F: Hania wins 11/9 in the 5th a perfect advert for Squash against Nour

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[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 3-2 [2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY)  11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9 (78m)

If Non Alcoholic Calsberg did squash matches…

It was an incredible game, an incredible battle, fair, so few calls, respect between the players, I would go as far as saying love between the players, and I know for a fact it’s the same between the two families. That’s the way intelligent people deal with the pressure of sport…

When I asked Nour at the end “what is God that decided the winner at 9/10, or could you have done anything better?” she smiled and said, “I think it’s God that decided, because I left everything out there”. And that, she did.

Rewind.
The first game sees Hania taking a fantastic start, 7/2, scoring 5 points in a row, only to see Nour string 4 points of her own. But a few errors creep in at the business end of the game, it’s 11/7 to Hania, 11m game.

Nour gave away 6 points (4 errors, 2 strokes), Hania only 3 errors. 4 winners Nour, 5 Hania.
Strong response from Nour in the next game, 3/0, 5/2. Some superb rallies, and Hania levels 6/6, 8/8, 9/9. Two incredible rallies, two winners from Nour and it’s 11/9 to Nour, 14m game.

10 winners for Nour, 8 for Hania. Only one error each. The squash level was unreal…

The third game is a bit of a carbon copy of the second. 14m game, Nour in front 8/5, 8/8, then 11/8.
Hania, still only 1 error and no stroke conceded. Nour, 4 points conceded (3 errors, 1 stroke). 10 winners Nour, 4 only Hania.

New ball, requested by Hania.

Nour didn’t see much for the fourth to be honest. It was all about Hania in front, calling the shots and in 11m, Hania forced a decider, 11/3.

The 5th is definitely a classic.
Hania flies off the blocks, 4/0, 5/1. Nour suddenly finds the form and position on the T she had in game 2 and 3. Hania is under a heck of a pressure, 5/5, 6/6. 7/7. 8/8.

“Who do you think is going to win?” I’m asked by somebody in the row in front of me. “I could tell you but then I would have to kill you”!!!

At that point, a stroke to Hania, then a superb winner kill from Hania, Championship Ball, 10/8.
A fantastic attack from Nour on the left front corner, Hania is forced to lob and the ball goes off court. 9/10.

A last backhand crosscourt that Nour this time cannot reach, and Hania falls on the floor, emotional.  She is not only Gouna’s champion for the second time but also still World number One.

Never in doubt.

Nevine, Hania’s mum: Over the moon, super proud, and speechless.

Nour: 
[Smiles] I think it’s God that decided, because I gave everything this time!

I’m definitely disappointed to lose that one, but very proud of how I came back from Optasia’s final, losing 3/0. I’m relieved that it was only one match where I wasn’t there.

I did everything, I tried to change some stuff, I was more there, and it’s only 2 points between us at the end. It could have gone either way.

So yes, disappointed but happy with the way I played of course. Hania has been playing amazing squash, she is the most complete player, so definitely, challenge her like this, I’m really happy with that.

Karim Darwish, coach to Hania:
Apart from her performance today, I’m super proud of her, her personality, she is a true champion, and she deserves to be World Number One. I hope she can stay at the top as much as she can, and I hope she can win the world championship as well next month.

All credit to Nour, she played incredibly well today, it was point by point from the first rally of the match to the last one.

To watch a match like tonight betwen top two players in the world, it was so fair, they fought till the very end without a single bad call from the ref or between themselves. This is how squash should be played, and I’m so proud to be part of Hania’s journey so far.

 

Hania : “I am so glad the match is over.

“I felt the pressure, my heart was beating so hard and racing for the whole match.

“What a match. What an amazing time I’m having playing with Nour ElSherbini.

“It was an amazing match. It was up and down. I think I had phases where I was comfortable and then she had patches where she’s controlling the whole thing and the whole game.

“When I watch it back, I’m sure I’ll be entertained, with the quality we both produced. In the moment I just really wanted the match to be over. It was full of emotions, full of pressure and I feel my quality was really tense. I’m really glad that I managed to win in those conditions.

“I just tried to tell myself to keep bouncing, keep moving my body. I wasn’t moving at my best, but I knew how much effort I was putting into her legs by getting all these balls back. Last night’s match definitely put a bit of heaviness on my movement today.

“I asked for a new ball and just tried to tell myself it was a new match and to push again.

“It’s been a great season so far for me. It’s one of my best seasons so far and I hope that I can keep going and keep having more seasons, and getting better. I’m definitely definitely hungry for more.

“I’m very excited with the way I’m playing, with the way I’m improving, and I’m not stopping there.

“Making it in front of my home crowd, my family and my friends, my team, it’s been so so special.
Competing with Nour as well for that spot once more, it’s absolutely unforgettable.
I think today was a very special match, and I think everybody enjoyed it as well.