Al Sherbini looks to go one better after sizzling start
LAST YEAR’S LOSING FINALIST IN PRIME FORM AT EMIRATES GOLF CLUB
Nour Al Sherbini is confident of going one better in the season-ending PSA World Series Finals at Emirates Golf Club this week after finishing runner-up last year.
The 22-year-old Egyptian World No. 1 and top seed has already won her opening two matches 2-0 against New Zealand’s Joelle King (12-10, 11-7) and Egypt’s Nour Al Tayeb (115, 11-4) and is through to the semi-finals.
She comes into this event on a high after winning four out of seven events on the series this season, including last month’s British Open.
Last year, Al Sherbini was denied in the final of this event by England’s Laura Massaro, who also won the year before last.
Treble-chasing Massaro however, is now out of the running paving the way for Al Sherbini.
“Definitely after winning the British Open, I’m confident coming into Dubai and hope this tournament is going to be good,” she said.
“It’s a tough tournament playing the top eight players, every match will be like a final but I think I’m ready and I hope I can do better than last year.
“It was very close last year. They were tough matches for me from the beginning until the end. You have to be ready right from the first game.”
After winning four out of seven events on the series this year — up from no wins and two finals last year, when she was the second seed — she says she is in better form, but is just exhausted.
“I’m way better than last year and winning the British Open before this is a big thing for me, but it’s been a long season. I’m tired mentally and physically and just want the season over to relax my mind
It’s a tough tournament playing the top eight players, every match will be like a final but I think I’m ready and I hope I can do better.” Nour Al Sherbini » World No. 1
and body, but we still come here to keep pushing for one more tournament.”
Things are made harder for Al Sherbini because she is also fasting due to Ramadan.
“It’s really hot and you’re playing tough matches. It’s hard to get a good recovery after not eating or drinking all day. I’m playing in the afternoon and break the fast at 7.00pm. It’s hard to play matches and eat after, really hard.”