QF: [8] Salma Hany (Egy) 3-0 [9/16] Olivia Clyne (Usa) 11-4, 11-4, 11-2 (22m)
A consummate performance from Salma Hany as she despatches Olivia Clyne in straight games …
Those two hadn’t played since British Open 2014, in the qualifiers, with a Salma victory in three but come on, I was young and fit then, so doesn’t mean much now….
I feel that Olivia maybe had too much to prove to herself today, and probably, instead of enjoying the moment and the chance that fate had given her, she put so much pressure on herself she just forgot about the process and how great squash she can play.
Salma, on the other hand, although slightly higher ranked, 10 for 13, was as free as a bulbul – a bird. She was shining on that court, she truly grabbed the opportunity that was given to her with both hand, and never looked worried. She was accurate, reading the game to perfection. After a “traversée du désert”, Salma is back where she worked very hard for…
🗣 "Olivia is one of the closest people to me. To be able to come out there with this aggression and focus the whole match was really hard."@salmahany4 talks us through her @BlackBallSquash win over @LivBlatchClyne 🎥
First Platinum semi incoming 🙌#BlackBallOpen pic.twitter.com/F7qvnn7QDs
— PSA World Tour (@PSAWorldTour) March 16, 2021
Salma: “It feels amazing!
“I’m very happy with my performance today. The score doesn’t tell the story, playing against Olivia – she is one of the closest people to me and to be able to come out there with this aggression and focus the whole match was really hard. She’s an amazing player, I knew how dangerous she is and I’m glad I stuck to my plan and came out with this performance.
“Amanda is an amazing player, playing two Americans in a row. Right now I’m going to focus on my recovery to be ready for tomorrow, I’m glad I went through this in three so I can have some energy tomorrow. I’m glad I get to play another day in front of my home crowd and hopefully it will be a good day.
“A lot of people have been texting me and supporting me and I really appreciate it. I’m very lucky to have a lot of people behind me, all my teammates, family and coaches.