Finals - January 15, 2023
Photos by Kelley Holmgren
Olivia Fiechter (USA) v Georgina Kennedy (ENG)
Congratulations to Georgina on winning her 10th PSA Title!
Semifinals - January 14, 2023
Photos by Kelley Holmgren
Olivia Fiechter (USA) v Yathreb Adel (EGY)
"I was very happy with my performance tonight and to get past an opponent like Yathreb in three. She's dangerous and plays very attacking. I really wanted to find my tagets tonight and play more organised, structured squash. I did a much better job of that in comparison to last night. I'm very happy to beat her in three and looking forward to the final tomorrow. " - Olivia Fiechter
Georgina Kennedy (ENG) v Satomi Wantanabe (JAP)
"Satomi has obviously had an amazing tournament, and I knew how confident she would be coming into this match. I'm lucky enough to have actually been on court with her before, we've been training a bit together in London so I think that gave me a bit of an advantage because I know how tricky she is and I knew to expect the unexpected! She's in amazing form, she's beaten so many people recently so I'm absolutely thrilled with that win. I'll have a lot of confidence going into tomorrow's match after that because Satomi is incredible. I'm really looking forward to seeing how she does this season." - Georgina Kennedy
Quarterfinals - January 13, 2023
Photos taken by Kelley Holmgren
Olivia Fiechter (USA) v Aifa Azman (MAS)
Yathreb Adel (EGY) v Salma Hany (EGY)
Satomi Wantanabe (JAP) v Hana Moataz (EGY)
Georgina Kennedy (ENG) v Salma Eltayeb (EGY)
Second Round - January 12, 2023
Olivia Fiechter (USA) v Zeina Mickawy (EGY)
The first match of the evening on the East Court saw number 1 seed Olivia Fiechter against one of the young Egyptians, Zeina Mickawy. Fiechter came out immediately with beautiful cross court lengths and precise rails that drew errors from Mickawy, and allowed Fiechter to take an early lead, 7-1. Mickawy was able to put together some impressive winners, but any rallies favored Fiechter, and the first game was an easy 11-4 to the top seed. The second game saw Fiechter take the court calm and collected, and her deceptive boasts and beautiful defensive play led to a quick 11-4 win. Game 3 started with an exciting rally with Mickawy finally appearing to put her game together, but still Fiechter seemed in command, hitting a perfect cross court lob that died in the back court. Not to cede the match too soon, Mickawy used better lengths to put Fiechter under more pressure, and Mickawy had her first lead in the match at 9-8! Mickawy then had game ball at 10-8, but Fiechter held her nerve, and the players traded a few exciting points to end the match 14-12, Fiechter.
"I was really pleased with how i played against Zeina. I played her a while ago so I knew she was dangerous so I’m glad I won in three.This is my first Carol Weymuller and it's a special tournament. I lived in New York for 2 years and I can’t believe I’ve never played it." - Olivia Fiechter
Salma Hany (EGY) v Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY)
Match two on the East Court was number three seed Salma Hany versus fellow Egyptian Fayrouz Aboelkheir. Although Aboelkheir looked a bit nervous, she took at early lead at 5-1 with a few aggressive kill shots that caught Hany by surprise. Hany then regrouped and tied the game 6-6 with impressive pace and her incredibly clean and powerful backhand, and Aboelkheir was unable to take back control. Hany took the first game 11-9. Game 2 saw both players seeking the upper hand with an exchange of aggressive winners to the front of the court, and although the game was an even exchange of points, Hany’s pace and organization started to wear down her opponent. Hany clinched Game 2 with a perfect rail followed by an equally perfect straight drop. Hany now had all the momentum, taking an early lead in Game 3 with great control and backhand drives that just put too much pressure on Aboelkheir’s game. Hany took game 3 11-1.
"“It was the first time playing Fayrouz and she is a very good player, luckily I was able to win in three games and I am very much looking forward to tomorrow stepping on this amazing court again”." - Salma Hany
Satomi Watanabe (JAP) v Sabrina Sobhy (USA)
Watanabe came out with a great start controlling the court and playing with increible pace to gain a lead 6-1 in the first game, but some unforced errors allowed Sobhy to take advantage and produce a spectacular come back to win 11-9. The second game was very similar with a great start from Watanabe with an impressive length winning the points in the back. Watanabe's length really allowed her to be able to attack a lot on the volley which lead her to win the third game 11-7. The fourth saw a solid start for the Watanabe moving Sobhy around the court finding amazing angles with her cross court and finishing the match 11-7.
