England's Laura Massaro, the world No 4, started the game leading on the all-glass court at Palais Des Sports Robert Charpentier in the Paris suburb of Issy-les-Moulineaux and went on to beat Egypt's Nour Al-Sherbini, the world No 1. Former world champion Massaro won 11-9, 5-11, 6-11, 6-11 in 49 minutes to put England ahead. But the lead was very short as Nouran Gohar,world No 3 avenged herself, defeating the experienced Alison Waters11-6,11-4,12-10 to make the third contender the most difficult after a 1-1 draw. It was England's Sarah-Jane Perry, the world No 11, against Raneem Al-Welili, the former world No 1and world champion now ranked No 2.It took 31 minutes for the title to be decided – Al-Welilikeeping on top throughout the match before emerging victorious 12-10, 11-4, 11-6. “I have never played a decider for Egypt before and I was hoping I wouldn't have to,” expressed the jubilant Al-Welili. “I didn't know what to expect but I decided to be selfish – I didn't think of the team, only of myself, to stop the pressure getting to me. This was the tactic I planned – even if everything went wrong. I had to do a lot of running, but it worked out in the end. Our team is a fantastic team and it is an honor for me to be a part of it.” Egyptian coach Amr Shabana expressed his happiness with what was achieved and attributed it to the players' fighting spirit that resulted in their winning the crucial points. "Mission accomplished,”Shabana said. England national coach David Campion admitted the Egyptians "were just too strong. Raneem and Nouran played at their best levels – but they needed to as our girls performed well. Gohar was relentless and Raneem played fantastic squash.” Beaten semi-finalists France and Hong Kong both secured bronze medals – the fifth-seeded hosts recording a top four finish for the first time in 16 appearances in the championship since 1987 and Hong Kong celebrating a second successive last four place. “She was putting such pressure on me but I just played on and did my game," Gohar saidafter the match. "It was really hard out there. It's the first time I've played in the Worlds. I didn't want to let them down and I had to do well for my team. I just said to myself, I'm playing in a normal final, I have to do my best and I did everything I could. That was my main purpose. The second and third games were very hard, very close and there were some great rallies. She has a lot more experience than I do. I've played Alison before and she never gives up. She came on court in the third as though it was the beginning of the match. She was playing fantastic and I was trying not to give her any chances. I didn't want to play another game. I was exhausted.” “I'm just really happy," Massarosaidafterbeating Al-Sherbiniin the first contender."I didn't really get off to a great start. Nour was really up for it and I really had to ask myself some questions and do it for the team. I was desperate to put as much pressure as possible after that first game. We've said all week that it is just about trying to get our best performances out on the day. Ihad to get my best squash out,then if I did that and lost, well then, that's what would happen but I was so happy to be able to do it for the team. It's been a while since I've been able to play and get a win on Nour since she beat me in the World Championships. It's very nice to do that.”
