Amr Shabana

Amr Shabana

Amr Shabana reacts during his 2009 Kuwait Open semi-final match.
Nickname(s) Shaber
Country  Egypt
Residence Giza, Egypt
Born July 29, 1979 (1979-07-29) (age 32)
Cairo, Egypt
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight 73 kilograms (160 lb)
Turned Pro 1995
Retired Active
Plays Left Handed
Racquet used Dunlop
Men's singles
Highest ranking No. 1 (April, 2006)
Current ranking No. 4 (November, 2011)
World Open W (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009)
Last updated on: September 19, 2010.

Amr Shabana (Arabic: عمرو شبانة‎) (born 20 July 1979, in Cairo) is a professional squash player from Egypt. He won the World Open in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009, and reached the World No. 1 ranking in 2006.

Contents

Career overview

The talented left-hander from Cairo first showed his promise when he was the runner-up (to compatriot Ahmed Faizy) in the British Under-14 Open in January 1993. Four years later he reached the final of the British Under-19 Open, where he again lost to Faizy.

A PSA member since 1995, Amr claimed his first Tour title with the help of Bryan "Griffin" Knight in July 1999, winning the Puebla Open in Mexico. Seven days later he grabbed his second, the Mexico Open, again by beating Australia's Craig Rowland in the final.

Amr Shabana crowned a remarkable year in 2003 when, as ninth seed, he forced his way through a star-studded field in the World Open in Pakistan. He despatched title-holder David Palmer, the third seed, in five games in the third round. He then went on to take out Palmer's Australian team-mate Anthony Ricketts in the last eight. After defeating Karim Darwish (the Egyptian No 1) in a four-game semi-final, Shabana clinched the historic title by beating Thierry Lincou in the final 15–14, 9–15, 15–11, 15–7, to become Egypt's first winner of the sport's premier title.

But after a disappointing following year, in which his only final appearance was in the British Open Squash Championship in England, losing to David Palmer in four games 10–11 (4–6), 11–7, 11–10 (3–1), 11–7, Shabana stormed back to the top of his game in 2005. Over a short period, he acquired a new coach, Ahmed Tahir; a new manager, the former Egyptian international Omar Elborolossy; and a wife, Nadjla. "All I have to worry about now is playing my matches – everything else is looked after for me now", said Shabana. And the effect was plain to see as a week after winning the Heliopolis Open in his home town Cairo, the seventh-seeded Shabana beat David Palmer and James Willstrop, before defeating Anthony Ricketts in the final to claim the St Louis Open crown in the United States.

The next event saw the in-form Egyptian brush aside all opposition in the Hungarian Open in Budapest, winning his third title in as many weeks after beating Grégory Gaultier in the final. But the World Open in Hong Kong confirmed his renaissance beyond doubt. Seeded five, Amr crushed fourth seed Lee Beachill in the quarters, Peter Nicol in the semis, and, in his third successive straight games victory, powered past David Palmer 11–6 11–7 11–8 in the final to become the first player since the heyday of the Khans to win the World Open title for the second time.

The new year brought continuing rewards for Shabana with victories in the Canadian Classic in January, followed by the Tournament of Champions in New York in March, and the Bermuda PSA Masters in April – bringing his PSA Tour title tally to 12, and then in April 2006, Shabana became the first Egyptian player to reach the world number 1 ranking.

In 2007, Shabana was crowned world champion for the third time in five years at the World Open in Bermuda and later in January 2009, Shabana's 33-month reign as World No. 1 was ended by his countryman Karim Darwish.

Career statistics

Listed below.

PSA Titles (26)

