Finals - January 27, 2020
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v [2] Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Our 2020 finalists are Nour El Tayeb, world #4 and last year’s Carol Weymuller Champion, playing Nouran Gohar also from Egypt, who is world #3 and the current British and US Open Champion. Nouran got the first lead at 6-3, but Nour pushed back to 6-6, it was then that Nouran seemed to take it up another gear. Her pace went to another notch and it was so hard for Nour to tally up any more points. Nouran had her first game ball at 10-6, but some of Nouran’s drives started to catch the side wall a little and give Nour the chance to step forward and take advantage. With a couple of no lets and precise drops from Nour she was 9-10 and knocking on the door again. But Nouran wasn’t having any of it and she hit the perfect backhand drive down the wall to clinch the first game 11/9. The second game started pretty evenly again and Nour was able to use some hold and her wonderful drops to gain some points from Nouran. Both players covered the court so amazingly and made it look so easy to get from the front corner to the back and back up again! There were some long rallies in the middle of the game and it was then that Nour started to look a little tired and some errors started to creep in from her. Nouran’s boasts were so aggressive and low and really pulled Nour up the court and made her work so hard. Nouran eased away from 5-4 and onto 10-5 taking the second game on a stroke 11-5. The third game was all Nouran! She totally dominated and Nour seemed to lose her focus and a little bit of her fight as Nouran kept on bulldozing through the match. Nouran’s drive were crisp, hard and accurate and she totally dominated the T. Nour was out of ideas and Nouran stormed through to take the match and her first Carol Weymuller Open title 11/9, 11/5, 11/2.
"I’m extremely happy. I can’t describe it, I’m over the moon right now. I was just taking it match by match and didn’t quite imagine having this trophy in my hands at the end of this week!!! The mental part is really important first. I like playing on this court. The family I stayed with make it feel like home and the club and members and everyone are very welcoming. So I definitely think this helps to play well. Thank you to the sponsors and everyone that made this tournament possible for so many years. Hopefully I’ll see you next year.” - Nouran Gohar
Semifinals - January 26, 2020
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v [3] Camille Serme (FRA)
The first semi final of today was between world #3 and #1 seed Nouran Gohar from Egypt, who is also the current British Open and US Open Champion, and her opponent world #5 and 2020 ToC Champion, Camille Serme from France. The match started off with long, arduous rallies with both players vying for the T and trying to take the ball early. The quality of the squash was incredibly high and they were both pushing so hard to stick to their game plans. Camille was managing to slow the ball down a little with some great lobs to help negate some of Nouran’s amazing power. It was even up until 6-6 and then Nouran started to pull away using her superb power in her hard and accurate drives and make it incredibly hard for Camille to be forward and use her attacking game. Nouran took the first 11/8. Both players were moving so well, but Nouran was particularly fast today and seemed to be reading Camille’s shots very early. Nouran ended up coming through the second with the same score line 11/8. While Camille kept giving her best effort, she looked like she was out of ideas of how to stop the on fire Nouran winning the match. Nouran came through to secure her place in the Carol Weymuller final 11/8, 11/8, 11/7 in 34 minutes.
"I’m really happy with the match. It was hard after losing last week. Camille was playing brilliantly and she can beat anyone on her day. I was trying to play my game hard and accurate, but in front of her as she is very dangerous on the volley. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s match.” - Nouran Gohar
[2] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v [4] Joelle King (NZL)
The second semi final match featured world #6 and last year’s finalist, Joelle King, from New Zealand, and world #4 and last year’s champion Nour El Tayeb from Egypt. The match started well and evenly with some great long rallies. Nour and Joelle have very different styles so it was interested to see who could dominate. Nour is skillful, wonderfully swift and fantastically gutsy so you know you have to do so much to win each point. Joelle’s volleys are strong and she controls the middle, so well so Nour would have to keep the ball away from Joelle as much as possible. At 5-5 the pressure from Nour started to show and some errors started to creep in. Joelle was going short just a little too early and not quite well enough and Nour took total advantage of this and took the first game 11/6. Nour got game ball at 10/3 but Joelle squeezed back 2 more points before Nour won the second game 11/5. Nour was managing to hit a great width and with an opponent as tall and strong as Joelle this is vital. Joelle tried to regain her composure, but each time she tried Nour seemed to have the answer or she would make an error. It was the 2 errors from Joelle that gave Nour the finals points to victory taking the match 11/6, 11/5. 11/8 in 33 minutes.
