Egypt’s Nour al-Sherbini becomes youngest ever female squash world champion

Egypt’s Nour al-Sherbini became the youngest winner of the Women’s World Championships in squash and the first Egyptian woman to win the Squash World Championships on Saturday.

The 20-year-old beat British finalist Laura Massaro in a close competition, making a dramatic comeback after being two matches down to Massaro. Sherbini dominated the third match in a lengthy showdown, ultimately coming out ahead at 6-11, 4-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-8.

Massaro is the current world number-one-ranked female squash player and she beat Sherbini in the Women’s World Championships in 2013. Sherbini, who now ranks number two, will take the number-one spot next month following this win.

Upon being informed that she would be become number one ranked female squash player, Sherbini told PSA World, the website of the governing body of professional squash, “I didn’t think it would be this early for me, so I’m surprised.”

Sherbini posted a picture of herself smiling on Facebook following the match with the message, “I AM A WORLD CHAMPION,” in all capitals.

Egyptian Raneem al-Welily came second in the Women’s World Championships 2014, losing to Malaysian player Nicol David. Welily ranked world number one female squash player in 2015 based on her victories in other competitions.

The Squash World Championship is arguably the most important competition in the sport, followed by the British Open. Sherbini also beat Nour Gohar in the British Open this March, where all four finalists in both the male and female championships were Egyptian. Sherbini was also the youngest finalist in British Open history, becoming a finalist for the first time in 2012 at the age of 16.

The British Open this year was a historic first for the championships marking the first time since 1977 that a single nation provided finalists in both the male and female leagues.

Egypt’s squash players have ranked high in recent years. In 2015 both the number-one male and female players were Egyptians, and 10 Egyptians are in the top 10 of male and female squash rankings worldwide.

“I'm dreaming right now,” Sherbini told PSA World Tour. “I didn't imagine I could win this match. I want to say thanks to the Egypt team and everyone here for all the support that pushed me to the end. Laura is a very tough player and even until the end I didn't think I could do it. At 2-0 down I thought it was over, Shabana just kept telling me to focus and play squash and forget about the score and start again.”