PSA Dubai World Series Squash Finals joy for Laura Massaro and Mohamed ElShorbagy

The World Series Finals – the first sporting event to take place in Dubai Opera – saw ElShorbagy and Massaro claim over $40,000 each after respective wins over England’s former World No.1 James Willstrop and Egyptian World Champion Nour El Sherbini.

ElShorbagy ended a difficult season on a high to lift his first World Series Finals crown and his first Tour title since November after beating Willstrop 12-10, 11-9, 11-8 in 57 minutes.

“To win this tournament has been a dream for so long,” said ElShorbagy after lifting his 25th Tour title.

“It’s a very emotional win. I lost some confidence in myself during the season but I feel like I bounced back this week. 

“I don’t want to lose. I hate losing. This season I didn’t play with my spirit, but I’m really proud I got that back this week. It was my best squash since being World No.1.”

Massaro became only the second woman after Malaysian legend Nicol David to win two World Series Finals titles after she overcame El Sherbini in straight games.

The Englishwoman was appearing in the final of the World Series Finals for a third time in a row and had won one and lost one of her final appearances against Egypt’s Raneem El Welily and Malaysia’s David, respectively.

The pair had met earlier on in the tournament – with El Sherbini winning the best-of-three games contest to qualify second in Group B – but in the best-of-five games final, it was Massaro who emerged the victor after claiming an 11-8, 12-10, 11-5 victory to capture her 22nd Tour crown.

“I’m really happy with my performance overall,” said Massaro. 

“It took a lot of focus, discipline, hard work and I had to keep pushing throughout the whole match. The first two games were really tight and I managed to get that good lead in the third.

“I’m one of the oldest ones on Tour now and as long as I feel as though I’m still in contention to win titles then I’m happy. To be able to win the British Open, to reach the final of the ToC [Tournament of Champions] and to win here really makes me think that I’m still in contention and I can still win titles.”

Result – Final: Women’s 2016/17 PSA Dubai World Series Finals
[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 12-10, 11-5 (35m)
Result – Final: Men’s 2016/17 PSA Dubai World Series Finals
[3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt [6] James Willstrop (ENG) 3-0: 12-10, 11-9, 11-8 (57m)