CIB PSA World Tour Finals

[1] Raneem El Welily (Egy) 3-2 [4] Camille Serme (Fra) 3-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-6 (61m)

I cannot remember Reeme Mansi – Raneem’s mum – ever crying in public after a Raneem’s match. Win or lose. I did see her cry today. And her tears brought mine up…. Don’t ask….

Incredible nail-biting encounter for Raneem’s camp. “I thought I was going to have a heart attack” laughed CIB Vice President Hussein Abaza, the Godfather of Egyptian Squash. “I couldn’t take much more, and she nearly killed me” he concluded.

Rewind.

After her win against Nouran the night before, Camille got on court as confidence as I ever saw her. She just got her revenge from the squash lesson she got from Nouran in the British Open Final, she had taken a game from Raneem in the groups… She had nothing to lose, the conditions seemed to suit her game to a T.

And oh my, she truly and utterly outplayed a nervous Raneem in the opener. In 7m, the French number one went 5/0, 10/2, 11/3. Ca, c’est fait, as we say in French. Box ticked.

Thing was, Camille was planted on the T, her length was powerful and immaculate, while Raneem lacked weight in her. It’s not that she couldn’t find her length, but she just lacked energy and purpose, opening the court to a Camille, as free as a French Bird.

The second was to be even more excruciating for the Raneem’s camp as she went up 4/0, 5/1, but Camille slowed down the pace to nearly a still pace, lobbing everything, taking the power away from the Enigma. Unable to find the angles and attacks she normally excels at, Raneem kept stuck at back on the French lady, and couldn’t stop her coming back to level at 6/6, 7/7. Huge rallies, but from 8/9, it’s all about Camille, a crispy backhand trickle boast and a trademark backhand volley drop, 11/8 in the longest game of the match, 16m.

4 errors and 6 winners for Raneem, 2 errors and 7 winners for Cam.

But if the French had a good advantage 2/0, three factors played a huge role from that point on. 1. The hard work Raneem made her opponent do started to pay dividends at that point. 2. Raneem spent a whole event – DPD in Holland – winning 5 setters, from the first round to the final. And if the “Old Raneem” would have doubted of her physical strength, on this one, she KNEW she could do it. She didn’t have to force it, go for too much, she had it in her mind that yes, she could win the match, as long as she kept digging and running. And 3. Camille hadn’t beaten Raneem since the Dubai World Series Final in 2017 – the same event when she last beat Nouran funnily enough.

That’s a lot in the balance.

Camille came back on court a different player. Tired, her length wasn’t as heavy and deep, lacked power. Not much. But just enough for Raneem to take confidence in her chances again.

The third is 11m, Camille never looked dangerous, the crowd started to believe again, and the support became louder and louder. 3/0, 5/2, 9/5, 11/7.

Raneem 9 winners, 3 errors, Camille 4 winners for 2 errors.

Very good start in the fourth for the French, taking charge again, 4/2, only to see Raneem score the next 9 points. Incredible noise coming from the crowd, and as incredible squash coming from the Enigma’s racquet., 9m 11/4.

The third I feel, the score doesn’t tell how hard Camille fought 4/1, 6/3. At 4/6, Camille is close and starts worrying Raneem. A sublime rally, high, very high quality squash, but the Egyptian is full of confidence, and an error doesn’t stop her to set up her first match ball, 10/5. An error gives Camille a little bit of hope, short lived, as Raneem finds a last winner on her backhand, and it’s 11/6 in 10m.

Only 1 stroke the whole match.

A high, very very high quality squash, with Camille heartbroken at the end, and Raneem, extremely emotional, coming through the VIP section, thanking all the sponsors, her team, but most of all, dedicating this victory to her mum, in tears, and her dad, so proud.

[4] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-2 [8] Mohamed Abouelghar (Egy) 12-10, 11-6, 5-11, 8-11, 12-10 (92m)

“Never in doubt” commented Farah Bendary-Gawad. No, OF COURSE NOT, Karim’s bride never said that. Neither did hid Dad, Mum and Sis, sitting right next to me.

