Top Seed Gilis Battles Back To Beat Beecroft And Reach New Zealand Open Semi-Finals

No.1 seed Nele Gilis survived a scare as she came back from 0-2 down to beat World No.28 Lucy Beecroft and reach the semi-finals of the Barfoot & Thompson New Zealand Women’s Open.

Meanwhile, in the Lucino Vanities New Zealand Men’s Open, Marwan ElShorbagy edged a thrilling all-England affair with Patrick Rooney and home favourite Paul Coll maintained his perfect record.

In an entertaining clash, World No.28 Beecroft went after Gilis from the beginning, using the angles perfectly with an aggressive gameplan as she went 2-0 up with 11-9, 11-7 wins.

Gilis, who had struggled for consistency in the opening games, looked far better in game three, reading her opponent and forcing errors as she won game three and four 11-5 each.

In a tight fifth game, the World No.4 was able to hold her nerve against a resurgent Beecroft, taking it 11-8 to close out.

Afterwards, Gilis said: “I’m proud of myself that I found a way to win. Lucy wasn’t missing and I was missing my targets – you can’t do that against her because she’ll pick you off!

“But I found a way. It was one of those days that I had to dig deep.”

Gilis will face No.4 seed Aifa Azman in the semi-final after the Malaysian cruised past Hong Kong’s Ka Yi Lee to reach a Silver-level semi-final for the first time.

The other semi-final will be contested by Nele Gilis’ sister, Tinne Gilis, and last year’s runner up Tesni Evans of Wales after Gilis dispatched Hong Kong’s Tsz-Wing Tong and Evans came from behind to beat Hong Kong’s Tomato Ho.

In the men’s event, ElShorbagy started his contest with Rooney well, unsettling the 26-year-old with accurate play to the front.

The World No.8 responded well though, moving ahead in the contest with 12-10 and 11-4 wins.

After the setbacks, ElShorbagy reset, moving back level with an 11-7 victory before clinching the fifth game 11-9.

“That was a tough match and we both gave everything. Patrick is very skilful of course and came back very well. He’s a great player and if he keeps working this way he’s going to be in the top 10 very soon,” ElShorbagy said afterwards.

ElShorbagy will play Wales’ Joel Makin in tomorrow’s semi-final after the No.3 seed beat No.5 seed Baptiste Masotti of France in straight games.

The other semi-final will see New Zealand No.1 and World No.3 Paul Coll play France’s Victor Crouin, after Coll came through a physical match against France’s Auguste Dussourd and Victor Crouin earned a straight-game victory over French compatriot Gregoire Marche.

The semi-finals of the Barfoot & Thompson New Zealand Women’s Open and the Lucino Vanities New Zealand Men’s Open take place from 18:00 (GMT+13) tomorrow, 9 December, at the Mercury Arena, Tauranga.

Watch the action live on SQUASHTV.

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Results – Barfoot & Thompson New Zealand Open Women’s Quarter-Finals

[1] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt [5] Lucy Beecroft (ENG) 3-2: 9-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 (59m)

[4] Aifa Azman (MAS) bt [8] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) 3-0: 11-3, 11-8, 11-6 (24m)

[3] Tesni Evans (WAL) bt [6] Tomato Ho (HKG) 3-1: 10-12, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6 (51m)

[2] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt [7] Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) 3-0: 11-4, 11-7, 11-9 (33m)

Results – Lucino Vanities New Zealand Open Men’s Quarter-Finals

[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [6] Auguste Dussourd (FRA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-7, 11-2 (44m)

[4] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt [8] Gregoire Marche (FRA) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 (50m)

[3] Joel Makin (WAL) bt [5] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 3-0: 11-7, 13-11, 11-9 (50m)

[2] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Patrick Rooney (ENG) 3-2: 11-5, 10-12, 4-11, 11-7, 11-9 (65m)

Draw – Barfoot & Thompson New Zealand Open Women’s Semi-Finals (to be played 09 December)

[1] Nele Gilis (BEL) v [4] Aifa Azman (MAS)

[3] Tesni Evans (WAL) v [2] Tinne Gilis (BEL)

Draw – Lucino Vanities New Zealand Open Men’s Semi-Finals (to be played 09 December)

[1] Paul Coll (NZL) v [4] Victor Crouin (FRA)

[3] Joel Makin (WAL) v [2] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG)