QF: Hania fierce against Fayrouz 3-0

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[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 3-0 [7] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY)  11-7, 11-8, 11-6 (36m)

To be honest, I felt that both players were very nervous during the match. I don’t think either of them really relaxed today. Hania made some uncharacteristic errors, while Fayrouz never really managed to play her squash.

The conditions were much cooler than the previous editions to be honest, and it didn’t appear to have any wind, but Fayrouz had played her two previous matches on the traditional courts at the complex. That was her first appearance on the Glass, and that makes a difference…

Fist game was very close, not a point between them, up to 5/5, even 7/5 for Fayrouz but Hania just strung the points to reach 11/7 in one single hand, 11/7, 9m game. 8winners for Hania, 4 for Fayrouz.

Hania took a rocket start in the second, 4/1, with the youngster able to level 4/4. Again, Hania, controlling and ttaking beautifully, and it’s 8/5, 10/7, 11/8 for the World #1, 14m game, 7 winners for Hanian, 5 for Fayrouz.

If Hania was not playing her best squash at time, she gave all the due credit to her opponent, I can tell you. There was a ridiculous rally, with Fayrouz finding incredible shots at the front and back, and Hania made a point of retrieving all them, I’m not sure she herself knew she could retrieve them! Hania finished the game in 8m, 5/, 8/4, 11/6.

Fayrouz will feel extremely disappointed with her performance, I feel. She didn’t show a 10th of the squash quality she can produce, and that is probably all credit to Hania court coverage…

Hania : “I think I’ve done really well to beat her in three games today. She’s such a dangerous opponent – if you’re slightly loose and don’t hit your marks then you’re going to be in trouble. That was the case all throughout our past meetings.

“I was able to execute my gameplan today.

“I think I expected the ball to cool down at some point, but that was not the case tonight. I think that was maybe why Fayrouz was struggling a bit today on winning points. She’s very good at throwing the balls in and stealing quick points. I feel she wasn’t able to do that because the ball was hotter tonight.”