Gohar Progresses To Semi-Finals In Straight-Game Win Over Weaver

Egypt’s Nouran Gohar defeated USA’s Olivia Weaver in an exciting 3-0 encounter to start proceedings on the second day of the 2024 El Gouna International quarter-finals.

On their 10 previous meetings on the PSA Tour, the Egyptian has on all occasions, most recently in the recent Black Ball Squash Open final.

The US No.1 struggled to contain the Egyptian in the first game as she stormed to a decisive lead with a number of long rallies going in Gohar’s favour before winning the game 11-4.

The American kept pace with her Egyptian opponent in game two with the pair producing physical rallies trading points to 8-8. The Egyptian pushed on to earn two game balls, but Weaver rallied and brought about a tense tie-break where both players had game balls. It was Gohar who took the chance at 12-11 to claim a 2-0 advantage.

Gohar looked as dominant in the start of the third game as she did in game one, cruising to a commanding 5-0 lead. Weaver refocused and managed restore parity at 6-6. After a brief blood injury break at 8-6 in favour of the Egyptian, Weaver forced a tie-break, but Gohar’s quality shone through as she won the game 12-10 to progress to the semi-finals.

Afterwards, Gohar said: “It’s hard [from a ref’s] perspective. Sometimes they think we’re not looking to play the ball but I walloped her three times and didn’t want to hit her a fourth time obviously.

“It was a bit hard to deal with, with three calls to go to tie breaks.

“The conditions are very hot and you have to keep your head cool. It wasn’t easy.”

On having a close friend help coach her, she said: “Mohamed was a top junior, one year above me. Very talented and very fast as well. He wasn’t really coaching but he always had really good eyes for squash and I always like to use the potential of having a good friend. It’s a different dynamic as I’ve never had a coach my age.

“It’s very enjoyable and he’s very calm, so different to I am – I’m pretty intense. Sometimes he sees things I don’t see.

“World No.1 is amazing, and it’s harder [than winning a world championships]. Being world champion is amazing but you just need to be on your best for one week.

“But World No.1, I’ve ticked the box and I’d do everything to come back but World Champion is top of the list now.”

For updates on the El Gouna International Squash Open 2024, visit the PSA website or follow the PSA on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Result:
[2] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [5] Olivia Weaver (USA) 3-0: 11-4, 13-11, 12-10 (58m)