Lobban & Gilis Survive Five-Game Epics To Reach Cleveland Semis

Greg Lobban and Nele Gilis both repelled tremendous fightbacks from Raphael Kandra and Lucy Beecroft, respectively, to progress to the semi-finals of Squash in the Land presented by Porsche Beachwood at UH Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute in Cleveland.

Lobban was leading 2/1 with match ball at 10-9 up, but squandered his opportunity to win in four games as Kandra capitalised to send the last match of the day into a fifth when he converted game ball in the tiebreak.

However, the Scot powered through in the decider with a comprehensive victory to confirm his place in the last four, winning 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 10-12, 11-1 after 79 minutes of enterprising squash.

"That was tough. I think the thing that helped me today was going to five a few days ago. What got me over the line then and today was just showing grit and fight. I don't think it was the best quality from either of us, but really happy to show my guts and come through," he said.

"This place has a nice level of familiarity to me, I've been here a few times now and I always like coming back. We have our Scottish coach with us this week and that's made a huge difference to us. I'm just really happy to be playing in Cleveland again and another amazing venue."

Lobban's semi-final opponent will be No.2 seed Leonel Cardenas after the Mexican vanquished Veer Chotrani 3/0.

"I've watched Leo twice this week," Lobban continued. "He's got off in three fairly comfortably and I've had two 3/2s, so maybe that can set us up for a good match tomorrow. He beat me in the Bronze event here a few years ago so maybe some revenge for me."

Cardenas, who won this tournament back in 2024, stretched his unbeaten run over Chotrani to five matches on the PSA Squash Tour after taking down the Silver-level event debutant 11-3, 11-7, 11-8.

Meanwhile in the women's side of the draw, Gilis came through a pulsating five-game showdown of her own to confirm her spot in the last four.

The No.2 seed recovered from 1/0 down to lead 2/1 against the Englishwoman, but was pegged back to two-all through the sharp attacking play from Beecroft to take their encounter to a fifth.

Despite Beecroft producing some excellent squash, the fifth game appeared to be one step too far for the world No.38 as Gilis closed out the match by winning 6-11, 11-9, 11-7, 6-11, 11-5 in 67 minutes.

"I was just having one of those days where I wasn't feeling my best," said Gilis.

"My movement wasn't good, my timing wasn't the best. It was all about mindset, and sometimes you don't play your best squash, but you need to find a way to win.

"Lucy was playing amazingly tonight, and I just kept thinking positive things and taking it point by point and that was the difference."

Gilis will lock horns with Sabrina Sobhy for a place in the final tomorrow afternoon after dispatching Hollie Naughton 3/0.

American Sobhy, who had never lost to the Canadian on the PSA Squash Tour, kept that streak intact with a remarkable 11-7, 11-5, 11-6 triumph in half an hour.