El Gouna International SF: El Sherbini Comes From Behind To Down Gilis

World No.1 Nour El Sherbini is through to the El Gouna International Squash Open final after coming from behind to beat Tinne Gilis.

In a fast-paced opening game, both players looked on top form. El Sherbini, who spoke earlier in the tournament about being a ‘slow starter,’ looked rapid in the opening exchanges, moving far better than in previous matches this week.

Gilis, who going into the match had never beaten El Sherbini in six attempts on tour, soon grew into the contest, though, playing all four corners well and capitalising on a flurry of El Sherbini errors to take the first game 11-8.

The World No.1, a winner here in 2021, improved in the second, upping the quality and cutting out the errors to level  with an 11-7 win.

In a high-quality third game, both players played some excellent squash. Gilis made the first move as she went game ball up at 10-9, but couldn’t convert, with El Sherbini saving it before taking the next two points to move into the lead.

In contrast to the previous games, which were defined by long and testing rallies, game four was a shootout, with both players firing in winners to the delight of the crowd.

The rapid-fire action better suited the Egyptian, with the reigning World Champion pushing on in the late stages of the game to clinch the victory with an 11-7 win.

Afterwards, El Sherbini said: “I’m very happy with my performance. It was a tough match, Tinne’s been playing amazingly all season and this tournament especially. She’s been through in a couple of five setters as well. I’m really happy that I stuck until the end and am looking forward to tomorrow.

“[Before I play I’m] nervous in a nice way. I don’t think I’m nervous in a way that won’t let me play good squash, I’m just nervous in a way that I’m eager and just want to play and get the game started. I didn’t think I was nervous today, I just wanted to play well. I wasn’t happy with my first couple of rounds and just wanted to be in the mood of playing good squash, relaxing and being happy on court.”

Result: El Gouna International Squash Open Women’s Semi-Final

[1] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt [7] Tinne Gilis (BEL) 3-1: 8-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-7 (49m)

The finals of the El Gouna International Squash Open take place tomorrow from 19:30 (GMT+3) live on SQUASHTV and on the partner channels of the PSA.

For updates on the El Gouna International Squash Open 2024, visit the PSA website or follow the PSA on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.