Arthur Curran reports ...

With the No 1 seed Nouran Gohar facing the No 2 seed Lucie Fialova we could have expected a very entertaining match, but although it was a very good match it was at times a little one sided, as Nouran set off at a very fast pace taking a 5/2 lead, then 9/3 and finished the game off at 11/5.

Although Lucie was playing some good fighting squash she had no quick answer to Nouran’s silky typical Egyptian skills and fantastic speed and retrievals. Lucie did lead early in the second 5/3 but Nouran pulled back to 7/7, Lucie levelled then Nouran finished the game off sweetly at 11/7.

Lucie then led again early in the third 3/1, but with Lucie tiring and giving several strokes away, Nouran swept through in one hand to finish the game in great style at 11/3 and win the 2013 Prague Open - the first of surely many WSA titles for the reigning all-Africa junior champion.

Well that’s another tournament over successfully, and would just like to thank Tournament Director Ondrej Ertl for his much appreciated assistance, and Bradley Hindle and his lovely girlfriend Olga Ertlova for their wonderful hospitality and company.

 

11/9, 6/0 rtd (19m)

[Q] Farah Abdel Meguid

[1] Nouran Gohar

11/5, 11/7, 11/3 (32m)

[2] Lucie Fialova

13/11, 11/8, 11/7 (37m)

[2] Lucie Fialova

[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [Q] Farah Abdel Meguid (EGY)
         11/9, 6/0. Meguid Ret’d inj. 19 mins.

With the first semi final bringing us two young Egyptian ladies we knew we were in for an entertaining match, and so it proved, at least in the beginning. The score was very level at 3/3, 4/4 and 5/5, then Nouran eased into an 8/5 lead, Farah pulled back to 7/8, Nouran got game ball at 10/7, Farah saved two before Nouran finished it off at 11/9.

Both ladies were playing some amazing squash, with great racket skills and lightning speed, but in the second game Farah slowed down noticeably and at 6/0 to Nouran, Farah conceded the match, saying afterwards that, possibly due to the match earlier today, she just had no feeling in her legs, and had to concede. It was a shame that a match which promised such potential had to finish this way.

[2] Lucie Fiavola (CZE) bt [8] Cyrielle Peltier (FRA)
          13/11, 11/8, 11/7. 37 mins.

No Egyptian on court for this one, but we still had a hugely entertaining and skillful match to enjoy.

Cyrielle opened out an early 5/2 lead, Lucie levelled, Cyrielle led again at 8/5 then 9/7 but then Lucie got game ball at 10/9. Cyrielle fought brilliantly to stay in the game but Lucie managed to take the game 13/11.

Lucie edged slowly in front in the second before Cyrielle levelled at 8/8, but again Lucie finished the game off at 11/8. With Cyrielle visually tiring Lucie took advantage to get to match ball at 10/2, Cyrielle found another inner strength to get to 7/10 but again just could not stop the stronger Lucie from taking the game 11/7 and the match 3 – 0 to book her place in the final.

Frogs' Talk

Petit mot de Prague

J'ai perdu en 1/2 finale contre Lucie Fialova, je pense que je ne n'étais pas loin et je m'en veux un peu pour deux trucs.

J'ai mené tout le 1er jeu et je n'ai pas su conclure, je le perd finalement 13/11. Et ensuite je n'ai pas assez utilisé les doubles murs et les fixations que j'avais prévu de mettre en place car c'étaient des bonnes solutions.

Bon Lucie a aussi mis beaucoup de poids dans la balle ce qui m'a aussi empêché de le faire dans de bonnes conditions. Je trouve qu'elle a vraiment bien joué et je suis trop longtemps restée dans son style de jeu donc je m'en veux un peu.

Ma mère était là, donc contente quand même d'être allée jusqu'en 1/2, d'avoir battu Olga Ertlova qui est une solide Top50.

Après ma blessure au genou, j'ai pris un peu de retard dans ma progression au classement mais ce n'est pas si grave j'ai appris autre chose pendant ce temps là. J'avance doucement mais sûrement, je suis comme ça, alors je ne m'inquiète pas mais je suis aussi impatiente que mon entraineur ...

bon noël à tous
                                              
 

[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt
 [Q] Colette Sultana (MLT)

No 1 seed and favourite for the tournament 16 year old Nouran proved far too strong and skilful for Colette from Malta and eased through to the next round in three comfortable games.

[5] Laura Pomportes (FRA) bt Kristyna Alexova (CZE)

French girl Laura also seemed to ease through fairly comfortably in three against local wildcard entrant Krystina, although Krystina did prove to be a very brave opponent, especially in the second game.

[7] Gaby Huber (SUI) bt Maud Duplomb (FRA)

Once again another match taken in three as Swiss player Gaby Huber saw off a strong challenge from French girl Maud.

[Q] Farah Abdel Meguid (EGY) bt [4] Birgit Coufal (AUT)

This game was surprisingly taken quickly in three games again, this time qualifier Farah from Egypt playing very strongly defeated No 4 seed Birgit from Austria.

[3] Olga Ertlova (CZE) bt
[Q] Nada Elkalaawy (ENG)

A great win for the local fans as home town girl Olga managed to stave off a very strong challenge from English girl qualifier Nada in three straight games.

[8] Cyrielle Peltier (FRA) bt Victoria Temple-Murray (ENG)

Another one finishing in three when French player Cyrielle managed to ease out the end of each game against the very strong spirited Victoria.

[6] Lotte Eriksen (NOR) bt [Q] Chloe Mesic (FRA)

By far the longest match of the night, being the only one to go over three games, attracted a large crowd towards the end when all other matches had ended, and both players really gave their all which was much appreciated by the crowd. Chloe started off by taking the first game 11/8, but then Lotte fought back to take the second 11/2 as Chloe seemed to tire.

However Chloe found some extra strength to take the third 11/8, but the tide turned again as Lotte took the fourth and the match into a decider.

The final game ebbed and flowed both ways as each player fought their best to take the match but in the end Lotte finished slightly stronger and thanks to a tin from Chloe she took the match in five after almost an hour of scintillating squash.

[2] Lucie Fialova (CZE) bt
[Q] Nele Gilis (BEL)

Again another match to warm up the local fans against the other home town girl Lucie.

Despite some really strong and exciting squash from qualifier Nele, especially in the first game which really could have gone either way, Lucie managed to finish it in three as Nele fought bravely to stay in the third game.

Farah & Birgit

Olga & Nada

Maud & Gaby

Tory & Cyrielle                            Lotte & Chloe                      Laura & Kristyna