El Gouna International Day RD1: Evening Round-up

The El Gouna International 2023 kicks off today, with 32 matches across four courts at the El Gouna Squash Complex.

All four courts will be streamed live and you can watch all the action here.

We’ll have round-ups of the evening action and reaction from the winners below.

Ibrahim Beats Wildcard, Tong Fights Back, Mickawy and Alves Progress

Sana Ibrahim progressed to the second round of the El Gouna International having defeated tournament wildcard Nour Khafagy 3-1.

Ibrahim, who’s ranked 181 places higher than Khafagy, was ahead after taking the first 11-6 only for the 16-year-old Egyptian to pull a game back to restore parity.

However Ibrahim’s experience told when she restored her advantage with an 11-3 victory before comfortably securing a second round spot by winning the fourth 11-1.

“It was very tough, she had nothing to lose and I was very nervous,” she said.

“I was only playing from the back, which is not my game at all. But after I lost the second game, my coach Yasser told me you have got to relax, play your game, so I tried and relaxed, starting to play at the front of the court more, not overthinking too much.

“I was telling my coach between the games that I really couldn’t feel the ball, couldn’t feel my shots, that I couldn’t control my ball. My drop shots were so high, and my shots were so passive. And he kept telling me to relax, to let go.

“I’m playing another Egyptian tomorrow, it will be my first time playing against her, Yathreb Adel. We played once in a local tournament in Egypt, but never on PSA, and that’s completely different. 

“She is just a skilled player, I’ve got to have my boasts really strong, close to the walls because she will be attacking from the volley. I’ll have to move her around the court. The first match is always very tough, but hopefully, I’ll be able to relax a bit more tomorrow, now I’m in the mood of the tournament.”

Tsz-Wing Tong came from behind to see off Marie Stephan to reach the second round, while Zeina Mickawy and Melissa Alves cruised into the next round following 3-0 triumphs.

“I hadn’t been winning for so long. I lost my last matches, I am struggling physically and it’s affecting me mentally for sure. But I keep trying until I get it right, I would like to feel 100% again. But that’s something beyond my control,” Mickawy said afterwards.

“So I have to keep trying, keep pushing. And I’m happy to win today and to playing my squash. 

“At the moment, I’m training with Ahmed Shohayeb when I’m in Alexandria and Engy Kheirallah when in Cairo.”

Results
Sana Ibrahim (EGY) bt [WC] Nour Khafagy (EGY) 3-1: 11-6, 8-11, 11-3, 11-1 (38m)
Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) bt Marie Stephan (FRA) 3-1: 16-18, 11-9, 11-9, 11-7 (51m)
Zeina Mickawy (EGY) bt Cindy Merlo (SUI) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-5 (20m)
Melissa Alves (FRA) bt Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) 3-0: 12-10, 11-3, 11-5 (26m)

ElSherbini Battles Back, 3-0 Victories for Bonmalais, Ghosal and Kandra

Mohamed ElSherbini fought back from a two-game deficit to beat Cesar Salazar 3-2 to secure a round two spot.

Salazar edged a tiebreak in the opening game 13-11 before doubling his advantage with an 11-6 success in the second.

However ElSherbini clicked into gear, taking an 11-3 win to get himself back into the contest and then levelling the match in the fourth.

The confidence was flowing for the World No.17, who sealed his place in the next round with an 11-3 victory in the decider.

Meanwhile, there were straight sets triumphs for Sebastien Bonmalais, Suarav Ghosal and Raphael Kandra, defeating Todd Harrity, Faraz Khan and Nick Wall, respectively.

“A good start in the event I would say,” Bonmalais said.

“I’m rather happy with my performance. I was able to play with good intensity, good accuracy and I well quickly in the match as well.

“The second game is crucial to cut any velleity he could have had to come back in the match. Happy with the way I handled the end of the game. It’s all positive, it’s a good result after a hard training.”

Results
Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) bt Cesar Salazar (MEX) 3-2: 11-13, 6-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-3 (60m)
Sebastien Bonmalais (FRA) bt Todd Harrity (USA) 3-0: 11-4, 12-10, 11-6 (44m)
Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt Faraz Khan (USA) 3-0: 11-9, 11-4, 11-4 (30m)
Raphael Kandra (GER) bt Nick Wall (ENG) 3-0: 11-4, 12-10, 11-3 (32m)

Metwally Advances in Five, Villard and Shahin Notch 3-1 Wins, Moataz Cruises Into Round Two

Egyptian Mariam Metwally came from 2-1 down to seal a second round place at the expense of Georgia Adderley.