It did start bleeping well for the Baby Face Assassin, better that he probably expected after his poor performance of their match in the group. 7/1, 9/5, and looking light and accurate, thanks also to three errors from Abou. But two stroke and a winner, and we are back at 9/9. The sweat pouring out of Abou is making the court very difficult. A few stoppages will follow the whole match, with the Bullet coming off court to swipe his face bless him.

First game ball, 10/9, and it’s a tin, 10/10. And the Groom manages to salvage that one, 12/10. Crucial.  4 errors each. 7 winners, 1 stroke for Karim, 4 winners 2 strokes for Abou. 18m.

Second game, Karim’s truly flying out there, and it’s 3/0, 5/1, 6/2, 9/3. A big push from Abou, 11/6 in 14m. 7 winners for Karim, 5 for Abou, 1 error each, and difference coming from strokes (3 Karim, 1 Abou).

Things start to go very wrong of the Gawad camp from the third one. More errors coming from Karim, 5, offering a good lead 5/2, 6/3, 7/4, 8/5, and again errors at the end, 11/5 in 12m.

If Karim reduces the errors in the 4th, Abou is the one with the shots, the power, the changes of pace and angles. He is the one that plays better squash, although both are giving it all out there, 3/0, 4/1, 6/3, 8/5.

Karim claws back, the support for Abou is getting louder and louder. 7/8, Karim is so close but it’s the Bullet that makes it to the finishing post, 11/8 in 16 long minutes.

Karim makes more winners in that one, 7, but more errors too 3 for only 1 for Abou, and only 1 stroke for him, against 3 for Abou….

The fifth sees Karim warned once for a dodgy movement 5/2 up. Then a should have been let is given as a stroke as he was warned says the ref. And again, as Karim finally managed to get a match all at 10/8, another stroke for taking the line of his opponent says the ref.

I have to admit, I didn’t see those as they happened, but the video ref was the one deciding on those last two calls. He saw something I completely missed.

Nail bitting rally, another saved match ball, ending at 10/10. A no let confirmed by the video ref, and it’s a third match ball, 11/10.

Ironically, it ends of a tin from Abou, who today was so good and made so few of those, 12/10, in 25m…

Karim’s Dad, Sami Abdel Gawad

This victory is the result of a lot of hard work, of a lot of support and dedication from his mum. It has been a very long way, and I only wish that Squash was in the Olympics, when I see how amazing those athletes are performing, they deserve to be in the Games…

Hussein Abaza, CIB Vice-President

Well, Raneem nearly gave us a heart attack, no seriously, I couldn’t take much more, she nearly killed us, but apart from that, two great matches today, and all week great matches. It was truly an outstanding event, Karim Darwish did an amazing job getting it together in such a short time and during Ramadan and Eid, fantastic work from all his team….

Abou

I want to compliment Karim on a great final and to tell him that he should have got married a long time ago if he meant playing like that!

I gave it absolutely everything I have no regret, we always have huge battles, today it just didn’t go my way. But I’m happy with my performance, and I’m very proud of the way I played today.

This result gives me an extra motivation for next year, it was fantastic to be able to play in front of my family and friends, that gives me that extra boost for next season;

Karim

If I knew this would happen then I would have got married six or seven years ago!

Abouelghar was one of my groomsmen and he gave me a hard time on court, so hard luck to him he played some amazing squash. I’m really happy to win a World Tour Finals and really happy with this title.

Playing Abouelghar is always tough, we have played a few times and they are always tough battles, five setters and four setters minimum. Entering this tournament I wasn’t expecting too much, so I was very relaxed playing and trying to enjoy it as much as I can. Today, I felt the pressure of playing the final, I have played the World No.1 and World No.2 so playing the final I felt the pressure. I tried to relax as much as I could and tried to focus on my squash and I’m glad it worked.

I have a lot of people to thank. Firstly the sponsors and CIB bank for their support and their last 12 months, they have worked hard and given a lot of support at a lot of tournaments. Karim Darwish for organising such a great tournament – all the organisers and sponsors for doing such a great tournament. It’s always great to play tournaments in Egypt, we have six or seven players in the top ten so we deserve to have more tournaments in Egypt here.

