Main Draw Finals - October 23rd, 2017
Nour El Sherbini v Joelle King
Our 2017 finalists were Joelle King from New Zealand. She is the 2015 Carol Weymuller finalist and current world # 10 playing against Nour El Sherbini from Egypt, who is the world champion, defending Carol Weymuller Champion and world #1. In the third Nour just dominated. Joelle made a few errors but Nour was just plan amazing. She was so focused and calm and really looked to be in her zone. Joelle kept trying to break Nour’s rhythm but to no avail, Nour just steam trained through to take the final game 11/3, making history at the same time, being the first player to ever win the Carol Weymuller three times in a row!!! Nour El Sherbini beat Joelle King 3-0…11/7, 11/5, 11/3 in 33 minutes.
"I think it’s my best match since I’ve been in the US for the last 2 weeks. My shot s were working, I was moving well and I was thinking not to finish everything too quickly. I felt confident going for my shots. I think it was my day!! Joelle has been killing it the last 2 weeks. I think that she has beaten most the top 5 now, Nour, Raneem, Nicol, Laura, everyone! I’m glad it wasn’t my turn! Thank you and see you next year!” - Nour El Sherbini
Main Draw Semi-finals - October 22nd, 2017
Nour El Sherbini v Salma Hany
The first semi final of today was an all Egyptian affair between Nour El Sherbini, world #1, world champion and current Carol Weymuller champion, and compatriot Salma Hany Ibrahim, who is currently world #19, but is sure to rise up the ranking after her successes in this tournament. In the last game Nour continued her domination and her game seemed to be getting better and better as the third game went on. Salma just didn’t manage to get Nour off the T and put her under a significant amount of pressure. Nour didn’t let up and went through to take the third 11/4 to give her a place in the final for the third year in a row! Nour won 3-0…11/5, 11/6, 11/4 in 26 minutes.
Joelle King v Raneem El Welily
The second semi final match featured Raneem El Welily world #3 from Egypt, who won the Carol Weymuller back in 2011, and her opponent, Joelle King, is world #10 from New Zealand. Joelle was the finalist of the Weymuller in 2015 so I'm sure that both players are very keen to get back into the final tomorrow. Joelle went through to get her first ever win against her long term rival Raneem 3-1…11/6, 3/11, 11/9, 14/12 in 55 intense minutes.
Main Draw Quarter-finals - October 21st, 2017
Nour El Sherbini v Nour El Tayeb
It was also an exciting re-run of the US Open quarter finals when Nour El Tayeb beat Nour El Sherbini in a close 3-1. Nour El Tayeb is currently world #14 and Nour El Sherbini has been world #1 since May 2007. They have played 12 times before in PSA and their head to head is 6-6. Just as she equalized Tayeb lost her patience and made some errors and Sherbini grabbed her chance and played an amazingly steady squash to get a run of four points taking her through to win this epic match 11/6. Nour El Sherbini won 3-1…11/9, 4/11, 14/12, 11/6 in 56 minutes.
"I’m feeling good, it’s one of my hardest matches! There were a lot of long, hard rallies and it was tough, I’m so happy to be through. Just waiting to see who I’m going to play. It’s another Egyptian and I’ve been training with both of them for the last 11 years! It doesn’t matter to me who’s going to win, but I’m sure it’s going to be a great match.” - Nour El Sherbini
Salma Hany v Mariam Metwally
Second match on court was the between Egyptian giant killers Salma Hany Ibrahim who is world #19 and Mariam Metwally who is world #23, both taking out higher seeds in the first round. They have grown up playing squash together so they know each other and their game styles very well. It was Mariam that reached game ball first but Salma gave one last push and claimed her last point with an error from Mariam to win 12/10 to give Salma a place in the semi final for the first time. Salma won 3-0…11/9, 11/7, 12/10 in 35 minutes.
