Hong Kong Squash Open: world No 1 Gohar ‘very, very happy’ to be back in city that holds special place in her heart
- Egyptian Nouran Gohar won her first world series title in Hong Kong in 2016 and is looking to regain her crown
- She eased past England’s Jasmine Hutton in four games on Wednesday, to reach the last eight
Hong Kong holds a special place in Nouran Gohar’s heart, and the women’s world No 1 said it was time to regain the city’s Open title after easing into the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
The Egyptian’s mother was born in Hong Kong, and it was in the city that Gohar won her first world series event in 2016, a triumph that included a 3-1 semi-final victory over her idol Nicol David.
“I am very very happy to be back in Hong Kong,” Gohar said. “My mother was born in Hong Kong and lived in China for three years.
“I’m kind of familiar with the culture here, and honestly, I’m very happy to come back, and it’s extra special because I won my first Hong Kong Open in 2016, so it’s all that special to be back.”
Next in Gohar’s way is Japan’s Satomi Watanabe, who she will play in the last eight on Friday, when the action moves to the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre.
With 18 ranking titles under her belt since joining the PSA Tour in 2011, Gohar still looks at her first win in Hong Kong with fondness. Not only was it her maiden title, but she also ended David’s 11-match winning streak in the city.
