R1: Salma stuns Nele 3-0

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Salma Hany (EGY) 3-0 Nele Gilis-Coll (BEL) 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 (49m)

I am amazed at what Salma has achieved in the past months. She was always a hard worker but what she is producing now is nothing short of a miracle. She is a changed player, she is confident, fitter than she’s ever been, and today, she had to beat a very tough and strong Nele, who might be a bit down on the confidence side of things, but who made it extremely tough – 50m for 3 games only.

Salma : Nele is an amazing player. You can never underestimate her. She hasn’t been playing her best today, but she is capable of showing her best on the day. She can come out and play good squash. And today, I really had to dig deep to win it.

I thought she played really really good squash today. Obviously I had to be very tough mentally to back up last week, and to get to that zone at the begining of the tournament. For the last two years, I played Nele in the lat 16, to get to the quarters in Gouna, so playing her in the first round was tough to get to that zone.

I’m very proud of my performance, being able to dig that deep. I feel that it’s all about consistency. I have always been working very hard, but it was always about finding a team I’m comfortable with and I trust: Andrew Shoukry, my coach, Danny Massaro, and for rehab, making sure I don’t get injuries, which I suffered a lot from over the years, Ezz Magdy.

I feel very comfortable with that team around me, Andrew has been amazing, truly. We make a great team together. We are learning together, getting over challenges. It was about giving it time, I feel I’m doing the right thing.

Consistency and believing. I work hard. A lot. And sometimes, you don’t get the results you want right away, and it’s about discipline and commitment to what you do. I always had the wish to improve, no matter what.

My aim is to reach my full potential and play great squash, and show what I’m capable of. I know that’s going to come sooner or later, I’m not in a rush. I’m healty, Elhamdoulillah, Elhamdoulillah, Elhamdoulillah, and we’ll see.