Wednesday January 30, 2013
Wee Wern edged by Egyptian Nour in US final
By KNG ZHENG GUAN
Low Wee Wern PETALING JAYA: The final of the US$35,000 Greenwich Open squash championship proved to be one hurdle too far for Low Wee Wern.
The national No. 2 failed to win her seventh career title in Connecticut, the United States, when she went down 5-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-7, 12-14 to Egyptian teenager Nour El Sherbini in a thrilling final on Monday.
Still it was a valiant effort from Wee Wern, twice rallying from a set down to force a deciding fifth.
Close fight: Low Wee Wern (top) lost to Nour El Sherbini of Egypt 5-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-7, 12-14 in the final of Greenwich Open in Connecticut on Sunday. The world No. 7 could have won it if she had kept her cool as she was leading 6-1. The Penangite, however, blew her chances at the crucial moments and Sherbini stormed back to clinch the title.
Wee Wern was extremely disappointed by the defeat.
“I’m really gutted to lose like that, especially when I was just two points away from winning,” said Wee Wern.
“I think I should have won it, especially after I came back from losing the first and third sets.
“I guess I was really unlucky. Sherbini went for two daring shots and both shots went in for a 14-12 win.
“Still, having come here without too much expectations, I’m quite pleased with my good start to the year. It was quite a surprise, actually.
“For now, it’s a couple of days rest for me as my body is feeling really sore. After that, I’m off to play in the Cleveland Classic (Jan 31-Feb 5),” said Wee Wern.
Wee Wern will not have an easy time in Cleveland.
She is seeded seventh and is due to play her first round match against a qualifier on Feb 2.
If she makes it to the quarter-finals, she will run into compatriot and world No. 1 Nicol David.
Meanwhile, experienced Egyptians Amr Shabana and Karim Darwish will contest the Motor City Open title in Detroit.
In the all-Egyptian semi-finals, Shabana defeated Mohamed El Shorbagy 13-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-7 while Darwish edged Omar Mosaad 14-12, 8-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5.
RESULTS
Greenwich Open
Final: Nour El Sherbini (Egy) bt Low Wee Wern (Mas) 11-5, 5-11, 11-6, 7-11, 14-12.
Motor City Open
Semi-finals: Amr Shabana (Egy) bt Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egy) 13-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-7; Karim Darwish (Egy) bt Omar Mosaad (Egy) 14-12, 8-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5.
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