The quarter-Finals of the Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open continue tonight at Edinburgh Place – have a look around the new venue – with four matches from the bottom half of the draws.
The big upset saw Wales Joel Makin beat defending champion Coll in four games to join Egyptian trio Hania El Hammamy, Nouran Gohar and Mostafa Asal in the semi-finals.
Check out the reports, reaction and photos below the results …
Women’s Quarters :
[3] Hania El Hammamy (Egy) 3-1 [7] Tinne Gilis (Bel) 11-6, 14-16, 11-4, 11-7 (64m)
[2] Nouran Gohar (Egy) 3-1 Sana Ibrahim (Egy) 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 5-2 rtd (55m)
Men’s Quarters :
[8] Joel Makin (Wal) 3-1 [3] Paul Coll (Nzl) 11-6, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4 (75m)
[2] Mostafa Asal (Egy) 3-0 [7] Tarek Momen (Egy) 11-8, 11-6, 11-2 (44m)
Asal completes the quarter-finals
[2] Mostafa Asal (Egy) 3-0 [7] Tarek Momen (Egy) 11-8, 11-6, 11-2 (44m)
The semi-final lineups were completed as second seed Mostafa Asal, the 2022 Champion, beat compatriot Tarek Momen in straight games.
Asal was on top throughout the contest, despite some bursts from Momen, and quickly ran through the third game to confirm the win.
“I want to thank Tarek for everything he’s doing – he’s such a warrior. He’s almost 37 years old and he’s still playing. I was talking to my family and said I would not exceed 30!” he said.
“It was an unbelievable performance from him and he’s still beating youngsters, all credit to him and sharing a court with him is amazing and thanks to all this amazing crowd for coming.”
Gohar through as Ibrahim forced to retire
[2] Nouran Gohar (Egy) 3-1 Sana Ibrahim (Egy) 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 5-2 rtd (55m)
World Champion Nouran Gohar went through to the semi-finals after a match that was cut short due to a head injury to Sana Ibrahim.
Gohar had dominated the first two gaes but Ibrahim stormed back to take a close third game.
At 5-2 to Gohar in the fourth Gohar’s racket accidentally caught Ibrahim’s head on the backswing. After a delay it was decided that Sana was unable to continue due to possible concussion.
“All credit to Sana – she reached her first quarter-final of a Platinum event and that’s a huge achievement in itself,” said Gohar.
“Ending the match like this is something I’m obviously not happy about at all and I think she was playing great.
‘I started finding my range again in the fourth and I wish that she’s feeling better and it’s nothing too serious.”
Makin dumps out defending champion Coll
[8] Joel Makin (Wal) 3-1 [3] Paul Coll (Nzl) 11-6, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4 (75m)
Wales' Joel Makin sensationally dumped defending champion Paul Coll out of the tournament with an impressive four game win over the third seeded Kiwi.
With Coll making more errors than is usual, Makin controlled the scoreboard in the first two games, and although Coll pulled a game back, the pattern resumed in the fourth as Makin reached his second Platinum semi-final of the season.
“It was solid,” Makin said afterwards. Paul did well to switch the play, he slow balled and went for quick attacks and he went from high to low, disrupting that rhythm I was beating him at and he broke it up well.
“I knew the quality had to be high and I had to get back on top and do what I do well.
“I’m enjoying my squash – it’s been a good six months, my body’s been healthy but I’m moving well and I’m showing what my squash can do. I’m really happy with that and I’m having a good week.”
Hania keeps record over Tinne going - just
[3] Hania El Hammamy (Egy) 3-1 [7] Tinne Gilis (Bel) 11-6, 14-16, 11-4, 11-7 (64m)
Defending Champion Hania El Hammamy reached the semi-finals as she extended her winning run over Tinne Gilis to 14 matches, but this must have been one of the toughest.
The Egyptian was on top in the opening game, but Gilis upped her level in the second, and earned herself four game balls all of which were saved. Hammamy had three game balls in extra points but eventually it was Gilis who squeezed home 16-14.
She wasn't able to maintain that momentum though as Hammamy closed out the match11-4, 11-7.
“I tried to push myself mentally. After the second it was very tough, very crucial and I thought she picked up a few good shots in the second and she got away with it.
“Thanks to Karim Darwish – he was trying to fire me up after the second and was pushing me and I wanted to be aggressive as I could be from the first point in the third and I think it made a difference.
“It’s the last event that I’m holding the title of and it’s such a special place in Hong Kong. I have a lot of special memories here and it gives me good butterflies and good vibes to be playing in front of this crowd.
“I’m really proud to be in the semis again and I’m looking forward to it.”
