“Best quality women’s match… EVER!” | Hammamy v Sherbini | HONG KONG OPEN 2022 | FINAL HIGHLIGHTS

Watch the Everbright Securities International Hong Kong Squash Open 2022 highlights!
Watch Squash LIVE and ON DEMAND on SQUASHTV
bit.ly/3pwu0Wp
Subscribe Today on KZbin for all our updates
www.youtube.com...
Website: psaworldtour.com
Facebook: / psaworldtour
Twitter: @SquashTV @PSAWorldTour
Instagram: @psaworldtour
TikTok: @psasquash
PSA Foundation: psafoundation.com
#Squash #PSAWorldTour

[@1000000trs]

*If you're concerned about the decision against Sherbini,* there was an _even worse_ one (not shown here) at 6-7, just a couple of shots earlier, that also happened to go against Sherbini. This highlight does not include this other incident, but does include the commentators lament that _"it did not have to be that way"_ After what was (up to the closing stages)a profoundly wonderful match, possibly making squash history in terms of Women's Squash quality, the pair of terrible decisions that astonished the commentators as well as us, was very saddening. It is clear that review of the approach to the decision making process is now inescapably needed (because this is not the first time in recent seasons that decisions have become more outfield than ever before, to the point where it causes not just saddening effects, but brings the sport into disrepute) Both of my cousins have said they no longer watch squash because the impact of unconscionable (or potentially bias) decisions is a greater factor than the very finely tuned difference in abilities of the top players. To quote one, *_"most 5-game matches that should by their nature be the finest, have now become a ridiculous let/no let lottery"_* We appeal (no pun intended) to the PSA,WSF and SWO for a review of the process, to achieve consistency through a very systematic approach to decision making (that can easily be memorized and applied by officials - (the flow charts don't achieve that); and consistency regarding the training of officials; and proper debriefing of officials so that they can learn when they do make mistakes. Finally, when decisions are as extraordinary as these, two, almost back to back ones, near the end of the fifth game (the worse one is not shown in these highlights) there should be an investigation to rule out wider concerns. Whatever our individual views, I am sure we all agree that the officiation of a professional sport needs to be of the highest standard, and that for the good of our sport - urgent action is required to remedy the causes of sad and concerning shortfalls with regards to professional squash.

[@naturalsquasher]

Thank you for your good comment. I cannot agree more after seeing the most ridiculous call in the Diego vs Asal match. More review of player movement and behavior needs to happen even after the match since it is difficult to review everything during the match.

[@SLDIKJF]

Agree both finals decided by bad referring. That made me also not wanting to watch squash!

[@shinezzz123]

What about the time out taken by Sherbini in the second game? Was that fair to Hammamy?

[@1000000trs]

@@shinezzz123 Yes, Rule 14.4.1 Self inflicted blood injury - player is permitted 5 minutes to sort it out. It would have been more helpful if Sherbini had requested that a blood injury provision be admitted, rather than just raising her hand and later saying saying _"can I put it out"_ which led to confusion for the other parties; but the lack of clarity of her request does not forfeit her right to 5 minutes.

[@shinezzz123]

@@1000000trs either the rule is unclear or it is just another way for players to take advantage

[@alykhaled9576]

What a crazy match ! Definitely one of the best matches I've ever seen in Squash The crowd was also amazing loved the vibes

[@storydeconstructor1922]

Best women's match I have ever seen! Sherbini, Gohar and Hammamy have further raised the bar of the women's game over the last couple of years.

[@louieleung2484]

I still think like they don’t have good racket skill like El Welily. They play much physically

[@amoscraig2227]

Worst call at the worst possible point in the game. A stain on an otherwise epic match.

[@1000000trs]

Yep, and there was an even worse one against Shabini just before seven all that is not shown here (you can just hear the commentators agreeing that _"it did not have to be that way"_ In a match where it comes down to a couple of points, two were tragically stolen from Shabini in the last half of the last game, by the very poor decision making by officials. Not just by my account, by by Joey and his co commentator two. Such a shame because this was otherwise an historically stand-out match in terms of the unprecedented quality of the women's squash, coupled with the respect they were showing to each other. I think it now surely *has* to be concluded that the approach to decision making for stroke/let/no-let must now be reviewed: particularly with reference to two things - a sequence by which the different variables must be considered, and/or the relative weight attributable to each. (at the moment every ref and official has a different logic sequence, and different weighting for each of the factors to consider - with seldom sadder outcomes than the stain on this otherwise shining and exceptional match).

