Momen to take on El Shorbagy in final

Egypt’s Tarek Momen entered his maiden World Series final to set up an all-Egyptian Qatar Classic title clash against two-time champion Mohamed El Shorbagy yesterday.
World No.7 Momen produced a stellar performance at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex to defeat Germany’s giant killer Simon Rosner 3-0 in the semi-final, their sixth meeting on the PSA World Tour.
“I’m really happy, I can’t believe I’m in my first World Series final – it’s amazing,” Momen said.
Momen kept his nerve on the big stage, coming out firing in the early stages to pile the pressure on the German No 1, profiting from a series of unforced errors to take the opening game and set up the foundations for an 11-9, 11-5, 11-7 victory.
Rosner, who defeated third seed Marwan El Shorbag and World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad in the quarter-final and second round, respectively, was off colour yesterday.
Momen, who had defeated compatriot Mohamed Abouelghar, Australia’s Cameron Pilley and England’s three-time world champion Nick Matthew in the tournament, said he was spurred on  by the supportive crowd.
 “I think I had a physiological edge – with the crowd supporting me and having been in a semi-final before – and I took advantage of it. Earlier this season I wasn’t in the zone mentally but I knew I wasn’t far off and finally it materialised this week,” Momen said.
“I was on court and I didn’t think I would get this emotional,” the 29-year-old said with tears in his eyes.
“I have been waiting for this moment for so long but I’m not done here so I don’t know why I’m crying – it’s not over!
Talking about the final he said, “I’ve had some huge matches against Mohamed before and I have won against him as well so I know nothing is off the table. I’m in the final and I’ll give it my all and continue to believe in myself.”
Earlier in the day, two-time champion Mohamed El Shorbagy defeated World No 1 Gregory Gaultier of France 3-0 to enter the final for a fourth consecutive year. El Shorbagy, who lost to Karim Abdel Gawad twelve months ago in the final, and Gaultier were meeting for the 21st time in what is one of the fiercest rivalries of the modern era but, after coming through a spell-binding opening game, it was the 26-year-old from Alexandria who prevailed to end the Frenchman’s 30-match unbeaten run over a best-of-five games format.
El Shorbagy, who showed little tiredness after a brutal five-game clash with Ali Farag the day before, attacked with intensity from the off to avenge his defeat to Gaultier at the Tournament of Champions in New York in January.
“I’m really happy to be back in the final here, it’s where I won my first ever World Series and to be back in my fourth consecutive final is an honour,” said El Shorbagy.
“He made a fool of me in that match in New York and I thought about it all summer – it motivated me to get back to my best in the off season and I really wanted to go out there today and beat him 3-0,” the 26-year-old, who is aiming for his third title in Doha, said.
“Without the way that he beat me at the ToC that day, I wouldn’t be as hungry as I am now. I had a bad season by my standard last year but I feel like I’m better every tournament and every match this season so far and I’m really pleased to be competing for the title here once again,” the 2013 and 2015 champion said.

RESULTS  (SEMI-FINALS)
[3] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) bt [1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 3-0: 14-12, 11-9, 11-1 (55m)
[8] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Simon Rösner (GER) 3-0: 11-9, 11-5, 11-7 (40m)
FINAL
[3] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) v [8] Tarek Momen (EGY)