[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 3-0 Rachel Arnold (MAS) 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (37m)
Too close for comfort. That’s the way I would describe the match from Hania’s point of view. Rachel left it all out there, and frankly, put a heck of a pressure onto the world number one racquet.
Very, very fast pace, both players trying to attack and surprise the other, lots of lobs, change of direction, flicks, with of course, some lovely drives and length.
At time, Hania seemed to struggle a bit with her length, in particular on the lob, allowing the Malaysian enough time on the ball to find those incredible shots – volley drop shots, flicks and more!
First game is probably the turning point, 4/1 Hania, 5/5, 6/6, 7/7, a couple of errors creeping at the end of the game – high percentage game from Rachel, and Hania closes it 11/8 in 12m.
More comfy in the second, 9/4, 11/6. And it looked even more comfy for the Gazelle in the third, up 9/2… Only to finally take the game 10/7, 11/8 in 11m. Rachel played some incredible squash there, caution to the wind and all, and Hania will be relieved to not have to go to a fourth…
Hania : “Rachel always makes it really difficult. She is a very talented player, and she has all those tricks – she throws balls short from everywhere. Once I lost my focus and I gave her a few easy shots, she just went for it.
“That’s what happened in the third – I thought I had a big lead, but then I lost a bit of the accuracy. She always makes it hard and I have to be very sharp from the first point to the last.
“It’s been a long time since my last event at the beginning of February. I think two days ago, I was a little bit edgy, and I got used to the venue and the tournament. I was way sharper and ready for today.“I always enjoy playing against Satomi; she’s attacking as well. We played twice this season and we played here in the semis last year, so it’s going to be a rematch and I’m looking forward to it.”
