Mon 19-Sep, Day THREE:
Round One : Perry and Tayeb surprise as Egyptian men dominate ...

[1] Nour El Sherbini (Egy) 3-0 [Q] Rachael Grinham (Aus)
             11/7, 11/4, 11/4 (23m)
[6] Omneya Abdel Kawy (Egy) 3-2 [Q] Low Wee Wern (Mas)
            11/8, 11/3, 14/16, 10/12, 11/6 (48m)
[8] Alison Waters (Eng) 3-1 Victoria Lust (Eng)
           11/9, 7/11, 11/4, 11/4 (50m)
[wc] Nour El Tayeb (Egy) 3-2 [4] Nouran Gohar (Egy)
          2/11, 12/10, 5/11, 6/11, 11/7 (57m)
[3] Raneem El Welily (Egy) 3-0 Joshna Chinappa (Ind)
             11/8, 11/2, 11/7 (29m)
[7] Amanda Sobhy (Usa) 3-2 [Q] Tesni Evans (Wal)
           9/11, 11/5, 11/4, 13/15, 11/7 (57m)
Sarah-Jane Perry (Eng) 3-1 [5] Camille Serme (Fra)
           11/4, 5/11, 11/6, 11/8 (42m)
[2] Nicol David (Mas) 3-0 [Q] Fiona Moverley (Eng)
            11/8, 11/7, 11/9 (28m)

[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (Egy) 3-1 Cameron Pilley (Aus)
             9/11, 11/7, 11/9, 11/8 (60m)
[6] Simon Rosner (Ger) 3-1 [wc] Youssef Soliman (Egy)
           11/1, 9/11, 11/4, 12/10 (55m)
[7] Ramy Ashour (Egy) 3-1 [Q] Omar Abdel Meguid (Egy)
           11/5, 5/11, 11/7, 11/6 (43m)
[4] Ali Farag (Egy) 3-0 Fares Dessouky (Egy)
            11/6, 11/9, 11/6 (40m)
[3] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-1 [Q] Greg Lobban (Sco)
           10/12, 11/8, 14/12, 11/8 (69m)
[5] Tarek Momen (Egy) 3-0 [Q] Mohamed Reda (Egy)
           11/4, 11/5, 11/3 (19m)
[LL] Zahed Mohamed (Egy) 3-2 [8] Borja Golan (Esp)
           10/12, 11/8, 5/11, 12/10, 11/6 (102m)
[2] Omar Mosaad (Egy) 3-0 [Q] Karim Ali Fathi (Egy) 
             11/4, 11/6, 11/6 (46m)

[7] Amanda Sobhy (Usa) 3-2 [Q] Tesni Evans (Wal)
           9/11, 11/5, 11/4, 13/15, 11/7 (57m)

TESNI “THE GRIT” NEARLY GETS AMANDA “THE FLASH” TO ONE HOUR

What a great performance from trimmed Welsh Tesni today. She played a superb first game, her lines and depth were spot on, she was hitting extremely hard and outplayed the American for most of the game, 9/5, only to see Amanda coming back 9/9, but a good construction of rallies give Tesni the advantage on the last 2 points 11/9.

Amanda is not impressed, and quickly levels it 11/5, while continuing with the momentum in the 3rd, Tesni is now tired – the two qualifying matches in her legs maybe – and we look like a 3/1 is on the cards, 11/4 in the 3rd.

And then here comes the Tesni “The Grit” Evans, who after a bad call at 9/5 down, a not let that is just a simple let, gets all fiery and claws back to 9/9. When Amanda gets match ball, it seems it’s all over, again.

But 4 match balls won’t be enough, and it’s the Welsh that get the last laugh, on her first game ball, 15/13.

The 5th is not a formality, and although Amanda is dominating, fooling Tes a few times by sending her the wrong game, finding great deep shots and hitting very hard, Tesni is always in the rear mirror, never out of touch.

Still, the ranking prevails, eventually, 11/6. But what a superb start of the event (officially that is, we’ve been at it for three days!)

[2] Nicol David (Mas) 3-0 [Q] Fiona Moverley (Eng)
            11/8, 11/7, 11/9 (28m)

Getting into the first round is always a bit of a exciting time, Fiona had a little time on the courts which I found a bit trick, very different from the normal courts, very dead. She was able to put together a few of her great shots, but I eventually managed to get to the ball a bit early, get the shots passed her, and I took my chances where there were there, a bit earlier as well.

So please to get a 3/0 win, and to finally play on the glass in front of the Pyramids, it’s my first time!!!

Nicol David

Third game was crucial, I was struggling a bit to understand what the ref wanted me to do movement wise, so I was trying to stay focus, and making sure that I was focusing on my squash.

I tried to play the ball away from me, and get around him. Once I got closer score wise, I was able to get back to my normal game, tried to move him around as much as possible and I'm pleased I won that third because it was the turning point.

