World No. 1 Karim Abdel Gawad hopes to cap a dream year with victory in his first Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Series Finals at Dubai Opera from June 6-10.
The 25-year-old Egyptian finished top of the PSA Road to Dubai Standings after claiming maximum points at the Qatar Classic and Tournament of Champions during a season that also saw him win the World Championship last November. And after reaching World No. 1 for the first time in May, he’ll be aiming to secure a remarkable hat-trick this month.
“To be World No. 1 and World Champion at the same time is a dream come true,” he said. “I honestly didn’t expect it. This season has been great but I still have a lot of dreams of course.
“It will be my first time at the World Series Finals so it will be a new experience. I was really close to qualifying last year so I’m really excited to be going there this time and to be playing in such an amazing venue.
“It’s going to be very tough but there’s no pressure on me. I want to go there and enjoy the experience and just try to play my best and see what happens.
“If you put too much pressure on yourself I think you will not perform at 100 per cent.”
The top eight men and women will battle it for equal prize pools of US$160,000 (Dh587,682) in a best of three format. Two progress from two groups of four into a semi-final and final.
“The best of three format isn’t great for me because I’m a slow starter,” added Gawad. “I need to work hard to start faster and stronger and will have to adapt my training over the next few weeks.
“In best of three you can’t risk losing the first game — I will try a few things to change my approach and get off to a stronger start but the main aim for me is just to enjoy my first World Series Finals.”
Group stage matches start at 3.00pm, 3.45pm, 4.45pm and 5.30pm in Group A, and 9.30pm, 10.15pm, 11.15pm and midnight in Group B, between June 6-8 with semi-finals and finals taking place at 10pm on June 9 and June 10 respectively.
Families can enter free for 3pm sessions on June 6-8. To book free seats email info@squashindubai.ae. Tickets for evening sessions, semis and finals can be purchased at https://dubaiopera.etixdubai.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=PSAUMB
