Top Seed Gilis Takes First Finals Spot After Victory Over Abbas

Top seed Nele Gilis was the first player to reach the 2024 Optasia Championships finals (and the first-ever women’s finalist) after she overcame Egypt’s Nada Abbas in four games that took just over the hour to complete.

The Belgian World No.4 looked comfortable in the first game, holding an early lead then pulling away from 7-6 to take the lead with the game finishing on three consecutive strokes against Abbas.

World No.15 Abbas struck back quickly though, as she did much the same in the second, levelling with a run of quick points from 7-6 to 11-6.

Gilis wasn’t to be denied though as she regained control in the next two games, closing out the match 11-3, 11-6, finishing with an exquisite high volley drop on match ball.

“I wasn’t really finding my lengths at the back,” said Gilis after the match. “That’s why I felt like I was under constant pressure. She’s very attacking. Anything around the middle she would kill or drop or boast and I just felt on the back foot for the majority of the match and I couldn’t quite find my range.

“I have some improving to do for the final tomorrow. The court plays a lot differently in the morning compared to match time. The temperatures a lot different because there’s more people in the crowd. It’s not cold in here but for some reason the ball dies off very quickly.

“It’s no excuse because I’ve got to be able to adapt and adjust quickly. I feel like I didn’t do that today.

“I’ve loved my week so far. The atmosphere here is great. Everyone seems to love it. It’s always good to go to a new city for a new tournament. I’m very excited and I’m happy to be in the final here. I’m ready to give it one last push.”

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Results: Optasia Championships 2024 Semi-Finals
[1] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt [3] Nada Abbas (EGY) 3-1: 11-6, 6-11, 11-3, 11-6 (64m)