"I was more nervous than yesterday. Joelle has been playing great squash recently. I think it was up and down from both of us. But I managed to play the bigger points better. Winning in 3 against Joelle is massive, I’m happy and proud. This will be the second final in a row here which is great! I’m really looking forward to playing Nouran tomorrow.” - Nour El Tayeb
Quarterfinals - January 25, 2020
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v Donna Lobban (AUS)
First up on the championship court was #1 seed from Egypt Nouran Gohar and her opponent, world # 47 from Australia, Donna Lobban. Nouran started the match fast and ferociously not giving Donna a change to settle and find her rhythm. Nouran’s boast was going in particularly well and she was so sharp and fast off the spot. Nouran’s punishing pace enabled her to take the first game convincing 11-3. In the second Nouran kept her foot on the gas and kept applying the pressure, but at 4-0 up Donna managed to find her groove a little and elongate the rallies and make Nouran work harder to win her points. Donna was making every effort to volley and not be bullied back into the corners by the heavy lengths that Nouran was delivering her way. It was not enough though and Nouran took the second game 11-8. Donna started the third well and got her first small lead at 3-1, but in a flash Nouran caught up and got the lead back again and advanced to 6-3. The constant pressure was too much for Donna today and Nouran went on to win the third and final game 11-6 to take her into the quarter finals tomorrow at 2.30pm. Nouran won 11/3, 11/8, 11/6.
"I’m feeling well on court. I was looking forward to moving and play a good match. I think it helps to have this in your mind. The tournament is cozy, it’s the complete opposite from NYC, they’re both great but a different atmosphere. The court, the crowd, the families, it’s really nice here! Everyone is playing well so to play Camille or Salma tomorrow will be very tough, but I am looking forward to this one!” - Nouran Gohar
[3] Camille Serme (FRA) v [8] Salma Hany (EGY)
Second match on court was the between ToC champion and world #5 Camille Serme from France was playing world #14 and last year’s semi-finalist Salma Hany from Egypt. Both players started the match using the whole court so nicely and taking the ball in short when they could, not only to try win the rally but to also move their opponent around and not let them settle or find too much rhythm. It was Camille that was just that bit steadier, the cross courts were wider and she was just that bit cleaner in her shots. Camille’s movement was very smooth and balanced and allowed her some amazing shot choices even under pressure. Camille won the first AND second games 11-5. In the third game Camille was ahead playing tactically so astutely, but the gutsy Wee Wern dug in the managed to push Camille right down to the wire, with Camille not being able to capitalize on her first match ball as 10-9 and the game carried on with some amazing displays of shot making and movement. Camille finally inched out her opponent 15-13 in the third, but Wee Wern certainly did herself proud and gave it her all. It was great to see her doing so well after all her injuries. Camille won 11/5, 11/5, 11/7 and will play Nouran tomorrow in the quarter finals.
"I’m really happy. Salma, she has beaten me in the past, she is a tricky player and she can attack from anywhere, but I felt like I was moving well and reading her game well. I was happy with my accuracy and just a bit tense at the end, but came through. I’m really happy to be in the semis. I feel very positive winning these two matches 3-0, so whatever happens tomorrow it’s a bonus.” - Camille Serme
[4] Joelle King (NZL) v Mariam Metwally (EGY)
The third match of the evening was between Joelle King from New Zealand, who is world #6 and Mariam Metwally the world #30 from Egypt. Joelle played very precisely from the word go and did not let Mariam settle and use her great short shots to the maximum. It was only at 10-5 down that Mariam managed to get some traction in the match and nearly evened up the score before Joelle snatched it back at 11-9. In the second and third games Joelle exposed Mariam’s movement and the fact that she was probably tired from yesterday’s long match. Mariam picked up some points from outright winners, but Joelle overall took command of the match and started to put some ‘hold’ on the ball to make the movement even harder to Mariam. When Mariam did manage to apply some pressure Joelle would throw an amazing lob up to reset the rally. Joelle went through to take her semi final position 11/8, 11/5. 11/7.
