U.S. Open: El Sherbini Downs El Hammamy To Take Title

Nour El Sherbini has been crowned the 2023 U.S. Open presented by TRUIST champion for the first time in her illustrious career after overcoming Hania El Hammamy 3-0.

El Sherbini had been unsuccessful on four previous occasions in the U.S. Open final, but she made it fifth time lucky this time as she produced a stellar performance to take the title against her fellow Egyptian.

El Sherbini and El Hammamy met in the last Platinum level final at the Qatar Classic in September, and it was the latter who was victorious on that occasion in a five-game thriller.

Reigning World Champion El Sherbini got the perfect start to the first game as she went 5-1 up, but El Hammamy, who had been given a conduct warning in the opening exchanges, began to step up the court to take the ball in early.

The deficit was cut down to two points when El Hammamy was 7-5 down, but El Sherbini proved to be too strong to draw first blood.

El Sherbini was too clinical once again for El Hammamy, with the World No.1 not allowing the World No.3 to find her rhythm and forcing a number of errors to take the second 11-6.

The ‘Warrior Princess’ had risen to the occasion extremely well, as El Sherbini was faultless in the third with El Hammamy struggling to find an answer to what was being thrown at her.

El Hammamy saved one of four championship balls, but El Sherbini converted at the second time of asking to seal her maiden U.S. Open crown.

“I don’t think anyone expected to play like this,” said El Sherbini.

“I wasn’t playing the best all week, but luckily I’ve had Greg [Gaultier] here telling me it doesn’t matter how you’re playing – it’s about if you’re winning and that’s important. It’s more important you play the best squash when it matters. I’m really glad I played like this.

“It’s always tough and I know everyone was waiting for the same match today [than the Qatar Classic 2023 final]. Hania [El Hammamy] wasn’t playing her best, I had my chances and I didn’t want to give any cheap points.

“I think I played well and maybe that’s why she wasn’t at her best, but she kept fighting until the last point. If she had a chance she could win. When I was 2-0 up, she came back and I didn’t want to do the same again.”

Result
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 3-0: 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 (35m)