What's been happening in the world of squash (10th to 16th of October 2016)

US OPEN: TWO CHAMPIONS AND A WINNER

He almost went out the door in the first round against Mexican Cesar Salazar, who was already celebrating the biggest scalp of his career before the referees called “Yes Let" on a ball that could have easily been a "no let". After admitting to former US player Gilly Lane in his post-match interview that he wasn’t in his best physical shape, world number 1 Mohamed El Shorbagy somehow found some form to clinch his second US Open crown in Philadelphia last week, his 12^th World Series title at only 25 years old. “I have great memories here, he said during the trophy ceremony. When I won two years ago, it took me to the top of the rankings. I am really happy I found my best squash this week. It had been a while since I found the way I like to play.” Following his first round miracle the Egyptian had a relatively easy route to the final, but there was to be more drama: after going two games up despite an early hamstring injury, Nick Matthew was forced to concede in the fifth game. Regardless of the result, the Englishman felt “(he) was a winner this week. I might not have won the tournament, but I won my squash back, on and off the court, I found that method to enjoy my squash, to play with a smile on my face, but ultimately, my body let me down. I wanted to give the crowd the best spectacle possible but you need two good legs to beat Mohamed.” After several months out of the tour because of injuries, and an early exit in San Francisco the week before, some people had started writing off the three time world champion. He proved them wrong by successively beating Simon Rosner, Ali Farag and in form Karim Abdel Gawad (who had ousted defending champion Grégory Gaultier). His epic semi-final against the recent winner of the Al-Ahram Open was undoubtedly the match of a tournament which had its fair share of five setters. As far as the the rivalry between El Shorbagy and Matthew goes, it may be fierce on court – they like to exchange a few words from time to time – but the respect they have for each other off court blatantly came to light in the world number 1’s post-match speech: “I grew up watching Nick play. He comes out from what we call the Golden Generation and to me he is the greatest of them all. What I have learned from him is just incredible. He pushed himself, he deserves respect from everyone in this world. What he did this week, what he did today, was unbelievable. And I think that people will only realize how important he was for the game when he stops.”

El Shorbagy and Matthew may have shared the spotlight but in the women's draw it was all about Camille Serme at Drexel University. A year and a half after her first major title in the British Open, the Frenchwoman won the US Open beating the two best players in the world - Laura Massaro and Nour El Sherbini - and producing some amazing squash. “I just can’t believe it. Two weeks ago I was so far away from this, now you’re telling me I am the US Open champion. It’s crazy.” That’s how Serme opened her post-match interview with Gilly Lane after her stunning victory in the final against world number 1 El Sherbini. What happened two weeks ago? For the first time in over two years, she had lost in the first round of a tournament (in Al-Ahram, Egypt). “I am not sure it’s a matter of confidence (mentioned by her long-time coach Philippe Signoret), she had told us after her loss. I think it rather stems from a deeper reflection, especially regarding the way I train.” For the last two years, Serme has been consistently reaching the quarters of the World Series events, but she felt “disappointed not to have made another final since my British Open title.” She completely put this frustration behind her in the US, and her reaction after the match showed how happy she was. She immediately shared this joy with Signoret. “Camille took charge of her own destiny, he analyzed after the final. It was a tough challenge against El Sherbini who had been so impressive all week. The strategy was simple for Camille - intercept as many balls as possible and attack before Nour would – and she perfectly stuck to it. The world number 1 tried to hit the ball harder to unsettle her but Camille defended as well as she attacked! As we say she was on fire, she almost didn't put a foot wrong ...”

Even though she had already beaten Massaro and El Sherbini to win in Hull eighteen months ago, these two players were “only” ranked 4 and 9 in the world at the time, while they have been dominating the women’s tour since (they won five of the eight last World Series combined). To get her second major event, Serme had to produce what certainly was the best squash of her career. “Nour put me under a lot of pressure, but as always this week, I knew what I had to do on court and I stayed positive about my tactic.” Her success was not only built on her skills and strategy but also her mental strength as she perfectly handled most of the key moments. Such as in the final when El Sherbini saved two match balls at 7-10 in the fourth, but when a loose ball presented itself Serme finished the match with a beautiful forehand volley, while she had been so successful on the backhand throughout the week. This victory is a very good sign before the World Team Championship, which France will host in a few weeks. The players that Serme upset at the US Open are all number 1 in their country and therefore potential opponents of hers in Paris. In the meantime, she may face Nour El Sherbini again in the final of the Carol Weymuller Open ($50,000 $), which starts today in Brooklyn…

Photo credits: US Open Squash 

WORLD SQUASH DAY 2016

Three-time PSA Men’s World Champion Nick Matthew is encouraging every squash club on the planet to open their doors in support of World Squash Day 2016, which takes place on Saturday October 22^nd. The theme this year is to promote the social side of the sport whilst raising vital funds for Unicef. More info on

https://psaworldtour.com/news/view/4170/three-time-world-champion-nick-matthew-spearheads-2016-world-squash-day

WIN TWO TICKETS FOR THE WOMEN’S WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONHIP FINAL!

My-squash.com organizes a contest in which you can win 2 tickets for the Women’s World Team Championship final (Saturday December 3^rd in Paris). You have several options if you want to be notified of the launch later this week: follow us on FACEBOOK or TWITTER, leave us a comment below or subscribe to our newsletter.