Youngest world squash champion Nour El Sherbini shows maturity beyond her tender years as she gears up for Hong Kong Open
The 20-year-old Egyptian starts her campaign by defeating compatriot Heba El Torky in first-round clash, while local men’s hope Yip Tsz-fung, ranked 50, downs world number five Miguel Angel Rodriguez of Colombia in upset victory
Nour El Sherbini has arrived for the Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Squash Open looking pretty chilled for someone who has the world at her feet.
As the game’s youngest-ever world champion, at 20, and with the number one ranking safely in her keeping, the Egyptian star said, simply, that the plan was to kick-start her 2016-17 season by doing what she does best – hitting that little black ball.
She was all over the court doing just that against compatriot Heba El Torky in their first-round clash on Tuesday evening, showing off the weapons in her arsenal – and even brushing off an ankle scare after a fall in the second set – before winning 11-8, 11-4, 11-8.
“I just can’t wait to get out there and play,” said Sherbini. “That is when I am most comfortable and when I have the most fun. It’s been a great year for me so far. Incredible really.
“It is great to come to Hong Kong for the first time but all I really want to do is win this tournament. I know it will be tough with the field we have here and especially because of Nicol.”
Ah, Nicol.