[@josefruzek4462]

No way that wasn´t at least a let, come on, she couldn´t prepare her racquet properly without hitting Hammamy, refs shouldn´t force players to play these kinds of shots by giving a no let, she clearly wasn´t fishing for a stroke. Shame this decision impacted this beautiful match. I would like to hear the vr´s reasoning

[@mh-lw1oe]

Lesson from Asal hitting Serme is not enough apparently

[@anyawardle1759]

Tbh the reason squash is now so much better to watch as a sport ( vs 20 years ago) is because now players are expected to play through that kind of minor interference. Look at the effort Hammamy made earlier in the match when she dove for a ball she could have got a stroke for. Sherbini was fishing for a stroke and paid the price. I agree with the decision, and it’s good for squash overall.

[@yin9647]

@@anyawardle1759 definitely agree with this. It’s not necessary for her to use all that room to hit a good shot, it’s minor interference that you should know how to deal with.

[@macmac9896]

This should be a let. Hammamy was actually touch with her racket. That’s dangerous if Sherbini really hits the ball.

[@macmac9896]

@@anyawardle1759​this is not minor interference. Hammany was in touch with Sherbini’s racket. That’s encouraging player make a big swing to hit the ball and opponent if given no let in this scenario. Thats pretty dangerous.

[@axlojeda7791]

Great match. But a no let, are you kidding, that referee was cheering for El Hammamy, at most it should’ve been a let.

[@us-Bahn]

The no-let call was a colossal mistake.

[@1000000trs]

yep and there was an even worse one in the full match, a couple of points before, which also happened to be against Sharbini (you can just here the commentators saying that it did not have to be that way)

[@ckoegl]

One of the nicest scenes I have seen in a pro squash match, between 2:25 and 2:35.

[@egoegoone]

Referee putting a big stain on an absolute masterpiece. What an absolute treasure it is to watch womens squash these days 😍

[@1000000trs]

Yes, well said Peter. Sadly there was an even worse one a couple of shots earlier that there was not time to squeeze into the highlights - see my more detailed comment above.

[@YannLancrenon]

The women's game is actually a lot more enjoyable than the men's game at the moment. Both players are very fair, playing the ball without blocking. Love it. Thank you ladies!

[@shinezzz123]

The Egyptian ladies are taking the game to a whole other level

[@AndyLowe-net]

its not ok to clear the ball like that at 9-9 by brushing through your opponents swing just before they strike the ball. so according to these refs, you can do that as long as you clear a fraction of a second before they could strike the ball? because if thats the rule i will just do that on every single shot from now on, i will just run through my opponents swing before the ball reaches them. its a no let, so i can do it on every shot and thats fine? that would ruin squash. it was a let/stroke

[@dhwanibro]

sherbini did not deserve that last call. this match was hers if not for the incompetence of the referee

[@thefamilycat86]

An incredible game! Both fighters were epic

[@jansher9]

Ref needs to go to specsavers 😂

[@knge6012]

That final call was bs.

[@wallydeed3326]

Both are Egypt sweethearts.. Best 2 female players in the history

[@stevehughes1510]

A really tight match between these two, hard fought, but if I were the video referee I'd step down after that terrible no let decision at 10:00........stroke to Sherbini all day long.

[@bart1591]

I would've given that last let call a stroke if I was reffing it lol. Case to me there was no way could've swung into it.

[@networkn]

Exactly. Total obstruction of the backswing.

[@bart1591]

Like the refs should've seen that she couldn't fully clear the shot even if their professional

[@1000000trs]

Yes, exactly Bart, and there was an even worse one a couple of shots earlier that there was not time to squeeze into the highlights - see my more detailed comment above.

[@theexperience5549]

Sherbini had room to move a bit closer to the ball, she was fishing. You can see it clearly on the slo mo replay

[@bart1591]

Yeah true but even then I probs would've giving it a stroke. Haha 🤣

[@joeelliott1781]

Can anyone explain why the video quality looks so low even in 1080p50. Previous videos have started to look grainy but 1080p50 used to make you feel like you were there. Thanks

[@tomparker1866]

What an absolutely outrageous decision at 9-9 in the fifth. It would be a shocker in real time, but when it's a video review that's utterly inexcusable.

[@markwatson5329]

These are 2 phenomenal athletes

[@carolinefoulkes9599]

SHERBINI IS A GREAT SPORTSWOMAN...TILL YOU CAN.... SUPER ATTITUDE 🤗

[@Moose92411]

When El Hammamy came on the scene, I thought she was just a kid who could run. I didn’t give her much shot of actually challenging the best players. But man, oh man, she has just kept getting better and more mature, and I couldn’t have been more wrong.

[@producTIMity]

I love the sponsorship support

[@mariussmall-smith4401]

Incredible squash from 2 magnificent players.

