Cameron Pilley flies flag for Australia in PSA Dubai World Series Finals
Australian Cameron Pilley is the surprise package in the PSA Dubai World Series Finals last four after defeating Germany's Simon Rösner 2-0.
Having only qualified for the tournament in eighth position, the hard-hitting 33-year-old ran out an 11-2, 11-7 winner to set up a semi final with World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy.
“It’s an understatement to say I’m feeling pretty good right now – considering that I just scraped in to this tournament and it’s my first World Series Finals, I am over the moon to be in the semi-finals,” said Pilley.
While Pilley will face ElShorbagy, who lost a dead-rubber encounter with Nick Matthew, the second semi-final will see World Champion Gregory Gaultier take on Colombia’s Miguel Angel Rodriguez – the first South American to appear in the tournament’s semi-finals.
Rodriguez came through after opponent Mathieu Castagnet was forced to concede their encounter with injury after a brutal game and a half.
In the women’s tournament Malaysian Nicol David kept alive her hopes of winning the competition for a third time after defeating World Junior Champion Nouran Gohar 2-0 to go through in second place in Group A.
David required just one game to join group winner Laura Massaro in the semi-final and duly delivered as she played with intent from the opening exchanges, scampering around court with ease to take the match and set up a semi-final with Raneem El Welily – the World No.3 who topped Group B.
The second semi-final will see Massaro and Nour El Sherbini lock horns just weeks after contesting the PSA Women’s World Championship Final – which the Egyptian won in a thrilling five-game battle.
Results – PSA Dubai World Series Finals: Round 3
Men’s Group A
[3] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) 2-0: 12-10, 12-10 (28m)
[5] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [7] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 2-0: 11-9, 6-4 retired (37m)
Men’s Group B
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [4] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 2-1: 7-11, 11-8, 11-1 (38m)
[8] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [6] Simon Rösner (GER) 2-0: 11-2, 11-7 (38m)
Women’s Group A
[1] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [8] Amanda Sobhy (USA) 2-0: 13-11, 11-9 (31m)
[3] Nicol David (MAS) bt [5] Nouran Gohar (EGY) 2-0: 11-7, 11-9 (30m)
Women’s Group B
[4] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [6] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) 2-0: 15-13, 11-9 (20m)
[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [7] Camille Serme (FRA) 2-0: 11-4, 11-6 (20m)
Men’s Group A
[3] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) 2-0: 12-10, 12-10 (28m)
[5] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [7] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 2-0: 11-9, 6-4 retired (37m)
Men’s Group B
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [4] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 2-1: 7-11, 11-8, 11-1 (38m)
[8] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [6] Simon Rösner (GER) 2-0: 11-2, 11-7 (38m)
Women’s Group A
[1] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [8] Amanda Sobhy (USA) 2-0: 13-11, 11-9 (31m)
[3] Nicol David (MAS) bt [5] Nouran Gohar (EGY) 2-0: 11-7, 11-9 (30m)
Women’s Group B
[4] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [6] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) 2-0: 15-13, 11-9 (20m)
[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [7] Camille Serme (FRA) 2-0: 11-4, 11-6 (20m)
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