Grasshopper Cup: Fast Start Helps Gilis Into Semi-Finals

Nele Gilis kicked off the evening session of the Grasshopper Cup quarter-finals with a win, beating Sabrina Sobhy 2-0. 

After a slow start in her win over Kenzy Ayman yesterday, Gilis raced out of the blocks in this one, winning five of the first six points. 

She kept the American at arm’s length to close out the game 11-8, but the roles were reversed at the start of game two, with Sobhy edging in front. 

She was 4-1 up after less than four minutes, but Gilis was not down for long, turning things around by securing the next five points. 

From 6-4 up she moved to 10-8, and with it to the brink of victory and two match balls. 

Sobhy saved them both – the second on a delicate backhand drop – to keep herself alive, but was unable to repeat the trick a third time, with Gilis winning 12-10 after a successful video review at 10-10 gave her another match ball. 

“It was really tough out there,” she said, moments after victory. 

“I really tried to focus on my length. I thought it was a lot better than yesterday but anything around the middle, or if I missed my target, she was so clinical today and she played very well, so I’m very lucky to get away in two. 

“Every time I did have a lead, I was always a little bit on edge, because I know how good she is and how she can come back and hit two or three winners in a row if I slightly miss my target.” 

Result: [3] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt [7] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) 2-0: 11-8, 12-10 (30m)