Also, I need to thank my coach Omar Abdel Aziz, Dr Few, Ahmed Faragallah my fitness coach, my physio Wafaai, my nutritionist Shady Labib, my family, my dad, my mum and my sister, and of course, my wife, for understanding that we got married on Friday and instead of going on our honeymoon, she had to come and support me, thanks for being there for me.

[1] Raneem El Welily (EGY) 3-2 [4] Camille Serme (FRA) 3-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-6 (61m)

Camille

I feel that each time I get closer to beat her, but then again I don’t. I believe in myself, but it’s just not enough. Today, after the second game, I just got tired, and didn’t have the strength anymore to get to the ball as quickly as I could, I was just too slow. The arms as well got tired, I couldn’t put as much weight in the ball than I did in the beginning and that made all the difference.

But still, I feel I had a great season, I managed to reach the quarters and the semis of most of my tournaments, and this summer, I’m going to work really hard to try and get a step further.

Raneem

Maybe some nerves at the beginning of the game, I remember at some point thinking I didn’t want to disappoint my home crowd and family. But after the second game, I just gave it everything I had.

The support from the crowd means a lot, thank you so much to everyone today. I really couldn’t have done it without them, they can me the push that I needed, so thank you to them.

Camille played really well today, she pushed me to the limit and she was just on fire the first two games. It took a lot of effort and mental strength to push myself and comeback from what she did. I still cannot believe I came back from the dead, it was really tough. She was killing me out there. The game plan she had today was crazy good and I salute her for a great season, she has had an incredible season and so close to winning some things but not quite there, but I’m sure she will come back stronger next season and I told her that after the match. She played really well and deserved to win one title, so next season will be hers maybe. All day long I was struggling with the idea of maybe having to play three games or even five, but when I was 2-0 down I thought it was best of five for a reason. I just fought and tried to run as much as I can and get everything back to stay in the rally as long as possible. Maybe focus a little bit more and calm down whenever needed and those words in between games really helped.

Now I’m looking forward to some rest. Of course I have a lot of people to thank. First my squash coach, Haitham Effat, who’s been on my side and supporting me all season. My fitness coach Ahmed Faragallah, keeping me fit, my physio Dr. Mohamed Amin, my nutritionist Dr. Hany Wahba, I have never been healthier, thank you… Wadi Degla, and Karim Darwish, I cannot believe what you managed to do in such a short time. I spoke with the players and all of them were very happy to be here, and surprised how well the tournament was organised. Thanks to my sponsor Harrow, CIB and Mr Hussein Abaza, couldn’t have done anything without CIB care and support. My husband, Tarek Momen, he couldn’t get the win this time, but hopefully next time. And finally my parents. Last time you came to see me, I didn’t win, but this time I did…

[8] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 2-1 [3] Tarek Momen (EGY)  9-11, 11-5, 11-8 (55m)

No, Abou didn’t say that but he could have… 9/0. That was the H2H before the match in favour of Tarek. Just this season, they played  in Hong Kong, BlackBall, TOC, Chicago Worlds and Grasshopper. Big matches (except the last one). All won by Tarek. With Abou, it’s a bit like with Shabana at the start of his career, before he met his wife Najla. Nicks or Tins. Tonight, it was nicks…

4/1 for Tarek in the first game, composed and patient. Abou, 4 in a row, . 5/5, 7/7. Abou 9/7, but a stroke and a winner, 9/9. Fast pace rally, and two winners, 11/9 Tarek, that’s 4 points… 20m.

The second, 2/0 for Tarek, but Abou is on fire and won’t make an error until game ball at 10/4! 8/2 (strung 8 points), then 9/3, 11/5. In two games, Abou made 1 error, Tarek 7 (5 in the second game).

Third game, from 3/3, The Momenator seems to regain confidence 5/3, but level again between those two, 5/5, 6/6. From 5/6 down, Abou zooms to 10/6, the Bullet is just too fast and too unpredictable. Abou get 3 strokes in 5 points: unusual….

