[6] Salma Hany (EGY) 3-0 Salma Eltayeb (EGY) 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 (33m)
ElTayeb:
Salma is a very experienced player, so dangerous with her killing shots, and she made the difference in the tie-breaks in the middle of the games: 5/5, 6/6… I made silly errors, whereas she was playing perfect shot after perfect shot. Her experience showed off, I would hit loose shots and make unforced errors, whereas she would just attack, attack, attack, to perfection. So I should have stayed more focused at those crucial times.
I just started working with Basem Makram, and I’m quite of excited. We are testing now all the things I’ve been working on recently. And it’s been working really well.
He is a great coach, he’s been helping me a lot with the mental pressure of trying to balance full time university and squash. It’s been hard especially as I’m graduating this semester. It’s been a hectic schedule and Bisso has been very adaptable and understanding about my changes of schedule.
Of course I want to be a top 10 player, but when I’m ready for it. When I have acquiered enough experience.. You know, in Egypt, after the junior stage, the pressure on you to get to the top as quickly as possible is immense and you can be made to feel that if you don’t make it RIGHT NOW to the top, you are just not good enough.
So my goal is to get the better I can in squash, at my own rhythm, with no time limitation. Whenever I’m ready and I am experienced enough.
Hany
“I’m feeling very good to play another tournament especially in my hometown. All my family are here, my coach is here. And the crowd is obviously with us, and it definitely feels very special to play here this week. Having their support feels very special because you don’t always get to experience that, and I’m definitely going to take advantage of that and enjoy my time on court as much as possible.
“Salma is a great player and was one of our top juniors. She had a really good win yesterday and has been playing really well on the professional tour. I definitely prepared well for the match and am glad I managed to win in three.
“Nour [El Tayeb] and I played some great battles in the past and she’s a great friend of mine and great competitor. I always enjoy our time on court.”