[@1000000trs]

Camera angle and other camera work in this was great ! loved it

[@cookesam6]

I would feel so enraged after that last video ref decision, but sherbs still have her a nice respectful hug after the shake... good on her

[@IrisEvurora]

That no let costs the match! This is why squash is not on Olympics

[@tanieramanaia6186]

I wanted Hammamy to win but that is an absolutely terrible no let decision

[@Husniyeakd]

Wow great match

[@rodeolo1]

Awesome squash...awesome ladies

[@pauldalmau9888]

On that contentious call near the end, apart from the few who think Sherbini may have been phishing, almost all think that it was a stroke or, at worst, a let! ... I am in the stroke group. Sherbini's back swing was completely disrupted and Hania's shot was very loose with the ball angled towards her, not down the wall, so stroke every day of the week for me! Sherbini had every right to believe that playing a full blooded shot could have been a dangerous action. ... I know the PSA want to inhibit phishing tactics, but they have swung the pendulum so far the other way, the purpose of the original squash rules, i.e. safety, has been forgotten! ... I have grave fears for the safety of lower level squash players who might end up being reffed in this manner but who don't have the fitness, skills and vision to avoid dangerous plays. ... Will an injury cause a massive law suit against squash authorities on the grounds of an unsafe environment and the rules being an encouragement of unsafe practices be enough to wake these guys up!?

[@sp3949]

Well good tht u aren’t Ref! Even if Sherbini swung, it wouldn’t have hit Hammamy and on top of that. That ball had multiple lines to approach yet, Sherbini chose to go through Hammami and phished for a stroke.

[@jaymeferreiraloureiro115]

Duas grandes jogadoras, feras, Hania El Hammamy é muito rápida e foi um jogo sensacional. Gosto muito de ver a Nour El Sherbini jogar.

[@rnv2529]

Why squash is NOT in the Olympics example no. 7763. What will it take for the PSA to admit that it has a huge problem with reffing????

[@stephenlo1092]

Ref made the Champion ! That's two no let just crazy ! That's why squash never go to the Olympic

[@carolinefoulkes9599]

THAT WAS A BAAADD CALLLL... BUUUUU

[@MohamedKhaled-rc5jv]

Congrats Hania & hard luck sherbene love you both you entertain us as always ♥️♥️♥️

[@ZeeShaanJamal]

fix your refereeing PSA - this is becoming an absolute joke now, with the video referees giving such decisions - that was a STROKE - both Finals RUINED by referees - it's such a shame & doesn't bode well for the future appeal of the sport in general

[@1000000trs]

Sadly there was an even worse one a couple of shots earlier (also went against Shabini) that there was not time to squeeze into the highlights - see my more detailed comment above.

[@chandu170]

That no let was the difference… nour should be regretting it big time

[@lizard1884]

Great match apart from the ref decisions in the last game. Aside from other questionable decisions the ref actually called the score wrong - should have been 10-7 to Hammamy and not 9-7 after the good pick up.

[@nickhare3263]

Sherbini tried to play safe by hoping for a stroke. When sherbini beaten Nicol david in semifinal world championship in Penang 2013, she keeps asking for let when she played Nicol, and the referee granted the let to her which made Nicol losing point in the end because it is not in her advantage towards the end of the match and nicol was tired trying to keep play but sherbini keep granted for the let. Similar to omneya abdel kawy too, when played, she hardly move after hitting the ball which made the opponent to do more work to fight back. The Egyptian players, Hania, Raneem and El Tayed are the true fighters, they're really work to get a fair point in the match

[@artax3434]

Fantastic match. Ref messed up the score late in the 5th though... Called 9-7 when it was in fact 10-7.

[@GG-gk7jn]

Congrats to both Champions and Hammamy deserve it after a great tournament 👏🏻

[@smca7271]

Hammamy played well..your doing well when you can redirect the ball and someone as good as sherbini doesn't even move.

[@intermilan7413]

크으,,,,하마미 대단하네 ㄷㄷㄷ 축하축하! 근데 막셑 판정은 스트록은 아니여도 렛은 맞는 거 같은뎅 ㅎ

[@andredejongh1411]

Absolute wrong descision on the no let... a real scandal this is.

[@SergeiFedorov77]

So, in both finals the refs want to be the center of attention by making up absolutely horrendeous calls. They are in no way close to the level of the athletes. Come on, time to get a grip.

[@batolewala1760]

Holyyyyyyyy cow!!!!!

[@michaelmoore6287]

More joke refereeing...

[@ciaster]

And the NO LET decision really was a BAD call which kinda ruined a great great match. It was an obvious STROkE, at worst a LET ball for safety

[@ahmedhafez6876]

So everyone in the squash horizon sees it at least yes let if not stroke except the video referee...