Match ball, too much pressure, tin. Then the ball out of court. But a lucky nick on the backhand, and it’s a first win over Tarek ever. Even in training, I kid you not, 11/8, 22m last game..

Abou I lost to Tarek five times this season and every time was closer, apart from the last time which was 3-0 in 20 minutes, so I was figuring out a plan. Every time I played him I felt like I was closer and I’m happy with the way I managed it until the end.

He beat me 9 times, so 10-0 would have looked so bad. I at least had to make the gap closer between me and Tarek. For people who don’t know I have not beaten Tarek in training, so to come here and win against him on a big stage like this it’s a bonus and I’m very happy.

I have played against Karim 100 times in training and in tournaments and to play him in the final of a major event is a bonus. We always have great matches and I know tomorrow will be different to yesterday but hopefully the same result.

[4] Camille Serme (FRA) 2-0 [6] Nouran Gohar (EGY)  20-18, 11-9 (37m)

Camille can say she enjoys the BO3 format for sure as the last time she beat Nouran was actually in the Dubai June 2017 event. Since, they played four times, and all the matches went to Nouran., the last one being in Hull a few days ago in the Final of the British Open where Nouran, on a colder court, blasted the French lady off court 3? 8, 3 in 30m.

Today, different set up. Much warmer court – the power from Nouran being a bit less efficient as the ball comes back from the backwall instead of dying nicely at the back. And Camille, having played the Terminator twice in like 3 weeks, probably got a few tips and some game plan from both Philippe Signoret and Ashraf Hanafi, director of Squash at Blackball, Camille’s team in the Egyptian League… The first game is obviously massive: 25m of absolutely stunning squash, a battle of nerves and tactics, in which Nouran made only 2 errors: one at 10/10. The second at 18-19, after being penalised with a no let – she was trying to explain to the ref that no, she didn’t accept the interfence, that no, she didn’t play the ball, ‘please, you have to believe me’ but the video ref having confirmed the original call, she didn’t have any luck and that tin came basically seconds after that decision. Food for thoughts…

Back to the first game, Nouran is cruising 6/2, looking extremely assertive and comfortable. But Camille is on form today. Believing she can create the upset, nothing to lose, she scores 4 points to level 6/6. 7/7. But again, Nouran finds her accuracy, and it’s game ball 10/7. Rallies from hell follow and it’s the French that levels again, 10/10. Will follow a succession of superb rallies, a few errors, game balls from each, saved, and levelled. 6 game balls for Nouran, 6 game balls for Camille, who finally closes it down with an error from Nouran…

18 winners for the French, 5 unforced errors. 13 winners for the Egyptian, 2 errors.

Body language from both girls was impeccable in the first game, and same in the second. Never I saw the loser’s attitude from Nouran, she could have lost heart. She didn’t. She fought, physically, she knew she could last forever on there… An excellent start from Camille though, 3-0, Nouran blasting her way back, 3/3. At 7/4, Nouran looks like she is going to level the games and force a decider. But the French is so relaxed out there tonight. And it’s again a battle of will: 7/7. 8/8. 9/9. It’s  anybody’s, but a low drive backhand that dies in the back, and another crosscourt that Nouran cannot save and it’s Camille that gets her revenge from the BO Final…

Camille

Over the moon.... Sorry for the crowd obviously they were cheering for the home Egyptian player, but I’m just so happy because Nouran has been playing really well the last few months. In El Gouna and at the British she beat me quite comfortably and I was happy today that I found some good solutions. Finally, after being beaten twice, with my coach and the Egyptian coach who was here, with the support of everyone I found some solutions and I’m really happy and grateful for that.

I’m very proud and very lucky to have had a few friends here clapping for me. I know a lot of people were watching at home, my husband, family and friends so I just thought about them. Even Philippe Signoret, my coach – I’m really happy for them as well.

It’s funny to play against Raneem again as we played in the pool matches. I can have a second chance in the same tournament, so I’m just going to enjoy and give it my all.

