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CIB SQUASH OPEN BLACK BALL DAY ONE – PLAYER REACTION

12 December 2021

World-class squash returns to Egypt today, as round one of the women’s PSA World Tour Gold CIB Squash Open Black Ball gets underway at Cairo’s famous Black Ball Sporting Club.

You can stay up to date with all the latest reports and reaction from the players here.

Play begins at 12:00 (GMT) and there are plenty names for the home crowd to cheer for, including World No.15 Nadine Shahin, 19-year-old Farida Mohamed and wildcard Lojayn Gohary, while India’s World No.12 Joshna Chinappa, Belgium’s World No.14 Nele Gilis and Wales’ World No.16 Tesni Evans are also in action.

You can catch all the action live on SQUASHTV (worldwide).

Keep up with the live scores from the event here.

Order Of Play
(All times local GMT)

Exciting Mohamed through after downing Gilis

Egypt’s Farida Mohamed set up a second round clash with New Zealand No.5 seed Joelle King after besting Belgium’s Tinne Gilis in the day’s opening match.

World No.27 Mohamed started in her typically aggressive and high-risk style, constantly getting herself in front of Gilis and targeting winners, while the World No.21 opted to keep rallies long and pounce on errors.

In an even first game, it was Mohamed who got her toe in the door first with a hard-fought 11-9 win.

The 19-year-old followed this up with another 11-9, having recovered from 8-6 down.

Gilis reacted well in a quick fire third game, going on the attack and forcing her way back into the match with an 11-3 win.

The 24-year-old continued to attack in the fourth, and with the game tied at 11-11 the tension was palpable.

Eventually, though, Mohamed was able to strike the decisive blow, claiming the game 13-11 and the match 3-1.

After the match, Mohamed said: “Tinne’s very fit and I knew it was going to be a very tough match. She didn’t give me any easy shots and from the very first point to the very last she was pushing so hard.

“Even when I was 2-0 up she didn’t lose momentum and she kept pushing until the end. She managed to lift her game to build so much pressure.

“It’s my first time playing in Egypt after I left for the U.S. so I was really excited today. I think she was very focused in the third game and I was supposed to keep the momentum and not lose focus at all in the third, but I went on court and didn’t warm the ball up at all and it was so cold.

“It was very tough playing her to be honest, but I’m very positive with the way I played today. I managed to do 75 percent of the plan I’d planned today. I wasn’t very angry today, I was trying to keep my focus and I’m happy with this.”

Result:
Farida Mohamed (EGY) bt Tinne Gilis (BEL) 3-1: 11-9, 11-9, 3-11, 13-11 (45m)

Kennedy beats Turmel in all-England clash

Georgina Kennedy will face defending champion and fellow Englishwoman Sarah-Jane Perry in the second round after winning an all-English battle against Lucy Turmel.

Ahead of the match, much had been made of whether the cold court would suit the more attacking Turmel better. However, despite the court continuing to be unforgiving, it was Kennedy who adapted better, taking the first game 11-9.

The 24-year-old, playing in her first Black Ball tournament, continued to press in the second game and took a 4-1 lead, only for Turmel to wrestle back momentum with five unanswered points. As the rallies became longer and more intense, Kennedy took a commanding lead in the match with an 11-8 win.

Although Turmel pushed for a breakthrough in the third, Kennedy kept her concentration to see out the third game 11-7.

“This is my first Black Ball event, I’m really excited to be in Egypt and I’m so happy to be here.” Kennedy said afterwards.

She added: “There were a lot of nerves going into the match, because Lucy and I teammates and really good friends as well. We’ve played each other a lot recently. I know exactly what to expect of her and she knows exactly what to expect of me.

“I was very edgy. The court conditions were quite tough, for me. It was pretty dead on there. Lucy’s so solid with her short game and I was so edgy today and wasn’t really confident taking it in, so she really made me work for every point and at the end there I just felt like I had to extend the rallies and grind it out.

“I’m really relieved to get through! I’m not sure why [the court was so challenging], it’s early on in the day so maybe as more people come in it will heat up.

“I was struggling on there, which is annoying because I’m edgy sometimes and I’ve really been trying to work on that with my coach so I’m quite annoyed that I was so edgy going into this but I suppose it’s about getting the experience playing on these big stages. It’s really hard, I try to distract myself as much as possible and not think about it. I think Lucy’s the same, we had dinner together last night and breakfast this morning, just trying to make it less intense. But then when you go on you fight for the win.

“I’m just really happy to get through and face SJ tomorrow. I think [England Squash] is really competitive, I’m 24, so a bit older than Jasmine Hutton and Lucy Turmel who are coming up the ranks just as quickly, so it’s really good that we’ve got these young players.

“I played some juniors recently and they gave me a hard time, so I think there’s a lot of promise going into next summer and the Commonwealth Games as well.”

Result:
Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt Lucy Turmel (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 (42m)

Evans extends record against Mickawy

Wales’ Tesni Evans kept her nerve to extend her good form against Egypt’s Zeina Mickawy and secure a second round match with Egyptian No.8 seed Rowan Elaraby.

