Abouelghar tops Elias in epic Motor City Open final
By Matthew Schoch
The Motor City Open
Bloomfield Hills, Mich. – As he had all week, Mohamed Abouelghar took the long, tough road on Saturday to win the championship of the 2019 Motor City Open presented by the Suburban Collection.
Abouelghar needed five games to top Peru’s Diego Elias in the finals, completing a week where the Egyptian won four matches in 18 games in the Professional Squash Association World Tour event.
Third-seed Abouelghar topped #4-seed Elias in a thrilling, high-quality, 63-minute final, 5-11, 11-6, 11-3, 4-11, 11-8 – becoming the seventh Egyptian to win the MCO in the past 10 years at the Birmingham Athletic Club.
Three-seed and World #9 Mohamed Abouelghar (right) defeated four-seed and World #10 Diego Elias in a classic 5-gamer at the MCO Open. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell for MCO)
Veteran referee Mike Riley called it one of the five best matches he has ever called.
“I’m very, very happy and proud to put my name on the trophy with so many legends,” Abouelghar said. “It’s very special.”
Despite the long week, the 25-year-old Abouelghar showed off his endurance in the final.
“It was hard, man,” Abouelghar said. “Diego is such a great player. Sometimes he makes you work so much, you have to grind yourself out. He moves the ball very well around the court. At some point, you just have to retrieve and get the ball back.”
“It was hard, man,” said Abouelghar of the five-game battle. The Egyptian sprawled on the court savoring the win. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell for MCO)
In Game #1, Elias raced through seven of the last eight points to win, 11-5.
Abouelghar came out aggressively in the second game. He took a 7-2 lead and won 11-6, then dominated Game #3 for an 11-3 triumph. Elias recovered the win the fourth, 11-4, setting up a dramatic finish.
Elias (right) dominated Game #1 before Abouelghar took charge in games 2 and 3. (MCO photo)
“It was a tough match, he played well,” said Elias, 22, who also reached the MCO semifinal in 2017. “It was really close, but I felt it was right in front of me this time.”
In a match befitting their #9 and #10 world rankings, #9 Abouelghar squeaked out the win in five. (MCO photo)
The pair played to a tie at 8-8 before Abouelghar won the final three points to raise the trophy.
“I doubt if it gets harder than that,” Abouelghar said. “We’re going to play many more battles. I’m happy I got this one, and I’m sure he’s going to come at me next time.”
Tournament organizers praised the champion’s resilience and also recognized Elias as an up-and-comer to watch.
“I’m confident that within the next 12-24 months, he’s going to be right up there near the top, in the top five in the world,” MCO co-chair Peter Schmidt said. “It’s great to have a fantastic final.”
After losing the last point, Elias banged his racquet on the floor. But the 22-year-old has a bright future ahead. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell for MCO)
Added Derrick J. Glencer, co-chairman of the MCO: “This happens a lot at our tournament, and a lot of people who end up winning our tournament go on to being world No. 1 and I can absolutely see (Elias’) future. It was a brilliant battle tonight.”
(Watch MCO final on YouTube above. Match starts at 01:19:48)
Abouelghar and Elias both said they plan to return to the MCO next season.
Respect. Abouelghar and Elias (right) shake hands after one of the best finals the MCO has ever seen. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell for MCO)
“People here make you feel home all the time,” Abouelghar said. “Every time I come back here, I feel like I never left. They take care of us, they make sure they put on a great event, the members are great. With all the history and fun, it’s just a great event.”
On the road to the title, Abouelghar knocked off top-ranked American Todd Harrity in four games, beat Englishman Adrian Waller in five games, and then topped friend and countryman Zahed Salem in four.
To the victor goes the spoils. Abouelghar took home a check, the winner’s trophy, and a Longines watch from Greenstone’s Jewelers. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell for MCO)
Meanwhile, Elias’ first two opponents of the week retired early before sweeping top-seeded Marwan El Shorbagy of Egypt in 30 minutes in Friday’s semifinal.
The MCO is the second-longest running pro squash tourney in the US. In addition to his take of the $75,000 total purse, Abouelghar took home a Longines watch from Greenstone’s Jewelers. Elias also won a watch from Greenstone’s.
A charity auction will be held in conjunction with the MCO with proceeds to benefit Racquet Up Detroit, a youth development program that combines squash, mentoring, and community service. Racquet Up juniors will be among those participating in the MCO’s Junior Clinic where tourney pros coach young players from the greater-Detroit area and Windsor.
Tournament organizers presented Racquet Up Detroit with a check for $20,000 during the post-match ceremony.
Doesn’t get any better. Referee Mike Riley called the Elias-Abouelghar final one of the five best matches he has ever called. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell for MCO)
Saturday’s final
3. Mohamed Abouelghar (Egypt) def. 4. Diego Elias (Peru), 5-11, 11-6, 11-3, 4-11, 11-8
Iron man. Abouelghar (right) won despite playing 18 games in four days. (MCO photo)
LOCATION:
Birmingham Athletic Club
4033 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Julian Wellings, MCO Squash Director, 248.646.5050, jwellings@bacmi.net
