Day One

 

[2] Nour El Sherbini 2-0 [6] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 11-6, 11-8 (18m)
[3] Hania El Hammamy 2-1 [7] Rowan Elaraby  11-8, 8-11, 11-9 (43m)

 [5] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) 2-1 [8] Mazen Hesham 11-4, 9-11, 11-5 (36m)
[6] Tarek Momen 2-1 [2] Paul Coll (NZL) 9-11, 12-10, 11-8 (58m)
[4] Mostafa Asal 2-1 [7] Joel Makin (WAL)  11-7, 3-11, 11-7 (53m)

Mostafa

“It’s never easy to win against Joel.
“I’m playing here in front of my family and friends here in my city. I want to thank John Massarella for being an amazing ref, he’s controlling the game and it’s a masterclass actually, thanks once again and for everything I’m learning from him. Joel is playing really well, I thought the British Nationals would have an effect on him but I think everyone is affected by the tour so I think who’s mentally tough will win this tournament more than anything else. I didn’t lose here last year so I’ll do my best to do it again.

Hania

“It was a very tough match, 11-9 in the third, I didn’t want to go to 10-10, it was very tough. We’re teammates, we play league together, we spend a lot of time together, since the juniors, we haven’t played many times on the professional tour. We’ve played so many times over the years so we know each other really well on court so I’m really glad I managed to get through.
 
“I try to keep playing long rallies, even when I was 4-0 down in the first I tried to say to myself to keep playing longer rallies so I can get my length and my game plan so I’m glad I managed to get through it”

Tarek

“It was a match of two halves, like two Tarek’s on court. In the first game and a half, I don’t think I’ve ever hit that many tins and I was just thinking that I want to be out of here. I had a very tough season, I think I played well for the most part but was unlucky in a few tournaments and It just got to me and I was very frustrated when I started hitting those tins. 
 
“I don’t know what happened but at 9-6 down I just thought to give it one last try because it was unfair to the people who have come to watch me because it’s ridiculous to hit so many tins and then all of a sudden they stopped coming and I was playing a completely different game and it was still very very close and either one of us could have won it. I think because I know he is such a fighter I try and go so low because I feel like I have to and then eventually I miss but I’m very proud of the second half of this match, very proud.
 
“You guys are amazing, you support me in all these tournaments in Egypt and you give me the motivation to keep pushing and I’m just very glad I could give you a win today.”

Nour said
“It’s quite different, just the top eight players in the world and trying a new court is very challenging. For me, SJ is always tough and challenging and I’m never comfortable playing her, first match as well so a few obstacles but I’m glad I got the 2-0 win so that’s a plus for me.

“If it’s best of three it’s not going to be faster, you still have to play a good two or three games. I have a different mindset, I have to be ready from the first point because if I lose a game I’m in trouble so I prepare a little differently than in a best-of-five match.

“Since there’s no coaching I like to see myself on the screen, did I do the right shots with where my opponents are and if my plan is working or not. It’s very short rallies so I hope they can put more in there so I can review the game quickly.”

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