Windy City Open 2024 Presented By The Walter Family SF: Gohar Beats El Hammamy to Reach Final Once More

Defending champion Nouran Gohar weathered the storm Hania El Hammamy threw at her in the Windy City Open semi-finals, winning 3-1 as a tornado engulfed Chicago. 

Anticipation was high for this second women’s semi-final, with the Egyptian pair having shared some monumental battles in recent times, most recently going to five over 99 minutes at the SmartCentres Kinetic Florida Open. 

It was perhaps fitting that a tornado was brewing in the Windy City just as the players took to the court, and it was Gohar who made a lightning-fast start, winning eight points on the bounce to move from 2-2 to 10-2 in game one. 

A poor backhand volley into the tin from El Hammamy handed Gohar the game, but the reigning champion was on the back foot early in the second, falling 6-3 behind after a drawn-out start, which saw four minutes pass before a point had even been scored. 

A fist bump from Gohar followed a sharp backhand drop to get back to 4-6, and she was soon out in front at 8-7 up. 

The video referee was then called upon to review a pickup on an El Hammamy dive, with the replay showing a double to give Gohar a two-point lead. 

She converted that two-point lead into a two-game lead when El Hammamy tinned a backhand boast on game ball, but the 23-year-old got herself back into the contest in game three. 

From 7-4 up, she began to relax, putting some hold into her swing to limit the movement of her opponent, and gave herself four game balls at 10-6. 

A breathtaking rally ensued, ending disappointingly in a let, but El Hammamy did not have to wait long to wrap up the game, drilling a backhand winner down the line on the following rally.

The start of game four was always likely to be important, and it was Gohar who got her nose in front. 

The World No.3 had requested a new ball and was quickly 2-0 up when the players collided, both crashing to the floor with all eyes on referee Andrea Santamaria. 

A yes let was the decision but Gohar soon extended her lead, nonetheless, finding herself on the brink of victory at 8-4 up. 

Determined not to give up without a fight, El Hammamy flung herself across the court to try and reach a diving backhand, tripping over her opponent in the process. 

The result was a double blow for the young Egyptian, who was not only forced from the court with a stomach injury, but also not rewarded with a let, dropping to within two points of defeat. 

She won the first rally after returning to court, but that was as much joy as she got. 

A forehand volley winner – which Gohar had used to good effect throughout the encounter – brought up match ball, and she slammed a backhand down the line to clinch victory soon after, setting up a rematch of the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions final against Nour El Sherbini. 

“Playing Hania in the semis is not easy, but I think I had a good game plan with my coaches before the match and I executed it pretty well,” Gohar said after her win. 

“I hope I can carry on that form for tomorrow’s match and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s final.

“In four or five matches [against El Hammamy] I’ve been leading 2-0 and then she’s won the third and I’ve managed to close it out in four. I think I had that experience in the back of my mind, and I knew that if I got a new ball, it would be a fresh start. I told myself it was 0-0 and there was just one game you had to win. 

“Overall, I’m happy with the way I played. 

“I watched a bit of [their match in Florida] but not the whole two hours! It’s always tough to watch a match that you lost, but those are the matches you learn the most from. I don’t like to lose at all, but for some reason this match gave me a lot of confidence. 

“I was coming back from injury and I didn’t really know what my level was. I was two points away from winning the whole thing. Hania and Nour [El Sherbini] have been winning every title, so to be back and playing at the same level was very positive and I think I carried that form on at the ToC, which was very pleasing. 

“I think it’s just the beginning, I’m looking to improve at every tournament and I hope it will keep being better.” 

Discussing her defeat in the ToC final, she added: “It was heartbreaking being 2-0 up and one game away from winning the whole thing. What’s in the past is in the past. I’ve had that scenario before when Nour has been 2-0 up and 10-7 up and I managed to sneak it and take the title. 

“It’s about squash but also nerves. There’s no pressure whatsoever on me, it’s about winning but not about revenge because we play each other every tournament.” 

Result: 
[2] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 3-1: 11-4, 11-8, 6-11, 11-5 (70m)