Doha — Defending champions Ali Farag and Hania El Hammamy were both dethroned today, albeit in contrasting fashion on a thoroughly intoxicating semi-finsls day at the Qatar Classic.
In a repeat of last year’s final, top seed Nour El Sherbini and El Hammamy kicked off affairs. As emcee Andy Taylor announced the players’ introductions, it felt almost odd to hear that El Sherbini has won seven world titles but gunning for her first Qatar Classic.
The pair did not disappoint as the packed audience was treated to 83 minutes of women’s squash at its very best. The Princess Warrior kept her quest for that maiden title alive after she won in 83 minutes, just a minute shy of their final clash last year, which was also the last time Hammamy triumphed over Sherbini. Just last month, the pair was also embroiled in an 86-minute clash at the Egyptian Open.
The first two games were split between them, with both using the boast to very good effect, often opening up opportunities to finish off the rallies. 16 minutes in the first to Hammamy followed by 17 minutes in the second to El Sherbini.
“I don’t know why she changed the ball… I think it worked better for me.” 😅@noursherbini reflects on today’s incredible semi-final battle with Hania El Hammamy 👇#QatarClassic pic.twitter.com/vfBoyS5yJv
— PSA Squash Tour (@PSASquashTour) October 4, 2024
The third was a one-way traffic for Hammamy, with the Princess Warrior often looking lost. The younger Egyptian used the hold to very good effect to wrong foot El Sherbini.
The next game seemed like a reverse of the third, this time Hammamy looking the lost one, right up to 1-6. Hammamy came back to within a point at 5-6, before Sherbini shifted up a gear, winning to next five points to force the decider.
“We had two very long games to start and maybe I lost my concentration a little. I am glad I managed to hang in the fourth, but I was just thinking of playing the next point all the time”, Sherbini said later.
The decider was pretty much a point for point affair and could have gone either way. The rallies were long and close, with the 20-minute game duration explaining very well how close it was.
“I lost to her in the final last year, so I’m really happy with the way I fought back and pushed her every point. Hania is amazing, she’s been through a lot and she’s always coming back stronger. It was tough but fair, and I’m really happy. I’m happy it was a good match for the crowd to watch and I’m happy to be through.
“I will try not to have any pressure or stress on me tomorrow. I will recover, relax and do my best tomorrow, I hope I can grab that title”, Sherbini said in her post-match interview.
It must be mentioned the spirit the was played between them. There is so much respect between both the players, which was evident each time someone tumbles or runs into the other. They would always check if the other is fine before asking or appealing for a call.
Terminator mode activated 😤
The reaction says it all from @NouranGohar…#QatarClassic pic.twitter.com/sjtlnGAR55
— PSA Squash Tour (@PSASquashTour) October 4, 2024
In the next match, top seed Ali Farag was schooled by a very in-form Diego Elias. The Peruvian Puma was simply a class above today and made the defending champion look very ordinary. Their 40-minute match was less than half the time of the previous women’s match.
Elias said: “I’ve played Ali many times and beating him in 40 minutes is definitely not a normal thing. I am surprised with how short it was, but I am not surprised at winning, because I know I am playing well. The court is very dead and my shots came in, so I am glad things worked my way”.
World champion Nouran Gohar will join Nour El Sherbini in the final tomorrow after beating Olivia Weaver to maintain a 100% winning record over 13 encounters against the American. Starting the match in a furious pace, Gohar dominated the opener to win comfortably.
Once Weaver got into the game in the second, she was able to contain the power play of the Egyptian and control the rallies a lot more. She was rewarded handsomely with the game to draw level. Her streak continued into the third where she raced to an 8-2 lead. Things looked worrying for the Egyptian but an injury break after Weaver’s racket caught the bridge of her nose seemed to have turned things around as she came back and quickly drew level in no time.
In the fourth, Gohar continued to be dominant as Weaver’s continued frustration with her opponent’s movements didn’t do her any good. Gohar wrapped up the game 11-6 to book her place in the final.
“I was saying (to the local Arabic press) that when I got hit in the nose, it was like a hit to my head like a wakeup call. I managed to use the time to tell myself that I am losing the third and get things back on track. I am glad I managed to do that and things went my way”, Gohar said when asked what went through her mind at 2-8 down in the third.
The final match of the day was a mouthwatering clash between Mostafa Asal and the in-form Joel Makin. As expected, it was a physical competition with some traffic issues between two very strong guys on the tour.
Makin started the match well while Asal seem to be taking it a little slower than his usual pace. It went to 8-1 in no time, then 10-2 before the Egyptian got into it. But it was a little too late and Makin took one game lead.
The second game saw the young Egyptian gearing up and never looked back. While the score pointed to a one-way traffic in the second game on wards, the rallies were fast and furious.
They were perfect specimens of how difficult and technical the sport can be, with Makin showing great athleticism in retrieving some seemingly impossible shots from the talented Asal.