I've worked hard on my core over the summer and on my fitness to develop. My flexibility and core at the end of last season was poor so it's thanks to my fitness coach Ali, who’s done a great job with me, that allowed me to get back on my feet.

It was only the first round, but I swear I never felt pressure like today's match. With the chance to play at the Pyramids on it was the most pressure I ever had.

I'm glad I'm through and I can wait to play on there now - it's a dream come true.

Karim Abdel Gawad

[8] Alison Waters (Eng) 3-1 Victoria Lust (Eng)        11/9, 7/11, 11/4, 11/4 (50m)

We just played in China, I won 3/2, but we both agreed it was a scrappy match, but it’s so hard, she is an English girl, we know each other very well, we both want to win very badly.

I only managed to settle in the 3d, I got my short game going, and that help me relaxing in the fourth, once you get going, your game seems to get in place.

In the fourth, I think she got a bit frustrated and made more errors in that game than she did the whole match. So I just focused on keeping on doing what I was doing…

I can’t wait to play in front of the Pyramids, what an incentive for a win in a first round!

Alison Waters

[LL] Zahed Mohamed (Egy) 3-2 [8] Borja Golan (Esp)
           10/12, 11/8, 5/11, 12/10, 11/6 (102m)

A LOT OF NOISE

I didn’t get the chance to see any of the match, but I can tell you I could hear it from the other side of the venue!!!! Zahed bless him was very vocal, I saw the ref going down to talk with the players. It lasted a very long time, there were for sure a lot of decisions. Boy am I glad I do not have to explain what happened of there!!!

Yesterday I was getting ready to go home, I was on the shuttle, I knew that would be a lucky loser, and somebody told me I was back in! And now I'm into the quarter-finals. I wasn't happy yesterday with my result, Karim played better, he deserved to win for sure, he kept his focus better than I did. so I was very happy to have a second chance and I wanted to prove to my mum, my father and my coaches that I could win.

Beating Borja in 5 is not easy. Last week he beat Gaultier, so I knew he was in good form. I had to play well to win. It was a difficult match but I'm really happy to come through it.

Yes, there were a few discussions between the ref and us. I just wanted him to be fair, and I don’t feel he was, I wanted him to be consistent, but I really didn’t understand his decisions or the line of refereeing he took. And I’m sorry I shouted, I was just trying to win so badly. I wanted to win so badly.

I didn't expect to be the lucky loser and I'm so happy - now I'm playing on the glass court. It was God's will…

Zahed Mohamed

I was so scared of being bageled in that first game, like I was in the Words by Amanda - she was playing so well and it was hard to get into the match. I kept telling myself before the match, Nour, you’ve got to get into the match quickly. I just couldn’t.

What is the key today is that I've been working on my attitude and to keep pushing regardless of the score. I kept pushing - which is Ali's main advice to me, stay positive, keep pushing and the squash will come.

She started to make errors and I was back in it. Then I started to find my range.

She's the one to beat at the moment. The pressure was all on her, can you believe it - she's up there at No.4 and playing so well, the Hong Kong Champion, but I knew I had the squash and the work to beat her. She doesn't give an inch, other players when you push them, they sort of give in, she doesn’t - I just stuck in.

I know, I dived once, Fram, I’m not proud of it, but I dove on my left shoulder, so it’s ok, isn’t it??

It's a very good day. It's a dream come true to be on the glass court, hopefully I can play well and keep playing well. I remember going there in 2001 and it was so exciting - I can't believe I will now be there but I have to treat it just like another venue, like another event… Not going to be that simple….

Nour El Tayeb

I was watching Nour, so I wasn’t really preparing for my match as we were playing at the same time nearly. The intensity wasn’t to start with, luckily I didn’t lose a streak of points to start with.

So happy to reach the quarters and get to play in front of the Al-Ahram, and it’s double happiness because Nour is playing as well.

I love married life Fram, it’s just so much easier, we enjoy it a lot. And if last year we had a very stressful time for different reasons, it strengthen our relationship too. And if we are double stressed because we both do the same job, we are also double helping each other… Let’s hope we can keep things going like that Inshallah….

Ali Farag

[7] Ramy Ashour (Egy) 3-1
[Q] Omar Abdel Meguid (Egy) 11/5, 5/11, 11/7, 11/6 (43m)

RAMY BACK TO NORMAL,
OMAR NEARLY THERE

It was a good match to watch. As often, all the top players will tell you, players bring their A game when they are playing against the top 5 players, and today was no exception.

Meguid’s game has evolved so much that he could change name, nobody would think it’s the same player I noticed – in a bad way – in the Sky Open back in 2008. Instead of using his energy and body to block and push his opponent, he now uses his physicality and feel of the ball to ask real questions to his opponent, and that produces excellent matches indeed.

