Black Ball Open Semi-Finals: El Hammamy Beats Sobhy In Five

Egypt’s World No.3 Hania El Hammamy is into the final of the Black Ball Squash Open after winning a topsy-turvy encounter with US No.1 Amanda Sobhy.

Just a point into the contest, and there was a brief pause as El Hammamy seemed to roll her ankle. She continued, but seemed slightly uneasy on it through the early part of the first game. She found herself 8-5 down, but fought through to win 11-8 with some perfect winners late in the game.

The American came out fighting in the second, and her short play was exquisite at times. She had El Hammamy moving round the court, and was able to fire off some quick winner in the middle part of the game to draw level, winning it 11-6 to tie the contest at one game apiece.

A quick start from the World No.3 saw her take the opening three points of the third in less than a minute. Sobhy kept within touching distance, but El Hammamy’s pace and power were both in sync to keep her far enough in front to be comfortable. Some big roars from the Egyptian fired herself, and the partizan home crowd up throughout the game, and although Sobhy saved three game balls, El Hammamy was able to move into a 2-1 lead in the contest.

Sobhy was incredible in the fourth game, moving the Egyptian around with ease. Playing with masterful control, she was able to cruise to the fourth game to send the match into a decider. However, it was the World No.3 that started quickly in the fifth, winning the first seven points in no time at all, with the game break seeming to bring her back to life. ‘The Leopard’ went on to clinch it 11-3 to book her spot in the final, where she will take on rival and World No.1 Nouran Gohar.

“I’m not very pleased with the way I played but I’m definitely happy to be able to fight and get through it even when it wasn’t my best day,” the World No.3 said.

“All credit to her, she’s been playing really well all week and I think she was really good tactically as well, so I had to adapt in each game. In every game I was trying to do something different because she was throwing everything at me.

“It’s always a tough match against Nouran. She’s the World No.1 and is very experienced. I need to be ready and focused for tomorrow.”

Result:
[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [5] Amanda Sobhy (USA) 3-2: 11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-3 (55m)