Egyptian schoolgirl wins Geneva Open at 14 years and six months of age
By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad Correspondent
Hania El Hammamy became the first squash player born this Millennium to win a Tour title when she stormed to victory in the Women’s Geneva Open, clinching her maiden title without dropping a game in the WSA Challenger 5 squash event in Geneva, Switzerland.
The 14-year-old Egyptian – the second youngest women’s title winner of all-time – had already survived two rounds of qualifying when she took her place in the first round of the 42nd staging of the popular event at Geneva Squash Club.
Straight games victories over sixth seed Sina Wall, Czech Republic’s Anna Klimundova and then second-seeded French opponent Laura Pomportes took El Hammamy into her first Tour final – against Fiona Moverley, the 28-year-old No.8 seed from England.
But despite being just half her opponent’s age, qualifier El Hammamy rallied to an 11-8, 11-9, 12-10 triumph over Moverley – the world No.18 celebrating her second Tour final of the year.
Cairo-based El Hammamy, born in September 2000, misses out on becoming the youngest ever WSA Tour title winner by just a month.
Egyptian compatriot Habiba Mohamed was 14 years and 5 months old when she set the record in November 2013 after winning the Malaysian Tour Grand Final.
Women’s Geneva Open, Geneva, Switzerland
1st round:
[1] Coline Aumard (FRA) bt [Q] Charlotte Delsinne (FRA) 11-7, 11-6, 11-6
[5] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt [Q] Nadia Pfister (SUI) 11-9, 11-4, 11-7
[4] Tamika Saxby (AUS) bt Tinne Gilis (BEL) 13-11, 11-5, 5-11, 12-10
[8] Fiona Moverley (ENG) bt Enora Villard (FRA) 11-8, 11-9, 11-6
[Q] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [6] Sina Wall (GER) 11-7, 11-6, 11-3
Anna Klimundova (CZE) bt [3] Linda Hruzikova (SVK) 9-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-5
Milnay Louw (RSA) bt [7] Chloe Mesic (FRA) 11-6, 11-5, 11-7
[2] Laura Pomportes (FRA) bt [Q] Tereza Svobodova (CZE) 11-3, 11-7, 11-6
Quarter-finals:
[1] Coline Aumard (FRA) bt [5] Nele Gilis (BEL) 14-12, 13-11, 10-12, 11-8
[8] Fiona Moverley (ENG) bt [4] Tamika Saxby (AUS) 12-10, 11-7, 11-6
[Q] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Anna Klimundova (CZE) 11-4, 12-10, 11-8
[2] Laura Pomportes (FRA) bt Milnay Louw (RSA) 11-7, 11-7, 11-8
Semi-finals:
[8] Fiona Moverley (ENG) bt [1] Coline Aumard (FRA) 5-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-8
[Q] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [2] Laura Pomportes (FRA) 11-8, 11-7, 11-9
Final:
[Q] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [8] Fiona Moverley (ENG) 11-8, 11-9, 12-10
Picture courtesy of WSA