“Good, with a lot happening yesterday, I didn’t sleep well, I think the adrenalin was going. So today I was trying to stay calm, and just play good squash and hoping for no interruptions!!! Mariam has a good win last night but it was a tough match so I tried to make it really hard from the beginning to the end!” - Joelle King
[2] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v Low Wee Wern (MAS)
Last up on the championship court, but certainly not least was Egypt's world #4 Nour El Tayeb and Malaysia’s Low Wee Wern, who took out #5 seed 13/11 in the fifth in an epic match. The match started off evenly with the points going back and forth. It was at 6-6 that Nour seemed to find her groove and started feeling incredibly comfortable with her attacking shots and volleys. She took the first 11-8. In the second Nour was basically on fire! She looked like she was having so much fun out there, moving Wee Wern around the court and then chopping it into the front with ease! Wee Wern did not do anything particularly wrong; Nour just did so much RIGHT!!!This is how squash is meant to be played and Nour truly got in the zone and took the second 11/3. The third game was similar to the first in that it stayed even through to the middle of the game with Wee Wern hanging in and trying to move Nour away from the middle. But Nour had a solid plan today that she was not diverting from and she took the third game 11/8.
"I think I played the best squash I’ve played in a while. I felt very comfortable and enjoyed getting tired and running on the court. It’s hard to enjoy every match but this is definitely one I enjoyed. It’s always a nice reminder that I enjoyed competition. It sometimes gets boring or hard to be motivated so it is great when everything comes together.” - Nour El Tayeb
Second Round Bottom Half - January 24, 2020
[4] Joelle King (NZL) v Yathreb Adel (EGY)
First on the Championship court was world #6 from New Zealand, Joelle King and Yathreb Adel from Egypt who is #16 in the world. Joelle started the match solidly, holding the T and took at 6-2 lead. Mid game Yathreb found her rhythm a little and got the points back to 5-6, but Joelle surged on and took the first 11/6. Yathreb needed to be more patient and work her lengths so Joelle couldn’t control the middle where she plays her best squash. It was Yathreb that got a lead in the second and during one rally BOTH players broke a string and both players had to go off and change their racket after playing a long rally with loose strings! Joelle dug in and fought back to 7-7. In the next rally Yathreb accidently backed into Joelle and clashed her head into Joelle’s mouth and cut Joelle’s lip!! Joelle came off the court and we managed to stop the bleeding. But due to the fact it was cut on her lip we couldn’t tape it to prevent further bleeding and we were not sure if it needed medical attention, so off Joelle went to the urgent care centre nearby. There she received 2 stitches in her lip!!
“Good! I’m glad to get through that one!! It was good mentally to come through a match like that that had a lot of challenges!!!” - Joelle King
Mariam Metwally (EGY) v [6] Joshna Chinappa (IND)
Second match on the championship court was between Joshana Chinappa from India who is world #12 and her Egyptian opponent Mariam Metwally who is ranked #30 in the world. Joshana started really well, keeping her length tight and penetrating and she got a 6/3 lead. There was many lets, not lets and strokes which very often followed with a very loud scream from Mariam. Joshana played a calm, focused fifth game to go 7-1 up and then 9-5 up and it looked like Joshana had finally found the key to her victory, but Mariam fought and fought and would not let go! Mariam’s screams at the referee were louder than ever, and Joshana started to lose her previous control and before we knew it the score was even at 9-9 with a volley drop error from Joshana. Mariam reached her second match ball of the evening with an amazing forehand volley kill and stroke against Joshana sealed Mariam’s place in the quarter finals tomorrow against Joelle King. The final score was 11/9, 11/6, 10/12, 9/11, 11/9.
