Featured News
Black Ball Squash Open: Quarter-Finals – Player Reaction
We’re down to the quarter-finals of the Black Ball Squash Open, as play gets underway from 12:00 (GMT+2) at the Black Ball Sporting Club.
All eight matches will be available to watch live on SQUASHTV, while you can keep track of the live scores here.
We will be bringing you reports and reaction from the winners below.
Order of Play
Defending Champion Gohar Progresses to Semi-Finals
Reigning champion and World No.1 Nouran Gohar moved a step closer to retaining her title after overcoming World No.8 Sarah-Jane Perry 3-1.
Gohar was forced into a tiebreak in the opening game after Perry saved game ball, however the Egyptian’s power got her over the line to claim the first 13-11.
It was a blistering start for Gohar in the second when she stormed into a 6-0 lead, but the tenacious Perry responded magnificently to bring the score back to seven-all.
The Englishwoman’s positive and calculated shot selection helped her draw level to win the second game 11-8.
But Gohar reclaimed her lead in the third with a dominant 11-3 triumph as the World No.1 diffused the momentum from Perry, before booking her semi-final spot in the fourth with an 11-4 win.
“SJ is one of the most experienced and skilful players on tour,” said Gohar afterwards.
“I knew it was going to be easy. Being the World No.1 and No.1 seed, I’ve never really played a 12 o’clock match, it’s usually my nap time after two training sessions. I knew it was going to be a tricky match, all credit to her and she played really well.
“I wasn’t playing the best squash ever, but I’m pleased with the way I dealt with the match and won in the end.
“As a professional athlete in any sport, you always want to improve. I don’t have a very easy coach, he’s a tough one and he’s a perfectionist. We’re always looking into small details either during the tournament or in general.
“One of the reasons I started working with Rod [Martin] is because I felt he could improve my game. I’m always trying to improve and I’m never satisfied, I want to become a better player every day.”
Result
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [7] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 3-1: 13-11, 9-11, 11-3, 11-4 (48m)
Momen Fights Back from 2-1 Down To Reach Final Four
World No.7 Tarek Momen overturned a 2-1 deficit to advance to the last four by defeating his fellow countryman and World No.10 Fares Dessouky.
Dessouky came into his ninth meeting with Momen nursing a minor abdominal tear, which looked to be restricting his movement around court as Momen went one game up.
But errors from Momen in the second with his short play proved to be costly as Dessouky responded well to level the match, winning 11-9.
A commanding display from Dessouky in the third helped him go in front for the first time, comfortably clinching the third 11-2 to move into a promising position.
Momen requested the new ball at the end of the third game as the World No.7 looked to find a way back into the contest. Dessouky looked on course to earning a semi-final spot after battling through the pain barrier with three match balls, but Momen bounced back to save all three and send it into a tiebreak.
Dessouky then had a further four opportunities to seal the match only for Momen to save those too to make it 2-2 as he claimed the fourth 17-15.
Momen’s momentum from the end of the fourth carried over into the decider with an early lead, only for Dessouky to respond where he saved match ball before having an eighth match ball opportunity himself.
But Momen dug deep once again to take the fifth and progress to the semi-finals with a 13-11 victory.
“I’m definitely proud of the effort I put in,” said Momen.
“I don’t think I played the best squash match of my career but it was very difficult. He (Dessouky) was struggling with his movement at the start of the match and it confused me a little bit as to how I should approach the game. His back started to loosen up and he started to move much better and I was struggling to get into it.
“I don’t think I played the best squash but I’m very proud of the effort and the way I dug in. I’ve been struggling physically for the past six or seven months and I’m only just starting to get back to the level that I used to be at.
“I’ve got to say, I’m quite disappointed with what happened towards the end of the match. Fares is a good friend of mine but he was a bit disrespectful to me towards the end. I’m sure it was in the heat of the moment and I’m sure in an hour or so he’ll realise he was very disrespectful to me.
“I’m sure we will sort it out, but for now I’m disappointed. If he is upset with anything I’ve done, I apologise in advance. I think he’s upset that I may have taken a point that I didn’t deserve, I thought I hit him, I definitely hit something and the ball went to the floor.
“I tried to watch it on the video, I saw some contact but not that well. I could not dispute the decision, I was given a stroke and the video ref saw that I hit something. I hope he watches it back and realises that he needed to treat me a bit better than this.
“At the end of the day, I’m happy with the match. It’s a good win for me, I haven’t had many good wins in the past few months, so I’ll take it, I’m very happy.”
Result
[7] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Fares Dessouky (EGY) 3-2: 11-8, 9-11, 2-11, 17-15, 13-11 (89m)
King Cruises Into Semi-Final
No.4 seed Joelle King will meet reigning champion Nouran Gohar in the semi-finals as she dispatched No.8 seed Georgina Kennedy in straight games.
It was the third time the pair had met on the PSA World tour, both with a victory each to their names, with King winning the recent encounter at last year’s CIB PSA World Tour Finals.
King, who saw off Nada Abbas 3-0 in the second round, was accurate and calculated in her play as she opened up a two-game lead with 11-5 and 11-6 wins over the Englishwoman.
