Egypt's Ashour over the moon after squash triumph

Region: Egypt Egypt's former world champion Ramy Ashour has expressed his delight after clinching El-Gouna International Squash Open title, beating Englishman and top seed James Willstrop 3-0 in the tournament final on Friday.



The world number 5 picked up the pace at the end of the first game to take the lead 12/10 and continued to dominate in the second to double his advantage to 11/5, then led the third 5/2 before the world number one conceded due to the slippery conditions.

"I feel strange/happy. I feel good because I’m happy with the way I played all week,” Ashour, the winner of his first World Series event of 2012, told the tournament's official website.

“I’ve been consistent from the first match to the last one, and that doesn’t normally happen to me," he added.

Ashour has produced some impressive displays in the tournament, beating the world's top three seeds en route to his triumph.

He overcame Gregory Gaultier (world number 2) in the quarter-finals, Nick Matthew (world number three) in the semis and James Willstrop (world number one) in the final.

It seems now that Ashour, who was hit with a series of injuries in recent seasons, has regained full fitness and on the right track to reclaim his status as the world's number one.

“With all what happened this week – on, off the court, slippery, the wind, etc, a bit of a chaotic week, a very tough week – I’m happy I was mentally able to handle it, and I’m really happy to win this great tournament, and that squash is back in Egypt,"the 24-year-old commented.

"This past 5, 6 months have been a long journey that started right after the world [tournament], when I asked myself if I really should go on playing squash, or if I should stop my career altogether. And I would like to thank the people that have been helping me during those past months."

Source: http://news.egypt.com/english/permalink/103582.html