Breaking: Nouran Gohar Wins 2023 Black Ball Squash Open

World No.1 Nouran Gohar defended her 2022 Black Ball title with a determined performance as she overcame fierce rival and World No.3 Hania El Hammamy 3-1 in Cairo.

Going into the match, Gohar had the superior head-to-head record, with the 25-year-old winning nine of her 14 clashes against her Egyptian compatriot on tour. The 22-year-old, though, will not have been written off by anyone, with No.3 seed winning four of the pair’s last five encounters, with three of those coming in major finals.

Despite a number of shaky moments earlier in the tournament, El Hammamy made a blistering start to the first game, looking assured on court as she opened up a 6-2 lead.

After a delay due to a blood injury to Gohar at 7-4, El Hammamy struggled to rediscover her rhythm, with Gohar battling back brilliantly to take the first game 11-9.

‘The Leopard’ responded well in a scrappy second game, pulling level with an 11-8 win.

Having fallen behind early in the first two games, Gohar made a quicker start to the third, finding width well as she began firing past El Hammamy.

The younger Egyptian, however, soon settled, displaying her trademark brilliant retrievals to blunt Gohar.

El Hammamy looked set to take the lead when she went 9-6 up, only for the determined Gohar to claw her way back, saving a game ball at 10-9 down and then converting her own at 11-10 to regain her advantage as she went 2-1 up.

This comeback put wind into Gohar’s sails, with the 25-year-old looking increasingly in control in the fourth game, eventually claiming a comfortable 11-5 win to earn her fourth title of the season.

Afterwards, Gohar said: “The competition between me and [World No.2, Nour] Sherbini has been very tough, and with Hania in the mix as well it’s never easy.

“She’s such a competitor and she’s very feisty. I enjoy our matches because we bring the best out of each other, which makes it more enjoyable when I win it at the end.

“It means a lot to come back and win this. I had to pull out of the final at the ToC and it was heartbreaking for me. I’ve been consistent and have reached the final of every event, so I felt I had more.

“This week has given me a big boost and having my family here as well as my friend and the fans makes a big difference.”

For both El Hammamy and Gohar, attention turns to April’s Platinum-level British Open, where 2019 champion Gohar will be looking to avenge her defeat in last year’s final to El Hammamy.

A replay of tonight’s final will shortly be available on SQUASH.TV.

Result: 2023 Black Ball Squash Open Women’s Final
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 3-1: 11-9, 8-11, 12-10, 11-5 (76m)