[4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 2-0 [2] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) 11-8, 11-2 (28m)

A superb first game, 21m game that led us believe that we were on for a cracker. 2/2, 3/3, 4/4, 6/4 Karim, 6/6, 7/7, 8/8. But I was surprised at the end of the game when Mohamed made 4 errors in 4 points, offering the crucial game to Groom Karim 11/8. Ok, Karim sent him to the four corners, and made him do a lot of work, but come on, this is Mohamed we are talking about. And he was not pushed that hard… 

I know that Mohamed – like me – is not a fan of the BO3, and especially against Karim that he normally grinds away in 4 or 5. Did he get discouraged? Did he have an niggle (his calf he complained about in his match against Tarek). Or other personal issues that took his mind off the game. Whatever the reason, Karim played the perfect second game, tinned on 10/0 to avoid the humiliation – good man – and will be happy to be fresh for the final tomorrow against..?

Karim It was a very tough first game. Mohamed is the best experienced player on tour. He was No.1 for a long time, World Champion and has all the titles. I have a lot of respect for him and he is an idol for a lot of the kids in Egypt and all over the world. It’s very unexpected. Getting married on Friday and now being in the final of the World Tour Finals. When you’re married on the Friday, you don’t expect too much to do at the tournament and you don’t want to go on court, but once you get here and on court and you see everyone cheering for you it gives you a lot of power and you just relax to play your best squash. I’m really happy to be in the finals and playing in Egypt tomorrow. I love playing here in Egypt and in my home town, tt’s very special. I’m really happy that a lot of tournaments now are being played in Egypt and we’re very lucky to have a bank like CIB sponsor all of the tournaments, it’s great to have someone supporting you and so thanks to them.

[1] Raneem El Welily (Egy) v [3] Nour El Tayeb (Egy)  11-9, 9-11, 11-1 (38m)

A very high quality game, which saw Raneem serve out and Nour turning a stroke decision in her favour into a let, on game ball…

The crowd from Cairo was truly shared in two camps, and the Yalla Nounou echoed the “Yalla Rino”. Great atmosphere and superb quality match, well at least for the first two games, the last one being one sided… First game, Raneem seems very relaxed and fluid, and is leading playing superb accurate squash, 4/2, 7/4, 9/5. But a few too many errors (including serving out bless her) and Nour finds her marks, and from only returning attacks, she is now able to take the ball early and be more assertive. From 5/9 to 8/9. 10/8 sees Raneem makes her 6th error, but at the end of an incredible rally, it’s Raneem 11/9, in 15m. The second is more about Nour to be honest. She is able to unsettle Raneem by finding superb winners in the four corners, 2/2, 3/3, 8/3, 9/4. Surely that’s enough to level the match. Raneem doesn’t want a 3rd, or at least, she wants to prove to Nour that she’ll have to take the game away from her… Clawing back, point by point. Crowd is going mad, and we have a loud GREAT GREAT GREAT in Arabic every time Raneem scores, right behind Nour’s Dad, who starts to find that the cheering is a tiny bit ANNOYING… At 9/10, Nour hits Raneem’s racquet, and it’s logically stroke for her. ‘nope’ says Nour, and gives it bak to Raneem in the form of a let. Chapeau. She is rewarded for her sportsmanship, wining the rally with an outstanding crosscourt volley in the nick that rolls off the floor, 11/9 in 14m. But in the 3rd, Nour is completely overplayed, and Raneem will walk away with the match, Nour making 5 errors in that game alone (an average of 2 in the 2 previous games) and it’s 11/1 for Raneem in 7m..

Raneem

It was very honest and decent of Nour to play a let on game ball when having a stroke. It takes courage to do that, she has not only done it today but has done it several times, so all credit to her.

I think I just tried to be more active in the third rather than being passive in the second. She played really well and pushed me to the back and then dragged me to the front to make the gap seem big. I’m glad with the way I fought in the second, I came all the way back to 9-10 and couldn’t quite make it, but it made a difference somehow, so I’m very happy to come out as the winner today.

