The second set of quarter-finals saw Nour ElSherbini, Olivia Weaver, Mostafa Asal and Paul Coll complete the semifinal lineups in Chicago
[2] Nour ElSherbini (Egy) 3-0 [8] Gina Kennedy (Eng) 11-8, 12-10, 12-10 (37m)
[4] Olivia Weaver (Usa) 3-1 [7] Siva Subramaniam (Mas) 11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5 (41m)
[2] Mostafa Asal (Egy) 3-0 [6] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 11-7, 11-4, 11-8 (56m)
[4] Paul Coll (Nzl) 3-0 [7] Mohamed ElShorbagy (Eng) 11-4, 11-9, 11-2 (35m)
Draws & Results Live Scores Watch Live
Check our the match reports and reaction below
ElSherbini holds off Kennedy
[2] Nour ElSherbini (Egy) 3-0 [8] Gina Kennedy (Eng) 11-8, 12-10, 12-10 (37m)
Seven-time World Champion Nour El Sherbini moved one step closer to a record-equalling eighth Worlds title after the Egyptian overcame England’s Georgina Kennedy in straight games to reach the last four.
Despite the 3-0 scoreline, it was a match which saw El Sherbini dig in against a tenacious Kennedy, with two of the three games seeing El Sherbini prevail on the tie-break. El Sherbini had won all 10 of the pair’s previous meetings on the PSA Squash Tour, but it was Kennedy who looked like she would throw the form book out of the window as she raced out of the traps to take an 8-1 lead.
The fast-paced nature of the match exposed a sluggish start from El Sherbini, but the World No.2 slowed things down and begun to pick Kennedy off, taking 10 points in a row to go a game ahead. Kennedy’s attacks at the front of the court had dropped off, with her drops to the front of the court starting to clip the side walls and go in high to allow El Sherbini to move in and attack. El Sherbini twisted and turned her opponent, who was frequently equal to the task thanks to her impressive speed and agility.
However, the Egyptian was always making her play one more shot and the percentages were in El Sherbini’s favour as she played the crucial points well to double her lead on the tie-break. Kennedy did push ahead to a game ball in the third but couldn’t convert, with El Sherbini holding firm to secure an 11-8, 12-10, 12-10 win.
El Sherbini has now reached a 10th successive World Championships semi-final and will play either United States No.1 Olivia Weaver of Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam for a place in the title decider as she attempts to match Nicol David’s tally of eight World Championship titles.
“I’m very lucky to win this match, it could have been 3-0 the other way,” said El Sherbini. “I tried to dig in and tried to play every point, even if I wasn’t hitting my targets or playing the game plan that I wanted to play. Gina was really good and was attacking way better than me today. I’m glad to win and I’m glad I kept fighting for every point.
“If you’re not feeling good and you’re opponent is playing really well, but you win in the end, then there are a lot of positives to take. We’re playing in the biggest tournament of the season and we’re into the semi-finals, so I will try to be more positive than negative.”
Weaver reaches semis on home soil
[4] Olivia Weaver (Usa) 3-1 [7] Siva Subramaniam (Mas) 11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5 (41m)
United States No.1 Olivia Weaver has booked her place in the last four on home soil after beating Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam in Chicago.
Weaver, who will now appear in her second World Championships semi, bounced back from a defeat against the World No.9 in the semi-final of February’s Cincinnati Gaynor Cup to win 11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5 in front of her home fans at Lakeshore Sport & Fitness. Prior to that defeat, Weaver had beaten Sivasangari five times in succession and she put her opponent under significant pressure in the early stages to storm into a one-game lead.
Sivasangari, who had beaten Weaver’s compatriot Amanda Sobhy in the previous round, had her best spell of the match in the second game as she nullified Weaver with some deceptive holds and accurate attacks. After Sivasangari drew level, Weaver went up a level and put a lot of work into the Malaysian’s legs, twisting and turning her. The physical toll looked to grind Sivasangari down as a composed Weaver closed out one-sided victories in each of the next two games.
Weaver’s semi-final opponent will be seven-time World Champion Nour El Sherbini. The pair met at the same stage of last year’s tournament when El Sherbini recovered from 2-1 down to prevent Weaver from becoming the first American ever to reach the final.
“It never always goes to plan out here,” said Weaver. “There’s always something unexpected that happens, but we prepared really well for this match. Siva has been playing incredibly well and she beat me the last time we played in Cincinnati, she’s been in really good form.
