Paris Squash QF: Elaraby Downs Gilis In Impressive Display To Reach Last Four

World No.8 Rowan Elaraby produced an impressive display of attacking squash to upset No.4 seed Nele Gilis and advance to the Paris Squash semi-finals. 

Elaraby, 24, took the match by an 11-9, 11-5, 12-10 scoreline in 41 minutes to reach her third-ever Platinum semi-final inside the world-famous Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione. 

Despite the end result, it was Gilis who made the brighter start out of the blocks, racing into an early 5-1 lead. However, as the opening game progressed, Elaraby began to grow in confidence, stepping up the court and hitting her volleys with accuracy, taking six straight points and subsequently moving a game up. 

Gilis continued to struggle reading the attacks of Elaraby in the second, with the Egyptian getting plenty of joy when turning the ball steeply from left to right and catching Gilis off balance. In no time, Elaraby cruised into a 7-0 lead and doubled her lead after a seven-minute second game. 

A more even third game would follow, with both players trading points through the early stages, but again Elaraby moved clear in the latter stages. At 10-7 up though, Elaraby started to tighten up, looking a little physically fatigued following a couple of lengthy rallies, with Gilis saving three match balls and forcing a tie-break. 

The comeback wasn’t to be though, with two strokes being awarded in Elaraby’s favour and the Egyptian progressing to the last four in the French capital.

After the match, Elaraby said: “First of all, Nele is a fighter, she is so physical and every time we play. I think my vision towards the game has changed recently, with the help of my coaches. I’m more free when I’m on court, I play however I want, and that is what has changed. 

“It’s never going to be easy to win [against Nele], even if you were to have ten match balls. She never gives cheap points and I had to stick to my game plan to get the win.”

Result:

[8] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bt [4] Nele Gilis (BEL) 3-0: 119, 11-5, 12-10 (41m)