Hong Kong Squash Open: World No 1 Farag reveals motivation issues but fired-up for final
Both finals all Egyptian affairs after leading two players in men’s and women’s draws navigate Saturday’s semis
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.
