Paris Squash 2023 Finals: El Sherbini Claims First Platinum Title of The Season

Nour El Sherbini came from one game down to defeat Nouran Gohar 3-1 to clinch the first Platinum tournament of the season and secure a return to World No.1.

El Sherbini, the reigning World Champion, was locking horns with Gohar for the title in Paris but also for the World No.1 crown.

In 27 meetings between the two Egyptians, it’s El Sherbini who has the upperhand with 19 victories but it was Gohar who drew first blood.

‘The Terminator’ trailed 6-1 to the ‘Warrior Princess’, but Gohar soared back to 9-7 in front to put herself in the driving seat and she emphatically converted game ball at the first attempt.

The tables turned in the second as Gohar took a 3-0 lead, but El Sherbini clicked into gear and went on a rampaging eight-point run before levelling the match with an 11-4 win.

Having trailed 4-1, Gohar pulled herself back to 5-4 ahead with patches of points from both players following in a closely-fought battle. However it was El Sherbini who held her nerve when it mattered most to nudge in front for the first time.

With El Sherbini in her groove going into a crucial fourth game for both players, a valuable five-point cushion at 9-4 up made it a tough mountain for Gohar to climb as El Sherbini closed it out to seal the title and her return to the summit of the Women’s game.

“I lost focus and I only won one point from 6-1 and lost the game 11-7,” said El Sherbini afterwards.

“I was frustrated after the first game and I was 3-0 down in the second and I just wanted to focus, keep playing point after point and regroup. 

“It’s very obvious now that I love to play a drop shot! Every player know now I’m going to play a drop shot so I try to have a lot of variety with my shots.

“Not only drop, but I sometimes need to think of different shots and I tried to change them whenever I had the opportunity.”

Result
[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) 3-1: 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-5 (58m)