El Hammamy Beats El Sherbini in Five-Game Epic to Become Hong Kong Open Champ

Egypt’s World No.3 Hania El Hammamy is the 2022 Hong Kong Open champion after she beat World Champion Nour El Sherbini 15-13, 9-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-9 in 89 minutes at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre.

It’s the fourth Platinum title of 2022, and the second of the current season for El Hammamy, who played out a high octane battle with her compatriot El Sherbini.

The intensity from both players, who had met 12 times before tonight’s clash, never showed any sign of slowing down as they were locked in at 10-10 in the first game, and both had their opportunities to seal the game but were unable to convert.

It was third time lucky for El Hammamy, as an error from El Sherbini wrapped up the first game 15-13.

El Hammamy charged into an early 4-1 lead before El Sherbini eventually got to within a point at 9-8, but a blood injury sustained by the Warriors Princess delayed play. The brief stoppage worked in El Sherbini’s favour, as she levelled the match with an 11-9 win.

The crowd were treated to two lengthy encounters in games one and two, but El Hammamy ruthlessly regained her advantage when she claimed the third 11-3 in only five minutes.

There was nothing to separate either El Hammamy or El Sherbini as the scintillating squash continued to flow from the World No.3 and No.2, respectively, but El Sherbini clinched the fourth 11-8 to send it to a fifth.

After another fast start from El Hammamy, the 22-year-old claimed a vital 9-7, slender lead which was soon brought back to 9-9 by El Sherbini. However it would be El Hammamy who would close out 2022 with the last Platinum title up for grabs, triumphing 11-9.

“I’m over the moon with that win,” said El Hammamy.

“Last night and today was definitely tough on me. This morning I was a little bit tired from last night’s match, but I tried to prepare myself mentally as much as I could to dig in and keep pushing hard. It really paid off with the way I fought.

“Nour is very tricky and hard to beat. I had to stay on my toes and I’m so happy to get through to win the final.

“It’s very exciting playing against Nour. I lost to her in five in Switzerland, and I didn’t want to lose to her again today in five. I tried to stay sharp and in the fifth I kept reminding myself to start well from the beginning.

“It was up and down, I think the match went through phases. I didn’t want to give up and that was the key today. I had to keep getting every point and every shot.

“It’s an amazing feeling to capture the title before the end of the year. At the U.S. Open I was a bit disappointed, I wanted to pick up the title and keep my momentum going, but it didn’t go my way. I’m glad I bounced back and I was able to get back to the way I wanted to perform here in Hong Kong.”

Result

[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 3-2: 15-13, 9-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-9 (89m)