Kennedy, whose enjoyed a purple patch at the start of 2023, led 8-4 in what was the ideal response to going two games down.
But King remained composed to fight back magnificently to take the third 11-9 where she will take on the current holder of the Black Ball Open Squash title.
Afterwards, King said: “If you look at Gina’s results so far this season, being 2-0 down means nothing to her.
“I was very aware of that and at 8-4 I didn’t want to give her any confidence. Even if I was going to lose that game I wanted to find a way back into it. I think I played that 9-9 point pretty well and just stayed strong until the end of the match.
“I don’t like being one of the three bridesmaids to the winner and that’s happened on quite a few occasions. This year I’m just enjoying playing squash. I think it’s quite a challenge facing someone like Gina who is so physically strong, she’s one of our future stars, for sure.
“I like playing on this court, I think it suits my game and it’s quite fast off the front wall. I’m just trying to see what I can do.
“She [Gohar] is class. She’s No.1 in the world for a reason. We’ve had some really tough battles over the years and she’s come out on top in the last five.
“Being up against the World No.1 in the semi-finals of a big event is always exciting and I’ll see what I can do.”
Result
[4] Joelle King (NZL) bt [8] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-9 (32m)
Makin Takes Out Another Seed To Earn Semi-Final Berth
Joel Makin followed up his terrific second round win as he came from 2-1 down to dispatch Marwan ElShorbagy in an entertaining contest that went the distance.
Makin, who defeated the No.2 seed Paul Coll in the previous round, went ahead when he saved three game balls before winning the first 14-12 in the tiebreak.
ElShorbagy, who marked his 450th PSA World Tour match with a victory over Sebastien Bonmalais in round two, responded positively in the second to open up a five-point lead only for Makin to surge back.
ElShorbagy, however, made no mistake this time with three game balls, converting at the first attempt. The Egyptian began to turn the screw in the third, which he closed out 11-8 to give himself a valuable 2-1 lead.
But Makin dug deep to make it all square despite ElShorbagy saving two of Makin’s four game balls to force a fifth game.
The quality of squash on display from both players didn’t let up in the decider despite over 70 minutes gone on the clock. Eventually, though, it was Makin who prevailed to reach the semi-finals and to take out another seeded player, clinching the fifth 11-8 after 93 minutes of exhilarating action.
“That was a pretty big push,” Makin said.
“I was struggling at the start of the fifth, he was getting in front of me and was playing the better squash. I had to dig. There was no other way out.
“I had to run in the straight drops better but he was really squeezing me at times. It was a really good, high-quality battle. There wasn’t much interference for a 90-minute match, it was good.
“I’m in a good place. When I’m like that physically I can push and I can get through these top guys. If I can get those straight drops in and work it in well then I can cause problems for them no matter how well they’re playing.”
Result
Joel Makin (WAL) bt [6] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) 3-2: 14-12, 7-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8 (93m)
El Hammamy Downs Gilis
Egypt’s Hania El Hammamy secured a semi-final berth by downing Tinne Gilis of Belgium 3-1.
El Hammamy, who’s now won all six encounters with Gilis, was in a determined mood in the opener as she nudged ahead following a clinical 11-3 win.
Gilis landed the perfect riposte as she dominated the second game and, despite El Hammamy saving two of eight game balls, Gilis levelled the match at the third attempt.
But El Hammamy, who won the tournament three years ago, took the third and fourth games 11-7 and 11-4 with convincing performances to reach the last four.
The Egyptian will face either Amanda Sobhy or her compatriot Nour El Sherbini in the semi-final.
“It was very entertaining, indeed,” El Hammamy said.
“We both like to get the ball back and it’s always physical. We gave it our all today and I’m definitely pleased with the way I was able to change my game plan and find a way after she got the second.
“I feel with every round I’m improving and finding the right balance and right shots on court. Every court is different and Black Ball is such a bouncy court.
“They [El Sherbini and Sobhy] are both incredible players. I enjoy watching and playing against them. Hopefully it’s going to be a good match, I’m going to watch it and get ready for tomorrow.
“I’m very grateful to have my family, my friends and my coaches here and I really appreciate their support.”
Result
[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Tinne Gilis (BEL) 3-1: 11-3, 4-11, 11-7, 11-4 (40m)
Undefeated Elias Reaches Semi-Final
World No.2 Diego Elias overcame a resilient World No.9 Mazen Hesham 3-1 to claim a place in the last four.
Elias, who’s undefeated in 2023, was moving around the court smoothly in the first game and comfortably had seven game balls, which was converted at the first time of asking.
However Hesham rose to the occasion on his home court, producing some excellent shots as the confidence was flowing to restore parity with an 11-5 victory in the second.
The silky squash from Hesham carried over to the opening exchanges of the third, but a 4-0 lead was soon pegged back to 5-5 by Elias with an excellent recovery in front a boisterous crowd backing Hesham.
Elias took the third 11-6, and his semi-final place was sewn up in the fourth game with another 11-6 triumph to extend his impressive unbeaten streak.
