CINCINNATI — World No.1 Nouran Gohar has retained her Cincinnati Squash Cup title after the Egyptian overcame unseeded American Olivia Clyne at the Cincinnati Country Club to lift the 20th PSA title of her career.
The 25-year-old, who has now won the Gaynor Cup in both of her appearances here, completed a 12-10, 11-8, 11-6 victory in 45 minutes to record her third victory of the season.
Clyne, appearing in her second final this month, had never beaten Gohar in four previous events but had the measure of her opponent in the early stages as she matched Gohar’s pace and played some immaculate shots into the front of the court, amassing five game balls in the process.
However, Gohar was able to find another gear and rattled off seven points in a row to go a game up.
It was then Gohar’s turn to come out firing in the second game and, while Clyne battled back from 7-2 down to sit a point behind her opponent, the No.1 seed again found winners at the crucial moments in the game to double her lead.
With Gohar 7-6 up in the third, the Egyptian required an injury break after catching her wrist during a collision with Clyne.
That break in play seemed to sap all of the momentum that Clyne had been building up, with Gohar swiftly closing out the game to win the PSA World Tour Silver event, which has this year been upgraded from a Bronze-level tournament.
“Before coming here I knew I had won 19 titles and 20 is a nice number, so why not make it 20?” said Gohar.
“It’s been unbelievable here in Cincinnati and last year I had so much fun. I have very good memories and I’m happy to be back and defend the title. Hopefully I will be back next year to win it one more time.
“I was expecting Liv to come out strong; she has been playing unbelievable squash for the past two or three weeks. It gives you a boost of confidence and it helps you with your shots. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, so I prepared for it mentally very well.”
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