Supreme Ali Farag turns from doubter to bag first British Open Squash title

By Alan Thatcher

April 16, 2023 - 1:59pm

0 comments

Birmingham — At a venue fit for squash, Ali Farag produced one last hour-long effort of Ramadan-induced endurance on Sunday. The Egyptian won 13-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9 over Diego Elias in an entertaining, brutal encounter which had Farag on speed dial to anyone who would take his calls, as he finally landed his first British Open men’s title at the fourth time of asking. 

Farag recorded his 17th win over Elias in their last 20 meetings and their latest culminated in a trying week for both players, the Peruvian trying to navigate the emotions of becoming World No.1-elect and Farag admitting that his seven days consisted of adhering to strict hours, sleeping and venturing to this superb Rep venue. He dealt with it in title-winning aplomb, but it was never easy.

This final consisted of a never-ending line of entertaining rallies, boasts, drives and mid-court supremacy, the latter perhaps killing off Elias’ chances of a first title of his own.

• READ all our British Open 2023 coverage

The first went to a tie-break after a back end which featured clinging, deep drives to the back. There ensued four tin errors as Elias turned an 8-6 deficit to 11-11 before Farag snatched the opener.

It continued in the second as Elias’ adept boast landed him a 9-5 lead before a deep forehand which Farag couldn’t dig out, even with his formidable arm and shoulder range.

The depth of shot, coupled with the world-class retrieval work was becoming a hallmark of this final. At 7-6 to Farag, the battle for central position was also becoming evident. For all the crowd-pleasing rallies, both players knew the value of one loose shot coming back to the middle. Both pressed for lets and more. 

https://i0.wp.com/squashmad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSCF6370.jpg?... 300w, https://i0.wp.com/squashmad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSCF6370.jpg?... 150w, https://i0.wp.com/squashmad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSCF6370.jpg?... 768w, https://i0.wp.com/squashmad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSCF6370.jpg?... 696w, https://i0.wp.com/squashmad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSCF6370.jpg?... 1068w, https://i0.wp.com/squashmad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSCF6370.jpg?... 1286w" sizes="(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px" data-recalc-dims="1" />

At 10-8 to Farag, Elias was handed a warning for dissent after he came off second best in a stroke appeal. The Peruvian walked out front of stage to remonstrate with the referee. “I’ll admit I was looking for him but it’s a stroke,” he said. But the third act went to Farag. 

To the fourth and, not for the first time, Elias drew applause from Farag’s hand to racket after a lovely central court boast winner at 5-4. Despite the close scoreline, one sensed the Egyptian had control of mind and stage. Curtains were closing in and Farag claimed the title after an ending which saw Elias trying to dig out a low return. 

Then he whipped out his phone courtside as he dialled through to Egypt. After overcoming his troublesome knee injury, doubts had seeped through whether he could mix it with the best on return. The phone calls were to those who had seen the ups and downs.

Oh wow!