DOHA — World No.1 Nour el-Sherbini completed a magnificent comeback as she overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat World Champion Nouran Gohar in a thrilling women’s final at the Qatar Squash Classic in Doha.
The Egyptian duo Gohar and El Sherbini were meeting for the ninth major final in a row, with four wins apiece coming into the match, however El-Sherbini had won both of their matches this season, with victories in the CIB Egyptian Open and Paris Squash title deciders.
Matches between Gohar and El-Sherbini tend to bring out the best in each other, but it was Gohar who dominated the early stages of the contest as she stormed into a two-game lead.
However, as she so often does, El-Sherbini rose to the occasion in the third and fourth games to draw level, hunting the ball and volleying with accuracy.
“It was a very enjoyable match until she got hit,” El-Sherbini said according to psasquashtour.com.
“She’s a fighter and a champion to be able to step back on court and keep pushing until the end. She’s so strong and it’s always a pleasure sharing a court with her. It’s the third final we’ve played this season and I have so much respect for her.
It was nip and tuck in the early stages of the fifth game until, with the scores poised at 4-4, El-Sherbini’s forearm caught Gohar in the nose as she chased down a drop shot at the front of the court. Gohar left the court in tears and required lengthy treatment from the physio.
“I hope she will be fine and come back stronger than ever, it was an accident and I didn’t mean anything.
“I’m really happy I’ve finally won this title and I’ve won everything now, so I can relax a bit. I’m definitely happy I’ve won the first three titles of the season,” El-Sherbini added.
The World No.2 returned to court and continued to fight through the pain barrier, but El-Sherbini was able to get herself in front and was clinical as she closed out a 10-12, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 win after 96 enthralling minutes.
The win sees El-Sherbini fill her trophy cabinet with the only remaining major trophy she was yet to win, further underlining her status as one of the finest players ever to pick up a squash racket.
“My parents are here and are sharing this moment with me. It means a lot and they’re always in my corner.”
The Egyptian has now won 43 PSA titles and has won 15 matches in a row as she continues her unbeaten start to the season.
Gohar said: “It’s not in my character to just give up. Even if I wasn’t able to walk I would still give it a try, and the crowd today was a real treat.
“It has been a pleasure and an honour all week to play here in Qatar. Thank you so much to the organisers and all the sponsors. I’m lucky to be able to play five matches again on this court here.
“I can’t wait to be back next year, hopefully on the winning side,” Gohar added.
Elsewhere, Peruvian World Champion Diego Elias captured the men’s Qatar Classic title after defeating World No.2s Mostafa Asal.
Elias has lifted his second Qatar Classic trophy after he followed up dismantling of World No.1 Ali Farag with a 12-10, 12-10, 14-12 victory over Asal to end the Egyptian’s 14-match winning run.
It was their first meeting since Elias prevailed in May’s PSA World Championship final, but Asal has gone from strength to strength since that defeat, collecting trophies at the British Open, CIB Egyptian Open and Paris Squash.
All three games were closely contested and went to tie-breaks, but Elias raised his level each time to emerge victorious.
Elias – who also won the Qatar Classic in 2021 – has now lifted 19 titles on the PSA Squash Tour, with this being his first title of the 2024-25 season.
“I’m super happy after my performances,” said Elias.
“I knew it was going to be a really tough match. Mostafa has been playing amazing squash, he’s got to the last six or seven finals, so I had that in my mind. It’s amazing to have my dad, Jonathon [Power] and Greg [Gaultier] supporting me today, it’s a win for all of us.
“I love it here. The way the organisers treat the players doesn’t compare to anywhere in the world, so you’re super happy. I enjoy every moment here and thanks to all of the organisers and everyone that makes this tournament possible.”
