Egyptian qualifier Salma Hany Ibrahim scored arguably the biggest scalp of
her career so far as she shocked World No.3 and former World Champion Laura
Massaro in the opening round of the Carol Weymuller Open, PSA W50 event – a
year after she was knocked out at the quarter-final stage by the
Englishwoman.
The match started at a ferocious pace with Ibrahim counter attacking
Massaro's short game to edge the opening game courtesy of a 12-10
tie-break. Massaro came out much improved in the second and the number two
seed gained governance of the 'T' as she levelled things up heading in to
game three.
Some unforced errors from Massaro enabled Ibrahim to reclaim her lead in
the third after an 11-7 triumph but Massaro dominated the fourth to ensure
parity as the match drew to its conclusion. However, 19-year-old Hany
surged into a 9-4 lead in the fifth and resisted a late charge from Massaro
to seal the victory with a 12-10, 8-11, 11-7, 4-11, 11-9 scoreline,
securing her first ever victory over Massaro in the process.
“I’m speechless,” said Ibrahim.
“It’s not that I can’t believe I won, it’s that I pushed myself so much
when I was tired. I didn’t want to lose this time after last year but I
still had a feeling that I wasn't going to win even though I was playing
well. I made myself smaller goals and just told myself to take it one point
at a time because it felt harder when I told myself that I had to win.
“When it was 2-2, Omneya [Abdel Kawy], Raneem [El Welily] and Nour [El
Sherbini] told me not to lose my focus like last time. I’m also impressed
with my nick and boast at match ball.”
Ibrahim will meet fellow qualifier Joshana Chinappa in the quarter-final
after the Indian No.2 surprised seventh seed Emma Beddoes in a 3-1 triumph.
The upsets didn't end there as wildcard Joelle King, the former World No.4,
stunned defending champion Alison Waters in four games to eliminate the
number three seed. The encounter featured a lot of high-calibre squash with
King eventually prevailing with an 11-6, 8-11, 14-12, 11-8 victory.
She will line up against Sarah-Jane Perry in the last eight after the World
No.12 secured her quarter-final berth courtesy of an assured display
against Kanzy Emad El Defrawy.
*Results – Carol Weymuller Open PSA W50, First Round:*
[1] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v Dipika Pallikal (IND) – To be played Friday
Oct 2
[Q] Joey Chan (HKG) v [8] Rachael Grinham (AUS) – To be played Friday Oct 2
[5] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v Delia Arnold (MAS) – To be played Friday Oct 2
Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v [4] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) – To be played Friday Oct
2
[WC] Joelle King (NZL) bt [3] Alison Waters (ENG) 3-1: 11-6, 8-11, 14-12,
11-8
[6] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt [Q] Kanzy Emad El Defrawy (EGY) 3-1: 5-11,
11-9, 11-2, 11-9
[Q] Joshana Chinappa (IND) bt [7] Emma Beddoes (ENG) 3-1: 4-11, 16-14,
11-7, 11-4
[Q] Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY) bt [2] Laura Massaro (ENG) 3-2: 12-10, 8-11,
11-7, 4-11, 11-9
