Ashour beat fellow Egyptian Shorbagy 11-7, 12-10, 11-8 Cairo's Ramy Ashour began his world championship campaign with an impressive victory over fellow Egyptian Marwan Shorbagy on Saturday, with many backing him to regain the title this year. The 25-year old was in dazzling form against the world junior champion, sealing a 11-7, 12-10, 11-8 first round triumph.
Speaking after the win, Ashour played down opinions of fellow competitors, "They want me to think that I’m favorite, so that they can win. What they really think is ‘he’s a good player, but I will be the world champion myself."
The former world number one said a return to fitness was key to his chances in the competition, having finished the last two world championships with injuries: "It’s so pleasing just to be healthy, and to play in a tournament, and to be among these incredible athletes. It’s something for real you know. You really appreciate things after they have been taken away from you."
Ashour faces Englishman Adrian Grant in the next round, with victory setting up a potential match against another former world number one, Gregory Gaultier.
The Frenchman beat Egyptian Mohammed Abbas 11-5, 11-5, 11-1 and will be keen to face his old foe.