Paris Squash QF: El Hammamy Fights Back To Defeat Aboelkheir In Thrilling Five-Game Duel

World No.3 Hania El Hammamy survived a huge scare as she fought back from 2-1 down to defeat Egyptian compatriot Fayrouz Aboelkheir and advance to the Paris Squash semi-finals. 

El Hammamy, who twice came from behind during the thrilling encounter, was at her battling best to claim a 9-11, 11-2, 11-13, 11-9, 11-8 victory and set-up a semi-final meeting with long-time rival Nouran Gohar. 

The No.3 seed struggled to deal with the wide variety of attacks which Aboelkheir possessed in her armoury the early stages of the match, with the teenager finishing points with deadly accuracy whenever an open ball presented itself. 

El Hammamy bounced back after falling a game behind though, utilising her straight drop great effect, keeping the court closed off and limiting the options of her opponents, levelling proceedings by a 11-2 scoreline. 

The see-saw nature of the match continued in the subsequent two games, with both players looking to instil their own tactics on the match. It was 18-year-old Aboelkheir who moved 2-1 up though, and within reach oof her maiden Platinum semi-final.

However, El Hammamy refused to go down without a fight, drawing on her big-game experience to take an early lead in the fifth and close out the match by an 11-8 scoreline.

Result: 

[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) 3-2: 9-11, 11-2, 11-13, 11-9, 11-8