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Paul McNamara

Ali Farag said it was impossible to remain motivated throughout the 11-month squash season, but the world No 1 is fired-up by the prospect of claiming a first Hong Kong Squash Open title when he meets fellow Egyptian Mostafa Asal in Sunday’s final.
Four-times world champion Farag beat Diego Elias of Peru 9-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-8 in a highly-charged 64-minute semi-final at Edinburgh Place on Saturday.
Both players took issue with multiple refereeing calls and Elias, the reigning world champion, furiously threw his racquet following the final point.
“This is our livelihood, we train every day and breathe squash,” Farag told the Post. “We travel the world and leave our families behind to try to win. If we crossed the line [contesting decisions], we apologise.
“I am very sorry if we gave the referee a hard time, they do a selfless and great job, but I am also very proud I gave it 100 per cent.”
Farag lost the 2023 Hong Kong final to New Zealander Paul Coll, after suffering a similar fate at the last hurdle of the 2017 and 2018 editions against Mohamed El Shorbagy.

Ahead of his fourth tilt at claiming the prize, Farag, who won a 43rd career title at last month’s Singapore Open, said he “would be lying” if he claimed he was always motivated.
“Sometimes, you are motivated, other times you are not,” he added. “I can’t always pinpoint what motivates me. Sometimes, it is little things, like the new venue here and a bigger crowd. I have been signing autographs and having pictures with people and that acknowledgment gives you fuel.
“Then there is the fact I’ve never won here, these are the things you look for to keep you motivated. Also, I know there is still big room for improvement, so that motivates me, but I don’t always have it.”
World No 2 Asal, who won in Hong Kong in 2022, beat Wales’ Joel Makin 11-8, 11-3, 11-2 to book his final spot.
The women’s final will also be a battle between the world’s top two players, after the Egyptian pair of Nour El Sherbini and Nouran Gohar progressed from their semi-finals in contrasting fashion.

World No 1 and 2017 Hong Kong champion El Sherbini was leading Olivia Weaver 13-11, 9-2 when the American retired after pulling up sharply with a back issue. The explosive No 2 ranked Gohar ended Hania El Hammamy’s hopes of a third straight Hong Kong crown with a gutsy 11-8, 6-11, 11-8, 11-8 victory.
The 29-year-old El Sherbini said back in October that she had just gone through the “hardest and longest” two months of her life.
“It’s getting better now,” she said. “I try to not think a lot and play freely as much as I can.”
There is added incentive in Sunday’s final for 2016 Hong Kong winner Gohar, who would leapfrog El Sherbini at the top of the global standings with victory.
“I don’t care about the rankings,” El Sherbini said. “I don’t want it in my mind. I have been reaching every final, and won three tournaments [this season]. I can drop this week, but get it back next month. If I keep winning, I will maintain this spot.”


Hong Kong Squash Open: Egypt stars Nour El Sherbini and Mostafa Asal crowned champions

Hong Kong Squash Open: El Sherbini ‘not done yet’ after toppling world’s best El Hammamy

Hong Kong Squash Open: Japan’s Watanabe summons grit to shock teenager Orfi

Hong Kong Squash Open: Mostafa Asal 2 wins from title but misses facing retired Farag

Hong Kong Squash Open

Hong Kong Squash Open: World No 1 Farag reveals motivation issues but fired-up for final

Ali Farag hits through a backhand during his semi-final victory over Diego Elias. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Farag is hoping to break his Hong Kong duck on Sunday after losing his three previous finals. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Reigning world champion Elias saw a one-game lead disappear against Egyptian Farag. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong confirm new cricket captain after Nizakat Khan steps down to focus on own game

Nizakat Khan is stepping down as Hong Kong captain to concentrate on his own game. Photo: Cricket Hong Kong, China

Yasim Murtaza (left) will lead Hong Kong for the first time in a tri-series tournament next month. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Nizakat Khan (right) in full flow during a Hong Kong Sixes clash with New Zealand last month. Photo: Dickson Lee

Backlash against ‘sexy’ Chinese sportswomen a reflection of traditional values, experts say

Chinese hurdler Wu Yanni is another sportswoman often called out for her appearance. Like all Chinese athletes, she has to cover her tattoos when she competes. Photo: Xinhua

Former Chinese gymnast Wu Liufang has been criticised for “crossing the line”. Photo: Douyin/Wu Liufang

Dr Ivy Wong says Chinese women are still expected “to be clean, pure … and not dress sexy”. Photo: Dr Ivy Wong Wang 

Former World Cup bronze medal fencer Qin Xue has also come under public scrutiny. Photo: Weibo

Dr Sonia Wong says “the bodies of athletes are a representation of the national body”. Photo: Sonia Wong

Sport

Hong Kong

Both finals all Egyptian affairs after leading two players in men’s and women’s draws navigate Saturday’s semis


Both finals all Egyptian affairs after leading two players in men’s and women’s draws navigate Saturday’s semis.


Hong Kong Squash Open: World No 1 Farag reveals motivation issues but fired-up for final

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Both finals all Egyptian affairs after leading two players in men’s and women’s draws navigate Saturday’s semis

Both finals all Egyptian affairs after leading two players in men’s and women’s draws navigate Saturday’s semis