CAIRO: Egypt's Omneya Abdel Kawy will be the first female Egyptian to compete in the championship final of the Women's Squash World Open after she beat France's Camille Serme at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Tuesday. Abdel Kawy's 11-4, 11-7, 11-6 semi-final victory pushes her into the final against world number one Nicol David, who is one match away from tying the record with her fifth title. David beat England's Alison Waters 14-12, 11-2, 11-6 to reach the final. Egyptian fans were pleased with the result. One fan, watching at a Cairo cafe told Bikya Masr that “she is going to prove Egyptian women can play sports and hopefully she will win the title.” Squash is a popular game in Egypt, although it is not at the level of soccer, but that hasn't stopped Abdel Kawy's run. “It was the first time I had even been in the World Open semi-final, and I was really focused,” fourth seeded Abdel Kawy said in a courtside interview. “I had to win. My home country, the fans, no way I could lose, no excuses.” Malaysia's David has won four World Open titles in the past five years. The final is to be played Wednesday. “This was definitely a big hurdle to get over,” David told reporters. “Against Alison I always have to play my best game. It was a difficult match, even though it doesn't show,” she added. “It was amazingly humid and my racket handle was so sweaty in the first game I had to change it. There were drips on the floor and you don't always get that in the women's game.” Abdel Kawy said she did not fear playing David with the Malaysian seeking a third successive world title and fifth overall to match the haul of Australia's Sarah Fitz-Gerald. “Although I lost to her many times, I am getting confidence from the fans' support,” she said. David, who has just completed 50 consecutive months at the top of the world rankings, holds a 5-0 record against Abdel Kawy. “I have played Omneya a number of times and it is always a good game,” the Malaysian said. “I will just take everything out of my bag and throw it on the court in one last push.” BM
