Shabana downs fellow Egyptian Ashour to win world squash title for fourth time

AD DASMA, Kuwait - Amr Shabana defeated Egyptian compatriot Ramy Ashour in straight games Saturday in the final of the men's world squash championship.

Shabana completed the 11-8, 11-5, 11-5 victory in 50 minutes at the Green Island Resort for his fourth career world title.

"I felt I had to take it point by point, I was really focused," Shabana said. "I think it was just my day."

Using his trademark consistent pace and effective shot variety, Shabana won the first game in just 12 minutes. The former world No. 1 took the second game without ever losing the lead.

In the third game, Shabana reached match ball at 10-4 after wrong-footing his opponent. However, Ashour won the point to get the serve back.

But Shabana ended it by returning the serve right into the sidewall nick to lock up his 26th Pro Squash Association world tour title, tying him with Australian David Palmer for top spot among active players.

Shabana joined some elite company with the victory at the US$277,500 event.

Squash legends Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan of Pakistan and Australia's Geoff Hunt are the only players to win four world titles.