R1: Nour solid against Traveller Fayrouz 3/1

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[2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) 3-1 Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY)   6-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 (36m)

The first winner of the women’s El Gouna International, Nour El Sherbini, got her 2025 campaign underway tonight as she recovered from a game down to beat compatriot and fellow Alexandrian Fayrouz Aboelkheir on the all-glass court.

Aboelkheir, who would have been forgiven for a sluggish start, after only landing from the Pakistan World U23 Championships this morning (which she won), raced out to a commanding lead in game one, firing the ball short with great precision and shocked the crowd, winning 11-6.

A strong response was expected by the seven-time World Champion and that’s what we got. The No.2 seed started to find her trademark winners and was using her hold at the back to stop and start the movement of the youngster, who was looking slightly tired as the rallies went on.

After turning the tide to lead 2-1, the World No.2 cruised to the finish line in style, winning 11-7 and showing signs of hitting top form.

Nour : “It feels amazing got be on court here in El Gouna again.”

After all these years coming her it’s still great to be here. All credit to Fayrouz today, to play like this having only arrived back in Egypt this morning [travelling back from Pakistan where she won the U23 World Championship] is so so impressive. I’ve been watching her since she was a junior and to see her playing like this is so good and I wish her all the best in all of her tournaments.

“We’ve been playing at the same club for years and I’ve watched her plays so many times and she’s watched me so many times too. To play for the first time is really special and I know how good she is and I’m jsut happy to be through.

“Hopefully 2025 will be my year. I love coming here and it’s a pleasure to play in front of a home crowd. I’m feeling good, I’ve been training well for the past few weeks and I’m getting better I feel, so hopefully 2025 is a good year.”