Windy City Open 2024 Presented By The Walter Family QF: Defending Champion Gohar Dominates Weaver

Defending champion Nouran Gohar booked her spot in the Windy City Open semi-finals, outplaying Olivia Weaver from start to finish in a dominant 3-0 win. 

Both players are coached by Australian squash icon Rod Martin, who was staying impartial throughout, remaining in the crowd between games and not advising either player. 

Instead, Gohar had Haitham Effat in her corner, and the Egyptian coach – who had flown in from San Franscisco for this match – would have been pleased with the way his charge started, taking game one in 12 minutes when Weaver snatched at a forehand volley and found the tin. 

Weaver had England’s Gina Kennedy coaching her between games, but the World No.9 was powerless to preventing the American falling two games behind.

A ferocious forehand kill moved Gohar into a 4-1 lead in game two, with the fast and frantic nature of play suiting the hard-hitting Egyptian. 

Weaver was struggling to read her opponent, who was barely putting a foot wrong, winning game two in only eight minutes on a backhand boast. 

As the only remaining American player left in the draw, Weaver had the crowd on her side, and they showed their appreciation for a soft backhand kill that brought the 28-year-old level at 4-4 in game three. 

A backhand drop gave Weaver an 8-7 lead a few rallies later, but that would be the last point she’d win, as Gohar reeled off four points on the bounce to clinch victory. 

“It’s tough to play against Olivia,” she said after her win. 

“We share the same coach so it’s never easy, but I’m very pleased with the way I played, with my performance in general, and the tactics. I think I managed to execute the game plan well and so far, I’m happy. 

“I’ve been working with Haitham for almost a year now and it really helps to have him as well. I’m really grateful to have Rod and Haitham with me, both the best calibre of coach in general, so having Haitham obviously really, really helped today. 

“I’m glad that he could make it. He flew all the way from San Fransisco just to be with me, hopefully during these coming days as well, at the end of the tournament. I really want to make them proud this week so I’m very happy that I have them.  

“I also have my physiotherapist, Francisco, and my fitness coach from Egypt, and I have a family friend supporting me all the way as well, so it feels great to be playing here. 

“I love it here in Chicago. Having this huge support of the Walter family is very big for our sport, but I personally really appreciate this. The club members are extremely nice, and it feels like home. 

“I think I’ve played this tournament since I was 15 years old, so that has been 11 or 12 years now that I’ve come back. It’s just crazy when you think about the numbers and it doesn’t feel that way to be honest, it feels like I’ve maybe played it two or three times, so proof that I’m getting old.” 

Result: 
[2] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [8] Olivia Weaver (USA) 3-0: 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 (42m)