'I am really happy with how I played today, we are around the same age and I am very excited for tomorrow to play in front of this amazing crowd again" - Satomi Watanabe
Georgina Kennedy (ENG) v Nardine Garas (EGY)
Game four on the East Court featured number 2 seed Georgina Kennedy against the young Egyptian Nardine Garas, who came off the waitlist on Tuesday and earned an impressive upset victory on Wednesday night. This match proved to be all Kennedy, who has incredible speed, arriving at the ball early and also picking up shots that other players would concede. In game 1, Garas matched Kennedy nicely on some points, but Kennedy was able to use her control to produce errors from Garas and win 11-7. Kennedy then took the court for game 2 incredibly composed, and she used perfect lengths and holds on the ball to earn a quick 11-4 result. In game 3, Kennedy’s speed was on full display, neutralizing Garas’s strong shotmaking in point after point. Kennedy then feathered a boast from the back of the court that drew gasps from the crowd, solidifying her lead at 8-3. The remaining points included a few additional boasts that pulled Garas all over the court. Game 3 went to Kennedy, 11-4.
"I was really happy to win in three today. I definitely had to work hard to try and contain Nardine because she is so talented and can hit winners from anywhere. I'm really happy with how I managed to keep her at bay today and am looking forward to another tough match tomorrow." - Georgina Kennedy
Aifa Azman (MAS) v Lucy Turmel (ENG)
It was a close first game until Azman secured the game after four straight winners from 7-8 to win 11-8. Turmel took the lead by controlling the T, hitting nice length and making no errors when she was attacking in the front corners. With her accuracy, Turmel closed the second game 11-7. In the third game we saw some interferences and referee decisions. Azman closed the game 11-8 after a long defense rally that ended up with stroke. The fourth game was a close one which Turmel took. The fifth game was game was tight until 6-6, then Azman hit four winners in a row to put the 10-6 and finish the match 11-7 in the second match ball.
"It was a very tough match, I played Lucy in Manchester last year and I knew it was going to be hard, so I am very happy with my win today”. - Aifa Azman
Yathreb Adel (EGY) v Emily Whitlock (ENG)
Adel came out with a very strong start leading 5-0 with nice winners in the front court. Whitlock came back with long rallies, lifting the ball and making Adel lose the T control but Adel held out and closed the first game 11-8. Another strong start for Adel with some unbelievable winners in both front corners, this time Whitlock couldn’t do anything and Adel took the game 11-4. The third saw a better start for Whitlock as she found her length and took her chances to attack. However, Adel managed to close the game and the match 11-9.
"It was the first time Emily and I played against each other since juniors, she is a very tough opponent and that’s why I am very happy with this win today”. - Yathreb Adel
Hana Moataz (EGY) v Joshna Chinappa (IND)
Match three on the West Court featured number 7 seed Joshna Chinnapa against Egyptian and recent Harvard alum Hana Moataz. Chinnapa came out early with Moataz struggling to find her rhythm, taking a 6-2 lead. Moataz then started using her power to move Chinnapa to the back of the court, and this strategy earned her the first game, 11-8. In game 2, both players exchanged points, with Moataz finding success with pace and precision on her backhand drives and Chinnapa finding winners at the front of the court with her shotmaking. This game was a battle, with Chinnapa squeaking ahead, 13-11. Game 3 saw Chinnapa coming on court with a game plan, moving Moataz around with a variety of boasts, lobs and cross courts to break up Moataz’s rhythm. Unfortunately for Chinnapa, Moataz starting moving better to the front, and a series of errors from Chinnapa saw Moataz take the third game 11-6. Game 4 was again Chinnapa’s at the start, with an early lead helped by a series of strokes against Moataz for not clearing sufficiently. But this was Moataz’s night, as she was again able to use her pace to put Chinnapa on the defensive. The game ended with an unfortunate stroke call and then error from Chinnapa, ending 11-8 to Moataz.
"I'm happy with the way I played. I just played her in Hong Kong so I knew I needed to have a strong start and I'm pleased I was able to close it in three." - Hana Moataz
Salma Eltayeb (EGY) v Mariam Metwally (EGY)
Metwally lead from the start of the game playing very aggressive and not making any errors winning the first game 11-5. A better start for Eltayeb stepping up and getting more control of the T and staying ahead 6-3. A few winners in a row from Metwally and she was able to finish the game 11-8. The third saw a few quick rallies from both players but Eltayeb managed to find her rhythm and win the crucial points to win 11-9. A tight fourth game to 5-5, Eltayeb used her speed to counter attack Metwally shots and win all the next points and take the fourth game 11-5. Metwally started strong in the fifth and went 4-1, but Eltayed fought hard and made unbelievable gets to come back and go ahead in the score. That gave her confidence to attack with the volley and won the fifth game 11-7.
