[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 3-0 [14] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 11-6, 11-2, 11-5 (33m)
I was not exactly surprised by the fact that the Gazelle arrived flat as a French pancake – flatter than the American ones…. The performance the young Egyptian produced yesterday, late at night, surprising us all by coming back from the dead and taking out the world number 3 11/9 in the 5th must have taken all the ounces of energy – both mental and physical – the 19 years old possessed.
And it’s not like she threw away the towel, or didn’t try, or put it all in the tin. Hania tried all the solutions she could think off but or Nour had a counter attack, or the ball would end up in the tin after a long construction rally.
The rallies were long – the score wouldn’t say it – 10m, 8m and the longest, the last one, 12m. Despite being widely led scorewise, Hania never stopped trying. But in front, was the Shot Master at work, fresh as a desert rose, and finding nicks from behind the Pyramids.
So A for effort Hania, you have made everybody so proud of you. As for Nour, we’ll have the world number 1 playing the world number 2 for the World title. How fitting.
Can’t wait.
Nour
Hania is an amazing player, she is only 19 and is playing in the semi-final of the World Championship. She got a huge win yesterday and I’m sure that it is still in her mind. I wanted to start from the first point in the match and just to keep going as much as I could.
“I’m really grateful that I’m standing here right now and I’m playing this tournament. I’m in the final, so I’m really grateful and hopefully not losing a game will give me a good advantage tomorrow.”