The pair, facing each other for the first time on the PSA World Tour, played out a 71-minute battle, which included a lengthy injury break for Metwally in the fourth following a collision with Adderley.

Metwally’s opening game win was cancelled out by Adderley tying the match before going 2-1 ahead having won the third 11-7.

With the scores locked at six-all in the fourth, a collision between Adderley and Metwally halted the match for a lengthy period.

Metwally returned to court and levelled the match before edging a close fifth to prevail in 71 minutes.

“I had a metatarsal fracture and I couldn’t play squash for two months, I was not sure to play this one, but I realised I really wanted to. Also, it’s hard to balance my squash and the preparation of the wedding,” she said.

“So today, the plan was to try to win! Just go on court and win. I had never played Georgia before, never saw her play either. She is a good player, she moves very well, she is fast too, with nice hands.

“Today I was just trying to stay focused as much as I can, it worked but it was a big first round to be honest.”

Elsewhere, Enora Villard defeated Emily Whitlock who retired in the fourth due to injury, Nadine Shahin beat Ineta Mackevica 3-1 while Hana Moataz recorded a 3-0 victory against Grace Gear for a second round spot.

Moataz said post-match: “I finished my Uni studies exactly one year today! So it was my first year full time on the Tour.

“I’m really happy I won today, I haven’t done Gouna since I left for the States for my studies, so it was very important for me. So really happy to be here.

“I’m definitely happy with what I’ve done this year so far. I climbed the rankings a bit but I know there is much more I can do.

“I have now moved back from Boston and I’m now in Cairo, and I’m coached by Omar Abdel Aziz. 

“Tomorrow, looking forward to playing Farida (Mohamed], as last time we played was in College and it’s very different on PSA, hoping it’s going to be a good match.”

Results
Mariam Metwally (EGY) bt Georgia Adderley (SCO) 3-2: 11-9, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9 (71m)
Enora Villard (FRA) bt Emily Whitlock (WAL) 3-1: 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 2-3 retired (44m)
Hana Moataz (EGY) bt Grace Gear (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 11-9 (27m)
Nadine Shahin (EGY) bt Ineta Mackevica (LAT) 3-1: 11-5, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6 (28m)

Ibrahim Comes From Behind, Waller Stuns Marche, Mosaad and Elnawasany Advance in Three

Youssef Ibrahim came from one game down to defeat Nathan Lake and book his place in round two.

It was the first time the duo had faced off since the World Championships in 2022 where Ibrahim came out on top, but it was Lake who got the better start – winning the first 11-9.

However Ibrahim found his rhythm to restore parity, taking the second 11-7, and confidence was high for the Egyptian as he clinched the third and fourth games 11-3 and 11-9.

“I feel pretty good. My last tournament was the last one where I started to play completely free and moving as well as I want to without thinking about any pains or niggles,” he said.

“I was moving really well today, but I think my squash wasn’t the best. He [Nathan Lake] dictated his game plan for most of the match and credit to him for that, but I was able to win the second and the fourth otherwise it would have been a toss of a coin. He’s been playing really well with some good squash lately and to beat him in four is a positive for me moving forward. 

“I was 6-4 up and then I made some crucial errors and the momentum shifted his way and he was playing really well and it was hard to get a point off him. It was close and I knew I wasn’t doing anything too badly wrong, but mentally it was just about keeping it together and I was able to do that.” 

World No.35 Adrian Waller produced one of the shock results of the day as he knocked World No.18 Gregoire Marche out in the opening round.

The Englishman beat the French No.3 3-1, and Waller will face Paul Coll in the second round tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Egyptian duo Omar Mosaad and Yahya Elnawasany were winners in three games, taking out Shahjahan Khan and Ramit Tandon, respectively.

Former World No.3 Mosaad said afterwards: “Amr Khaled is training me and pushing me and it looks like my squash is back to my best momentum. He knows me very well, and he knows how to press the buttons to get the best out of me.

“Sometimes we have tough matches like when I lost against Asal 11-8 in the 5^th; it’s a bit frustrating but it proves you are on the right tracks.

“This event is the last one of the season, so I want to give it all that I have, tomorrow, against Saurav Ghosal, I will push 100%. We are the same age, he is maybe one year older than me, but we know each other’s game well. 

“Tomorrow will be about who is playing the best squash, with the best tactic, and you know, now, anyone can beat anyone if he is in a good day.”

Results
Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt Nathan Lake (ENG) 3-1: 9-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-9 (45m)
Adrian Waller (ENG) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 3-1: 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7 (61m)
Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) bt Ramit Tandon (IND) 3-0: 13-11, 11-5, 11-5 (28m)
Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Shahjahan Khan (USA) 3-0: 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 (37m)