QF: Nour 3/0 against Siva, but no picnic!
[2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) 3-0 [5] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) 12-10, 11-8, 11-9 (35m)
It was not an easy start of the evening for coach Greg Gaultier, as he is coaching both girls. So he sat at the back tonight, never easy….
It was not very easy for Nour either. Siva’s squash is getting more “mordant”, sharper. Her front game is lethally dangerous, and took Nour by surprise so many times. On the other hand, Siva was able to read her opponent’s game quite well. Those two elements put the Legend under a heck of a pressure throughout the match.
First game saw Nour ahead for most of the game, 5/1, 7/4, only to be caught up 7/7, 8/8, 9/9. The Malaysian will have a chance at closing the opener, but it’s Nour that clinches the so important game, 11m.
8 winners Nour, 6 Siva. Those two figures will be the same in the second game, but this time, Nour will keep the lead she had from the start, 9/6, 11/8, only 7m.
The third is the most beautiful of the three games. Siva found her best squash, let’s not forget it was her first time on the glass. She got her groove and fantastic short game really tuned in and her accuracy on the side walls was immaculate.
Not much between the players in that last game throughout, 1/1, 2/2, 3/3, 4/4, 7/7, 8/8, 9/9. The crowd was encouraging their girl, but Siva had a strong support as well bless her.
A lovely trickle boast for Nour sees Siva going the wrong way, and a ball that goes out of court, and it’s 11/9 to Nour. She will be relieved not to have to play more tonight, before the semis tomorrow…
Nour : “I’m very happy to win in three games.
“Siva is a very skilful player and last time it went to five, so I’m definitely happy to win in three and sneak every game at the end.
“It was her first match on the glass court, so I knew it would be hard for her to adapt to the court. I was hitting my targets well and tried to stick to my game plan as much as I could.
“It’s a long tournament and you don’t want to spend too much time on court at this time.
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