“I was really pleased with the adjustments I made since last time, and I enjoyed the occasion and being on this court. She’s incredibly skilful with the racket, you have to keep it away from the middle and try and take away her time. I tried to find my lines on this courts, which I think I did well, so I’m really pleased.
“It’s easy to be hard on yourself out here, but I always try to be critical and not judgemental.”
Asal despatches Gawad in straight games
[2] Mostafa Asal (Egy) 3-0 [6] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 11-7, 11-4, 11-8 (56m)
World No.1 Mostafa Asal defeated former world champion Karim Abdel Gawad in straight games to progress to the semi finals.
It’s the fourth successive appearance for Asal in the semi finals of this event, with the Egyptian runner-up last year to Peru’s Diego Elias. Asal, who hasn’t dropped a single game on his way to the last four in Chicago, produced an impressive display to keep Gawad at bay and advance 3-0. The previous five matches between the two had all been won by Asal, who was beating Gawad for pace by whipping the ball into both back corners to take the first 11-7.
After a passive opening period from Asal in the second, the World No.1 was soon back in control as he found his range with good width once again to make it a 2-0 advantage. More accurate line hitting from Asal put him firmly in the driving seat, with the ‘Raging Bull’ countering well to any attacks Gawad tried to launch. Despite seeing a few match balls saved, Asal won 11-8 for a place in the semi finals, where Paul Coll or Mohamed ElShorbagy await.
“Karim is very tricky to play against – sometimes you see phases where you think he’s completely gone but he isn’t. “You could see it at the end of the third – he was a little bit off and then he came back at me and he gave a fight. It was a tricky match but it was a solid performance.”
Coll cruises past ElShorbagy
[4] Paul Coll (Nzl) 3-0 [7] Mohamed ElShorbagy (Eng) 11-4, 11-9, 11-2 (35m)
Paul Coll will take on Mostafa Asal in the semi finals after overcoming former world champion Mohamed ElShorbagy 3-0.
Coll, into his fifth World Champs semi-final, comfortably axed 2017 world champion ElShorbagy to tee up a last four clash with World No.1 Asal – a rematch of their semi-final meeting last season.
The New Zealander did an excellent job of tidying up in the front corners as he kept ElShorbagy at bay to open up a 1-0 lead, but the Englishman started to take risks in the second by hitting more winners.
However too many unforced errors was ElShorbagy’s undoing, as Coll moved 2-0 up as he took the second 11-9.
The damage looked to have been done for ElShorbagy after the second as Coll comprehensively clinched the third 11-2.
“I’ve played him loads of times and when he makes that push it’s vital you’ve got to stick with him,” he said.
“It’s so hard when he’s attacking you like that and going across the ’T’ line. I tried to stay aggressive myself and I think I did that at the end of the second.
“He had a few massive five gamers off the back of Europeans so I knew if I made it physical then he’ll start to feel it.
‘I’ve got big respect for him what he does and how he plays – he’s still fighting and he’s so hard to play against. I’m very happy.”
Day Seven Preview
Seven-time champion Nour ElSherbini opens proceedings as she takes on England No.1 Georgina Kennedy. ‘The Warrior Princess’ is in the unfamiliar underdog position in this year’s World Championships but will be determined to put a marker down tonight as she hunts for a record equalling eighth World title.
The final women’s quarter final features next as USA No.1 Olivia Weaver looks to reach back-to-back World Championships semi-finals as she takes on Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam. The pair rarely disappoint when they meet on the PSA Squash Tour, with only one of their six meetings being 3-0. Subramaniam scored her first win over Weaver at the Cincinnati Gaynor Cup a few months ago but can she upset the home hope once again on her own turf?
A clash between the current World No.1 and a former World No.1 opens the men’s matches tonight in Chicago as Mostafa Asal takes on Karim Abdel Gawad. Asal has looked in fine form so far this week and will be hoping for more of the same as he takes on the always dangerous and fresh Karim Abdel Gawad.
The final match of the quarter finals could be an absolute cracker as two former World No.1s go head to head with both Paul Coll and Mohamed Elshorbagy looking to claim the final spot in the final four. The pair have met 22 times on the PSA Squash Tour and despite the Englishman holding the lead at 14-8, Coll has won the last three meetings. Most recently at the Optasia Championships where the Kiwi recovered from 2-0 down. A highly tactical battle is expected between the two tonight and we’re sure it won’t disappoint.
You can keep up to date with all of the action as it happens from Chicago right here as well as our social channels: X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Threads, WhatsApp or LinkedIn.
