Prior to the Women’s Singles final, every title had been secured by the hosts.Eyes were focus on eight years earlier when in Mauritius. Egypt had claimed all seven titles.
On home soil there to be no repeat of 2004.
Avenged Earlier Defeat
Han Xing justified her top seeded position in the draw and extracted revenge.
In the final of the Women’s Team event earlier in the week, she had been beaten by Dina Meshref; on the concluding day of play the two met in the penultimate round.
Once again a hard fought contest was on the order of proceedings, only this time the verdict went in favour of Congo Brazzaville. Han Xing won in six games (7-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 11-6).
Silver for Nadeen El-Dawlatly
Victory over Dina Meshref in the semi-final, in the final it was victory in opposition to a second rising Egyptian star, Nadeen El-Dawlatly; Han Xing winning by a similar six games margin to secure the title (11-8, 6-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-6).
In the opposite half of the draw, Nadeed El-Dawlatly had ended the progress of compatriot, Sara El-Sokary, also in a six games duel (11-5, 10-12, 7-11, 11-3, 11-6, 13-11).
Fourth Career Title
Victory in the Women’s Singles event meant that Han Xing collected her fourth African Senior Championships title.
In 2008 in Kinshasa she has been a member of the successful Congo Brazzaville Women’s Team, whilst joining forces with Yang Fen and Saheed Isowu to win the respective Women’s and Mixed Doubles event.
First Time
However, it was the first time she had ever won the Women’s Singles title
The Women’s Team podium in Cairo Photo by Saad Z. Ahmed
