"'NEVER Seen An Ending Like It!" | Mo. ElShorbagy v Hesham | QTerminals Qatar Classic 2023 | QF HLS!

Watch Squash LIVE and ON DEMAND on SQUASHTV
bit.ly/3pwu0Wp
Subscribe Today on KZbin for all our updates
kzbin.info_c...
Website: psaworldtour.com
Facebook: / psaworldtour
Twitter: @SquashTV @PSAWorldTour
Instagram: @squash.tv @psaworldtour
TikTok: @squashtv
PSA Foundation: psafoundation.com
#Squash #PSAWorldTour

[@squashtv]

Check out highlights of every glass court match on SQUASHTV for free, no signup required bit.ly/3pwu0Wp

[@spencerburt3426]

There was a time where Hesham probably would've folded down 0-2. Cool to see his growth as a player. He's really fun to watch.

[@tslo1808]

What a strange ending, hard to deny that he played the ball. But after Ibrahim and now Hesham, I think it was better for his body that he doesn't play another two matches lol

[@DaveNeve]

However tired he was, ElShorbagy cannot delay play for as long as he wants. Hesham gave him time to receive the serve, so there was no legitimate reason to refuse to receive it. That too is a reason why the referee made this decision, and was right to do so.

[@philgarrett5498]

Nuff said

[@sirlogan101]

Great match from both players! However karma always strikes back giving the ending (which in my opinion) looked like he was preparing to do something similar to what he did to Greg. If that shot would have landed he would not have hesitated to keep on playing ;)

[@mrksgo6122]

100 %

[@wongyewxuan3880]

shorbagy has a dirty reputation on matchball eh dont forget wetting the ball vs willstrop recently

[@juancarlosroldan7124]

Great comment! I believe the same

[@Dentos19]

Can’t disagree it was like the faultier game just payback

[@dontwatchdotorg]

@@wongyewxuan3880 And he wet the ball against Soliman in the Houston Open 2023 too, on game point

[@victorkhong7654]

Epic. And Yes Shorbagy played that last ball. Correct call.

[@leiweiling]

For those wondering about the Gaultier/Shorbagy match, look up the 2016 El Gouna final highlights at 9:23. I wonder what Gaultier thinks as Shorbagy's coach 🤔

[@ulfvondelft5359]

Thank you. All should see this

[@stevehughes1510]

Mohamed stuffed up that return of serve good and proper in more ways than one. Well done Hesham, what a quality marathon match.

[@Orbituation]

My 2 cents about the match unrelated to the match ball: It's great to see Mazen still looking sharp even at match ball. I watched him live back in 2019 and fitness was definitely something he struggled with in matches where opponents can deal with his deception, so it is amazing to see how the player evolves over time. Other than the match ball, I don't think Mo should feel bad about losing such a high quality match.

[@amoscraig2227]

One of Shorbagy’s classic tricks. Indicate to the opponent he’s ready to accept the serve, then as the opponent is serVing pretend like he’s not ready, then go for a winning shot. If he makes the shot and opponent has stopped playing, he wins the point. If opponent does keep playing and gets to the shot the rally goes on. If Shorbagy misses the casual looking shot he tries to claim a let as he “wasn’t ready”. This trick worked with Gaultier back in the day, when Shorbagy verbally indicated as Gaultier was serving that he wasn’t ready but then casually hit a shot and got the point. Gaultier was furious and Shorbagy denied having stopped the point on the serve. Fortunately Gaultier got his revenge when he beat Mohammad after almost conceding the match because of injury. Greg being Mohammad’s coach now, I would be curious his take on the shenanigans to end this match.

[@patrickh2365]

pause at 7:31 - 7:32 , he's up right and his racket is up above his head before he hits the ball, it's a full swing at the ball.

[@eseholmes4592]

Yeah, but that's just instinctual for anyone who plays lots. Still should've known better tho.

[@ricardoborges4637]

I think that when Shorbagy saw the serve he intended to give the ball back to Hesham, but the ball was to close to the wall. His body was way to relaxed for a actual shot (even considering how tired he was). Anti climax ending indeed. Hesham waited a lot before serving. The referee could have considered that Shorbagy was not ready since he had his hands on his knees. Things got worse to Shorbagy because his moviment looked like a actual retrival. Now the damage is done. It is what it is. Incredible victoy for Hesham! Two warriors! This game is awsome!

[@mohamedsheik4589]

Rubbish he played the ball and lost 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Orbituation]

7:29 Mazen and Mo even looked at each other before he made the serve. If Mo really wasn't ready he should have not done anything, instead it looked like he tried for a cheap drop to see he could do a 2016 El Gouna final. Too bad the ref knew what he was doing.

[@aseemmehra1597]

Karma max! This is what Shorbagy did to Gaultier years back. If he nicked it, he would have had no problem

[@jerbear425]

I thought the exact same thing. Controversy about having been talking during the point, Gautier stopped, MES took the point.

[@x_exellium_xxxx5884]

Is it possibile to find that clip anywhere?

