Egypt’s Moustafa Elsirty and Nardine Garas will play in next month’s PSA World Championships in Cairo after securing their places with contrasting victories in today’s Africa qualifying finals at the Black Ball Sporting Club.
Sixth seed Elsirty, who had downed top seed Mazen Gamal on his way to the final in a series of tough encounters, met 19-year-old Kareem El Torkey who, as fifth seed, had beaten the second and third seeds on his route to the final.
The first four games were shared, with El Torkey twice taking the lead only to be pegged back, but it was Elsirty who started the decider stronger, taking an 8-4 lead. From there it was all-action, with both players diving to the floor, determined play from El Torkey and a number of errors from Elsirty, with El Torkey seemingly taking control to lead 10-8.
Elsirty saved both, and eventually took the victory 14-12 on his third match ball.
“When I was behind I knew I still had it in me,” said Elsirty.
“I had to keep playing my game and go for shots, just a bit more carefully, I knew I wanted it more than him, so I’m very happy to get through to my second Worlds.”
By contrast, top seeded Garas went through the women’s tournament without dropping a game, although unseeded Nadien Elhammamy pushed her close in all three games of the final.
Men’s Final : [6] Moustafa Elsirty (Egy) 3-2 [5] Kareem El Torkey (Egy) 10-12, 11-6, 7-11, 11-2, 14-12 (73m)
Women’s Final : [1] Nardine Garas (Egy) 3-0 Nadien Elhammamy (Egy) 11-8, 14-12, 11-9 (32m)
USA duo Spencer Lovejoy and Caroline Fouts have booked their places in next months PSA World Championships after winning the Pan American Qualifying event over in Maryland, USA.
