Al Sherbini proves worthy with first Dubai win

Nour Al Sherbini said her first PSA World Series Finals win finally proves she deserves to be at the top of women’s squash. The 22-year-old world No. 1 beat fellow Egyptian world No. 2 and current world champion Raneem Al Welily 3-1 (115, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5) at Emirates Golf Club on Saturday.

It comes after losing the semi-final and finals of the past two editions of this annual season-ender in Dubai. “Winning this title is really unbelievable,” said Al Sherbini, who won four out of seven events on the road to Dubai. “The last two times I lost in the semis and the final here, so this time it had to be mine.

“I just wanted to prove I really deserve to be on top of the game right now and this trophy is really important for me. That’s why I pushed really hard from the first match,” added the unbeaten Group A topper, who defeated Camille Serme in the semi-final.

In the final against Al Welily, Al Sherbini raced ahead to a 11-5 opener, then lost the second after Raneem fought back from 6-3 and 9-8 down to win 11-9. That resistance took it out of Al Welily however, and Al Sherbini pulled away from 6-6 to win the third 11-8 before advancing from 3-3 to win the fourth 11-5.

“I think this is the best match we’ve played together all season,” said Al Sherbini. “It’s the sixth time we’ve played this season and it’s hard to play the same player every month, as you have to change tactics and think outside the box.

“This season has been long and one of the most successful seasons of my career, but I’ll always have time to improve and work harder.”