I guess we just enjoy playing that shot behind our backs, I see players doing that all the time on court, when they weren’t practicing quickly they used to always play shots like that, so I grew up wanting to do that and play that fun part of the game, just as much as I wanted to win. Nour is obviously very skilled with the racket and it’s a gift from good, I really appreciate it.

To finish the season with a  win would be absolutely fantastic. No pressure, the two other players are so strong, they are playing their best games nowadays, so may the best player win and hopefully tomorrow I play some good squash and if I win I’ll be very happy.

Breakfast with : Raneem El Welily

[8] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 2-0 [4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)  11-9, 11-3 (24m)

“Do you think Karim realised that he needed to do more tonight to avoid to play Shorbagy?” somebody asked me as I was arriving at the hotel at the end of a again a long match of squash. I was asked also “did Karim lose in purpose to kick Ali out”? So, to the first question, my answer is “probably not. If I just got married and was enjoying married life in the Egyptian sense of the word, my mind would be totally elsewhere, and I truly wouldn’t know about the calculations of the group.” To the second question “what would be his interest??? The chance to play Shorbagy??? So no, the answer is no, absolutely no.”

Close 1/1, 2/2, 4/4, 5/5, 6/6, 7/7, 8/8, 10/8 Abou, 11/9, with the Bullet only make one unforced error. 5 unforced errors in the first game for Karim… I guess had Karim won the first game, he would have pushed a bit more, but probably he felt well, I’m qualified, let’s save the little energy I have left for the semis… And the second, he didn’t show up, 6 errors, 3/1 Abou, 7/2, 11/3 in still 11m…. So he did try bless him…

Abou

I was watching Ali’s match with Paul Coll. We were both joking about it, but I didn’t know the calculations before. I had it in my mind, like the Liverpool scenario, that anything can happen in sport and if I have the right attitude then I can pull anything through and I’m happy I did.

I think the motivation for both of us was different. I came here to give myself one more chance and he was already qualified, so I think the motivation was different. I was happy I took advantage of that and I’m so happy to be in the semis.

I’ve never had a good win in Egypt, so to have it now and on a big stage like this then I hope it doesn’t stop here and keeps going.

[3] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) 2-0 [7] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)  11-0, 11-5 (15m)

Don’t ask me what happened on there, as I was writing my report of the previous match (Ali/Paul). Normally, I managed to catch up in the second game, but on this case, as the first game was 5m, I didn’t! I remember Nour bagelling SarahJane in the DPD Open in the last game, on a freezing cold court. Well, she proved tonight she can do it on a very warm court as well I guess! Like I said, I just heard the game, and it looked like  spotless squash from Nour… The second was longer, 9m, and saw SJ score her first point at 6/0. Again, short rallies, and SJ looking outplayed in that one as well, but again, I closed my computer from the previous match report at 10/5 match ball!!!!

Nour

I’ve no idea how it happened, I was so nervous all of today, I kept watching Netflix to try not to think about the match. I felt it was a big match and I needed the win, I wanted to get into the last four of the tournament.

I’m very happy with how it went, I know SJ can come back from any score gap, so whenever I got to nine I knew she could come back, so I had to keep going because I know how good she can be.

I was thinking, how is it that SJ can play so well against Nour (El Sherbini) and then she can’t play against me. And I cannot play against Nour, and I can against SJ. So funny...

“Personally, I think the best of three suits my game, if we had a third game today then SJ might have come back so I’m happy and believe the best of three has a place. I played a tough match with Nouran yesterday and I feel it works well for any player – physical, talented and I think there is a place for sure.

“I’m very pleased to be in the semis and playing against Raneem will be tough. We are in a Wadi Degla arena, but hopefully the crowd will be even

[1] Ali Farag (EGY) 2-1 [5] Paul Coll (NZL)  9-11, 12-10, 11-9 (69m)

Again today, like yesterday, I felt that Ali was not all there when he started the match. I had that feeling – and I could be completely wrong – that Ali just didn’t want to go through the pain he went through only a few days ago in Hull, in the match that was voted the best match of the season, BO semis… I had that feeling years ago when Nick played again Ramy in the TOC as he just lost the match of all matches against him in Saudi only days before. He “refused the obstacle”. Well, I felt that Ali did just that… to begin with…. It changed as the match went along….