[@tascolino538]

There should really be some common sense applied to calls. There was some interference to Sherbini's back swing. Sherbini stepping forward to avoid the interference would mean she would have had to play a clumsy return on an essentially loose shot. Just call a let in that position. What exactly is the point of calling a no let in this situation? Is the ref punishing Sherbini for not playing a shot that would have been 50/50 because of the opponents proximity. I honestly don't get that call.

[@Tacompton425]

No let call was wrong.

[@원체노들]

아... 둘다 용호상박이네... 진짜 잘한다

[@FocusedPiano]

Where is the consistency from the referees? You watch the women's final and then the men's final and it's like 2 different sets of rules. In the men's you can get a let for the most minor of interference, but in the womens contact on the backswing isn't enough? The video ref never seems to look at the most helpful camera angles... for me both finals were decided by terrible refereeing decisions, which in the day of video refereeing is totally unacceptable.

[@morrisonpf]

One of the worst calls I have seen at that level at 9-9 in the 5th

[@shawnmoore4425]

Lmao hamamy gifted that one

[@fem20]

On this case, I think that 8.10.2. should have been applied : "If there was interference but the striker exaggerated the swing in attempting to earn a stroke, a let is allowed." In my opinion Hamammy used an excessive follow through for a shot that was poor quality and that created the interference against Sherbini. And frankly, from the top view and compared to the swing of Hammamy on the previous shot, I do not think Sherbini was fishing because we clearly see the racket of Hammamy going back to the left, even though she cleared rather well then. Anyway it was not a stroke for sure ;)

[@ahmadsherbeny5609]

Nour is probably the only player who tries not to fish for strokes or play dirty like some other players (men/women) , a NO LET call was way to much for it and it is obvious that the watch was being driven into a certain direction at the end -_- ! They ruined one of the greatest squash games of all times with that call.

[@mohamedsheik4589]

No let? Has the ref got covid?

[@andrewannett8225]

Brilliant match ruined at the very end by a clearly poor refereeing call. A definite stroke to Sherbini. No let was a travesty.

[@shehzadabbasi1917]

Poor ref decision

[@leodumora5498]

Could someone come here with the arguments why this was a no let from the referee point of view ?

[@ryanding9215]

Hamammy cleared by the time she could have hit it, and if she wanted to take it early she would have had to step forward.

[@theexperience5549]

@@ryanding9215 Exactly. Sherbini had room to move forward after the bounce too, she was fishing.

[@peterhammer6915]

Leo dumora there was no argument. Terrible decision. 99% of referees would have given stroke or at minimum let.

[@leodumora5498]

@@theexperience5549 I can understand her intention is not 100% dedicated to play that ball, but how many of similar situations where this is stroke here ? Plenty. At least that would deserve a yes let, no ? Espacially at 9-9 in the 5th (even if this is a result-oriented judgment, but you know that in squah you play and judge around this uncertainty of taking and letting space to your opponent, you have to find a balance). Damn this is SO hard to be squash referee, I have to admitt.

[@NightRider530]

In an ideal world, Hammamy should have overturned that last decision and offered a let call. A little disappointing that "win at all costs" seems to be the accepted norm...

[@leodumora5498]

How many of similar situations did Hammamy met but with exact opposite outcome (not in her favor) ? Many. This game has ambiguity in its core nature, you have to accept it. This is real world.

[@bigkahoonas4210]

Incredible effort from both ladies, phenomenal squash. But that video call. Wow, terrible.

[@simesaid]

A great match. And one played in a great spirit. Just a pity that the refereeing wasn't so great _or_ well-spirited. Perhaps the PSA is cracking down on decisions again, perhaps not, but either way that should have been at least a let. Disappointing.

[@BUDDY4698]

How many Squash TV higlights do you have to watch where the commentators are completely baffled by a decision do we have to have until they make some major changes to the refereeing? Is unbelievable at this point...

[@abidfarooqui4899]

Man what is going on with the refereeing. Again men's and women's both at crucial points such totally rubbish decisions. Almost wants to make you just go watch Cricket instead of Squash

[@peterhammer6915]

worst decision ever in squash that "no let"?

[@bustertornado5433]

Sounds like the Christmas Cracker for this year has arrived just in time

[@naglaamohamed1341]

بنات بلدنا ألا مشرفنا هكذا يكون الاسكواش

[@stevebrake4676]

👌

[@Lords_Of_Milk]

With such decisions, no wonder squash is not in the Olympics

[@ahmadsherbeny5609]

Worst last video referee call EVER !

[@shahg25]

Not taking anything away from Hammamy but awful awful refereeing for that no let call! Not a huge Hammamy fan but its fair to say she deserved it.

[@kensmith8015]

Two bad decisions in the last game, one not shown. Sad...

[@carolinefoulkes9599]

WONDER WOMAN STAY TINY, COMPARED TO THESE TWOOOO...🤪