England, Egypt in line for a dream double
dubai — England or Egypt could make it a dream double in the season-ending PSA Dubai World Series Finals at the iconic and opulent Dubai Opera.
Egypt’s Nour El Sherbini will match her wits against defending champion England’s Laura Massaro in the women’s final, while England’s James Willstrop squares off against Egypt’s Mohamed El Shorbagy in the men’s title tilt.
And it champion stuff from Nour, who put aside an injury to her right wrist during the deciding game to overcome a stoic Camille Serme of France and two Match Balls, in a match that went down the wire and lasted a good hour.
Laura too had to rely on every ounce of energy and will power to get past another Egyptian young star Nouran Gohar in 47 minutes.
On the men’s side, James Willstrop avenged his defeat to Karim Abdel Gawad at the JP Morgan Tournament of Champions, with a victory over the world No. 1 in straight games.
On the other hand, Mohamed El Shorbagy edged past Germany’s Simon Rosner in just over an hour.
It was an entertaining and top class contest between Nour and Camille with both giving nothing away. And it was about those thin and fine margins that held sway at the end. Nour had begun well, moving to a 3-0 lead in the first game before Camille fought her way back into it. But Nour was just ahead of her until they dew level at 7-7 before Camille nudged ahead.
It was pretty close to call before Nour was on Game Ball at 10-9. But Camille levelled and then got Game Ball for herself at 11-10. A long rally ensued before Nour won the point to bring it level again. Fortunes swung with Nour and Camille getting opportunities to close it out until twin errors from Nour saw Camille take the first game.
Stung by that, Nour hit back in the second by racing to a 6-0 lead and although Camille won a point after a stroke was awarded upon review, the fightback was a tad too late as Nour closed the game 11-3. The third game was as entertaining as they could come with some fluent attacking shots and some deft drops by both, which left the sizeable crowd left on the edge of their seats.
Nour suffered a wrist injury and had to take a 10-minute medical time out but it didn’t let it hamper her. She saved two Match Balls, one with a neat forehand and then the other with her being at her attacking best before having Camille on the floor to go on and take the match. “I thought that I was going to retire from the match because I couldn’t hold the racquet,” said Nour.
“But I thought that I should just go on and try. I was just thinking that I wanted to finish the points, so I attacked on every point and every opportunity,” added Nour, who went level on head-to-head wins against Camille to seven.
It was also her 150th victory in 205 PSA Matches.