“What a match!! The first 2 games I was relaxed and feeling my game, sticking to my game plan and giving it my all. Today I just wanted to win so badly, I just wanted to come back again to where I belong. So I think that me and Joshana played quite well. She came back in the 3rd and 4th and gave it her all. The fifth, they tell I was 7-1 down but I didn’t think about the score! I was just thinking point by point and it worked! Today I was trying to be as mentally tough as I could. It was challenging for me but in the end I won and I’m so happy to get through. I don’t feel any pressure for my quarterfinal or any match; I am just playing to come back. I’m just going to give it my all again!” - Mariam Metwally
[5] Amanda Sobhy (USA) v Low Wee Wern (MAS)
The third match on court starred USA #1 and world #7 Amanda Sobhy and Low Wee Wern from Malaysia who is world #24. There were two very different players in style and stature on the court for this match. Wee Wern is very nimble, is incredibly steady and likes to slow the ball down more, and Amanda, one of the 2 left handed players in the draw, has wonderful power and strength and volleys as much as she can. In the fifth game Wee Wern worked incredibly hard to gain some points and then Amanda would seamlessly win a few points back quickly. Amanda pushed through and took the lead at the end of the fifth at 10/8. But with an amazing backhand drop and a great cross court that wrong footed Amanda, they were yet again completely even in this amazing match….2 games all and 10 all!!! It was Amanda that got another match ball, but Wee Wern ripped the win out of Amanda’s sweaty hand with a series of brave and skillful shots, including a volley boast winner on the return of serve, a fading forehand drop and a forehand boast winner to take the match 13-11 in the fifth!!!! The score was 8/11, 12/10, 8/11, 11/3, 13/11.
"Finally I get a good win! It’s been a while! It was a good match from the both of us and for the crowd. We have both come back from injury and it was can be very frustrating. There is not a day when you wake up and your body is fine or pain free anymore!! Wins like this make it all feel worth it!!! I do feel for Amanda as I know how it feels to lose 13/11 in the fifth, especially as we have both not had a great start to the year. In the quarters, I have not played Farida, only her sister in the past. With Nour, she’s a top 4 players and she has very good hands, but I am looking forward to being back on court and giving it a go.” - Low Wee Wern
[2] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v Farida Mohamed (EGY)
The final match of the evening on the championship court was between #2 seed and reigning Carol Weymuller Champion Nour El Tayeb from Egypt, and her young compatriot Farida Mohamed, who is still only 18 years old and already 52 in the world. These two players also have completely different games. Nour likes to use the whole court and take the ball in short if there is an opportunity, varying the pace. Farida is the hardest hitting female player I believe I have ever seen! Even though she is young, she is tall and very strong and has an imposing presence on the court. Nour really had to grind and suck up the power to get her opportunities. Nour won the first and second games 11/5, 11/5. In the fourth game Nour found more composure and tried to step forward and volley more to get her position on the T. This definitely worked as she came through to take the 4th and final game 11/7.
"I’m very happy actually. I fought hard, but the squash wasn’t fun, because it was hard to control her hard hitting. It was very difficult to play my own shots as the ball was so warm. So I had to dig in and play squash that’s not really my game to hang in there. I am very happy to be in the quarter finals tomorrow.” - Nour El Tayeb
Second Round Top Half - January 23, 2020
Melissa Alves (FRA) v [1] Nouran Gohard (EGY)
The luncheon was followed by the first of the second round matches played at 1.30pm. This match was between the world #3 and World Open finalist Nouran Gohar from Egypt against her opponent Melissa Alves who is #34 in the world from France. Nouran and Melissa have never played before so it was going to be an interesting clash. Melissa was very excited to have the opportunity to compete against a top 5 player. The match started fast and furious with both players playing with a very similar game. Melissa was using her power, but also interspersed it with some delicate drops which were working fantastically. Melissa continued to play fearlessly and took advantage an edgy looking Nouran and won the first game 11-5. The third and fourth games followed a similar pattern. Nouran kept the pace very high and she also started to use the front of the court more, exposing Melissa’s movement a little. Each time that Melissa dug in and caught up, Nouran would surge forward and find another gear. She was relentless and focused and took the third 11/7 and the fourth 11/5 to secure her spot in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