First game finally showed Coll’s Dad what his kiddo could do. And if for only that, it was worth it. Paul today played at his level, which is in my opinion top 3. Like he did in Hull, it was like his game, his efforts, his hard work to enrich his game of an attacking style he didn’t possess 1 year ago, finally like a puzzle jammed up. Great start for Paul, 2/0, then close, 3/3, 6/6, 7/7, 8/8. The winners are coming from Ali’s racquet that seems a bit sluggish to start with, just a bit passive, like I said, a bit reluctant… still, it’s as close as it comes, 11/9 in 22m, 5 winners Ali, 10 Paul…

My explanation why those two just get always the best out of each other comes from the fact they luuuve both playing at a mid pace: so they are both at their best at the other’s game/pace…. Second game sees Paul fly out there, seriously dominating the rallies, sending Ali the wrong way a few times, still making him do a lot of work and producing some superb squash. 4/0, 6/1 Paul, and it looks like Paul is finally going to get his first win. But we are in Egypt. And at the back of the glass, we have Nour, Ali’s wife, Wael, Ali’s brother, Karim Darwish, his coach/mentor, and Mum Mona, and Amr Dad, and and and. You do not lose 2/0 against such a support. So he claws back. Point per point, forcing 2 errors out of the New Zealander. And we are back level 6/6, 7/7. 9/7 Ali, Paul’s turn to level, 9/9. A slower pace from both player, lobbing each other. A matchball for Ali saved, 10/0. The second match ball is the good one, 12/10, 23m. 9 winners for Ali, but 8 for Paul. Quality, quality.

The crowd is wild. It’s a superb match, they love Paul’s style, and their man is pushing and still alive… The third will always be led by Ali, although Paul is always close and dangerous to say the least. It’s superb squash, fair, intense, accurate, I truly loved every minute.

 10/6, match ball, it’s all over. Like Heck it is. Paul as often when at that stage, just frees up and finds some exquisite angles, and depth, mixed with delicate winners. At 91/0, the crowd holds their breath, but it’s a quick rally, deep crosscourt that Paul cannot get and it’s finally the Harvard/Wadi Degla that takes that crucial win… 20m last game… 

Today, Spiderman beat Superman, again. But for how long…

Ali

For the first time ever I care more about the calculations of the group stage than the process and this is something that has annoyed me all night and all day. But I had to accept that was the way it was today.

Paul is an incredible athlete. We all give him a lot of credit for athleticism, but we so often forget the tactical masterclass that he puts together sometimes. He knows how to play against every opponent, he learns and every time he comes back with a different tactic. He is very smart and I’m so proud to get the win today. 

You could see in the first that he was dominating the T area and I wasn’t hitting my targets, so I had to change my tactics with Karim Darwish and Nour El Tayeb. I’m very pleased with the way I dealt with things today and how I won today.

I’ve got something else to care about first because Nour is playing and then after that, whether I go through or not, I am really proud with the way I dealt with things today and at least I can go home with no regrets.

[6] Nouran Gohar (EGY) 2-1 [2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 6-11, 11-5, 11-7 (33m)

The expression on Nouran’s face as she scored the last point said it all. Incredulity, ecstasy, and pure joy.

Yes, she had beaten Nour in Gouna, and that was her second win ever against the World Champ, the first being when they first played, first round of the Wadi Degla worlds in 2014….  But it could have been a fluke. And as Nouran hadn’t been playing her best in round 1 here against Nour El Tayeb, to be honest, my money was on Nour. What I don’t know about Squash could fill a few shelves…. First, Nour was on fire, like she’s been lately. Starting very well but crumbling a bit at the later stage it seemed, today was no different unfortunately for the Alexandria star. 4/0, 6/3, 11/6 in 11m, 10 winners for Nour, only 4 for Nouran. Nour seemed to keep on going with the momentum, 3/0, only to see Nouran, hitting the ball hard and accurately – the form she had in Hull really – strung 7 points in a row. And although Nour will manage to score two more points, it’s Nouran’s game, 11/5 in 8 short minutes. Nouran still to make an error, 2 errors in each game for Nour.

