Announcer Andy Taylor. PSA World Champs Round-2. Mo Elshorbagy

Andy Taylor Announcer. 2019 PSA Mens World Championship. Round 2. Mohamed Elshorbagy — Announcer Andy Taylor | Voice of the 2019 PSA Mens World Championship | Photo: Nathan Clarke

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[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy -02- (EGY) def Adrian Waller -17- (ENG)

[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-check-circle”] Round-2 Score: 13-11, 11-9, 11-9 (48m)

Match recap from Squash Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the 2019 PSA Mens World Championship.

Tonight’s Round-2 clash was a definitive test for the Beast of Alexandria. Adrian Waller played brilliantly. He just gave up too many unforced errors. From a mental perspective, in the sport’s biggest event of the year, these early round tests can be rocket-fuel for champions who’ve lifted Major trophies before. But as Mohamed said after the match…only if you have a day of rest and reflection before your next match.

The truth is, with Ali Farag’s absence, Mohamed is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He is determined to win his second World Championship. The opportunity is ripe, and he knows it. The expectation of the squash community is one thing – but the burden of self-expectation he’s carrying rivals Kilimanjaro. Unlike other athletes, he refuses to lie to himself and claim there’s no pressure. Simply put, he’s accepting it, owning it, and will no doubt use that anxiety to fuel his will to win.

This, by the way, was the 7th meeting between Waller and Elshorbagy; second at the World Championship. Mohamed remains undefeated and is surely thankful tonight’s match didn’t rival their World Championship battle in 2013.

Announcer Corner | Player Introductions

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[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy -02- (EGY)

Very few in the history of the PSA World Tour have been as dominant as “The Beast of Alexandria.” Now a 3-time World Championship Finalist, in 2017 he captured the sport’s biggest title for the first time – defeating Ramy Ashour, Nick Matthew, Gregory Gaultier, then younger-brother Marwan in the championship match. No other active player owns more PSA Platinum titles. He is an 18-time Platinum champion, owns 39 PSA titles in all, and has held the World #1 ranking for 3-years and 4-months combined. 12-years-ago, he made his Doha debut at just 16-years-old. Since then, he’s captured 3 Qatar Classic titles on this court, appeared in his first two World Championship Finals, and in 2017 – broke Jansher Khan’s long-standing record by appearing in his 6th consecutive Doha Final. Competing in his 12th PSA World Championship, from Egypt – He is the Beast of Alexandria, Mohamed Elshorbagy.

▲ R1 — def Victor Crouin -55- (FRA) | Score: 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 (33m) | RECAP

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Adrian Waller -17- (ENG)

He is England’s top-ranked player, and comes into this year’s World Championship after cracking the PSA’s top-20 for the first time. Last season at the World Championship in Chicago, he upset World #9 Diego Elias in the Opening Round to make his Round-2 debut. On Friday, he took-out countryman Chris Simpson to reach the 2nd-Round again. Now 8-3 to start the new season, last month he captured his 8th PSA title at the Chicago Open, earning 4 straight victories without dropping a single game. This time last year, he was ranked outside the top-40 – but is back in Doha for his 9th World Championship with a career-high ranking of World #17. From England – he is Adrian Waller.

► Adrian Waller is on the climb. At the start of last season, he was ranked outside the top-40. He’s now the World #17 and England’s top player.

▲ R1 — def Chris Simpson -45- (ENG) | Score: 15-13, 11-7, 11-1 (44m) | RECAP

Mohamed Elshorbagy def Adrian Waller