"I’m feeling OK after a big match at the TOC. It’s a long time since I have played 2 tournaments in a row and it’s tough to re-group. I was very eager to play this tournament as I haven’t played it before. I would play it because it is after the TOC and when it is on October I can’t leave my studies for 3 weeks. For my next match against either Alison or Donna, I played Alison last week and I don’t think that I have played Donna before. They are both experienced players on tour and it’s going to be tough our there for sure.” - Nouran Gohar
Donna Lobban (AUS) v [7] Alison Waters (ENG)
The first of the evening matches at 5.30pm was between England’s Alison Waters who is world #13 and 2014 Carol Weymuller Champion, against World #47 Donna Lobban from Australia. Donna started the match well, using her strong volley and taking time away from Alison and forcing some errors. They both played some long arduous rallies with wonderful displays of speed and athleticism. Donna in particular was getting back amazing shots and making it so hard for Ali to win her points. Donna came through to win the first 11/7. In the fourth game it went down to the wire, though Donna had taken an early lead at the beginning of the game. Ali was not going out without a fight and managed to win 4 points in a row to go 9-8 up. It was Donna that managed to apply the pressure the best in the final points and Ali made an error on a volley drop sitter taking Donna to her second match ball at 11-10 and she came through to win on a stroke taking the match 3-1….11/7, 3/11, 11/4, 12/10.
"I’m wrapped! Over the moon might be an understatement!! When I mentioned to Donna that she was moving better than ever she said “I’ve been working in Sheffield with Mark Campbell my strength and conditioning coach and Nick Matthew and Neil Guirey on my on-court movement. Ali has so much experience and she is such a tough competitor and very clever. Win or lose I know if would be tough and I knew that even if I was up in the game it wasn’t over! I’m really pleased to close it out in 4 games. It was a really fair and enjoyable match. I have never played Gohar before, so I am looking forward to it. I have no pressure on me and I can give it my all and I also have a day to re-group, rest and recover.” - Donna Lobban
[8] Salma Hany (EGY) v Victoria Lust (ENG)
The second evening match on the championship court was between 2 players that sit right next to each other on the world ranking! Salma Hany from Egypt and is the world #14 and Victoria Lust from England who is #15. Salma played a great first game, with aggressive squash and graceful movement. Salma was mostly in charge of the rallies and was either hitting winning or errors, but mostly good shots, coming through 11/6. The third and fourth games were similar with Salma controlling the middle more than Vicky. Vicky fought hard but she lost her length and was opening up the court for Salma with too many cross courts, which Salma took advantage of by standing her ground and smacking it down the opposite wall. Salma took the third 11/6 and the 11/7 and coming though in 4….11/6, 7/11, 11/6, 11/8.
"I’m happy with the win of course. It was a bit scrappy and we were both a bit tense. We’ve always had tough matches that always go to 5, so I was ready for a tough match today. I struggled a bit to find my targets today and I felt like my short game wasn’t working so well and she was reading it. I changed my mindset and said, it’s one of those days and I have to grind if I want to have a chance to play another match. Most of my upsets in my career have happened in this tournament so I wanted to give myself the chance to play again. I am looking forward to the quarters.” - Salma Hany
[3] Camille Serme (FRA) v Zeina Mickawy (EGY)
The last match on court this evening was world # 5 Camille Serme from France, fresh out of her fantastic ToC win, against young and talented Zeina Mickawy, the world #23 from Egypt. Camille played the first game well, she made a few errors but she stayed forward and took time away from Zeina. Camille took the first 11/5. The third was definitely Zeina’s best game and she really stepped up and put the pressure on Camille. Zeina is deceptively fast around the court and reads the game well. She pushed hard to pressure Camille and hit the ball harder with great weight in her length. It’s in these moments that you can see the older and more experienced players pull themselves out of a hole. Camille went 10/7 down, but she pulled out some backhand boast winners, and along with some errors from Zeina, Camille managed to clinch the final game 12/10, playing the most important point really well. Camille won 11/5, 11/8, 12/10.
