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Nour El Sherbini hits a drop to catch Nicol David off guard

ToC Update: Excellent El Sherbini Downs David to Set Up Sobhy Clash

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Egypt’s Nour El Sherbini has reached the final of the prestigious Women’s J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions for the first time after a scintillating straight games victory over 2014 winner Nicol David in the stunning setting of New York’s Grand Central Terminal.

The 20-year-old came through a brutal five-game encounter with World No.4 Camille Serme in the previous round but showed no signs of fatigue as she pounced on any loose drops from David to move into a one-game advantage.

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World No.3 David, who would have reclaimed her position at the summit of the World Rankings had she won the event, showcased her stunning retrieval skills in the second and third games as she sought to halt her opponent’s momentum. Her shots uncharacteristically lacked width though and her movement looked increasingly laboured as the match wore on. She was duly punished by a devastating El Sherbini who refused to relinquish control of the fixture and she wrapped up an 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 victory in just 26 minutes by hitting a sumptuous back-hand volley into the nick.

“It was very special to beat Nicol 3-0 and it was one of the best things that is ever going to happen to me,” said El Sherbini.

“I’m really happy. With Nicol you have to attack any shots you can so I was trying to finish the points off. Nicol seemed like she was struggling with her movement today so I think that it gave me an advantage.

“Hopefully she is okay and she can recover soon.”

The Egyptian will face Amanda Sobhy in the showpiece final after the United States No.1 defeated Nouran Gohar to reach her first PSA World Series final.

El Sherbini recalled the pair’s previous meetings on the junior circuit and admitted the enormity of the pair’s impending fixture.

“Me and Amanda always competed together as juniors and now we are playing the final of a World Series event so it is huge for both of us,” she said.

“Everyone is behind Amanda and hopefully the crowd is happy because she reached the final but I’m going to enjoy the match tomorrow.”

Result – Semi-Final: Women’s J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions 2016
[7] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [2] Nicol David (MAS) 3-0: 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 (26m)

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