Australia's Pilley stuns Elshorbagy in PSA Dubai World Series Finals

Australia’s Cameron Pilley pulled off the biggest upset in the PSA Dubai World Series Finals on Friday, when he sent world number one and odds-on favourite Mohamed Elshorbagy packing in a masterful display.

Pilley, making his debut in the tournament, only just scraped into the top eight on the Road To Dubai Standings to earn a spot in Dubai but took full advantage of the opportunity presented to him by taking the match to El Shorbagy from the outset, playing with a relaxed and calm manner that allowed him to play some of his best squash this season.

The win will see him become the first Australian since Anthony Ricketts in 2006 to reach the final of the lucrative season-ending tournament.

Opening up a four-point gap before withstanding an onslaught as Elshorbagy fought back, Pilley prevailed to take the first game 11-9.

He steamed ahead in the second with Elshorbagy looking spent, his mammoth effort to win six World Series tournaments this season taking a toll as Pilley remained focused and closed out the second 11-5.

“I play my best squash when I’m relaxed and I don’t overcomplicate things on court,” said Pilley.

“There was no pressure on me, so I just went in and did my best.  We've played a lot in the past and when I saw him getting rattled I didn't event pay attention - I know how dangerous he can be. When you play a against the World No.1, you have to just take it one point at a time.

“To scrape into the top 8 and now be in the final is something I can be really happy about. I put in a good two-week block coming into this and to win would be more than a dream because it is beyond all expectations.”

Pilley will now face Greg Gaultier after he downed Miguel Angel Rodriguez 11-7 11-7.

The 33-year-old Gaultier, who won the season-ending tournament in 2008 and 2009, has been in scintillating form all week and continued to play at a ferocious pace as he set the tone for a title-match with Pilley - whom he blasted off court during the round robin pool stages earlier in the week.

“I have played so many finals compared to Cameron, I played him in the pool but he seems to have improved his game since we played. He showed he can beat the world number one so he’s going to be a real danger tomorrow. I’m going to prepare the best I can to get the win and close the season with a win” said Gaultier.

REVENGE

England’s Laura Massaro gained revenge for her defeat at the hands of Egyptian Nour El Sherbini in the final of last month’s World Championship by downing the 20-year-old 12-10 11-6 to move into the final.

they matched each other point-for-point throughout a series of intense rallies, El Sherbini forcing a tie break in the first before Massaro finished it off 12-10.

In the second Massaro upped her intensity level and stood firm to come through 11-6 after 31 minutes to move into the title-decider.

“I’m feeling pretty good. It was a tough battle through the middle of both games, I feel like I put some really good work in since the World Championship and it’s always nice to turn the result over. It’s always good to be playing for a major title and I’m really pleased with my performance.

“It’s a truly world-class event and, for the women to have equal prize money to the men is phenomenal and really setting the bar for squash and the rest of the world to follow. It’s a real privilege to play here.”

Massaro will now face Raneem El Welily who was pushed all the way by eight-time world champion and two-time World Sereis Finals winner Nicol David, before running out winner 11-5 8-11 11-8.

"The crowd were expecting a good match and I think we gave them that. I really had to push through at the end because I was feeling tired and stating to cramp so I just had to give it everything I had to come through because playing Nicol is never easy,” said El Welily.

“There are zero expectations for tomorrow against Laura. We have played so many times and it is always close so hopefully we will play a match that the crowd enjoy.

“I’m so happy to be part of such a big event and a tournament with equal prize money. It is such a great thing for the sport and for squash to take that step and show everyone else that it can be done is great.”

The women’s final will be played at 7pm tomorrow, followed by the men’s final.

The PSA Awards to announce the Players of the Year will be held on Saturday May 28 at the Palace Hotel Downtown Dubai at 10pm.

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