Gilis Edges Five-Game Thriller To Reach Paris Quarters

World No.7 Nele Gilis defeated world No.18 Farida Mohamed 3/2 in a pulsating encounter in the Paris Squash 2023 to reach the women's quarter-finals of the PSA World Tour Platinum event at the Palais de Tokyo.

Mohamed's aggressive offensive play was matched by the composure of Gilis, as the Belgian claimed the first game 12-10 after the Egyptian squandered a game ball chance of her own at 10-9. 21-year-old Mohamed had game ball at 10-9 again in the second and levelled the match before sixth seed Gilis regained her advantage to repel everything Mohamed threw at her in the third.

The error count from Mohamed lowered in the fourth as the Egyptian remained on the offensive to restore parity once more and tee up a decider.

Gilis' fighting spirit came to the fore when she came from 8-6 down to secure two match balls - only for both to be saved by Mohamed. A match ball opportunity for Mohamed went begging - and another for Gilis - before the Belgian converted at the fourth attempt to secure her last eight place.

"I'm still shaking! It was a nervy match but I hung in there and got the win in the fifth," Gilis said after her 12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 7-11, 14-12 victory in 71 minutes.

"She didn't make it easy for me, she was firing it in and she didn't miss much. I'm very proud," added the Belgian No.1

In the men's event, French No.1 Victor Crouin held off a strong fightback from England's Adrian Waller to seal a quarter-final place on home soil.