R2 : Hania sees off Sana challenge

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[3] Hania El Hammamy (Egy) 3-0 Sana Ibrahim (Egy) 11-7, 11-1, 12-10 (37m)

PSA report

No.3 seed and 2022 El Gouna champion Hania El Hammamy closed out the women’s action on day two of the El Gouna International tonight as she beat compatriot Sana Ibrahim to move into the quarter finals.

El Hammamy and Ibrahim had not played since 2022 and both have adapted their games so much since then. The No.3 seed started well and looked determined to move Ibrahim into all four corners of the court. Ibrahim showed glimpses of her shot making but was under too much pressure to make anything count.

El Hammamy stormed the second game after taking a 1-0 lead. The World No.3 rattled off winner after winner and was also helped by Ibrahim errors to take a commanding 2-0 lead.

Ibrahim’s shotmaking came to full fruition in game three as the World No.18 threw caution to the wind and found a flurry of impressive winners to throw catch El Hammamy off guard. Ibrahim led 9-5 and looked sure to be forcing a fourth game, El Hammamy thought otherwise. She won five points in a row to earn a match ball and despite squandering that one, took the game 12-10 to move into the quarter finals, where she will face Salma Hany.

 

“The last time we played it was two years ago and she’s improved so much. It’s tough to not play someone for so long and to play someone so talented around the middle. It was definitely hard in the first and the third but I’m just glad I could get through in the end.

“I always love playing here and I’m just so glad to be back on this court. It isn’t always easy to transition from the courts at the Squash Complex to the glass but I have a rest day tomorrow so I’ll have a hit on it and be ready for the quarters.

“I’m taking it one match at a time and hopefully if I’m able to play my best level than hopefully I can make it to the final and maybe win the title. But for now, I’ll go back and get ready for the quarters and be ready for that.”