The third is all about Nouran’s power, hitting again as hard and accurately she’s been hitting recently, 5/1, 4/5, caught up 7/7with Nour encouraged by her Dad and also brother Omar, who is normally very quiet and only talking when she is in danger.

Danger Nour was as from 7/7, she wouldn’t be allowed to score another point, 12m and it’s 11/7 for an ecstatic WadiDegla CIB player. Only 2 errors the whole match, and 8 winners in the last game for 4 winners only for Nour…

Nouran I have so much respect for Nour and the way she is playing recently is unbelievable. I learn a lot from her and her character on court. She is a very tough opponent and to beat her you have to play with everything you have and maybe a bit extra as well. I had to find new solutions today and be up to those challenges as well. We were trying to implement our game and I think it was a good match for the crowd as well. The major part of my game is to keep the ball alive and I like to put pressure on my opponent so I have to keep the ball warm. She’s the complete opposite and likes to flick and hold her hand a little bit before hitting every shot, which is unbelievable and it’s a contrast of games.

I think there is a slight rivalry between the different cities in Egypt, especially the club where Nour comes from as it is a big club and has had very good juniors in the past such as ElShorbagy and Nour and they have a really tough game to play against. There is always a rivalry between Cairo and Alexandria and this competitive thing, I think it’s the main reason we are good at squash in Egypt.

[3] Tarek Momen (EGY) 2-1 [7] Diego Elias (PER)  11-2, 4-11, 11-8 (46m)

What an interesting/strange match that was… 

First game, Diego never showed up, courtesy of Tarek, taking him to the throat and never let it go, 11/2 in 7m, only to the Perivian taking centre stage in the second, with Tarek falling to pieces, 7 unforced errors – I kid you not. Finally in the 3rd, we had a match, 1/1, 2/2, 3/3, 4/4, 6/6. A marathon rally at that point, a stroke for Tarek, over ruled to a let, but damage to Diego’s legs has been done. Three lovely winners, 9/6 for the Egyptian. 

But as he seemed down and out, the young man just keeps pushing, digs in, and claws back to 8/9… and at the point, of course, the ball dies!

Both players, not happy to have to warm up the ball, which on top of that seems to bounce extremely high!!! But it’s finally a match ball for Tarek 10/8 and with a ball that flies out of court, it’s Tarek that moves to the semis… last game was 24 long minutes….

[4] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [8] Tesni Evans (WAL) 11-5, 13-11 (28m)

 The head to head was pretty one sided, 9/0 (that’s only the PSA events, not counting the Worlds or European teams), and today, Camille was in control quite comfortably in the first game, 3-0, 7-3 10m, 11-5.

The second game saw a match more intense and pro-active Welsh Jester, taking the game to Camille and showing what she was made of. 1/1, 3/3, then 6/3 and looking really assertive. Camille just put more weight in the ball, and it seemed to work for a while, 5 points in a row, 8/6. But if Camille managed to set up a first match ball, 10/8, Tesni just put the foot on the accelerator, and made the court very big for the French. At 10/10, Camille went for the “let’s go back to basics”, straightened her shots, and push the ball to the back. It worked. 13/11, 10 winners for the French, 7 for Tes: high quality squash….

Tesni

I loved it!  I really enjoyed my time here. It was my first time in the event, and my aim was to prove that I deserved to be a part of it. It was so cool to be a part of it. I think I played OK, and I hope that I qualify for the coming years, keep on improving, and build on it for next season…

Camille From the beginning I saw that Tesni was not moving as well as usually. But she is such a fighter and whatever happened I knew she was going to give it her all in the second. She tried to find some good solutions and it almost worked, it was a good tactic but I’m happy that I found my solutions in the end.

Every match is tough and everyone deserves to be in the semis, but I feel lucky that it’s me and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.

I’m happy with this end of the season. I’ve been pretty consistent in making quarters and semis, but didn’t win any tournaments, so if I could go into the final this week then I would be even more happy.