US No.1 Amanda Sobhy produced a fine performance to oust World No.1 Nour El Sherbini and progress to the final of the TTI Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open 2023 for the first time in seven years.
Sobhy, a runner up in 2016, was tactically immaculate against the reigning World Champion to seal her first appearance in a Platinum-level final since the CIB PSA Black Ball Squash Open in 2021.
On their 18th meeting on the PSA World Tour, Sobhy’s accuracy was too much for El Sherbini to handle, as the American capitalised on many uncharacteristic errors from the Egyptian’s racket to record a 3-0: 11-8, 11-4, 11-3 win in half an hour.
Standing in Sobhy’s way of a maiden Platinum-level title is the defending champion Hania El Hammamy, who ruthlessly dispatched Nele Gilis in straight games.
El Hammamy, who came out on top against El Sherbini in an epic encounter last year to lift the title in Hong Kong, dominated the middle of the court during all three games against the Belgian, who recently climbed to her highest World Ranking of four.
The Egyptian was flawless with her squash, countering any threats made by Gilis, who was struggling to handle the ferocious hitting of El Hammamy who closed out a 3-0:11-5, 11-5, 11-1Â victory in 32 minutes.
In the men’s draw, there will be a new name on the trophy after World No.1 Ali Farag knocked out reigning champion Mostafa Asal.
Farag, who has been a runner up on his two previous trips to the final in Hong Kong, has been impeccable having not dropped a single game.
The World No.1 continued that run against Asal in the semi final, with Farag in complete control as he was equal to everything the ‘Raging Bull’ launched at him. Despite Asal’s accuracy and length hitting improving as the match went on, Farag overpowered the young Egyptian in straight games 11-4, 11-9, 11-8.
Paul Coll will be the other finalist tomorrow night, becoming the first male New Zealander to reach the final at the Hong Kong Open following his triumph over four-time champion Mohamed ElShorbagy,
Fellow Kiwi Joelle King has been victorious in Hong Kong previously, but there has never been a male representative from New Zealand since the tournament began back in 1985.
Coll, who landed the U.S. Open title back in October against tomorrow’s opponent Farag, executed his game plan to perfection in the first two games with his length down both sides as he won 11-4, 11-8 before ElShorbagy pulled a game back in the third.
But Coll was too strong for the Englishman in the fourth, comprehensively winning it 11-3 for a final berth.
Men’s Semi Final Results: TTI Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open 2023
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt [3] Mostafa Asal (EGY) 3-0: 11-4, 11-9, 11-8 (44m) [5] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [4] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) 3-1: 11-4, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3 (53m)Women’s Semi Final Results: TTI Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open 2023
[3] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt [1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 11-4, 11-3 (30m) [2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [4] Nele Gilis (BEL) 3-0: 11-5, 11-5, 11-1 (32m)Men’s Final Draw: To be played 3 December
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) v [5] Paul Coll (NZL)Women’s Final Draw: To be played 3 December
[3] Amanda Sobhy (USA) v [2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY)