Farida Mohamed (EGY) 3-2 [6] Joelle King (NZL) 5-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-9 (49m)
No. I didn’t go to Joelle to ask her what happened today. I mean, when a player of that standard serves out on match ball, you know she is not on her best day….
Yet, it started very well for her, she was dominating the court completely, well, up to 10/2 in the second. At that point, Farida who was up that then very subdued and a bit slow, no length and making errors, realised that she could actually play squash. Yes, she lost the game, 11/7 but the switch was on!
From that point on, we could see Joelle gradually losing confidence in her game, and I guess her recent loss against another young up and coming Egyptian Nadine Shahin played its role.
The 5th was lead by Farida, who at 7/5 looks very good and calm. She chose that moment to remind us she is only 18, and played three junior squash shots, three errors. We thought that Joelle would prevail at that point, and regroup. But she didn’t. Farida, with the strength and confidence that comes from being 18, managed to close that one out on her second attempt, with the help of her opponent, who like I said at the start, served out at 9/10…
Farida
I almost lost, so I gave it all I could I think after that…
At the begining, I didn’t think I could win the match, I saw her as Joelle King, and didn’t really play my best, was a bit afraid to ask for lets, etc. A bit too much respect.
But in the second, I was down 10/2, and I only lost 11/7, which gave me a lot of confidence. I thought it’s not THAT hard! But most of all, what helped me was that 2/0 down I was not tired, neither mentally nor physically. And so I knew I could push.
It’s great having the crowd today, it was great to have my coaches with me today and thanks to them for everything.
