 35 years of age, playing in the semi-finals of one of the major events, it’s a huge achievement. I’m really happy to share with him on court.”
