Unexpected Advance Sees Hesham Make British Open Semis For First Time

Progressing two rounds beyond his seeding, Egypt's Mazen Hesham claimed a berth in the semi-finals of the Allam British Open for the first time in his career after seeing off Switzerland's Nicolas Mueller at the Allam Sports Centre in Hull.

The world No.10, who will also be marking his first semi-final appearance in a PSA World Tour Platinum event since 2015, prevailed in an entertaining five-game battle which saw both players contest some exhibition-style rallies, much to the delight of a packed Humberside crowd.

Mueller, who was the first Swiss player to reach the quarter-finals of this event, twice came from behind to equalise, but he was ground down by his opponent in the third as Hesham completed an 11-7, 11-13, 11-3, 11-13, 11-5 victory.

"Me and Nicky haven't played in our careers and then in the last four or five months we've played so many times, and every tie is tougher and tougher," Hesham, a 9/16 seed, said.

"I kept pushing and pushing just to be able to seal the deal. I'm very happy to be here, enjoying the squash and entertaining the people, having the best time of my life.

"My body is always playing games with me, but I'm used to it now, I'm just dealing with every match at a time. I'm really lucky, I want to thank all the PSA physios, they really help me out. People sometimes make fun that I've always got the physio, but there's no other way to do it."

Hesham will take on two-time runner-up Ali Farag for a place in the final, with top seed Farag coming back from a game down to overcome former World Champion Tarek Momen in a testing fixture.

World No.1 and defending champion Paul Coll is also through to the semi-finals after getting the better of close friend and regular training partner Diego Elias, beating the Peruvian 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 in 58 minutes.

"It was a free-flowing clean match, they're the most enjoyable matches to play," said Coll.

"We're really good friends, we always respect each other and give it everything. Diego has been working on his strength and movement and it's showing in his game, he's a lot stronger on the ball. Thanks to all my supporters, my boys coming from NZ, I have my girlfriend here and my physio here. The crowd has been great and I can't wait to play again tomorrow."

It will be the New Zealander's third time in the semi-finals and he will go up against world No.4 Mostafa Asal for a place in a second successive British Open title decider. The pair have had some brutal battles in the past, with their last fixture going the way of Coll after three previous defeats to the 20-year-old.

Asal, who has won the British Junior Open U17 & U19 titles previously, defeated 2018 champion Miguel Rodriguez in an entertaining three-game battle that was closer than the scoreline suggests. The Egyptian will now feature in the British Open semis for the first time.

After six previous quarter final defeats, world No.5 Joelle King reached the last four of the British Open for the first time courtesy of a dominant 12-10, 11-9, 11-5 victory over world No.6 Sarah-Jane Perry that ended English participation in the draw.

"SJ and her partner have just had a little baby a few weeks ago, so I know they have been going through so many emotions," said King.

"I'm just so glad they've finally got their little boy. But it's so hard to come out and play a friend, you have to set all emotions aside, and it was my seventh quarter final and I just want to go further in these tournaments."

King will take on world No.3 Hania El Hammamy next, with El Hammamy confidently dispatching Belgium's Tinne Gilis. Neither player has reached the title decider of the British Open before, meaning there is guaranteed to be a new finalist in the women's event.

World No.1 Nouran Gohar will take on world No.4 Amanda Sobhy in the other women's semi. Gohar overtook Nour El Sherbini at the summit of the PSA Women's World Rankings this month and made a winning start to her second spell as the world's top female player, with an 11-4, 11-8, 5-11, 11-9 win over the impressive Nour El Tayeb.

"It [Gohar's love for the British Open] goes back to 2016 for me, when I reached the final when I was 18, just after I'd won the British Junior Open, so it's very special," said Gohar.

"I just want to thank the Allam family for their support of squash. When people ask me about my favourite venues, I always say the British Open. I usually have my mum here with me, so it's strange not having her here, but I just have good memories."