Hong Kong Squash Open: world No 1 Gohar ‘very, very happy’ to be back in city that holds special place in her heart
- Egyptian Nouran Gohar won her first world series title in Hong Kong in 2016 and is looking to regain her crown
- She eased past England’s Jasmine Hutton in four games on Wednesday, to reach the last eight
Hong Kong holds a special place in Nouran Gohar’s heart, and the women’s world No 1 said it was time to regain the city’s Open title after easing into the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
The Egyptian’s mother was born in Hong Kong, and it was in the city that Gohar won her first world series event in 2016, a triumph that included a 3-1 semi-final victory over her idol Nicol David.
“I am very very happy to be back in Hong Kong,” Gohar said. “My mother was born in Hong Kong and lived in China for three years.
“I’m kind of familiar with the culture here, and honestly, I’m very happy to come back, and it’s extra special because I won my first Hong Kong Open in 2016, so it’s all that special to be back.”
Next in Gohar’s way is Japan’s Satomi Watanabe, who she will play in the last eight on Friday, when the action moves to the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre.
With 18 ranking titles under her belt since joining the PSA Tour in 2011, Gohar still looks at her first win in Hong Kong with fondness. Not only was it her maiden title, but she also ended David’s 11-match winning streak in the city.
“Nicol has been my idol since I was a kid, I just hope to do half of what she has achieved,” she said.
Gohar has been almost unbeatable this year, winning six titles so far, and despite a minor blip was too strong for England’s Jasmine Hutton in their last-16 encounter on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old took the first two games 11-5, 11-6, and while she dropped the third 11-9, bounced back to win the fourth 11-3 and wrap up the match in 48 minutes.
“Obviously she [Hutton] played really well,” Gohar said. “I kind of feel like they [her opponents] bring their A game, and I’m happy to adapt the pressure and to win in the end.”
Losing to Gohar at Hong Kong Squash Open a valuable lesson, says Ho
After regaining her world No 1 ranking in April, Gohar said retaining that position and winning the World Championships, a title that has so far eluded her, were the main goals for the rest of the year.
“I think I have won every tournament on the pro tour except the World Championships, so obviously it’s the most important one to win, and also to keep the world No 1 as long as possible,” she said.
Thursday’s matches will be the final action at the Hong Kong Squash Centre before the tournament shifts venues, and two home favourites Tong Tsz-wing, the women’s regional champion, and Lau Tsz-kwan, the men’s national champion, will appear in the third round for the first time.
Both said they hoped to “play a beautiful match” in front of their home crowd.
Tong, who beat Malaysian Low Wee Wern 3-0 in the second round, takes on world No 2 Nour El Sherbini of Egypt, the reigning world champion, at 6pm.
“I lost to Nour in the US Open last year, but this time I have home-court advantage, and I hope the fans come to cheer me on,” Tong, the world No 59, said.
“It is more exciting and motivating to play in the centre court, so my plan tomorrow is to play aggressively, to play as many rallies as possible, and see what happens.”
Lau, who upset world No 26 Greg Lobban of Scotland, in the second round in five sets, will face top-seed and world No 2 Paul Coll of New Zealand in the at 8pm.
“It’s like a dream come true, that I can play in the main draw of the Hong Kong Open, that I’m now in the third round of the match,” Lau said. “So, I have nothing to lose, and I will play my best to enjoy the game, and I hope to show the people that Hong Kong players have the ability to play the world’s best.”