"Mariam is such an experienced and good player, I felt that I could play freely and I am very happy with this comeback after being 2-0 down”. - Salma Eltayeb
First Round - January 11, 2023
Millie Tomlinson (ENG) v Zeina Mickway (EGY)
The first match of the evening on the East Court featured Brit Millie Tomlinson against seeded Egyptian Zeina Mickawy. Mickawy took a commanding lead in the first game with superior positioning and command of the T, until Tomlinson was able to find her game and more effectively match Mickawy’s movement, catching up to bring the game to 8-9. A terrific winner from Mickawy gave her game ball, and she took the first game 11-8. The second game was all Mickawy, who came out with a commanding lead and took the second game 11-2. The third game saw Tomlinson finally finding her game with beautiful drops giving her the first lead in the match, taking the third game 11-3. Tomlinson was able to hold her momentum in the fourth game, with Mickawy taking the ball to the front too early, and Tomlinson prevailing at 11-5. The final game followed an injury break for Mickawy that left everyone wondering whether she could regroup. Both players had terrific rhythm and shot selection, with the closest exchange of points in the match, but Mickawy hit a hard cross court length for match ball, and took the final game 11-8.
"The first two games I was so controlled but I know she's experienced, so I needed to start strong. I lost so many matches this season from 2-0 up so was wanting to win in three. I rushed things in the third and fourth. In the fifth game, I said to myself that I need to play like its 0-0 and I'm proud of myself for pushing to get the win." - Zeina Mickawy
Aifa Azman (MAL) v Saskia Beinhard (GER)
"I felt a bit nervous for my first match of the year. I was rushing a lot and took time to find my rhythm. I am looking forward to my match tomorrow. Glad to get a win today!" - Aifa Azman
Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) v Jana Shiha (EGY)
The second match on the East Court featured seeded Egyptian Fayrouz Aboelkheir versus fellow Egyptian Jana Shiha. Shiha came out strong in the first game, with Aboelkheir then finding her pace and confidence to pull the game to 6-6. This game appeared to be Shiha’s until the end, with Aboelkheir finally pulling ahead to 10-8 and then winning the first game 11-9. Game two again saw Shiha coming out strong, and she was able to maintain her command with varied shots that effectively moved Aboelkheir around the court, allowing her to take the second game 11-4. The third game saw Aboelkheir return with a game plan of more disciplined shot selection that broke Shiha’s focus, and allowed her to commandingly take the game 11-5. The fourth game saw both players willing to take risks that lead to winners, but Aboelkheir continued to have superior shot selection. She then won a point at 8-4 by unfortunately hitting Shiha and earning a stroke, but it was Shiha with the better focus after this exchange and she caught up with a terrific hold to bring the game to 7-9. This was Aboelkheir’s night, however, and she regrouped to win the game and match 11-7.
'It was tough, Jana has really good hands. I knew it would be tough because she was fresh and I just came from an event. I want to thank my coaches for staying up so late. It's 2am in Egypt!" - Fayrouz Aboelkheir
Yathreb Adel (EGY) v Nadia Pfister (SUI)
"I am very happy to be back playing the Carol Weymuller, it was a good match. I was trying to stay focused during the match and I am happy to get a win." - Yathreb Adel
Satomi Watanabe (JAP) v Kenzy Ayman (EGY)
The third match on the East Court featured seeded player Satomi Watanabe against Egyptian Kenzy Ayman. Ayman came out ahead in the first game and maintained her lead until game ball at 10-8, but Watanabe held her nerve with a terrific hold to survive and then take the first game 12-10. This match was then all Watanabe, with incredibly precise shot making that pulled Ayman out of position. Watanabe appeared to be tiring out Ayman by moving her around the court, and she took the second game 11-6. Ayman tried to regroup in the third game, but Watanabe had all the momentum and command and she closed out the match 11-3.
"I was very nervous in the first game, I was being so intense with myself. From the second game I remembered how it felt to play in a match. It was my first match since the world teams event and I am very happy to win and be able to play Sabrina Sobhy tomorrow." Satomi Watanabe
Hana Moataz (EGY) v Ineta Mackevica (LAT)
"I'm happy with the way I played. I just played her in Hong Kong so I knew I needed to have a strong start and I'm pleased I was able to close it in three." - Hana Moataz
Nardine Garas (EGY) v Nour Abdelmakarim (EGY)
"I was very nervous because she's older and is a higher seed. I play with Nour a lot in Egypt and this is actually the first time I have beaten her! It's one of my biggest wins in my career!" - Nardine Garas
