10:04 pm
11 Feb 2025

Weaver Hits Milestone As First Hong Kong Open Semi-Finalists Confirmed

5 Dec 2024

On an entertaining night at the Milwaukee Hong Kong Open, reigning world champion Diego Elias fought back from a game down and USA's Olivia Fiechter reached the last four of the PSA Squash Tour Platinum event bfor the first time as the first semi-finalists were confirmed.

Elias struggled in the opening game of his clash with unseeded Youssef Ibrahim, with the glass floor of the Edinburgh Place court causing the Peruvian a number of problems.

The No.4 seed, whose incredible retrievals were a cornerstone of his rise to world No.1 and world champion, did not look confident in his movement early on as Ibrahim - who beat No.5 seed Karim Abdel Gawad in the second round - took the lead with an 11-8 win.

Elias eventually settled, however, adapting his gameplan well as he pushed Ibrahim around court while being economical with his own movement as he came back to earn an 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 victory.

"Youssef is one of the most talented players on tour and I knew it was going to be very tough. Even more on a court like this where you can't really move, it just made it even tougher but I'm very happy with the win," Elias said.

"Two years ago, I had match balls to win this tournament and I lost it. So I want to come back and get the title!"

Elias will face world No.1 Ali Farag in the last four after the Egyptian beat his compatriot and No.6 seed Mazen Hesham 11-6, 11-9, 15-13 in 56 minutes.

In the women's draw, Weaver achieved a personal milestone by reaching a maiden Hong Kong Open semi-final with a 3/0 over Belgian No.5 seed Nele Coll.

Two months ago, the pair took part in an epic 72-minute battle at the Qatar Classic that went Weaver's way.

Today's clash was a largely one-sided affair, with Weaver rapidly building a 2/0 lead. Weaver began rapidly, with the American the more accurate player and dealing with Coll's physicality well as she took game one 11-8 and game two 11-5.

The No.4 seed took nothing for granted after building that lead, having watched Coll come back from 0/2 down in both rounds one and two, and did not let up in game three as she made a quick start en route to another 11-5 victory to reach her personal milestone.

Afterwards, Weaver said: "Nele and I always have battles! We both love making it physical and I'm happy today didn't get too physical"

"I've loved my time in Hong Kong; last year my trip here was cut shorter than I'd like and I'd love to go all the way!"

Weaver will face world No.1 Nour El Sherbini of Egypt in Saturday's semis, with the top seed continuing her hunt for a first Hong Kong Open title since 2017 by winning her tenth consecutive match against compatriot and No.8 seed Rowan Elaraby.