Gibraltar Open SF: Unseeded Ismail Continues Excellent Run To Reach Final

Egypt’s Hana Ismail continued her hot streak at the Gibraltar Open to clinch a place in the final after seeing off No.4 seed Jacqueline Peychär.

The 18-year-old knocked out No.2 seed Torrie Malik in the first round before downing No.6 seed Kiera Marshall in the quarter-finals, and the World No.134 is into the final following a 3-1 victory.

Ismail drew first blood before edging a close second game 12-10, but Peychär came out firing in the third as she got a foothold back in the contest by converting game ball at the fourth attempt.

The scores were locked at nine-all in the fourth as Ismail managed to edge ahead and converted match ball at the first time of asking to seal her place in the decider.

Ismail will face top seed Marta Dominguez Fernandez for the title following a dominant win against Saran Nghiem, winning 3-0: 11-4, 11-9, 11-8 in just over half an hour.

There was a shock result in the men’s draw as unseeded Velavan Senthilkumar came from behind to beat No.3 seed Emyr Evans.

Senthilkumar had five game balls in the opener, which were all saved by Evans, and the Welshman nudged ahead by taking the first 13-11.

Another bright start from World No.117 Senthilkumar in the second eventually saw him restore parity, before going ahead for the first time with an 11-6 triumph in the third.

Senthilkumar was in the driving seat in the fourth with an 8-5 lead, as he won three points without reply to reach the final.

No.2 seed Ivan Perez awaits Senthilkumar in the decider, as he defeated Daniel Mekbib 3-1 for a final berth.

The finals of the Gibraltar Open will be played on Saturday July 1. Keep up to date with the PSA Challenger Tour with daily updates on our Twitter and Facebook pages.

Results – Men’s Semi-Finals: 2023 Gibraltar Open

Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) bt [3] Emyr Evans (WAL) 3-1: 11-13, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5 (56m)
[2] Ivan Perez (ESP) bt [6] Daniel Mekbib (CZE) 3-1: 11-9, 11-5, 10-12, 11-5 (61m)

Results – Women’s Semi-Finals: 2023 Gibraltar Open

[1] Marta Dominguez Fernandez (ESP) bt [5] Saran Nghiem (ENG) 3-0: 11-4, 11-9, 11-8 (31m)
Hana Ismail (EGY) bt [4] Jacqueline Peychär (AUT) 3-1: 11-7, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9 (47m)

Women’s Final: To Be Played July 1

[1] Marta Dominguez Fernandez (ESP) v Hana Ismail (EGY)

Men’s Final: To Be Played July 1

Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) v [2] Ivan Perez (ESP)