El Gouna International Squash Open 2024 Day Three Evening Session: As It Happens

Round three of the El Gouna International Squash Open continues this evening, with play moving to the spectacular El Gouna Conference and Culture Center following the exciting conclusion to the afternoon session at Squash Complex El Gouna

You can watch all the action tonight live on SQUASHTV and FREE via our YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Read on for the latest reports from the El Gouna International.

El Sherbini Comes From Behind To Down Abbas

In the opening match of the evening session, World No.1 Nour El Sherbini recovered from a poor start to overcome Egyptian compatriot Nada Abbas to progress to the quarter-final.

The top seed looked badly off the pace in the first game, with World No.19 Abbas precise on the backhand as she punished an uncharacteristically lethargic El Sherbini to take the opener 11-4.

The World No.1 improved dramatically in game two, though, fixing her wayward line hitting and dominating the centre to draw level with an 11-4 win of her own.

Abbas appeared to have regained the momentum as she stormed into a 9-4 lead in game three, but could  not capitalise on the position, with El Sherbini reeling her in and, after seeing two of her game balls saved, moving into the lead with a 13-11 victory.

From here, El Sherbini settled better, with the top seed closing out the contest as she took game four 11-6.

Afterwards, El Sherbini said: “I was thinking about the court and what I should do. I’m a very slow starter and take my time, so playing a tricky opponent as well sometimes can turn [your plans] over.

“It was tricky in the first and third games. I need to adjust faster.

“There’s no [injury], I think I’m moving fine. It’s partly moving from the traditional courts as well, I’m trying to spend more time on court before playing a match but I didn’t have a lot of time before and it’s been a long time since I played an outdoor event which may be a factor but I’m sure next time I’m going to be better!

“Between games [coach Gregory Gaultier] was trying to activate me and getting me fired up a little more, to be faster and more aggressive. I think I needed to be more aggressive I was a bit softer today at some points but at the crucial points I was good.

“I’m lucky to have both of my coaches today, it’s very rare to see them together.”

Result: El Gouna International Squash Open Women’s RD3

[1] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt Nada Abbas (EGY) 3-1: 4-11, 11-4, 13-11, 11-6 (46m)

Farag Survives Mueller Scare

Like his counterpart Nour El Sherbini in the women’s draw, men’s top seed Ali Farag was forced to come back from a game down to reach the last eight, with the World No.1 fighting back to defeat Switzerland’s Nicolas Mueller.

The Swiss No.1, who beat Farag 2-0 at the 2022 Grasshopper Cup in their last encounter, made a fantastic start, with his attacking weaponry too much for Farag to handle as he took the opener 11-7.

The reigning World Champion wasn’t behind for long, though, with the Egyptian much improved in game two, which he took 11-5 to level.

From here, Farag appeared far more comfortable, dominating game three 11-4 and then taking game four 11-5 to set up a quarter-final against old rival and former World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy.

Afterwards, Farag said: “It’s been different [playing on an outdoor court]. The court itself plays differently. We’ve played on it for so many years now and the bounces are not always as you expect them to be and you have to adapt for it. I think Nicki did a lot better than me in the first few points but once I got into the groove I found it very good and I think I got better and better as the match went on.

“I’m feeling very fired up. A loss [in the Black Ball Open final] takes a dent out of your confidence but also fires you up, it depends on how you want to use it. I don’t think I played badly in the final but Mostafa was on fire and that makes me more fired up to play better here and prove to myself that I can still win this kinds of events.

“Mohamed, we love how fiery he is and his hunger has never faded away since he was five years old but today he was a little extra fiery. I’m not sure why that is but I’m sure it’s not going to any different after tomorrow, I think he’s going to be fiery and trying to take me down in three if he can and I’ll try my best to nullify that.”

Result: El Gouna International Squash Open Men’s RD3

[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 3-1: 7-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 (41m)

Hany Stuns World No.4 Gilis

In a stunning display, Egyptian World No.11 Salma Hany shocked Belgian World No.4 Nele Gilis to reach the quarter-finals.

Hany went into the match with revenge on the mind, having lost out to Gilis two weeks ago in the German Open and in the quarter-finals of this event last year.

After an even opening, the Egyptian began to pull away, with the 27-year-old working Gilis all over the court with perfectly controlled attacking play and excellent shot selection to take game one 11-5.

Things went from bad to worse for Gilis in game two, with confidence appearing to drain from the Belgian as Hany doubled her lead with an 11-6 win.

The No.3 seed improved significantly in game three, finding the previously missing spark as she earned an 11-5 win to gain a foothold in the match.

To the delight of the crowd, Hany came storming out in game four, taking the first nine points as she wrapped up the win with a brutal 11-1 victory.

Hany will face Nele Gilis’ sister, Tinne Gilis in the quarter-final after the No.7 seed overcame Japan’s Satomi Watanabe in five games.

“I had a really good, solid gameplan today. Obviously we played just ten days ago in Germany and that match was pretty fresh and I had in mind what I needed to improve. I came into today with a really positive mindset to keep improving my shots and not think about the last two losses.

“I changed some of my plans form the last two times and didn’t want to let her know what I was going to play next. I managed to vary my shots and kept her on her toes.

On her next opponent, Tinne Gilis, Hany said: “Obviously Tinne has been playing really well. We played at the beginning of the season in Qatar and I’m not really thinking about that now, I’m just enjoying this one now.”

Result: El Gouna International Squash Open Women’s RD3

Salma Hany (EGY) bt [3] Nele Gilis (BEL) 3-1: 11-5, 11-6, 5-11, 11-1 (56m)

Elias Crushes Tandon

In the final match of the day, Peruvian former World No.1 Diego Elias breezed past Indian World No.40 Ramit Tandon to set up a quarter-final against No.8 seed Tarek Momen.

Tandon, who yesterday upset World No.11 Victor Crouin, was powerless to stop Elias, with the World No.3 coasting into a 2-0 lead after 11-2, 11-4 wins.

The Peruvian did not let up in the third game, either, with Elias completing his task with minimal fuss as he wrapped up a comprehensive victory with another 11-2 win.

After the match, Elias explained how his dominant performance was in part due to the decision to take a break from the PSA World Tour after his win in March’s Canadian Open.

“I did a lot of thinking with my dad and my fitness coach to get my body ready for these tournaments.

“I was lucky that last year in March I lost in every first round! So I didn’t have anything to defend. I think it was a good idea and I’m ready for this big tournament.

“I went home for a bit, I was in Peru for a couple of weeks and took a good rest and worked a lot on my fitness.

“I think it was smart because now I’m feeling great and want to do well here.

“All of these tournaments are really important. This is a Platinum event and I wouldn’t say a warm up [for the World Championships]. It’s good preparation though and I hope I can do well there and in the British Open.”

Result: El Gouna International Squash Open Men’s RD3

[3] Diego Elias (PER) bt Ramit Tandon (IND) 3-0: 11-2, 11-4, 11-2 (35m)