(7.12.2013) After a week of first-class competition at Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Squash Open 2013, four breathtaking semi-final matches are played out in the fantastic outdoor arena at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre tonight.
The first match saw the women’s semis of the local hope Annie Au against the Egyptian Raneem El Weleily. Unable to recapture the form and the winners that brought her so far, Annie lost to the World number 3 Egyptian in straight 6-11, 5-11, 5-11, and halted at the semis. On the other hand her opponent Raneem marches into the final where she will play the defending champion Nicol David.
Nicol David is just a step away from her eighth successive Hong Kong titles after beating the Englishwoman Alison Waters 9-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-7. “I’m lucky that I came through the second game. It is very crucial as it gives me confidence to play on,” admitted the world number one who is 1-0 down at the start and narrowly win the second 13-11. “I’m pleased to be coming back to play in this great venue in front of such a fantastic crowd again.” Nicol’s match against Raneem will start at 6pm tomorrow.
For the men’s semis-finals, Borja Golan, the world number 7 works his exhausted opponent James Willstrop so hard that James runs out of breath and loses in straight 11-6, 11-3, 11-9 in 39 minutes. “James had a long and tough game last night but mine is much easier. I believe it gives us the difference today,” said Borja who enjoys his first time play in the outdoor court. At his ever first final in Hong Kong Open, he will meet the current World Champion Nick Matthew.
Nick Matthew’s match against Gregory Gaultier tonight at the semis is a repeat of the recent World Open final. Nick once again emerges the winner of a five-setter over Gregory 11-13, 11-4, 11-4, 8-11, 11-3 and moves one step closer to the Champion. In the men’s final tomorrow, Nick Matthew will meet Borja Golan at 6:45pm at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza.
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