"I feel physically really good and mentally good too. I have experienced having a big win and having to play the following week before. The match went pretty well. I was confident in my fitness and getting her attacking shots and kills. I was a bit up and down mentally but I was happy to comeback in the third when I was down. In the quarters I have to play another Egyptian. It’s my 6th in a row!!! I know it’s going to be a battle and I know I will have to be focused and very precise. I look forward to it.” - Camille Serme
First Round - January 22, 2020
Donna Lobban (AUS) v Nele Gilis (BEL)
The first matches started at 5.30pm and on the east court was Nele Gilis the world #18 from Belgium and her opponent from Australia, Donna Lobban, who is currently world #51. Donna is left-handed and she used her strong forehand to put pressure on Nele’s backhand winning several points deep and short on the backhand side. Nele tried to vary and pace and get control of the T, but Donna was taking the ball too early and pinning Nele in the back. There were some great rallies with wonderful shows of athleticism from both players, but overall Donna accuracy and relentless pressure was just too much for Nele. Donna came through 3-0 11/6, 11/7, 11/5….
“I’m really pleased with that. I’m probably my own harshest critic but I am pleased with that. I was a little bit loose in the 3rd but for the first 2 games I did a good enough job of keeping it tight and that gave me my opportunities. I think I found a good balance of attacking and positivity but not headlessly. I haven’t played Alison in a PSA tournament for a long time but we played in PSL league in England a few times and always have a good game. It’ll be nice to play someone I haven’t played for a while.” - Donna Lobban
Melissa Alves (FRA) v Emilia Soini (FIN)
The second 5.30pm match on the west court was between world #56 Finnish player Emilia Soini and French player and Penn graduate, Melissa Alves, who is ranked #34 in the world. In the first game Emilia was hitting too many tins and Melissa used her length and kills from the front to capitalize. In the second game Melissa started using more drops keeping Emilia off balance. Third game started with Emilia getting a string of points by sending Melissa the wrong way and varying the pace. At 1/4 down Melissa got her game back and started pushing Emilia deeper in the court and came through to win 3-0 11.6, 11/6, 11/7.
“Good! I won! I have played her a couple of times and she has an interesting game. It’s different as she like to lob and slow down the pace. I tried to do the opposite and hit the ball as hard as I could. I played at a pace that would suit me more than her and taking it in short as soon as I could. I am very excited to play Gohar as she is one of the top 10 players that I haven’t played yet. You live for this moment and train so you can play one of the best!” - Melissa Alves
Victoria Lust (ENG) v Menna Hammed (EGY)
The 6.15pm match on the east court was between young Egyptian Menna Hamed who is world #59 against England’s Victoria Lust, who is the world #15. The first game was closely contested, but in the second Vicky played a precise and accurate game, really containing her young opponent, but as the match went on there were a number refereeing decisions that made for a more difficult game. In the third game Menna was 10-7 up and it looked like she was going to win the game but Vicky had a different plan and suddenly came out stronger and squeezed the third 12-10 to take the match 3-0 11/9, 11/5, 12/10.
“Relieved! It’s not been the best season. I played 2 matches and then got injured. I am now back and this is the 1st win since I’m back. It was a little messy but I managed to win in 3 so I am happy. I am excited to be back playing and playing with no pressure against Salma. The 3 times I’ve played Salma it has gone to five games and 2 of them 12/10 in the fifth so it should be a great match.” - Vicky Lust
Zeina Mickawy (EGY) v Menna Nasser (EGY)
The second 6.15pm match on the west court was an all Egyptian affair with Zeina Mickawy who is world #23 and Menna Nasser who is ranked #53 in the world. Both players played an attacking and fast game. Overall it was Zeina that played the most winners and the least errors, though Menna really tried to impose her game over Zeina and move her around the court and in the second game she managed to do this taking it 11/9. Zeina went through to win 3-1, 11/9, 9/11, 11/6, 11/7.
