Black Ball Open QF: Impressive El Tayeb Defeats Hany In Three 

No.3 seed Nour El Tayeb produced a superb display to see off the threat of Egyptian compatriot Salma Hany and advance to the Black Ball Open semi-finals. 

El Tayeb was at her relentless best during the tight three-game victory, neutralising Hany’s attacking weapons throughout the match with some impressive court coverage. 

The match started in cagey fashion, as both players got a feel for the match, trading points up to 6-6. However, despite No.6 seed Hany taking a 9-7 lead, it was a El Tayeb who upped her game at the crucial moments, drawing parity before producing a sublime backhand volley kill into the nick to move a game up. 

Hany continued to try stretch the court for El Tayeb in the second, looking to hit powerfully into the back forehand corner before dropping the ball in short. The World No.11 moved into a 4-0 lead but once again saw El Tayeb come fighting back, with the 31-year-old’s confidence beginning to show as she doubled her lead in the match. 

El Tayeb only moved from strength to strength as the third progressed, taking an early lead and never letting Hany back in. The World No.5 sealed victory after 37 minutes of action to progress to the last four in Cairo. 

After the match, El Tayeb said: “We have played twice already this season, and it is 1-1 in the head-to-head, and we practise a lot together, so it is always tough. Salma is playing very well at the moment, and to win in three games is a huge bonus. 

“I think I gained more confidence in the third, so I’m definitely very happy. 

On her semi-final against one of Nouran Gohar or Nada Abbas, she added: “I just won my match, I don’t worry about my next match yet. Hopefully, it will be a good match and I will play well against whoever I play tomorrow.”

Result: 

[3] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [6] Salma Hany (EGY) 3-0: 11-9, 11-7, 11-6 (37m)