[1] Nouran Gohar (Egy) v [13] Tesni Evans (Wal) 11-6, 11-4, 11-4 (34m)
Having never beaten Nouran out of their 5 encounters, a very strong start from the Welsh Devil, taking the game right to the Terminator, 3-0, 5-2. A bit of nerves maybe from the Egyptian, it’s a big setting here… But from 5/6, Nouran just strung the points, three no lets against Tesni, and it’s 11/6 in 11m.
The next two were more onesided, 10/3, 11/4 in 13m (deduct 4m as Tesni slipped and had a few minutes to receive treatment) for Nouran, then same score in 5m, 4-0, 10/2, 11/4.
Nouran
“The court is amazing. It’s a beautiful venue, and the most important thing is it’s in Egypt. It’s been organised unbelievably, I’m really pleased. I was talking to my mum and was telling her that it feels strange that we’re playing at a different court.
“Usually, we have the same kind of tournaments every year, we play the same tournament maybe five or six times, but now it’s a new venue and a new court at a big tournament. It makes us more excited to play and it brings the best out of us.
“The first game was very enjoyable, it felt like we were both playing well tonight. I was looking forward to a big battle against Tesni, it’s such a pity when a player is injured, but I was trying not to think about the injury because it could be tricky. I was trying to focus on my game, and I wish her a speedy recovery and hope she’s back soon.
“World No.1 and World Champion, it’s something you always dream of. I’ve ticked the box of one of them, I just haven’t won the World Championship yet. Everyone is here to win the event, I’m trying not to think too much about it. Obviously, I would be the happiest person on Earth if I win this one, but I’m just thinking about the next match.”
