Young Egyptian favourite for World Series title
By NATHAN CLARKE
PSA Women’s World Champion Nour El Sherbini, the 20-year-old Egyptian who has dominated the PSA World Tour throughout the past four months, says she’s looking forward to ending a breakthrough year in style at the 2015-16 PSA Dubai World Series Finals when the event gets under way next week.
Following impressive tournament wins at January’s J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions and March’s Allam British Open, El Sherbini soared to the World No.1 ranking for the first time in her career after winning last month’s Women’s World Championship in spectacular fashion in Kuala Lumpur.
She recovered from 2-0 down to defeat Laura Massaro in the final, and will be favourite to triumph in Dubai, when a record purse will be up for grabs.
El Sherbini finished second on the Road To Dubai Standings, narrowly behind Massaro, and will now look to claim a share of a record $160,000 purse – equal that on offer in the men’s event – and end the season on a high in front of the stunning Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
“The World Series Finals venue looks great and the location itself looks amazing by the huge towers – it’s incredible,” said El Sherbini.
“I’m really looking forward to competing at the tournament this year – it’s a great event and everyone is excited to see it back on the calendar again after a two-year absence.
“I have never been to Dubai before so I’m excited to be going there for the first time and looking at the pictures of the glass court set-up it looks great and exciting – so hopefully we will enjoy it there and have a good competition.”
El Sherbini will face compatriots Raneem El Welily, Omneya Abdel Kawy and France’s Camille Serme in the best-of-three round-robin group stage, beginning May 24, where a place in the knock-out semi-finals will be at stake.
Tickets for the 2015/16 PSA Dubai World Series Finals are available to purchase now by visiting Ticketmaster: https://www.ticketmasteruae.ae/etkinlik-grup/699890/ALL/en while further information regarding the tournament can be found at: www.worldseriesfinals.com/dubai
Pictures courtesy of PSA