All Results for Amr Shabana in PSA World's Tour tournament

Legend
PSA Platinum Series /
PSA Series Final /
PSA World Open (13)
PSA Gold Series (0)
PSA Silver Series (3)
PSA Star Series (10)
PSA Super Satellite (0)
PSA Satellite (0)
Titles by major tournaments
World Open (4)
British Open (0)
Hong Kong Open (4)
Qatar Classic (1)
No. Date Tournament Opponent in final Score in final Minutes played
1. July 4, 1999 Puebla Open Craig Rowland 11–15, 15–7, 15–7, 15–9 Unknown
2. July 11, 1999 Mexico Open Craig Rowland 8–15, 15–7, 15–4, 15–13 Unknown
3. January 23, 2001 El Ahly Open Karim Darwish 15–12, 15–12, 17–15 Unknown
4. June 29, 2003 Spanish Open Karim Darwish 15–13, 13–15, 15–14, 8–15, 15–13 1 h 24 min[1]
5. December 21, 2003 World Open Thierry Lincou 15–11, 11–15, 15–8, 15–14 1 h 13 min[2]
6. September 12, 2005 Helioplis Open Karim Darwish 11–10(2–0), 2–0 (ret) Unknown
7. September 20, 2003 St. Louis Open Anthony Ricketts 11–10(2–0), 11–8, 11–7 56 min[3]
8. October 2, 2005 Hungarian Open Grégory Gaultier 6–11, 11–2, 11–7, 8–11, 11–5 1 h 6 min[4]
9. December 4, 2005 World Open David Palmer 11–6, 11–7, 11–8 40 min[5]
10. January 14, 2006 Canadian Classic Jonathon Power 11–9, 11–8, 11–5 37 min[6]
11. March 3, 2006 Tournament of Champions Nick Matthew 11–6, 11–9, 11–4 40 min[7]
12. April 8, 2006 Bermuda Masters Peter Nicol 9–11, 11–6, 11–7, 2–11, 11–8 1 h 5 min[8]
13. October 22, 2006 Hong Kong Open Ramy Ashour 11–10(3–1), 3–11, 11–5, 11–10(3–1) 48 min[9]
14. December 20, 2006 Saudi International Open Grégory Gaultier 11–7, 11–9, 11–4 1 h 13 min[10]
15. January 23, 2007 Windy City Open Anthony Ricketts 11–8, 11–8, 11–10(5–3) 53 min[11]
16. March 2, 2007 Tournament of Champions Anthony Ricketts 7–11, 11–3, 8–4 (ret) 26 min[12]
17. October 28, 2007 Saudi International Open Ramy Ashour 11–5, 11–5, 1–11, 11–9 50 min[13]
18. November 3, 2007 Qatar Classic Grégory Gaultier 11–4, 8–11, 11–6, 11–5 52 min[14]
19. November 11, 2007 Hong Kong Open Grégory Gaultier 10–11 (1–3), 11–3, 11–6, 11–10 (3–1) 1 h 1 min[15]
20. December 1, 2007 World Open Grégory Gaultier 11–7, 11–4, 11–6 42 min[16]
21. April 27, 2008 Sheikha Al Saad Kuwait Open Ramy Ashour 11–9, 11–7, 13–11 52 min[17]
22. November 23, 2008 Hong Kong Open Grégory Gaultier 11–7, 13–15, 8–11, 11–2, 11–3 1 h 16 min[18]
23. August 1, 2009 Malaysian Open Nick Matthew 5–11, 11–9, 11–6, 11–4 51 min[19]
24. September 6, 2009 US Open Ramy Ashour 11–7, 11–2, 7–11, 12–14, 11–8 57 min[20]
25. October 18, 2009 Hong Kong Open Grégory Gaultier 11–8, 9–11, 11–3, 5–2 (ret) 48 min[21]
26. November 7, 2009 World Open Ramy Ashour 11–8, 11–8, 11–5 50 min[22]

Note: (ret) = retired, min = minutes, h = hours

PSA Tour Finals (Runner-Up) (10)

