TTI Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open 2023: Gilis Reaches Second Platinum Semi-Final After Subramaniam Win

World No.4 Nele Gilis advanced to her second career Platinum semi-final following a four-game victory over Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Football Club champion Subramaniam started strongly, mixing up her play nicely and using the full height of the front wall to her advantage. However, despite moving into an 8-5 lead, No.3 seed Gilis clawed her way back, keeping the ball out of her opponent’s danger zones, winning six consecutive points to take the first. 

Gilis’ momentum continued early in the second, defusing Subramaniam’s scoring shots and imposing her attacking squash on the match. The Belgian played a superb second game, mixing her terrific movement with some tight work down the side walls to double her advantage. 

The Belgian No.1 looked home and dry at 10-8 up and two match balls in her favour in the third, but Subramaniam displayed her battling qualities to save both and claim the subsequent tie-break by a 12-10 scoreline. 

The Malaysian continued to back her short game with the new ball in the fourth, firing shots in short whenever possible. However, Gilis managed to cover the court to more effect with the lively nature of the ball and always held a slender lead. At 10-9 up, Gilis only needed asking once, taking the match after 56 minutes on court. 

After the match, Gilis said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic to make the semi-finals. I think it’s my second time in a Platinum semi-final and I’m very proud of the way I fought.

“Siva is such a dangerous opponent and I’m just glad to have found a way to win. 

“I tried to shut her attacking shots down completely. I tried to slow her down and put her in the back corners and I think I managed to do that pretty well for most of the match. When I wasn’t hitting my targets, she was just hitting winners from everywhere. 

“I’m very lucky to have had SJ [Perry] in my corner, and she just told me to stay focused and reset  on my game plan again ahead of the fourth.”

On her upcoming semi-final against Hania El Hammamy: “It’s going to be a completely different game with Hania tomorrow but we’ve had some tough battles in the past. I’m really excited it’s in the semi-finals tomorrow and not earlier!”