Massaro And El Sherbini To Meet In Mouthwatering Qatar Finale by Nathan Clarke
photos squashpics.com
November 5, 2015
- England’s World No.3 Laura Massaro will go head-to-head with
three-time World Junior Champion and World No.8 Nour El Sherbini in the
final of the 2015 Qatar Classic tomorrow (Nov 6) in what promises to be
a block-buster encounter between two of the most in-form players on the
PSA World Tour.
2013 World Champion Massaro, who defeated El Sherbini to lift that
prestigious title in Penang, came into the tournament at the Khalifa
Tennis and Squash Complex in the form of her life having already
collected two titles, including the Delaware Investments U.S. Open, so
far this season while El Sherbini tasted success at the Carol Weymuller
Open in September.
Massaro will now be gunning for a second consecutive PSA World Series
title to extend her lead at the top of the PSA Road To Dubai Standings
but will have her work cut out against the 20-year-old Egyptian, who
downed legendary Nicol David in a gripping 59-minute semi-final.
“I can’t believe that I won that match,” said an elated El Sherbini.
“Nicol is one of the best players ever, she’s a legend and there will
never be someone like her again.
“But I kept telling myself to keep pushing and keep attacking until the
end and just give everything today and it’s amazing to be in the final
- I’m really happy.
“At the end I was really tired but the support of the crowd was amazing
and gave me confidence. I felt like I was playing in Egypt not Qatar
and that support is everything and I think that’s the reason I won
today- but I’m not finished yet.
“There’s still one more match to go.”
Massaro meanwhile booked her place in the showpiece event after
comfortably dispatching Egyptian World No.6 Omneya Abdel Kawy in an
assured straight games triumph.
“I’ve started the season really well and can’t believe how good I’ve been playing,” said Massaro.
“I’ve made three finals and won two tournaments so I’m feeling
confident at the moment – every final is a big day and my goal is
obviously to win big titles so I’m looking forward to it.
“I’m really happy to make another final and even happier that I managed
to get off 3-0. I was expecting a tough match after our semi-final in
Philadelphia but I think she made a lot of unforced errors and wasn’t
at her best but the most important thing is getting two feet into the
final and I’ll do that whatever way I have to.”
Result - Semi-finals: 2015 Women’s Qatar Classic - PSA World Series:
[4] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [5] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) 3-0: 11-7, 11-4, 11-6 (25m)
[6] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [2] Nicol David (MAS) 3-2:11-6, 10-12, 5-11, 11-4, 11-9 (59m)
Draw - 2015 Qatar Classic Women’s Final
[4] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [6] Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
