TTI Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open 2023: Sobhy Reaches First Hong Kong SF in Seven Years

US No.1 Amanda Sobhy is into her first TTI Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open semi-final in seven years after coming out on top in an entertaining five-game battle with Tinne Gilis.

Sobhy reached the final back in 2016 when she lost out to Nicol David, and the 30-year-old held off a strong comeback from Gilis to progress to the last four.

Sobhy edged the first 11-9 as Gilis provided the perfect riposte in the second as she started to move the American into the front corners, drawing level with an 11-6 success.

The momentum swung back in Sobhy’s favour in the third with a dominant display, storming into an 8-0 lead with her tactics spot on throughout against Gilis.

Gilis, who won the previous encounter with Sobhy at the El Gouna International in 2022, had a four-point cushion at 9-5 up in the fourth but Sobhy got back to within a point. The Belgian managed to quell Sobhy’s run of points to give herself game ball and level the match.

With the momentum swinging in either player’s favour throughout the match, Sobhy opened up a 7-2 advantage over Gilis who pulled the score back to 8-8. Back-to-back errors from Sobhy gave Gilis two match balls, but Sobhy saved both of them.

However it was Sobhy who was able to convert in the tiebreak to be the first player to reach the semi finals.

“It was a bit of a seesaw battle,” Sobhy said post-match.

“It was very unforgiving at the front and I was doing a lot of court sprints. She’s [Tinne Gilis] has crept into the top ten, highest World Ranking and her biggest patch of play for her for good reason.

“We haven’t played in a while, we’re good friends off court and I knew it was going to be a battle. Maybe it wasn’t as consistent on my end but I’m proud of myself of finding a way through at 10-8 down in the fifth even though I was 7-2 up and I shouldn’t have let it get so close!

“I’m happy to compete in a battle like that and I’m happy to be in the semi finals.” 

Result
[3] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt [6] Tinne Gilis (BEL) 3-2: 11-9, 6-11, 11-3, 8-11, 12-10 (52m)