Nouran Gohar got the better of Hania El Hammamy in four to reach the semis …
[2] Nouran Gohar (Egy) 3-1 [6] Hania El Hammamy (Egy) 11-6, 11-8, 4-11, 11-6 (52m)
Both were fighting for their life on there today. Nouran on fire, hitting her best powerful and accurate squash, for the first two games, not letting Hania have a grip in the first game, 9/3, 10/5 11/6 in 6m. Then the second was much closer but Hania still on the backfoot the whole game, 5/5, 7/7, with Nouran closing it 11/8 in 15m.
The rallies were out of this world today, Nouran hitting to pierce the wall – don’t think she won’t manage to break it – and Hania giving it all her retrieving talent, trying also to absorb the power to counterattack at the front… A Classic really.
Hania seemed to get alive beautifully, maybe a little drop in energy from the Terminator, taking the game quickly, 11/4 but Nouran was back roaring at the front in the 4th, 5/1, 7/2, 10/4 match ball, finally closing it down 11/6.
One of the fiercest matches I’ve seen this year for sure… Could have easily been a final.
Nouran : It’s always tough against Hania, I think that’s the toughest draw you can get in a quarter final. She was in the top four and was then out for a month, so the draw played a role this time. It’s always tough against her, we’ve played quite a lot over the last couple of months. It has become a bit of a habit to play against Hania!
I’m just glad with the way I dealt with the conditions. It wasn’t easy out there, outdoors. The crowd played a huge role, I could hear them cheering for both of us and that gives us a really good push, even if you’re not in your best form and having your best day, it gives you an extra boost.
It’s very exciting to play Amanda in front on an Egyptian crowd. It’s already very exciting to be playing in front of the Pyramids. Today, when I was going out of my room, I was really excited to be on this court. Usually, I’m excited to play a match, but today it was extra special, knowing I’m playing in front of the Pyramids.
So tomorrow, not playing an Egyptian, it’s much nicer as well, because today half of the crowd was with Hania and half was with me, but tomorrow I’m sure they’re all going to be with me!
