Monte Carlo Classic SF: Alves and Ismail Set For Battle

France’s Melissa Alves and Egypt’s Rana Ismail will do battle in the final of the Monte Carlo Classic on Friday evening.

Ismail came into the competition as the No.8 seed, and after getting the better of a struggling Lucy Turmel in the quarter finals, she then overcame the challenge of No.4 seed Marie Stephan in the last four on Thursday evening.

The young Egyptian started strongly in their semi-final contest, and clinched a crucial first game 11-9, before then doubling her lead after winning the second game 11-6. Stephan fought back to take the third but her comeback was cut short, as Ismail rattled through a quick-fire fourth game to secure the victory.

She will now face Frenchwoman Melissa Alves in the final on Friday evening, after the World No.30 overcame the unseeded Nour Heikal. The Egyptian had caused a couple of upsets already in the tournament, and looked strong early on after winning the first game 11-6.

She then had her chances to win the second game as well, but Alves came through it on a tie-break 14-12, and that set her up for the rest of the tie. The Frenchwoman, who is the No.2 seed for the event, dropped just nine points in the match, to win in four and to book her spot in the final.

The final of the Monte Carlo Classic will take place on Friday, December 2, with France’s Melissa Alves and Egypt’s Rana Ismail doing battle for the title at the Monaco Squash Club.

Semi-Final Results: Monte Carlo Classic
[8] Rana Ismail (EGY) bt [4] Marie Stephan (FRA) 3-1: 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-3 (35m)
[2] Melissa Alves (FRA) bt Nour Heikal (EGY) 3-1: 6-11, 14-12, 11-4, 11-5 (44m)

Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, December 2
[8] Rana Ismail (EGY) v [2] Melissa Alves (FRA)