The World No.16 went into today’s match boasting a 3-0 PSA record against Mickawy and looked likely to extend that record after coming out on top 14-12 in a hugely competitive first game.

Mickawy, however, went into the second game looking by far the sharper of the pair and found parity with an 11-9 win, though she may feel she should have won more comfortably having led 10-4 at one stage.

Evans built on the momentum she had in the tail end of the last game to take the third 11-6, helped in no small part by a number of Mickawy errors.

In the fourth game, both players took up seemingly permanent positions on court, with Evans consistently playing long and Mickawy playing almost exclusively short.

While neither player were initially able to pull clear, eventually Evans broke away to take the game 11-7 and the match 3-1.

Afterwards, Evans said: “The problem is, she doesn’t give you a chance. She’s so difficult to play because you try and get into it, try and get long rallies going, try and make it physical, but that’s almost impossible at times because she’s either hitting a winner or she’s hitting the tin.

“It’s just so hard to play because she gives you zero rhythm and can hit ridiculous shots off balls that I thought weren’t too loose, although my dad will probably tell me the complete opposite when I speak to him later! I don’t feel like I played too badly, she’s just so hard to play against.

“I was trying to tell myself to control the ball a bit. It was flying around and there was no pattern to the game and it was a bit like playing front against back. She was hitting it short and I was trying to hit it deep. I was just trying to tell myself to stay in control and keep calm. I don’t know if I did that, but you’ve got to tell yourself at least!

“I always tell myself the most important thing is to enjoy it, because if I don’t enjoy it then there’s no point in playing.

“But for me, this week is a big week to prove to myself that I can play at this level. I’ve dropped down to 16 in the rankings which I’m unhappy with, but I’m deservedly where I am. I deserve to be there so my goal this week is to try and climb back up and get some good games and see where my training’s been leading and hope for a better 2022.”

Result:
Tesni Evans (WAL) bt Zeina Mickawy (EGY) 3-1: 14-12, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7 (43m)

Ramadan secures El Tayeb bout

Egyptian World No.33 Hana Ramadan will play returning legend Nour El Tayeb after shocking Canadian World No.18 Danielle Letourneau in four games.

Letourneau struggled with the conditions throughout and errors littered the 28-year-old’s performance, particularly during the first two games.

24-year-old Ramadan came charging out from the first moment, taking the first game 11-7 in seven minutes before seeing out a more even second, which she won 11-8.

There were signs that Letourneau was starting to find her stride towards the end of the second, and sure enough, the 28-year-old looked more like her usual self in a hugely entertaining third game. The Canadian appeared far more comfortable as she found her previously missing accuracy, deservedly forcing her way back into the match with an 11-6 win.

It initially appeared that Letourneau would continue her recovery in the fourth game, with the World No.18 looking strong in the early stages. Instead, however, it was Ramadan who responded and the Egyptian upped the pace to stun the Canadian 11-7 to seal a 3-1 win.

Reacting after the win, Ramadan said: “My nerves were all over the place, especially when I was up 2-0. I wanted to keep the pressure on but Danielle changed it up a bit and I had to respond. It took me a whole game to figure it out, but I’m really happy to have got the win in four.

“For me [the best tactic] is to stay calm and remember my game plan or go onto my plan B. It cost me one game but fortunately not two more! I just need to stay calm and remember how to keep the pressure on and keep the momentum going.

“[In the fourth game] I told myself I have to give it everything and I’m not leaving this court until I put everything out there. Thankfully it went my way!”

Result:
Hana Ramadan (EGY) bt Danielle Letourneau (CAN) 3-1: 11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 11-7 (40m)

Abbas cruises past Chinappa

World No.28 Nada Abbas upset Indian World No.12 Joshna Chinappa to progress to the second round, where she will play Egyptian compatriot and No.3 seed Hania El Hammamy.

Abbas looked much the sharper of the two in the first game, with the 21-year-old looking confident just eight days after winning the CIB Egyptian Challenger Tour 5.

The Egyptian played positively from the beginning, particularly on the forehand, and took the first game 11-8.

Chinappa continued to struggle to find her length in the second game, which Abbas took 11-6 to earn a commanding lead going into game three.

Once again, Chinappa was unable to resist the potent combination of accuracy and power brought by Abbas. Although the former World No.10 produced a battling performance, Abbas’ vicious forehand and backhand combinations proved ultimately too much, and the Egyptian emerged the victor with an 11-7 win.

Afterwards, Abbas said: “I’m really happy to get this win today, even if it took a-year-and-a-half [after my last] on this court. Better late than never, I’m really happy to get the win today.

“I had a tough year this year and at the end of last year, so to be honest in the last few months I’ve just been focused on enjoying my game, trying to play my best and enjoy what I’m doing. Because if I’m not enjoying what I’m doing, then it’s useless! For now, I’m enjoying my squash, or trying to enjoy, and trying to play my best and not focus on the results or rankings.

“I’ve been trying before I play to not overhit the ball and instead focus on my shots. I’m really happy that I’m enjoying it and I’m really happy that I’m playing well. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s match!”

