[5] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) 3-2 Hana Ramadan (EGY) 11-13, 12-10, 13-15, 11-8, 11-9 (64m)
One of those extraordinary matches you would like/need at least two hours to report on. And I have like 5m.
First, no love lost between those two girls. From the first rally, Hana attracted the ref’s attention to her opponent’s movement, finding herself at least 5 times on the floor trying to get to the ball – not saying that Rowan actually did it in purpose! Stating a fact.
Then, let’s talk winners. First three games, Rowan played 7 winners, to go up to 10 in the last two games. As for Hana, 10 winners, 5, 11, 4, 6. Random…
It was quite extraordinary to see how Rowan was first nervous of course but also completely suffocated by Hana’s game plan: Lob, Lob, volley drop shot (s), and finally a low kill, taking her completely out of position.
The score was incredibly close in the first game, not a point between them from the first rally to 11/11, Hana taking the opener on her first attempt while Rowan missed out on 2 chances.
Second, the same story up to 5/5, then a good push from Rowan – now coached by Engy K – 9/6, 10/7. Looked a close deal but Hana was picking up truly everything and it took 4 game balls for the Wadi Degla player to level 1/1.
The third probably cost the match to Hana. She was cruising at 6/0 – Rowan lost a bit of focus when she got penalised at 0/0 and went “could I say something” to the Ref, who said no, “just one thing” and she was warned next time would be conduct warning. Blimey. Do we want robots on court now???
So, 6/0, 8/1 to Hana, 10/7, three game balls gone for Hana. 10/10. Three game balls for Rowan, 13/13. An error and a winner, and Hana closes it finally 15/11, 17m.
The 5th sees the hard work Rowan made her opponent do pay dividends: 4 winners on return of serve! Hana was still in there, but we could feel she was playing the windscreen wippers at the back of the court, and losing the last energy she had left. 3/3, 4/4, 5/5, 6/6, 7/7, 8/8. An gigantic rally at that point, and a couple of points for Rowan, 10/8, 9/10 one saved but it’s FINALLY 11/9 to the #5.
“I am very proud of myself for wining today”. You can be habebty. And so can Hana. What a GLORIOUS MATCH THAT WAS. Merci girls. Chapeau
Hesham Attar (coach to Hana)
The quality Hana displayed today was just amazing, unfortunately, at some moments, she didn’t believe she could win. Sometimes, she wasn’t backing up her good shots after playing them, as in not positioning herself perfectly as she was playing her shot. Sometimes she left the score and the emotions, and the possibility of winning get over her a little bit, as obviously, it would have been a fantastic win.
But I’m SO PROUD OF HER. She surprised me today with some of the squash she came out with! We’ve only been working for a couple of months, it’s all the work she’s been doing since she is young and I’m so happy when I can make a difference to a player. To be able to add something, to inspire her and to make her feel things clearer, and letting her being even more focused on what to filter out and what to incorporate in her game, that makes me very happy.
Rowan
“Honestly I consider myself super lucky to get through today’s win. I think this is the best Hana [Ramadan] has played, at least against me, she played super squash and I couldn’t cope with her mix of pace and I couldn’t cope with the shot selection she was using today.
“I had no other option other than to fight and not to think about having a bad day today and not finding my length, I can’t find my shot selection and I can’t think properly. I’m very proud of myself today to get through a tricky match and get the win.
“This is my first match since Chicago and I was very nervous before the match. I couldn’t think about anything else other than being nervous and being away from the Tour for a month and playing on a glass court in front of a crowd and it’s overwhelming in a way. I had to not to think about any feelings and play. I didn’t play well and it was the physical part that took place in the match and I’m happy with that.”
