[4] Mohamed Elshorbagy (ENG) 3-0 Gregoire Marche (FRA) 14-12, 11-7, 11-7 (43m)
Greg
Too many points where I lacked precision.
I struggled to find consistency, especially in accuracy on certain parts of the court—areas where precision is crucial—and sometimes, very early in the rally. If it happens later, once the rally has developed, it’s less problematic. But when it happens right from the start, I immediately put myself under pressure.
The court itself is fine, but I had real trouble adjusting to the glass floor; it feels completely different, like you’re always walking on eggshells.
WHAT A MATCH 🤯
The defending champions journey continues 🙌 @paulcollsquash came out victorious after 80 minutes of INCREDIBLE squash, hear his thoughts below 👇#OptasiaChampionships pic.twitter.com/vCTNUad5tO
— PSA Squash Tour (@PSASquashTour) March 28, 2025
And he’s very clever—he took the ball high. He knew I was expecting him today to put more pace on the ball, to take it early, and put me under pressure straight away, as he did in Calgary. Instead, he did the opposite. He was extremely patient at the start of the rallies, lifting the ball and gaining control patiently, then closing out points when my accuracy dropped.
Tactically, he was at his absolute best today, and I couldn’t counter him effectively, except during certain phases where I managed to impose my own game and battle hard.
But midway through each game, he took the initiative. It was close every time, but that’s precisely what made the difference.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙯𝙪𝙠𝙞 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙞𝙘𝙠! 😱
Out of this world racket skills from @GregMarche 💯#OptasiaChampionships pic.twitter.com/f9wrUarBO5
— PSA Squash Tour (@PSASquashTour) March 28, 2025
Mohamed
To be honest with you, when I was 10 – 8 up, when he came back to 10 all, I had flashbacks to our match in Houston, because I was 10 – 8 in the first and he came back and won that 14-12, and I couldn’t come back in the match after, he played so well.
“We have played 3 times this month, we have had some quality matches, I am glad this one went my way and especially here in England, I wanted to get to the semis and you know play on the big stage and play with the big guys, I’m glad to be here another day and I look forward to tomorrow.
“I mean honestly you don’t learn much from watching Paul, he’s not that good right, ahaha. No I think Paul and my brother played one of the best matches this season, it’s definitely going to be a contender for it… me and Greg were behind the scenes just watching the match, it was such a great match, Paul is a fighter, world no.1, British open champion… almost everything, he deserves everything he has and I’m really happy to see him always playing well and winning at home… we will play a quality match tomorrow I’m sure and it’s great to be back here with him.”