Result:
Nada Abbas (EGY) bt Joshna Chinappa (IND) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 (35m)

Gilis through after Adel retires hurt

Belgium’s Nele Gilis will face World No.1 Nour El Sherbini after an injury to opponent Yathreb Adel cut short what had been an entertaining match.

Gilis took the first game 11-6, with Adel appearing to be carrying an injury towards the end of the game.

Although the Egyptian continued to struggle with her movement in the second, it was far from comfortable for Gilis. Any shot that didn’t find the corner was punished by Adel, and with the scores at 9-9 the match still hung in the balance.

After having opportunities to take a commanding 2-0 lead, Gilis seemed to lose concentration at the crucial moments, and she handed the second game to Adel with a number of unforced errors.

Despite wavering in the second game, Gilis returned strongly to dominate the third, which she took 11-1.

With Gilis 4-0 up in the fourth, Adel – who had been moving increasingly gingerly – slipped badly and appeared to injure her ankle, forcing her retirement.

“It’s definitely not the way I wanted to go through,” Gilis said afterwards. She added: “It’s always tough when your opponent has to concede. I wish her a speedy recovery.

“I knew going into the match that she was a very tricky opponent, with very good racket skills, one of the best in the world probably! I thought I dealt with it pretty well, but I felt pretty edgy the entire match because she wouldn’t let me get into a rhythm with her shots. In the second game she completely caught me off-guard.

“I was happy with the way the match was going, but it was an unfortunate end.

“Because it’s the last tournament of the year, everyone wants to do well and the big gaps between tournaments don’t help [nerves] either. But when you go through the rounds you definitely feel more confident.

“My straight drives from the back [were my strongest shot today], I’m sure my coach will be happy with my line!”

Result:
Nele Gilis (BEL) bt Yathreb Adel (EGY) 3-1: 11-6, 9-11, 11-1, 4-0 retired (32m)

Stirring Metwally comeback in all-Egyptian encounter

Mariam Metwally produced an impressive comeback against Egyptian compatriot Nadine Shahin to earn a second-round match against Egypt’s No.6 seed Salma Hany.

World No.15 Shahin got off to a perfect start in the first game, mixing power with precision looking determined and powerful in a six-minute 11-6 win.

On a court that appeared to be livelier than in the day’s previous matches, errors began to creep into Shahin’s game, checking her momentum as World No.42 Metwally levelled the match with an 11-8 win.

Buoyed by the win, Metwally was ruthless in the third, with Shahin’s early optimism shattered by winner after winner from Metwally, who secured a crushing 11-3 win in four minutes.
Shahin, though, deserves credit for regrouping afterwards. The 24-year-old went back on the offensive in game four and her aggressive play was rewarded with an 11-5 win to take the match into a fifth game.

This time, though, it was the turn of Metwally to regroup. The 25-year-old, after going behind early in the fifth, showed nerves of steel to recover and produce a crushing 11-4 win – interrupted briefly after losing the ball at match ball – over a dejected Shahin.

Reacting after the match, Metwally said: “I’ve played Nadine many times, we often practice together, so I know the gameplan and I was just trying to stick to it as much as I can, and it worked!

“The plan was to stay calm as much as I can and play deep shots, and whenever I have the chance to attack I go for it, and that’s what I did today.”

On using a new ball after losing the original at match ball, she said: “Actually, I didn’t want to change the ball, but we had to! So I’m really happy to get through today. Nadine played well and is a good player, but I’m happy to be back on track.”

Result:
Mariam Metwally (EGY) bt Nadine Shahin (EGY) 3-2: 6-11, 11-8, 11-3, 5-11, 11-4 (42m)

No fairytale for 16-year-old wildcard Gohary

France’s Coline Aumard brushed aside Egyptian wildcard Lojayn Gohary to set up a clash with World No.2 Nouran Gohar in round two.

Ranked World No.201, 16-year-old Gohary went into today’s match knowing only the performance of a lifetime would be enough to give her a chance against World No.23 and 2020 quarter-finalist Aumard.

Although Gohary performed admirably and caused Aumard trouble, in truth there was little any danger of the 32-year-old losing this tie once she took the first game 11-3.

Gohary continued to push, charging around the court, and will no doubt take positives from her respectable performance in the subsequent games, 11-4 and 11-2 defeats.

After the match, Aumard said: “It’s never easy to play a future big star. I didn’t know her at all, to be honest, so I didn’t know what to expect. It’s not something I’m used to so I’m glad I won 3-0 because it’s always a bit tricky.

“I’m feeling old! But I wasn’t 16 when I started to play PSA, so all credit to Gohary. I think the new generation is coming and I’m very pleased to see the young generation. I’m feeling a bit old, but that’s OK. I take it in a funny way, not a bad way!”

On her preferred mid-match snack of overripe bananas, she said: “It’s quite late, so I am a bit hungry, it’s dinnertime! I just thought, if I’m getting a bit hungry, I need my bananas.”

Result:
Coline Aumard (FRA) bt [WC] Lojayn Gohary (EGY) 3-0: 11-3, 11-4, 11-2 (28m)

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