"I’m happy to be in the semi final in my favorite tournament. It’s like my second home. I tried to keep it as tight as possible as I know how dangerous she is. We’ve been playing for a long time and we know each other’s game. I know Marian has had a long tournament as she came through the qualification, so I knew I was less tired than her. It’s my 4th Weymuller and it’s my first semi and I’m so excited to play Nour tomorrow.” - Salma Hany
Joelle King v Annie Au
The third match of the evening was between World #9 Annie Au from Hong Kong against Kiwi Joelle King who is currently world #10. These players have been competing against each other since 2003 and have played an impressive 15 times with Joelle up on the head to head by 11 to 4. They both have very different styles with Joelle being powerful and attacking, and Annie playing a very steady, slower pace game. Joelle won 3-0…11/1, 17/15, 11/7 in 35 minutes.
"I started PERFECTLY! I couldn’t have played better than that! At this level you know your opponent is going to do something different and break your momentum. The second was tight and it was a see saw back and forth and no one really got a run of points. I think to win that second was so important, 2-0 or 1-1. Then in the 3rd I just tried to keep in front and it was pretty tight until 5-5 and then I got a lead. I’m very much looking forward to playing tomorrow. I haven’t played Lusty for a while and I played Raneem last week, so we’ll see.” - Joelle King
Raneem El Welily v Victoria Lust
Last up on the championship court, but certainly not least was England’s world #15 Victoria Lust against Raneem El Welily world #3 from Egypt is fresh out of a great US Open losing closely in the final 3-2. Raneem and Vicky have never played before tonight which is unusual as they are the same age and both been playing for many years now. Raneem won 3-1…11/8, 11/8, 15/13 in 37 minutes.
Main Draw First Round Bottom Half - October 20th, 2017
Nele Gilis v Annie Au
First on the Championship court was world #9 Annie Au from Hong Kong against qualifier Nele Gilis the Belgium #1 and world #26. They have only played once before in PSA, with Annie winning, but it was one and half years ago so I’m sure that Nele has improved a lot since then especially as she is still only 21 years old. Annie came through 3-1 in 49 minutes 11/7, 11/3, 3/11, 11/8.
"I’m very happy to get through the first round as yesterday there were two big upsets! Nele played very well and she picked up a lot of balls. After the third game, in my mind I thought that this could go to 5! I just sat down and said to myself to be calm. In the third game she played well but it was mostly about my mistakes. I just tried to be more patient in the fourth and wait for my opportunities. I have been in the US three weeks now so I think that I just need to relax and have a good rest and play a good match tomorrow.” - Annie Au
Joelle King v Millie Tomlinson
Second match on the championship court was between World # 10 Joelle King from New Zealand who was a finalist of the Weymuller back in 2015, against England’s Millie Tomlinson who is world #22. They have never played before so it’ll be a new experience for them both. The match started well for Joelle. Joelle won 3-0 in 40 minutes 11/7, 11/5, 12/10.
”I thought I started pretty well. I felt I was playing my games and had a good start. Then she came back strong towards the end of the first. I relaxed a little and before I knew it, it was tight! I started getting a bit frustrated, but managed to win that one.” - Joelle King
Victoria Lust v Emilia Soini
Third match of the night was between Victoria Lust the world #15 from England and local squash pro and world #78 Emilia Soini, the wild card spot for the Weymuller main draw this year. Emilia is originally from Finland and now bases herself in Brooklyn NY. They also have not played before. Emilia managed use her crafty drop flick at the front to wrong foot Vicky but in the end Vicky’s was just that bit too tight, controlled and experienced and she came through to win in three in 26 minutes 11/4, 12/10, 11/7.
Raneem El Welily v Dipika Pallikal
The final match of the evening on the championship court was between RaneemEl Welily, the 2011 Weymuller Champion from Egypt, andIndia’s Dipika Pallikal Karthik who is ranked #21 in the world. There were portions of the match when Dipika’s amazing racket skills shone through, but she couldn’t back it up, put in the patient play nor keep with Raneem’s relentless pressure and precise squash. After 26 minutes Raneem has won 3-0 11/8, 11/6, 11/7.
Main Draw First Round Top Half - October 19th, 2017
Alison Waters v Mariam Metwally
First match on the championship court was between the world #8 and 2014 Weymuller Champion, Alison Waters from England, qualifier and world #23 Mariam Metwally. The match started fast and furious and both players putting in their fair share of great shots and tight drives. Ali tried to keep her focus but Mariam was getting more confident by each point and she came through to take the fifth game 11/8 in a very long 55 min match 12/10, 4/11, 12/10, 6/11, 11/8.