A first game sees a very relaxed Ramy, 5/1 up quickly, only to see the volleying from our Favourite Dentist making its toll, 5/5. But Ramy relaxes the body and the arm, and finds no tins and plenty of winners, 11/5.

Match ain’t over people, at all. Starting with his usual “let’s test the tin see if it’s going to hold the whole tournament and hit it as hard as I can” string of errors, Ramy makes 3 mistakes to start the game, all credit to Omar that suddenly speed up the pace, stepped up the court – I can feel Abbas advice there – and basically will dominate Ramy the whole game, 4/0, 5/1, 11/5 on a tin on a return of serve and a stroke.

Third is crucial, and mental side of things start to play its normal role. And it’s in Omar’s head that the battle is happening. Suddenly putting too much pressure on himself, trying to finish the point too early and force it whereas he was just patient and fast the game before, Omar makes far too many errors, 4 in 5 points. That gives Ramy a nice little gap, 8/5, another tin will give Ramy game ball, 10/7. At that point, I’m not sure what happened, I got a bit confused with the ref bless him, they had a long day believe me, we got from Let to No let and finally stroke. I know it sounds confusing, but I’m sure it’s making sense in the wash, that made it game for Ramy, 11/7.

Omar was still in the match in the beginning of the 4th, but Ramy was by then relaxed and confident enough to try out a few winners that found the point, 3/3, 8/4, 11/6 on a tin….

[1] Nour El Sherbini (Egy) 3-0 [Q] Rachael Grinham (Aus)
             11/7, 11/4, 11/4 (23m)

A QUICK AFFAIR

A very straight forward affair, Rachael slipering a few times, fighting a bit with the bounce on the left back corner, not able to adjust her lobs as she wanted, opening volleying opportunity for the young girl who was born the last time Rachael played on that court, 1997!

Nour looked in control from beginning to end, the games were short, 7, 7, 6minutes, still a few nice rallies, but the winner was never in doubt tonight.

[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (Egy) 3-1 Cameron Pilley (Aus)
             9/11, 11/7, 11/9, 11/8 (60m)

CAMERON JUST A BIT SQUASHED OUT AT THE END

May the Gods of Squash bless our Cameron, who just made a Squash Marathon. Since the end of August, he played the World Doubles, then straight to HK, taking out Mohamed then in the first round then off to China, only to rush to Pontefract for the European Club Champs, arriving this morning early to play tonight against World number 1.

And he nearly got him again!!!!

Nervous my Mohamed was, I can tell you. When he starts looking at the state of the floor, hitting several tins in the first game, mistiming his shots, he is not focusing, and if you add the look on the floor, that means, nervous as hell. And when you start hearing Mrs Shorbagy going “Yalla Mohamad” several times in a row, then you know it’s serious….

Still, it seems fine to start with, 3/1 for the Alexandria Man, 5/2, but Cameron taking his chances, long rallies, the Australian digging in to retrieve great attacks, 6/6, 7/7, 8/8 annnnd 9/9. At 10/9, Cam finds a superbly glue straight drive that get Mohamed a let. The Egyptian is hungrier than that, goes for a review hoping for a stroke, and gets a no let. Game Cameron. Mohamed is stunned….

Second game is very close up to the middle of the game, 2/2, 3/3, 4/4, 5/5, 6/6 7/7, there I can see the Squash Marathon getting into Cameron’s legs bless him, Mohamed is over him like a rush, the crowd is delighted when his man closes the game 4 points later, 11/7.

But the 3rd is again a bit threat to Mohamed. Again away mentally, not focusing enough, Mohamed cannot prevent Cameron from finding superb angles, and finds himself down, 5/2, 7/4 and to be honest at that point, I thought 2 things. 1, that was could have a huge upset here. 2. That Basma Shorbagy would march straight to the chair of Mohamed at the end of the game, whatever this outcome.

My second point was spot on. Again, at the business end of the game, I could see Cameron getting a bit flat, combination of the tiredness and the huge work Mohamed made him produce, 7/7, 8/8, 10/8.

There a weird moment, Cameron goes for a crosscourt drop shot very close to the tin, sounds good from where I am, but Mohamed thinks it’s down, stops play, while the Ref thinks Mohamed’s shot is not up and calls it. Mohamed thinks the ref has called Cameron’s shot down, it’s all a bit confusing as Mohamed goes off court, thinking he won the game 11/8. It’s only “partie remise”, as Mohamed will win the next point, 11/9…

Apologising to Cameron at the start of the 4th for their few words – no offence taken seems to say the Laid Back Australian – Mohamed will control the game quite comfortable, Cam making 3 crucial errors in a row from 3/1 to 4/3, and that gives a huge boost of confidence to the Egyptian. Nothing will stop him from getting his win and revenge, 10/5 match ball, or will it? Cameron lets go of the arm, and start stringing the points, 6, 7, 8.. But it stops there, 11/8….

A whole country exhales…