HSC 2024 Houston Men’s Squash Open QFs: Gawad Fights Back to Win in Five Again

Karim Adbel Gawad came through in five games for the second match in a row, beating Aly Abou Eleinen 3-2 in the HSC 2024 Houston Men’s Squash Open quarter-finals. 

The younger of the two Egyptians recorded an impressive win over Baptiste Masotti to set up this matchup, while Gawad had needed to overturn a two-game deficit to get past the USA’s Timothy Brownell in round two. 

Perhaps feeling the fresher of the two players as a result, it was Eleinen who got himself into an early lead, taking game one 11-5 in just 11 minutes. 

Back came the former World No.1 in game two, moving far more freely as he established a 5-1 lead, with the opening rallies highlighted by a brilliantly disguised forehand flick, described by Simon Parke on commentary as ‘invisible’. 

That 5-1 lead was soon converted into an 11-7 scoreline, handing Gawad game two and seemingly the momentum. 

Eleinen had other ideas, though, taking back the momentum and controlling game three, even giving Gawad a taste of his own medicine with an outstanding backhand boast from tight up against the side wall. 

It took just seven minutes for the 24-year-old to get himself back in front and move within one game of victory, as the crowd sensed an upset with Gawad perhaps conserving energy with the game all-but lost. 

That appeared to pay dividends too, as Gawad took game four 11-5, and then found himself 8-4 up in the fifth. 

Eleinen kept attacking to stay within touching distance and even saved two match balls at 10-7 down, but a third would be one step too far, as Gawad crunched a forehand drive down the line to clinch victory. 

“Aly’s a great player, still young in age and he’s already proved that he’s a great player,” Gawad said after his win. 

“He’s already towards the top of the rankings and I think very soon he’ll be in the top 10 or top 8 in the world. 

“I started a bit slowly, he was just attacking with all the possible shots, and he was playing very well. I was just not into the match but I’m glad I came back in the second. I dropped off in the third, and just pushed 100% and did all I could to win the fourth and fifth. 

Looking ahead to his semi-final clash with fellow Egyptian Ali Farag, Gawad added: “Ali is the most consistent player on tour now. 

“He’s been in great form since he came back from his injury, he’s playing very well, he has a lot of confidence, but I’m also playing well, I have a lot of confidence too, so I just want to try and play my best squash tomorrow.” 

Result: 
[4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) 3-2: 5-11, 11-7, 3-11, 11-5, 11-9 (69m)