QF: Fayrouz at the end of the suspense against Nele

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[6] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) 3-2 [4] Nele Gilis-Coll (BEL)  9-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-3, 11-8 (73m)

The H2H was 1/1, Fayrouz having won here about a year ago, during the Worlds in Cairo, 3/1. So, in a way, the pressure was on Fayrouz. And it showed I felt. Fayrouz was very tense, despite a strong support from family, friends and crowd. Nele on the other hand had only her mental coach Bart Wijnhoven on her side poor mite.

All the games are about the same length, between 11 and 12m, except the 5th, 20m.

Nele was looking pretty good out there today. She seems to have found her confidence back, and also has added a new leaf to her game, she improved her short game, that will be another threat for the top girls. She complained a lot about Fayrouz movement throughout the match, but was told nearly every time that “there was nothing wrong with the movement”. One time only, she got a stroke out of the video decision, showing clearly that the Egyptian had clearly stepped into her opponent’s line. But I didn’t see much wrong myself either – which I’m afraid to say, doesn’t mean much!

How Nele managed to turn that first game, I’ll never know. Down 4/0, 5/1, 6/2, she somehow, grinding her way in, to level 8/8, 9/9, found two winners at the back, to clinch the opener 11-9.

Excellent response from Fayrouz, who seemed to relax a bit, 11 winners in that game to take it 11/5. “Anything you can do I can do better” feels Nele, same score for the 3rd, 11/5, Nele completely in control throughout.

But out of the blue, Fayrouz find her best squash 5/1, 9/2, 11/3, and we are back level, 2 games all.

Interesting to note that Nele made only 1 error in the second game, and 2 in the 5th. Khalas…

The fifth is torture for the two camps, I’m sure. Never more than one point between them up to 8/8. And from 7/8, Fayrouz get 3 strokes and finally a tin from Nele, clinching the decider, 11/8.

Never in doubt really…

Fayrouz : “Nele is a very good player. She’s been to the top four in the world. She’s very experienced. I think she’s been on tour more than me so it was very hard to prepare for that one mentally and physically.

“I’m very happy, I think that’s my biggest semi-final so far this season. It wasn’t a great season for me. I was just trying to get back on track again after having a good part of my first season.

“I’m just very happy and I’m looking forward to the semis.

“I’m just trying to enjoy my time on that court as much as possible – it’s my lucky court, it’s where I reached my maiden Gold-level quarter-final. I’m just trying to enjoy it as much as I can and hopefully I can get the win against Nouran.”