PSA Quarter-Final Part One Roundup

Gawad fires back to upset Makin as sixth seed books semi-final spot

Former World No.1 and tournament No.6 seed Karim Abdel Gawad showed his class in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza as he came from behind to take out No.4 seed Joel Makin and reach the semi-finals of the CIB Egyptian Open.

Gawad will take on Mostafa Asal in the last four after the World No.1 dispatched Youssef Soliman, while in the women’s draw Egyptians Nouran Gohar and Hania El Hammamy will renew their rivalry after dominant wins.

The CIB Egyptian Open, a Diamond-level event on the PSA Squash Tour, is taking place from 12-19 September, with an incredible all-glass court hosting matches in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza, while early rounds took place at the traditional courts at Club O West.

Gawad had made an uneven start to the tournament, fighting past Spain’s Iker Pajares in round two and then coming back from 1-2 down to defeat World No.37 Kareem El Torkey in the round of 16, but today was at his mercurial best as he stopped Makin in his tracks.

Ahead of the match, much was made of the opportunity for the Welshman, who would have reached World No.3 with a win today.

Gawad had other ideas, as the 34-year-old rolled back the years with a sublime performance.

The match appeared to be going to seedings when Makin eased through the first game 11-5.

The Egyptian found the perfect response, though, covering every inch of the court as he matched Makin’s famed work rate throughout the 67-minute encounter.

After levelling with an 11-8 win in game two, Gawad found yet another level, taking game three 11-3 to leave Makin reeling.

The World No.4 attempted to hit back in the fourth game, but couldn’t find a way past Gawad, who remained in the hunt for a third title at the Pyramids by closing out 11-6.

“I’m really hungry to play good squash this season and try to win.

“Playing in Egypt is something different for me and I just give everything 100 per cent on court but if I lose then at least I put 100 per cent in on court.

“To win it twice is something that I will never forget and I’m very happy to achieve. I want to reach the end and lift another trophy in front of the Pyramids.”

Standing between Gawad and another shot at the title is ‘The Raging Bull’ Mostafa Asal.

Asal had gone into his quarter-final match under somewhat of a cloud, with his quarter-final battle with Aly Abou Eleinen criticised for its stop-start nature.

Today, though, was a far better showing, with Asal producing a controlled performance to defeat Soliman – coached by Asal’s former rival at the top of the game Ali Farag – in straight games 11-8, 11-6, 11-3.

In the women’s draw, World No.1 Gohar and World No.3 El Hammamy will lock horns once again after recording 3-0 wins over Belgian sisters Nele and Tinne Gilis.

In the first match of the day, Gohar, who played her 500th PSA Squash Tour match in the last round, recovered from a shaky start to overcome the No.12 seed.

The Egyptian, who had won her last six matches against Gilis, looked edgy early on, with Gilis punishing the surprisingly frequent mistakes from Gohar.

The Belgian took a narrow lead during game one, but could not hold out, with Gohar eventually edging ahead via tie-break 12-10.

‘The Terminator’ improved in the next games and, though the World No.1 was clearly frustrated with elements of her own performance, was able to book her place in the next round with a pair of 11-7 wins.

El Hammamy, meanwhile, looked confident on court as she defeated the No.6 seed.

The Egyptian had struggled in her previous match, coming back from the brink as she went 0-2 down to Salma Hany in round three before eventually triumphing 3-2 in an uneven performance.

Today was a far better showing from the World No.3, with El Hammamy firing in winners well and dominating the court to power through 11-2, 11-7, 11-5.

The quarter-finals of the CIB Egyptian Open conclude tomorrow, 17 September. Play on the show court at the Great Pyramid of Giza begins at 19:00 (GMT+3).