Gohar Overcomes Elaraby to Reach CIB Egyptian Open Semi-Final

Reigning world champion Nouran Gohar eased into the semi-finals of the Egyptian Open with a win against No.7 seed Rowan Elaraby in an all-Egyptian derby at Club O West, Cairo.

Gohar, who ended the 23/24 season in the form of her life, has started the 24/25 PSA Squash Tour season in the same vein, with her famed power matched by excellent shot selection and accuracy.

In a high-quality first game, Elaraby caused Gohar problems early on, but once the World No.2 settled she dominated, putting together two scoring runs to take the opener 11-7.

Game two was closer, with Gohar edging a physical but entertaining encounter as she moved from 5-8 down to an 11-9 win.

‘The Terminator’ continued to push in game three, and with Elaraby appearing to drop off Gohar was able to build an 8-3 lead.

Despite appearing completely comfortably, Gohar suddenly began to waiver, with Elaraby playing her best squash as she wrestled back the momentum to go 10-8 up and earn two game balls.

When it mattered most, Gohar finally got out of her slump, saving both game balls to take it into a tie-break. After seeing her first match ball at 11-10 saved, Gohar made no mistake at the second time of asking, closing out 13-11 after surviving a video review request from Elaraby on match ball.

Afterwards, Gohar said: “I felt I was playing really well until 8-3 in the third. I was im my rhythm and it seemed like she was getting tired. But then a few silly mistakes and I’m just pleased. There were patches that I played well, patches that I played really well but that’s ok and I was more happy that, even if I’m not playing well, digging in and finding myself through.

“That’s the mentality I was more pleased with today and I think I can build on that and improve even more in the next rounds hopefully.

“Obviously [coming back in the second game] was crucial. It’s a cliche, we always say it, but it’s true. There’s a very big difference between 1-1 and 2-0. 2-0 makes your life easier, in the way you’re thinking you play more freely and can go for your shots.

“To be honest, I wasn’t thinking about winning the game, I was thinking ‘even if I lose this one, I need to break up the momentum’ and it just got the pressure off a bit and made me play even better.”

On the match between Sana Ibrahim and Nada Abbas, he said: “I think it’s a huge moment for both of them and I’m happy for them, new names in the quarter-finals of a Diamond event and it’s huge for either of them to reach the semi- final. I think they will have a belter, which I’ll be very happy with! And I’ll watch them and create a plan with my coaches and be ready for tomorrow.”

Result: CIB Egyptian Open Women’s Quarter-Final

[2] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [7] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) 3-0: 11-7, 11-9, 13-11 (53m)

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