The final match of the 2017 Bahl and Gaynor Cincinnati Gayor Squash Cup was between Egyptians Zeina Mickawy and Kanzy El-Defrawy on Monday.
Mickawy surprised the crowd with her powerful hits and unpredictable shots, a performance which caused difficulty for El-Defrawy to follow the rhythm and which cost her the first game by 11-7.
Although El-Defrawy managed to draw the match 1-1 thanks to winning the second game by 11-8, due to the pressure on her, she could not maintain that performance.
The pace of the third game was intense and Mickawy controlled the points. Mickawy managed to win the third game by 11-8.
After the third game, and despite being defeated by 2-1, El-Defrawy did not want to throw in the towel yet, turning the fourth game to her favour by winning 11-8 and bringing the match’s result to 2-2.
The fifth game was a deciding game. After the result of this decisive game reached 6-6, both players were tired. El-Defrawy increased her points to 9-7 and then 10-7. It seemed that game was over; however, Mickawy turned the table bringing the score to 10-10 and then 11-10 in her favour. Afterwards, they drew again by 12-12.
At the end of the match, El-Defrawy snatched the championship’s title, as she won the fifth game by 14-12, bringing the match to 3-2 against her persistent rival. This is El-Defrawy’s eighth Professional Squash Association tile.
After winning the 2016 Amman Squash Open in November, and the 2016 Livestuff Open in December, 2017 seems like a fruitful beginning for El-Defrawy, as on 22 January, the Egyptian champion won the Corporation Service Company Delaware Women’s Open.
Photos courtesy of SquashSite
