Hong Kong Squash Open: Gohar defeat will prove valuable at World Team Championships, says Ho
- “World No 36 playing the No 1, the difference was not as big as the rankings suggested,” Ho Tsz-lok says
- Defending champions Mohamed ElShorbagy and Joelle King book third round places with comfortable wins
Ho Tsz-lok said the experience of playing against the world’s best could only help at the Women’s World Team Squash Championship next month.
The Hongkonger was brushed aside in straight games by world No 1 Nouran Gohar on Tuesday, but called the 32 minute defeat at the Hong Kong Open “valuable experience”.
“I may well be the lead player at the team world championship next month, hence it is likely I will be playing Gohar again, or other top -ranked players from around the world,” she said.
Playing on the centre court for the first time at the tournament, Ho put her home advantage to good use and came out firing, but her opponent’s greater stamina eventually told, and Gohar took the first game 11-8.
After the restart, Ho was no match for the dominant Egyptian, who took the next two games 11-5, 11-4, to set up a third round encounter with England’s Jasmine Hutton.
“Her stamina, speed, and strength were superior, and she kept her edge throughout,” Ho said. “I tried to slow her down midway through the game by placing the ball higher, but those efforts were in vain.”
Having set her sights on “stealing a set” from Gohar, Ho said the game would have been closer if “I had better stamina”.
“World No 36 playing the No 1, the difference was not as big as the rankings suggested, but it certainly was when my stamina dropped,” she said.
