[3] Tesni Evans (WAL) 2-0 Nardine Garas (EGY) 11-8, 11-7 (22m)
It was so good to see Tesni back on court, as she left off, sharp, fun to watch, with her famous poker face – God love her.
How many time can I say ‘first game was crucial” in a BO3 event? Close to start with, 3/3, 4/4, 6/6. A nice chance for the 18 years old Egyptian from Wadi Degla to take it away, 8/6, but Tesni’s experience talks at that crucial time, she finds short rallies and great sharp short game, 8/8. Both girls mixing their shots beautifully, height and lobs nicely displayed, but it’s the Welsh who takes the opener, 11/8 in 7 short minutes.
The second game sees Tesni more and more at ease on the court I felt. And although we saw some lovely “Nouran Gohar” slams from the Egyptian racquet, the Welsh managed to establish control of the game as it went on, 3/3, 4/4, 7/4, 10/6, and finally 117 in 11m.
Tesni
“She’s very attacking and dangerous, you know she beat Lucy [Turmel] in the round before and I tried to just use the front when she did. I tried to make the rallies long and hard and keep the ball tight to the side wall.
“The crowd is very motivating, this is why we play, we want this from the crowd. I’ve never seen anything like this. The louder the better, the drunker the better, it’s amazing.”