Joshna Chinappa v Salma Hany
Second match on the championship court India's #1 player and world #13 Joshna Chinappa against Salma Hany Ibrahim from Egypt, who had a big win last week at the US Open beating world # 7 Sarah-Jane Perry. This match was epic and exciting and was the longest match of the evening. Salma won 3-2 in 72 minutes.9/11, 13/11, 14/16, 11/5, 12/10.
"I'm so relieved! I finally beat Joshna in the 6th time!!I've never beaten her!!” - Salma Hany
Nour El Tayeb v Milou van der Heijden
The next match on was between Egyptian and world #14 Nour El Tayeb against qualifier Milou van der Heijden from the Netherlands, who is currently ranked 41 in the world. Nour's current world ranking definitely doesn't reflect her recent form as she came away from Philadelphia last week as the US Open Champion beating the world #1, #3 and #4 to win this prestigious title. Milou put in 100% effort in her bid to stop Nour dominating, but Nour seemed to be flying on confidence from her big win last week and some went through to win 3-0, 11/6, 11/4, 11/3 in 24 minutes.
Nour El Sherbini v Mayar Hany
The last match on the championship court was an all Egyptian affair with world #1 and defending Weymuller champion, Nour El Sherbini playing qualifier Mayar Hany who is world #27. They have never played a PSA match before it would be interesting to see how they matched up. Nour won 3-0 in 26 minutes.11/4, 11/9, 11/5.
Qualifying Finals - October 18th, 2017
Milou van der Heijden v Nada Abbas
The match was between Netherlands Milou van der Heijden, who is ranked world #41, against the young 17 year old Egyptian player, Nada Abbas, who is already has a world ranking of #31. Milou stayed calm, re-focused and fought for the T and evened up the game again and with a no let to Nada it gave Milou her one and only match ball too. This time it was fully taken advantage of and Milou came through 13/11 in the fifth to secure her place in the Weymuller main draw.
"Very Happy!! I felt a little bit similar to yesterday as to whether I could play my game and force that on her. In the end it could have gone either way and I’m extremely happy that I managed to squeeze it out! I asked how she felt in the fifth and Milou said “I felt fine and I obviously could see the finish line, but I kept telling myself to take it one point at a timer and it worked!” - Milou van der Heijden
Mayar Hany v Nadine Shahin
The first of the evening matches at 5.30pm was the first of two all Egyptian matches, between Mayar Hany who is the world #27, and Nadine Shahin the world #30, both 20 years of age. This ended up being the second 3-2 match of the day and it was the longest match of the day by 1 minute! Mayar won in very long 56 min 3/2 match 11/7, 11/8, 9/11, 9/11, 11/8.
"I’m so happy to qualify and to win my second match also. We’ve been playing together for a long time since we were juniors, so winning today was a good win. It’s nearly always 3-2 or very close in games when we play!! I’m so happy and pleased to be in the main draw and hope for a good draw.” - Mayar Hany
Nele Gilis v Samantha Teran
The next match was between Belgium’s top player Nele Gilis, who is world #26, against Mexico’s Samantha Teran who is world #36. Nele came through 3-1 in 51 minutes….11/1, 12/14, 11/6, 11/3.
"I feel good!! And happy! I followed my plan to be aggressive and to keep her in the 4 corners and I did that in the first game. In the second I slowed down a little and played too many angles and you just can’t do that with Sam. Then I tried to get away from the angles and play more aggressive again and it paid off in the end. I’m liking this tournament more and more everyday and I’m excited to play tomorrow!!” - Nele Gilis
Kanzy El Defrawy v Mariam Metwally
Our last match of the evening was the second of the all Egyptian matches and it a wonderfully tense and colorful one between Kanzy Emad El Defrawy ranked #35 in the world and Mariam Metwally who has a world ranking of 23. Kanzy did many amazing dives and retrieved many balls, but Mariam fought her way through the last two games 11/9 and 12/10 to win in a tough 37 min three setter 11/3, 11/9, 12/10.
