Gawad Holds Off Zakaria Charge To Complete US Open Semis Line-Up

Former world No.1 Karim Gawad delivered a vintage performance to hold off a spirited five-game comeback from World Junior Champion Mohamad Zakaria and advance to the semi-finals of the Comcast Business US Open in Philadelphia.

Egyptian No.4 seed Gawad, whose victory confirms his return to world No.4 in the PSA Rankings for the first time since 2020, drew upon all of his experience to withstand yet another impressive showing from 18-year-old compatriot Zakaria, eventually moving through to the last four of the Platinum-level event by an 14-12, 11-7, 3-11, 7-11, 11-5 scoreline.

The packed house in the Arlen Specter US Squash Center was treated to 81 minutes of captivating squash, with teenage sensation Zakaria battling back valiantly from two games down to force a decider, capitalising on a dip in Gawad's form in the mid-stages of the match.

However, the 34-year-old managed to rediscover his rhythm just in time, starting the decider quickly and locking down the court to great effect. The 2016 World Champion's victory sees him advance to his second US Open semi-final from 11 outings at the prestigious PSA Squash Tour event.

After the match, Gawad said: "I started very well in the first two games and then I had a mental shutdown for quite some time and you can't have those against tough opponents like Zakaria.

"I'm glad I came back in the fifth game and was able to take a good lead and keep it until the end of the match.

"But all the credit goes towards Zakaria, he's 18 years old and he's already in the top 15, the hunger he has for the game and the time he spends to improve his squash, he is an incredible player."

Gawad will face world No.3 Paul Coll for a place in the final after the New Zealand No.1 put in another clinical display in Philadelphia to defeat France's Baptiste Masotti in three games.

Coll, winner of the US Open in 2023, made it 13 wins from 14 matches since the start of the 25/26 PSA Squash Tour season following a near-faultless 11-3, 11-5, 11-3 win over world No.18 Masotti.

Meanwhile, in the women's event, world No.3 Amina Orfi and world No.4 Nour ElSherbini set up a tantalising all-Egyptian semi-final showdown after the pair claimed dominant victories over Tinne Gilis and Amanda Sobhy, respectively.

Four-time World Junior Champion Orfi, who earlier this month became the youngest-ever female player to reach world No.3 in the PSA Rankings, overcame Belgian No.1 Gilis in three games to continue her pursuit for a first Platinum title of her career.

The 18-year-old Egyptian's powerful hitting into the back left corner caused No.6 seed Gilis problems throughout the encounter, with her precise lines repeatedly pinning Gilis deep in the court and opening up attacking opportunities at the front.

Orfi sealed the 11-5, 11-9, 11-6 win after 42 minutes of play to reach her fourth consecutive major semi-final.

After the match, Orfi said: "I'm really happy to get through that match in three games. I started training with Omar Mosaad in the summer. I think we have been working on a couple of things. I think at the beginning of the season, they might not have been coming together, but now they are, and it's great to have him with me here.

"I saw Nour ElSherbini's match from the side, and obviously, she played really well today. She's back in form - the last two tournaments, she might not have been playing her best, but she's back to her best now. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow."

As Orfi noted, eight-time World Champion ElSherbini stormed into her eighth US Open semi-final after a scintillating three-game win over the USA's Amanda Sobhy.

2023 US Open Champion ElSherbini delivered arguably her most complete performance of the season as she blitzed her way to an 11-5, 11-3, 11-4 win over the world No.9 in just 24 minutes.