“I really don’t like playing Mazen, I like to be in a rhythm but he makes me run way too much and holds every single ball, so it’s really tough,” said Elias.
“I’m happy I stayed positive after that second game and even after a bad start in the third I managed to come back. I’m happy with the way I fought and hopefully tomorrow it will be better.
“This could have been a semi or anything. It’s good to have a match like this and win it. It wasn’t that long but it was a fast pace, hopefully it helps me for the rest of the tournament.
“I think my head wasn’t there at the start of games, I played stupid shots and I want to fix that for my next matches. If I start like that these players are going to beat me.
“I have to go on court more focused and hopefully I can do that tomorrow.”
Result
[3] Diego Elias (PER) bt [8] Mazen Hesham (EGY) 3-1: 11-3, 5-11, 11-6, 11-6 (45m)
Sobhy Topples El Sherbini
World No.5 Amanda Sobhy scored a big upset to progress to the semi-finals, beating World No.2 Nour El Sherbini for the first time in two and a half years in a five-game thriller.
Sobhy showed great resilience to topple the six-time World Champion, with her last victory over El Sherbini coming at the same stage of the same tournament back in December 2020.
El Sherbini, whose hand was heavily strapped due to a broken finger, came from behind in the first to seal the game for the lead.
Sobhy stepped up to the plate to deny El Sherbini from extending her lead to 2-0 when she saved game ball to force a tiebreak, which she went on to win 13-11.
El Sherbini had two opportunities for game ball in the third but was once again thwarted by Sobhy to force another tiebreak. But on this occasion El Sherbini clinched the game 12-10 to go back into the driving seat.
An excellent win for Sobhy in the fourth sent the entertaining contest into a fifth, decisive game as the USA’s No.1 was able to fend off a fightback from El Sherbini to notch her first win over the World No.2 in two and a half years to reach the last four.
“I’m at a loss right now,” said Sobhy afterwards.
“I felt like I had a good chance, she beat me at the ToC but I had patches where I played really well. It was more about staying positive and being able to play that way from start to finish. I did that tonight, which I’m proud of.
“Last time I beat her was here in December 2020 and I won it on a stroke. I know you want a good ending, but I’ll take what I can get and I’m really happy to be able to redeem myself and play the squash that I know that I’m capable of.
“The top three are the top three for a reason. I haven’t played her [El Hammamy] in a while and it’s great that I get an opportunity tomorrow. I’m going to recover, get together a solid game plan with my team and coach Wael [El Hindi].
“I’m going to be ready for tomorrow, I know she’s a fierce competitor, but so am I.”
Result
[5] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt [2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 3-2: 9-11, 13-11, 10-12, 11-6, 11-8 (62m)
ElShorbagy Sees Off Farag In Straight Games
No. 5 seed Mohamed ElShorbagy defeated No. 2 seed Ali Farag in straight games to book the last semi-final spot.
ElShorbagy was relentless in his pursuit of a place in the last four, not giving Farag an opportunity to get a foothold in the match in the first two games.
It was a quick fire start to the opening game from both players, but ElShorbagy’s assertiveness gave him five game balls and, despite Farag saving two, it was third time lucky for ElShorbagy to go one game up.
Another rapid start from ElShorbagy in the second as he showed no sign of slowing down, storming into a 7-1 lead before notching a second win for a commanding lead.
Farag slowed down ElShorbagy in the third, going toe-to-toe with his opponent and saving both match balls to send the game nto a tiebreak.
However ElShorbagy, who claimed his first win over Farag since 2021, pushed through to earn a semi-final clash with Diego Elias.
Post-match, ElShorbagy said: “I told Ali at the end of the match that I need him back because I’m back.
“Last season I was not there at all, I didn’t play a good season while he did. We’re the two biggest rivals on tour right now, we’re the two biggest names on tour right now. It’s credit to us because it’s the first time we’ve met before a final since Qatar 2017.
“It’s a different mentality playing him today knowing that tomorrow the winner has to play another match. The last 12 or 13 times we’ve played have been in finals. It shows the consistency we’ve had over the past four or five years together.
“We’ve played each other at the highest level, we’ve played in each venue in each venue and it’s always good to go on court with him even if he’s not 100 per cent. You can see he’s playing better every game, but when you play Ali, he still has his presence.
“When I played Gawad yesterday, you still have to play Gawad. It doesn’t matter if he’s on one leg or not, he has his presence, his charisma, his character. When you play players like these, they don’t have to be at their best for you to fear them.
“That’s what Ali has, and that’s what I have. I think it’s out 26th time playing each other and I look forward to playing him way more times hopefully.
“It’s a tournament that I haven’t played much in my career, it’s only my third or fourth time. I missed quite a few because I couldn’t play events in Egypt and this tournament only started a bit later in my career. This is a court that hasn’t gone well with my game over the years and I kept losing in the quarters.
“I’ve had to figure out where it was going wrong. I’ve had to make a few changes with my team, I have David Campion here, my England Squash national coach. We’re here on a mission to win an event here in Egypt and I really hope we can keep this form up.”
Result
[5] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) bt [2] Ali Farag (EGY) 3-0: 11-7, 11-3, 16-14 (39m)