“I’m feeling relieved after winning. I haven’t played her before. We started the match and it was very tight at the beginning. She is a very experienced player and she’s been playing for so long and she has really good hands. I tried to keep going in the match and pick up every ball I can. I’m happy to be though and I am looking forward to play Camille. I played her in Manchester and I lost in 3, but I’m really excited to do much better tomorrow.” - Zeina Mickawy
Yathreb Adel (EGY) v Rachel Arnold (MAS)
In the first 7.00pm match we had Malaysia’s Rachel Arnold who is world #43 playing against Egyptians Yathreb Adel who is currently ranked 16 in the world. Each player was determined to shut down the other players chance to shoot first and there were many courageous winners played by both players. In the fifth it was Rachel that got match ball first at 10-9, but it was not over yet. A tin from Rachel and a stroke gave Yathreb a second chance to grasp the match and she sealed it with a magnificent forehand volley boast! Both players walked off the court looking perplexed but it was Yahreb that pulled through to win 3-2 in an incredibly exciting 55 minute match 11/13, 13/11, 10/12, 11/4, 12/10.
“I feel so relieved!!! It was one of those days when I went on court and she was player better and sharper. Anything she was doing was a winning shot so it was hard to find a rhythm. I started a bit flat as well. I was just trying to fire myself up throughout the whole match and play more deep shots and try to avoid the volleys. Then it opened up for me and some loose shots to take it in. I think Joelle and I have only played once a couple of years ago, so I look forward to playing her and going out to my best, and hopefully it will be a good match.” - Yathreb Adel
Mariam Metwally (EGY) v Marie Stephan (FRA)
The second 7.00pm match on the west court was between Egyptian Mariam Metwally, who is world #30, and the wildcard from France, Marie Stephan, who is world #89. Mariam played aggressive and attacking squash and controlled the first and third games with her range of shots, but in the second Marie pushed Mariam to 11/9 managing to get Mariam off the T and play her game. Mariam came through to win in 3, 11/4, 11/9, 11/6.
"Actually I am feeling good. 1st half of the season my head wasn’t ready. I had some ups and downs and I had some health issues too, so after the world champs it was a wake-up call. So I had a month working on myself mentally very hard and changing my game and getting my confidence back. I think it worked very well, I was working with a sports psychologist on some stuff. As you see Marie played very well. She has good hands, but I was trying to stick to my game plan as much as I can and I did that. On Friday I’m excited to play Joshana as we have played 3 times and I have won 2 times, so I’m looking forward to it and just enjoy my game.” - Mariam Metwally
Haley Mendez (USA) v Wee Wern Low (MAS)
There was a very enthusiastic crowd at 7.45pm on the championship court when home grown Haley Mendez, world # 45, played Malaysia’s Low Wee Wern, ranked world #24. Haley has grown up playing and learning squash at the Heights Casino and so she seems very comfortable on her ‘home’ courts and certainly got some incredible and much deserved support. Haley did herself proud and managed to push Wee Wern very hard and make her feel the pressure of playing someone with a home advantage. Haley played great squash and stayed steady with Wee Wern throughout ¾ of each game and it was only a point here or there that separated the players. Haley made a few errors at some vital times in the match which really made the difference and gave Wee Wern the conclusive points to take the match 11/9, 13/11, 11/7.
"It’s good to be back (having been out injured with 3 knee injuries for 3 years!). To be honest the game has changed since I came back with the tin being 17 inches. Also with the referee rule change I’m a bit at a loss and confused as you never know what call you’re getting! It was good to have a clean match and I’m just trying to enjoy my squash again. To be honest, I probably didn’t appreciate top level squash when I was 5 in the world and now it’s a long road back but it’s my goal. I’ve not played Amanda in a while and she’s been injured too we are both hungry to get back on court.” - Wee Wern Low
Alexandra Fuller (RSA) v Farida Mohamed (EGY)
The 7.45pm match on the west court was between young Egyptian Farida Mohamed who is world #55 and still in the U19 age group, and her opponent Alexandra Fuller from South Africa who is world #41. Alex started the match playing controlled squash but as the match went on Farida injected more pace and forced some errors from Alex. From 2-1 down Alex kept strong and fought off a match ball in the fourth, but Farida dominated the fifth with her hard hitting game taking the match 9/11, 11/8, 11/8, 10/12, 11/4.
