Day 5
October 23
Four days of astonishing squash led up to this moment. Our members could not be more privileged to have world number 2 on display showing everyone that this sport can be played at a level they can’t even imagine. Add on one of the most exciting ‘new-kids-on-the-block’ who has already picked up some first-rate scalps for her mantlepiece and will be a force to be reckoned with on the world tour for the next few years to come, and we were already over-spoiled. Just happy to be a part of it and witness some history.
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v Georgina Kennedy (ENG)
Would the moment prove to be too big for the Englishwoman? It was a substantial assignment, her first final in a Bronze tournament, coming off her first win against a top ten player, would she be able to lift herself just one more time for the monumental occasion? Win or lose, Georgina will propel herself into the top 30 on next month’s ranking, a healthy jump from her current 51.
The first few rallies of the match set the tone, however… for Nouran. If we thought she was pounding the ball hard in her first 3 matches, she was utterly demolishing it in this one. Apparently there is another gear - kind of like “ludicrous” speed in the movie Space Balls! There wasn’t much that Georgina was doing wrong, she simply couldn’t keep up. It was 4-0 in no time. But, you don’t beat world number 8 without knowing how to adjust and Georgina found a little bit of rhythm and tried slowing the hitting down to a more manageable pace. It worked temporarily and she pegged the score back to 4-5 before Nouran once again figured it out and went on another small tear. The lead was extended enough to hold back Georgina’s mini-comeback at the end and Nouran took the first game.
For the second game, it was clear the Georgina was trying to take away Nouran’s heavy belting. Half paced, little more loft, she was doing her utmost to upset the Egyptian’s game… but to little or no avail. Nouran doesn’t only annihilate the ball, her length is also remarkably consistent. It’s not only quick into the back corners, it was also dying length and Georgina often found herself with no other option but to defend it back. Setting it up into the front, Nouran was delighted to snap the ball low, hard, and deceptively accurate for a winner. She was in control.
The third was all one way traffic. Georgina was out of ideas, but her effort level wouldn’t and didn’t wain. Do or die on every rally, she hung in there as long and best as she could. The Egyptian was just too good. Ending the match on a perfect backhand slice off the back wall, a (semi) drop into the front left that rolled out flat, it was fitting way to claim the title. Almost a flawless production. 11-8, 11-6, 11-1.
What more can be said. The DAC couldn’t be happier. Until 2022!