No. Date Tournament Opponent in final Score in final Minutes played
1. May 17, 1998 Italia Open John White Unknown Unknown
2. May 3, 2003 Pakistan Circuit Karim Darwish 12–15, 7–15, 2–6 (ret) 22 min[23]
3. November 6, 2004 British Open David Palmer 11–10(6–4), 7–11, 10–11(1–3), 7–11 1 h 29 min[24]
4. January 25, 2005 Windy City Open John White 7–11, 8–11, 4–11 40 min[25]
5. January 30, 2005 Dayton Open Peter Nicol 6–11, 10–11(1–3), 2–11 28 min[26]
6. November 16, 2006 US Open Grégory Gaultier 5–11, 11–7, 4–11, 9–11 1 h 1 min[27]
7. April 11, 2007 Sheikha Al Saad Kuwait Open Ramy Ashour 3–11, 5–11, 10–12 34 min[28]
8. February 16, 2008 Canadian Classic Ramy Ashour 2–11, 9–11, 11–8, 8–11 38 min[29]
9. April 20, 2008 Hurghada International Ramy Ashour 10–11(0–2), 11–9, 7–11, 11–9, 10–11(0–2) 1 h 17 min[30]
10. October 31, 2008 Qatar Classic Karim Darwish 4–11, 5–11, 3–11 29 min[31]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Shabana wins Egyptian duel in Seville". Squashplayer.co.uk. http://www.squashplayer.co.uk/events/2003esp.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  2. ^ "Amr Shabana - First Egyptian World Champion". Squashtalk.com. http://www.squashtalk.com/mensworld/2003/hh-9.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  3. ^ "Final from St Louis". Squashtalk.com. http://www.squashtalk.com/stlouis/2005/main05_4.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  4. ^ "Sahabana sneaks by Gaultier". Squashtalk.com. http://www.squashtalk.com/html/news/oct05/news05-10-450.html. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  5. ^ "Double title for Shabana as Nicol takes it all". Womens World Open Official Website. http://www.womensworldopen.com/2005_hong_kong.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  6. ^ "2006 Canadian Classic result". Squashtalk.com. http://www.squashtalk.com/html/news/jan06/psadraw06-1-01.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  7. ^ "Shabana & Atkinson win Tournament of Champions titles". Squashplayer.co.uk. http://www.squashplayer.co.uk/Bear_stearns_06/index.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  8. ^ "Shabana wins Super Show". Squashsite.org.uk. http://www.squashsite.org.uk/bermuda/today.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  9. ^ "World number ones takes Hong Kong title". Squashsite.org.uk. http://www.squashsite.org.uk/hk/today.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  10. ^ "Shabana Beats Gaultier to Confirm No. 1 Status". Squashtalk.com. http://www.squashtalk.com/html/news/dec06/news06-12-792.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  11. ^ "The last match". Squashsite.org.uk. http://www.squashsite.org.uk/wco/today.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  12. ^ "Shabana takes two". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.co.uk/toc_2007.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  13. ^ "Saudi showdown". Atcosquash.com. http://www.atcosquash.com/today2007.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  14. ^ "Top seeds take Qatar crown". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.co.uk/qatarclassic2007.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  15. ^ "Three in a row for Nicol and Amr". Squashsite.org.uk. http://www.squashsite.org.uk/hk07/today.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  16. ^ "Shabana makes it three". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.org.uk/wo2007/today.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  17. ^ Steve Cubbins, Framboise Gommendy. "Shabana's turn". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.co.uk/kuwait/today.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 
  18. ^ "SFour each for Nicol and Shabana". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.co.uk/hk/today08.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 
  19. ^ "David & Shabana shine in KL". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.co.uk/2009/malaysian2009.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 
  20. ^ "Magnificent Shabana takes US Open". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.co.uk/2009/us_open_09.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 
  21. ^ Steve Cubbins, Framboise Gommendy. "Five and counting for Shabana & David in Hong Kong". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.co.uk/hk/. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 
  22. ^ "It's four for Shabana". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.worldopensquash.com/2009_kuwait.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 
  23. ^ "Darwish grabs crown as Shabana bows out". Pakistan Daily Times. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_4-5-2003_pg2_1. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  24. ^ "Palmer's British Hat-trick". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.co.uk/british_open.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  25. ^ "White hot in cold Chicago". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.co.uk/windycity2005.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  26. ^ "Nicol back on top in Ohio". Squashplayer.co.uk. http://www.squashplayer.co.uk/dayton_2005.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  27. ^ "Gaultier claims US Open title". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.co.uk/us_open_2006.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  28. ^ "Ramy & Nicol takes Kuwait crown". Squashsite.org.uk. http://www.squashsite.org.uk/kuwait/today.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-19. 
  29. ^ "Ramy retains against rusty Shabana". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.co.uk/canadian_classic08.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 
  30. ^ Framboise Gommendy. "Ramy wins a thriller". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.co.uk/hurghada/2009/today08.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 
  31. ^ "A first major for Karim". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.co.uk/qatarclassic2008.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-03. 

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Jonathon Power		 World No. 1
April 2006 - December 2008		 Succeeded by
Karim Darwish
(1976) Geoff Hunt · (1977) Geoff Hunt · (1979) Geoff Hunt · (1980) Geoff Hunt · (1981) Jahangir Khan · (1982) Jahangir Khan · (1983) Jahangir Khan · (1984) Jahangir Khan · (1985) Jahangir Khan · (1986) Ross Norman · (1987) Jansher Khan · (1988) Jahangir Khan · (1989) Jansher Khan · (1990) Jansher Khan · (1991) Rodney Martin · (1992) Jansher Khan · (1993) Jansher Khan · (1994) Jansher Khan · (1995) Jansher Khan · (1996) Jansher Khan · (1997) Rodney Eyles · (1998) Jonathon Power · (1999) Peter Nicol · (2002) David Palmer · (2003) Amr Shabana · (2004) Thierry Lincou · (2005) Amr Shabana · (2006) David Palmer · (2007) Amr Shabana · (2008) Ramy Ashour · (2009) Amr Shabana  · (2010) Nick Matthew · (2011) Nick Matthew
Professional Squash Association: Top ten Egyptian male squash players as of January 2012
1. Ramy Ashour (4 ) · 2. Karim Darwish (5 ) · 3. Mohamed El Shorbagy (6 2) · 4. Amr Shabana (8 2) · 5. Omar Mosaad (13 2)
6. Hisham Mohd Ashour (14 1)  · 7. Tarek Momen (18 2) · 8. Mohammed Ali Anwar Reda (29 1) · 9. Mohammed Abbas (35 3) · 10. Omar Abdel Aziz (40 2)