[@mrfish4572]

Incredible game. You've got to feel for Elshorbagy at the end and Ive never seen him so tired as he was in the third game. He had two such tough matches and is such a fighter.

[@rodeolo1]

Another epic squash..hard luck Mo

[@Dentos19]

Wow what a brutal game this was both players giving their all. Sorry mohammed but you did the same trick on gaultier so payback came around

[@martelbaek6660]

pro squash players. you learn human nature from them. this is a good instance. I admire Elshorbagy's will to win but he should try to play fair.

[@michaelmoore6287]

Hesham is so good to watch. Using wrist snap is difficult and at times he looses accuracy but an amazing player

[@helplesskiwi]

There's absolutely no debate. He played the ball. It's as simple as that. Rules are rules. Don't be sore loser. 😂

[@JohnChilton1]

ready or not he Played the ball

[@ghawatzhusten3368]

After seeing that match I personally feel els wanted to return hesham the ball. His return of ball was mistaken/misinterpreted as return of serve.

[@Fernandez218]

lol ElShorbagy has had some TOUGH tough last few opponents. he's really having to work at this tournament.

[@afedorczuk]

I've seen many recent comments how ElShorbagy has become a model sportsman for the game... and as the old saying goes... "a leopard cannot change its spots". He and his brother continue to exemplify how NOT to be to emulated.

[@mynameismaomao]

anti climatic ending... after watching it 3times, it still does look like he played the ball

[@shanengahere6592]

I bet if the ball had gone up and nicked or something, MO would have taken the point!

[@samwell890]

He defo played that. Would liek to watch the whole things, looks like it was hard to get it all into 8 minutes of highlights

[@normplatt6237]

This is what is called a veteran move that probably only works in a club without a referee. In a professional match with a certified referee that nonsense won’t fly. I get that Mo is fried, possibly injured or just out of tricks. But at this point in the match, a really poor decision from Mo. He knows the rules.

[@us-Bahn]

Great match. Congrats to Hesham! Better luck next time, Mo. And you know better than to hit a serve towards the front wall if you’re not ready. You put your hand up FIRST and let the serve fall untouched.

[@watching99134]

That's assuming it wasn't a gambit (if he hits a winner claims it was legitimate).

[@NotempoT]

I was wondering when the rules officials would finally make that call. It has been going on for a while now...the receiver, not playing at the server's pace, and being allowed to not return the serve...It is just one more thing to overcome if squash is going to get into the Olympics.

[@HassanAli-lr4jc]

Well I guess elshorbagy didn’t fully played the shot he was just get in ready. It was a crucial moment the empire should have given a let.😮

[@Badger348]

He knew the crack !

[@jacobeliosoff1264]

Everything else aside, did Hesham hit any dumb shots in this match? I didn't see any here. That's a big step for him, love to see it!

[@fleurafricaine5740]

100 percent he played the ball. Knucklehead.

[@abidfarooqui4899]

Hate for an ending like that but ElShorbagy did play the ball

[@ricardoborges4637]

No. When He noticed the serve he intended to give the ball back to Hesham, but the ball was to close to the wall. His body was way to relaxed for a actual shot (even considering how tired he was).

[@watching99134]

@@ricardoborges4637 That's assuming he wasn't trying to play a trick (accept the shot if it was a winner, say he wasn't really playing it if it isn't).

[@fabriziopassamonti6375]

​@@ricardoborges4637at 7:32 it seems he is going to play the ball. But probably just because they are so good that in a quarter of a second they look ready even if they just want to give the ball back.

[@danielgonsales1408]

somebody can explain me, what has happened in the end?

[@ewallt]

Apparently El Shorbagy was attempting to hit the ball back to the server to indicate he wasn’t ready, but assuming that was his attempt, he did a very poor job at it as it looked like he was playing the ball. If he had done nothing, or held his racket up and not swung, or hit the ball sideways against the sidewall (which I can only assume was what he was trying to do), he would have been fine, but the way he did it looked like an attempt to play the ball.

[@michaelmitchell8567]

Epic Match! Hesham is a machine! If you are not ready or whatever, don't hit the ball. Referee was 100% correct. Horrible timing.

[@watching99134]

Why was Shorbagy looking at the ref before the final point?

[@tonytan5945]

That’s so dirty by shorbagy, why try to win with trickery. The winner was the referee who made an excellent call on match ball. And the whole match groaning, trying to get into hesham’s head.

[@SergeiFedorov77]

Too bad about the ending. Never the less it was well deserved. I think Shorbaggy was too tired and made a mental mistake. Great fighters!! Always nice with an small upset, Hesham is an amazingly entertaining player!!

[@Fernandez218]

2:10 are opponents supposed to give the pinch to the hitter? i play racquetball and you're only supposed to give down-the-line and cross-court. if not it seems like an unnecessary risk from Shorbagy.

[@mauritsscholten5266]

Correct. If it would have hit his opponent, it would have been a penalty

[@ewallt]

You’re supposed to give a very small amount of the side wall, just a few inches, but it’s only a stroke if the ball would have been going directly to the front wall. It would have been very bad sportsmanship if he had hit his opponent and the ball wasn’t going to the front wall, and the referee could imposes a penalty, but as long as he misses he’s ok.

