British Open: Gohar Beats El Hammamy to Reach Fifth Successive Final

World Champion Nouran Gohar has reached the final of the British Open for a fifth time in a row after she came back from a game down to defeat arch-rival Hania El Hammamy at Birmingham Rep Theatre.

It was the 24th time the pair were meeting on the PSA Tour – with Gohar winning 15 of those matches – and it was ‘The Terminator’ who emerged victorious in front of a packed house at The Rep as she won 11-13, 11-4, 11-3, 11-8.

Gohar led for much of the opening stages, but once El Hammamy had settled it was the younger Egyptian who had the better of the first game, hitting her corners more often to go 1-0 up.

Gohar was left frustrated after a mammoth game ball rally, claiming her shot – which hit the tin – had been affected after contact with her racket and El Hammamy. Her complaints fell on deaf ears as a no let was given and El Hammamy walked off court with a one-game lead.

El Hammamy dropped off physically though in the second game and Gohar moved into the ascendancy, pulling away from 4-4 to rattle off seven points in a row.

World No.2 Gohar was playing at an incredibly fast pace and hitting hard, accurate lines to take El Hammamy away from the centre of the court, and the third game soon followed as she took the lead for the first time.

Gohar won four of the first five points on offer in the fourth game, and while El Hammamy came back into the match, Gohar pushed ahead to hold three match balls. A loose lob from El Hammamy then saw a stroke awarded to Gohar, sending her through to the British Open final for the sixth time.

She will take on World No.1 Nour El Sherbini in the title decider for the second time in a row and a fourth time in total, with El Sherbini winning all of their previous final bouts.

Gohar did, however, beat her compatriot in the final of the PSA World Championships last month.

“It’s because of Nour and Hania that we keep improving the level of squash,” said Gohar.

“They are such fierce competitors and they always want to improve. It’s because of them that I am the player I am today, and we’re pushing each other to the limits. Sometimes it goes beyond the limit, but I don’t think it’s anything personal, it’s more we have the hunger and the will to win, and we kill ourselves to reach the ball every single time.

“It was a very enjoyable match today, it was very clean and the ref did a great job today as well. I’m happy with the way I dealt with it today, especially after losing the first game. I didn’t play badly, she was just very eager to win it, and it was crucial for me to come back stronger in the second game.

“I’ve learnt from players like Laura [Massaro] and Joelle [King] and I’ve been on tour for 14 years now, which is a bit crazy. I’ve always been the youngest, but now I’m one of the oldest, and I try to use these experiences.

“It would mean the world [to win another British Open trophy]. It’s crazy to think that Sherbini and I played the final when she was 20 and I was 18, that was eight years ago! No words can describe how great of a player she is and just having these matches with her is incredible.”

Result

[3] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 3-1: 11-13, 11-4, 11-3, 11-8 (64m)