[3] Amina Orfi (EGY) 3-1 [1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 10-12, 11-7, 11-8, 11-9 (103m)
As I’m starting to write the report, I’m like a chicken that found suspenders: confused and don’t know where to start…
All the noise, all the pre-aggression, all the nastiness between the two camps, it was all coming down to this. Who was going to come on top. Hania, with all the pressure on her shoulders – we saw the way she was playing all week – or Amina, so hungry, and not a care in the world?
The first game is just a classic on its own right. 26m of incredible squash, of fight, of intensity. Hania ahead, from 3/3 to 6/3, 8/4, game ball 10/6.
And the festival starts. Amina dug in as if her life depended on each rally. Hania didn’t do much wrong, Amina was just stupendous, and we are level 10/10. And as it often happens, a bit of relaxation, just a fraction of loss of focus from the junior – yes, she is still a junior people – and it’s two unforced errors from Amina, 12/10 Hania.
Although the temperature was cool tonight, Hania was having to wipe the sweat in her eyes. And we were only at the start of the match…
The second game lasted 18m still. But this time, Amina was leading throughout, 6/2, 8/3. Incredible pace, a sort of slow/mid pace, each shot thought through, with a crowd silent, completely silent. When you know the Egyptian crowds, you know how incredible the tension was…
Hania would score four more points, but her squash was riddled with errors (5), and Amina, making only one error in the game, closed the game 11/7.
The third is much closer than the previous game. Hania sticks to the score, 1/1, 2/2, 3/3, 5/5, 7/7. But again, those errors from Hania, as such a crucial moment, 3 in 4 points, and that somehow offers the game to Amina, 11/8. Still no errors from Amina, 3 from Hania, yes, all at the end.
23m length for the 3rd. In comes the 4th…. Which was 28m…
At the start of the game, 1/1, the ref warns the Orfi camp: Miss Orfil, tell your “coaching corner” to be careful with the coaching. Mr Orfi, careful with the hand signal.
Two points later…
During the previous games, Amina was penalised for “moving into the line of her opponent”. This time, as she is leading 4-1, the ref goes heavy on her. “This is the third time you are stepping in the line of your opponent. If it happens again, it will be code of conduct”.
4/1, 6/3 for Amina. Hania shows her graft and skills, 6/6, 7/7, 8/8… 9/9 of course. The atmosphere is now electric with the crowd choosing their girl.
The last two rallies are just ridiculous of tension, they change the pace of the rallies throughout, Amina, who’s been nearly metronomic at times, finds suddenly incredibly crispy ought to be winners. Incredible squash really.
It’s match ball won for Amina, the father celebrates, but a let is called. We start the match ball again, and this time is the good one, a superb winner from Amina, and it’s all over.
103 minutes and a junior is in the final of the Worlds…
Amina : “I honestly can’t believe it.
She has been so consistent the whole season.
“It’s been a while since I’ve beaten Hania. I think this season has been very tough for me. New experiences, new places and new finals. But I think I have learned a lot and used that tonight.
“A lot of people were hyping me up, all my friends are here. The past few weeks have been great in training and gave me belief tonight.
“I think my physicality has been my biggest improvement this season, and I think I’m more consistent and I’m attacking more. I’m not afraid to go to the front; it’s just about the decision of when I do it.
“I want to dedicate this win to my dad and all my coaches. They have all been coaching me since I was eight years old. They know me so well, so I think my decisions on staying with my coaches and choosing what I want have paid off.”