[@keithmurphy9358]

If you play the ball, you accept the serve, even amateurs know that, you're not ready, don't swing at ball

[@martincollins6632]

He definitely played at the service. And he muffed it. If he didn't want to receive the service he should have held up a hand or turned around, but he really should be doing that either to delay the game. I will grant that at match ball the ref could give some lenience here. but that is all moot. He played the ball and muffed it.

[@ManBearPiggy]

Weird ending, apparantly the rules are clear on this. But there have been countless times I've seen players hit the ball back and on a replay the angle of his body did look quite clear he was trying to knock it back to Hesham, he was just laboured. Surprised Hesham was happy to win that way, but after 5 games was probably happy to take the win however it came! Can understand the frustration haha

[@Orbituation]

He was happy for the win, but he was sympathetic to Mo that he won it that way. Look at the body language after the ref declared it was won. After being 2-0 down and match ball down, I'm sure he was very relieved to reach the SF.

[@tornotes4828]

Hesham did not have his foot in the box when hitting the last serve?

[@PaulMarshall]

Well spotted. It’s not very clear whether he lifted or dragged his foot.

[@andredejongh1411]

MES really made a big mistake overthere...😮😊

[@mgrinzRafal]

Shorbagy's still quite good, but not the best anymore. Grunting all the time, not keeping up the pace... Unfortunately, the "age" factor starts to kick in :( This might be a hard pill to swallow, but as a professional he'll accept it sooner or later. Overall, an outstanding performance from both players! I wish I can play like that...

[@jimmorrison4291]

That's harsh. Watch any other example of a similar situation, the player will flick the ball off the side wall and back to their opponent to re-take the serve. This time the ball just happened to be on the wall when he flicked at it. Next time he'll pick it up :D

[@Simotrfc]

I play squash, but don’t watch it. I have no idea what has gone here in the end? What’s the problem?

[@captainzork6109]

Theres no way El Shorbagy was intending to play the ball. He didnt even look at Hesham's swing when he served. Besides, that serve was really easy to return

[@Orbituation]

7:29 Mazen even looked at Mo to confirm that he should serve. Easy serve or not is not even relevant, anyone can tin an easy serve if you go for a risky winner.

[@koningvoorschot4200]

nice try lol

[@mohamedsheik4589]

😂😂😂😂 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@shalokin]

they were both a bit sneaky here, ergo a sneaky result to the behest of one

[@liamstephennaidoo]

We got taught this at a junior national level when I was younger. You play the game at the servers speed and if you aren't ready to play it you lose the point. It's not sneaky it's the rules we were taught as kids

[@shalokin]

I am conscious of the rules, Hesham waited 2 seconds for ElShorbagy to ready himself, zero change then served anyway, the wait I labelled sneaky, serve straight away then, ElShorbagy pushing for time went on too long (sneaky) then he ballsed it up anyway, am cool with the result @@liamstephennaidoo

[@Fe_de_ri_co]

Not only does he not know how to hit squash correctly, but he also cheats. That's Hesham

[@akoserdelyi4821]

Shorbagy played the ball, out of reflex, true, BUT it was a tad unsportsman-like from Hesham to serve when he saw that his opponent was not ready. There are textbook rules, and there are rules of sport ethics. Hesham won a match but lost soo much more -

[@Orbituation]

Watch El Gouna 2016 final, and tell me what you think would have happened if the drop shot was actually a winner. 7:29 Mazen even looked at Mo for a second before serving. Also, if I were serving, I would not wait indefinitely for the opponent to catch his breath before serving.

[@akoserdelyi4821]

@@Orbituation ur right - precisely my point. The ref was right to take the point from Shorbagy and award the match to Hesham. That's the rule, no Q. However, I still think that on the part of Hesham this wasn't completely fair, or clean. Hence all the buzz -

[@Orbituation]

@@akoserdelyi4821 I understand what you're trying to say, but I don't think it's wrong to serve even if the opponent isn't ready. If you watch some of Dessouky's matches, he just serves if he feels the receiver is taking too long just to prove a point to the ref.

[@akoserdelyi4821]

@@Orbituation u certainly have a valid point here, yepp. It's not black n white.

[@bharatswarup4461]

that was a clear let in the end, Mo was not ready at all . Hesham could have shown better gamesmanship , but the ref should be banned !

[@jhwheuer]

Then he should not have touched the ball or made any movement towards it.

[@Krackaten]

if shot went up, he would have taken the point :)

[@adamburton99]

Rubbish! Wind it up, the ref was absolutely on the money with that one- thank god you're not involved!

[@bharatswarup4461]

@@jhwheuer mate see the front camera angle, Mo was looking down even after Hesham served..

[@SantiagoOntanonVillar]

@@bharatswarup4461 But that's beside the point. The key is what @krackaten said: if shot when up, Mo would have taken the point. And that's what matters. Ref made the right choice. There is no other option.

[@aviator354]

A crook player meets his end. Well done Hisham. Good decision by the referee