It’s an all egyptian final affair

Tarek came from 4-8 behind to clinch the final game 11-8, with fellow Egyptian Omar El Torkey requiring a treatment on his ankle early in the decider. The match lasted for about one and a half hours as both players gave it their all on a fun-filled Sunday evening at the Express Avenue mall.

Tarek got home by the scruff of the neck in the first game, winning it 11-9 but El Torkey pegged back to level the proceedings. The number one seed reclaimed the lead in the third but it was one-way traffic in the following game as El Torkey once again restored parity. But, the defending champion managed to come up trumps in the match which lasted 93 minutes.

 “A place (in the final) is what we have been working for since the start of the year. It was my longest match in this tournament, it must be one of the longest of my career. I was so

 tired during the fourth game. So, I had a tactical plan of saving my energy for the final game,” said Tarek after booking a spot in the final.

Another title contender, Mostafa Assal, had a much smoother progress to the grand finale as he wrapped up the match against Mostafa El Serty in three games. He required a little more than half an hour to get past his fellow countryman.

In the women’s juniors, Egyptian Rowan Reda Araby made easy work of country mate Jana Shiha in straight games. Shiha posed a threat only in the second game.

Second seed Hania El Hammamy made sure it was an all-Egyptian final in both the individual events as she defeated England’s Lucy Turmel in the final match of the day.

RESULTS: Semi-finals: Men’s: Marwan Tarek (Egypt) beat Omar El Torkey (Egypt) 11-9 6-11 11-8 2-11 11-8; Mostafa Assal (Egypt) beat Mostafa El Serty 11-3 11-7 11-7 Women’s: Rowan Reda Araby (Egypt) beat Jana Shiha (Egypt) 11-5 13-11 11-6; Hania El Hammamy (Egypt) beat Lucy Turmel (England) 11-6 8-11 11-4 11-4