Gaultier claims 36th title in Chicago as El Welily sees off compatriot El Sherbini

Published 02/03/2017 at 08:55 GMT

Gregory Gaultier picked up the 36th title of his PSA World Tour career by defeating Marwan ElShorbagy 3-1 to win the Windy City Open while Raneem El Welily added the 2017 title to her 2015 and 2016 crowns with a 3-1 win over Nour Sl Sherbini.

Gaultier and El Welily take Windy City Open titles

Image credit: Eurosport

Frenchman Gaultier, competing in a 75th PSA career final, has been in scintillating form so far in 2017. After finishing as runner-up at January’s Tournament of Champions and winning the Swedish Open in February he proved too much for ElShorbagy, the 23-year-old appearing in a first World Series tournament final.

The World No3 started slowly, looking nervous as he struggled to settle in the opener which went the way of ElShorbagy but Gaultier’s big game experience came to the fore as he pushed on to secure the honours and his 13th PSA World Series title 5-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-4.

“I am really happy – it’s amazing to win these kind of major titles so it will be nice to see my name on this beautiful trophy once again,” said Gaultier, who also won here in 2014.”

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El Welily meanwhile, in a repeat of the 2016 final, put in the best performance of her year so far to stop World No.1 El Sherbini 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7.

The World No.3 played superb squash from the off, using her backhand drop to devastating effect to punish any loose play from El Sherbini. Despite losing a close first game 10-12 it looked comfortable for El Welily as she returned to the form that took her to World No.1 in 2015.

Afterwards El Welily said: “Chicago is my lucky city and I’m always happy to be here. I’m very happy and very glad with how I performed.”

Results – Final: 2017 Men’s Windy City Open
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) 3-1: 5-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-4 (51m)
Results – Final: 2017 Women’s Windy City Open
[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 3-1: 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7 (4m)

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