"I was preparing myself for a long match as last time we played it was 3-2 to me. But that was last year so it means that I’m getting better. So I was mentally ready from the beginning. I was trying to enjoy and to give my best. Alison and I haven’t played a full match before so as I said yesterday, tomorrow is a new day and a new plan! I just need to recover well and prepare myself mentally for a great battle tomorrow and we’ll see how it goes!” - Mariam Metwally
Qualifying Day 1 - October 17th, 2017
Milou van der Heijden v Heba El Torky
The 5.30pm match is between #1 qualifier from Egypt and world # 24 Heba El Torky against Milou van der Heijden the world # 41 from the Netherlands. Heba is 3-0 up in the head to head. It was so important for Milou to keep the ball away from the middle and in the end she managed to contain Heba and come through in a great and very closely contested match to win 3-1 in 40 min… 11/9, 7/11, 11/9, 11/7.
"Yes, of course very happy. It was up and down, in the sense that she had patches where she played such great shots, but if I stuck to my game plan right I felt I was in control. I’m just very happy that I managed to keep my focus throughout the whole match. A very positive first Carol Weymuller!!” - Milou van der Heijden
Nada Abbas v Colette Sultana
The second 5.30pm match was between Maltese Colette Sultana and Egyptian’s Nada Abbas who is already ranked world #31 at 17 years old. The fact that Nada is young certainly didn’t stop her from looking very experienced and she managed to dominate the T and put Colette under maximum pressure. Nada won her match 3-0…11/2, 11/8, 11/4 in 17 minutes.
Mayar Hany v Nicole Bunyan
The 6.15pm match on the east court was between Mayar Hany, world # 27 from Egypt against Canada’s Nicole Bunyan, who is the world # 62. he score didn’t depict the effort levels and quality of the rallies and Nicole gave 100% effort in her battle to get into the match. Even though Nicole pushed hard Mayer came through in 3-0… 11/1, 11/4, 11/4.
Nadine Shahin v Catalina Peleaz
The second 6.15pm match on the west court was between Egyptian Nadine Shahin who is world # 30 and Columbian Catalina Peleaz who is ranked #61 and is the top ranked Columbian in the world. When Catalina didn't keep the ball tight Nadine was able to put the ball away as she has great touch, but there were still some great and challenging rallies and Nadine came through in three in 21 minutes 3-0….12/10, 11/3, 11/8
Samantha Teran v Anna Kimberley
The first 7.00pm match we had Mexico’s veteran player Samantha Teran, who is currently #36 in the world playing Anna Kimberley from England who is ranked 104 in the world. Samantha’s experience definitely shone through against the young English player with 15 years more experience under her belt! Sam won in 3 in 22 min, 11/4, 11/5, 11/5.
Haley Mendez v Nele Gilis
There was a very enthusiastic crowd at 7.00pm on the championship court when home grown Haley Mendez, world # 55, played Belgium’s Nele Gilis who is ranked world #26. Haley has grown up playing and learning squash at the Heights Casino and so when she plays here she seems very comfortable and certainly gets some incredible support. Nele managed to retrieve so well and not let Haley keep the T the way she wanted and needed too. It was the longest match of the evening and Nele came through in the end 3-1…11/5, 5/11, 11/5, 11/8 in 48 minutes.
Danielle Letourneau v Mariam Metwally
The 7.45pm match on the west court was between Canada’s Danielle Letourneau who is world # 45 against Egypt’s #2 qualifier Mariam Metwally and world #23. This match looked all set to finish in 3 games until Danielle found her rhythm. This was the only five setter of the evening and Mariam squeezed through 3-2…11/9, 11/8, 12/14, 5/11, 11/7.
Kanzy El Defrawy v Amanda Landers-Murphy
The 7.45pm match on the east court was between Egypt and world #35 Kanzy Emad El Defrawy against Kiwi Amanda Landers-Murphy who is world #43 and a New Zealand team mate of Joelle King who is world # 10 and #5 seed here at the Weymuller. The third game was the turning point of the match, with Kanzy clinching that game 11/9 and even though it was 5-5 in the fourth Kanzy did some amazing gets and Amanda made a couple of errors and before we know it Kanzy had come through to win in 44 min 3-1….11/6, 9/11, 11/9, 11/6.
