Hania El Hammamy wins QTerminals Qatar Classic

Third seed Hania El Hammamy of Egypt on Friday beat compatriot Nour El Sherbini in five pulsating games to win the QTerminals Qatar Classic women’s title.
Cairo-born El Hammamy rallied back in fine style - after losing two games out of the first three - to complete her 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 11-6 win in 84 minutes.
It was the 23-year-old’s third win in five matches against El Sherbini - also known as ‘The Warrior Princess’. The two have now played three finals out of their five head-to-head meetings in the last one year alone.
“It’s definitely unbelievable for me. Last week I lost in the third round in Paris. I’m definitely proud of the way I’m fighting everyday and the way I bounce back after each loss,” El Hammamy said on Friday.
“Playing against Nour is very hard. She’s the classy image of being a World No.1 and a World Champion. She’s the one I look up to and I try to learn from her to carry that image when it’s my time to be on top.
“I’ve always enjoyed it, it’s always a pleasure playing against her,” she added.
“I couldn’t have done it this week without my team, the people who supported me throughout all the difficult times. It’s been very difficult these last couple of weeks, without them it couldn’t happen.
“Having Karim Darwish with me this week is absolutely amazing, special thanks to him.
“Lastly I want to thank the crowd for being here, it’s been amazing. I want to thank the Qatar Squash Federation and everyone who was able to help us have this tournament for women as well because it’s absolutely amazing.
“Now we’re able to be here and we’re very grateful for you to have us,” El Hamamy said in reference to the women’s event returning to Doha for the first time since 2015.
El Hammamy concluded with thanks to her sponsors.
In her speech, El Sherbini said on Friday: “Of course I’m disappointed that I lost this match, but I’m really proud that I did two finals back-to-back. It’s just the start of the season. Everyone knows how physical Hania is, and how much of a fighter she is. She’s still young, she’s still hungry. I really love playing against her,” she added.
“She’s an amazing player, hopefully we’re going to have a lot of battles this season.”
Both the players now turn their attention to the US Open, which takes place between 7-14 October.

Farag and Elias set to clash in Doha final
A week ago, top seed Ali Farag of Egypt and second seed Deigo Elias were expected to clash in the final of the Qterminals Qatar Classic given their recent form and higher rankings. Fast forward to today, Farag and Elias will clash in the title clash of the $187,500 tournament after resounding semi-final wins on Friday.
Harvard-read Farag on Friday beat Doha giant-killer Joel Makin of Wales in straight games to reach the final. Faraj, 30, won 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 in just 48 minutes.
“The court conditions are very different here. One bad shot and you’re in a lot of trouble,” Farag said after the match.
“Diego is on fire so far this week, he has been for the last couple of years, but especially this week he’s been playing very well. I’ll have to be at 100 percent again tomorrow, it’s very easy to be 100 percent in front an amazing crowd here in Qatar,” he added.
In the second semi-final, Elias from Peru beat Egypt’s Mazen Hesham in straight games to make it to the title clash on Glass Court at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. Elias won 11-9, 11-7, 11-8 in 49 minutes.
Hesham, the sixth seed, was playing the semi-final after beating world No 4 and defending champion Mohamed ElShorbagy of England on Thursday.
However, Elias also arrived for the last-four clash prepared and knowing he was up against a feisty character.
“I was very edgy. Mazen is so talented and can hit winners from anywhere,” Elias, winner in Doha in 2021, said.
“I thought I knew him a little but I was still going the wrong way every shot! He comes up with many different shots from anywhere,” the 26-year-old added. “We’re good friends but it’s a tournament and that’s very different. On court, we hate each other but off court we’re very good friends.
“(After the match) I told him he’s so talented and makes me go the wrong way and I hate that,” Elias said.
ResultsWomen’s QTerminals Qatar Classic final: (3) Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt (2) Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 3-2: 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 11-6 (84m)Men’s QTerminals Qatar Classic semi-finals: (2) Diego Elias (PER) 3-0 (6) Mazen Hesham (EGY) 11-9, 11-7, 11-8 (49m)(1) Ali Farag (EGY) 3-0 (9/16) Joel Makin (WAL) 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (48m)