"Struggling" Watanabe Rediscovers Best Squash To Reach China Open Semis

Japan's world No.7 Satomi Watanabe rediscovered both her best squash and her enjoyment for the game in a commanding victory over world No.15 Sana Ibrahim to reach the last four of the China Open, the PSA Squash Tour Gold event at the Shanghai Xian Xia Tennis Center.

Watanabe has struggled with injuries and confidence in the first half of the 25/26 season, often looking a shadow of the player who last season became the first ever Japanese player to qualify for the PSA Squash Tour finals, where she reached the semi-finals.

Today, though, the 26-year-old found the sure touch that has been missing in previous months, playing some spectacular squash in Shanghai to overcome the in-form Ibrahim 11-9, 11-8, 11-4.

Afterwards, Watanabe was candid as she reflected on her form: "I've been struggling since the summer with my injury and I've been really, really struggling to find my squash until today and still going onto court today and doubting myself a little bit whether I can perform well or even be able to play squash in an enjoyable way.

"Today I felt like how I used to play last season."

Watanabe will face Hania El Hammamy in the semi-finals on November 15th. The Egyptian, who will rise to world No.1 for the first time on Monday, swatted aside defending champion Rachel Arnold of Malaysia in a convincing performance that moved her to within two victories of a fourth consecutive title.

In the men's event, only one match took place due to a pre-match injury to world No.1 Mostafa Asal, with No.3 seed Marwan ElShorbagy getting the better of rising star Kareem El Torkey in an entertaining and at times tense clash.

ElShorbagy, who survived an epic five gamer with Gregoire Marche in the previous round, looked strong early on as he took the game to El Torkey.

The young Egyptian rallied in game two, though, upping the pace and firing past a seemingly tiring ElShorbagy to level 11-5.

From here, ElShorbagy's tactical acumen came to the fore, managing - and at times frustrating - his younger opponent, with the Englishman re-establishing his dominance of game one with 11-8, 11-7 wins.

Afterwards, ElShorbagy said: "Kareem reminds me of myself a little bit at the beginning when I was coming up, everything was exciting for me.

"He's coming up very fast and is one of the nicest guys on tour and I really want to see him doing well and get into the top 10 and top five and I think he's got a great potential."