Diego Delight at New Signature Shoes

DIEGO ELIAS has revealed his delight at the launch of his exclusive edgy new signature Eye S-Line carbon black squash shoe.

The Peruvian Puma pulled off the biggest win of his career last week when he defeated world number one, world champion and defending Qatar Classic champion Mohamed ElShorbagy in five epic sets in Doha to reach the semi-finals of a PSA Tour Platinum Event for the first time.

Sadly that epic five-setter took its toll on the 21-year-old in the semi-final against world number 5 Simon Rösner but with the launch of his bespoke new squash shoe, which is emblazoned with the Peruvian's exclusive Puma logo in distinctive 'hot pink', the smile is once again back on Diego's face.

He said: "I was really happy to make the semis of a Platinum Event for the first time and to do it by beating Mohamed (ElShorbagy) for the first time made it even more special but it was a very tough match and it was hard to bounce back against Simon.

"For sure the launch of my new shoe with Eye today is another really exciting event for me. Having footwear that is supportive and flexible is absolutely vital to any squash player and I love my new S-Line, especially as it has my Puma etched on it!

"Squash is such a tough sport on your feet and that makes a good squash shoe, maybe apart from your racket, the most important part of your kit. For sure I think the S-Line is the top squash shoe out there and carbon black with the hot pink accent, for me, makes mine also the coolest on the market!"

Everyone at Eye is really proud of Diego's efforts in Qatar as he overcame global squash ruler ElShorbagy for the first time at the third attempt after losing an epic fourth set tie-break 12-10.

There is no doubt that the languid grace of the Puma's movement had more than a touch of the big cat about it and combined with a superb hold and a wicked cross court flick that kept the world number one off balance, ElShorbagy found himself unable to exert a grip on their grapple.

Having lost to Mohamed in both of their previous two encounters, in the first round in Qatar last year and also in round one of the Allam British Open, Diego was, not surprisingly, happy to share with Eye the secret of his seminal success against the world champion: "I just tried to take it point by point in the fifth set as I know that Mohamed never gives up. The key was to stay in the moment, not get nervous and go for stupid shots and also to keep my focus, "revealed Diego.

He continued: "I admit when I got ahead 4-1 in the fifth set and then took the lead to match point it was tough to stay calm with the biggest win of my career almost there. But I stuck with my game plan and at every opportunity I went to the front and it worked.

"I did everything to recover I could to produce my best against Rösner but it was tough and I came up short. But for me it was still the best tournament of my life and I can look back at Qatar with a lot of satisfaction."

Interview by RJ Mitchell