El Hammamy Holds Off Aboelkheir Fightback For British Open Semi Spot

World No.1 Hania El Hammamy staved off a superb resurgence from fellow Egyptian Fayrouz Aboelkheir to book her spot in the semi-finals of the Quilter Cheviot British Open at the Rep Theatre in Birmingham.

El Hammamy, who last won the event in 2022, charged into a 2/0 lead against the 20-year-old and looked on course to comfortably earn her predicted place in the last four.

Aboelkheir, who had never beaten El Hammamy on the PSA Squash Tour, surged back with her crisp attacking helping her restore parity. But the momentum swung back in El Hammamy's favour in the fifth, though, as the tournament's top seed held off the world No.7 by an 11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 8-11, 11-4 scoreline.

"I was a bit in and out with my focus and I think I am proud of how I mentally was able to get my focus back in the fifth," said El Hammamy.

"I am proud of how I was able to stick mentally to the game plan and I think that the fifth was the best game I have played - it was a positive way to finish the match and hopefully build up for the semi-finals.

"The season is not over yet, and I think it would be good to finish to get a step closer to the final and my second title here. It's such a big achievement and it was one of the goals to finish the season as world No.1 - I have other goals but I am proud and that is for my team and family who support me."

El Hammamy and Amina Orfi will reignite their rivalry when they go head-to-head for a place in the final on Saturday in what will be their sixth meeting this season.

Recently-crowned World Champion Orfi, who defeated El Hammamy on the way to her historic world triumph, downed US No.2 Amanda Sobhy 3/0 to make it back-to-back appearances in the British Open semis.

Orfi, who's the youngest women's World Champion in history, battled back from 7-2 down in the first and remained in control from then to win 11-9, 11-4, 11-5.

"She's a great player and it's our third time playing this year," said 18-year-old Orfi.

"I think we're used to each other's games - I think she played really well today and this tournament in general. Coming back from one of the worst injuries for any athlete is incredible and performing here in the quarter finals of the British Open is something to look up to."

In the men's event, reigning champion Diego Elias came through a stern test with Mohamad Zakaria to move a step closer to retaining his title.

Elias, who became the second South American to lift the British Open last year, defeated the World Junior champion 3/1 for his place in the last four.

Having lost the first, Zakaria deservedly equalised after digging deep against the former World Champion, but Elias kept his cool to win the third and fourth games, sealing a 11-9, 11-13, 11-1, 11-5 triumph.

"He's only 18 but he keeps getting better and better every week," said Peruvian Elias later. "I'm not looking forward to the future!

"I had short matches in the last two rounds so it's good to have a match like this. I have a day off tomorrow, lots of time to recover and I've got a big match in the semis in two days."

Elias faces Mostafa Asal in a rematch of last year's final after the world No.1 and World Champion swept aside Victor Crouin.

Asal, who last won the British Open in 2024, was dominant throughout his 11-8, 11-3, 11-4 win against the Frenchmen, maintaining his impressive run at this event having not dropped a game.

"Victor is an awesome player, he is playing so well and I remember watching him in the juniors," said Asal.

"He is someone who entertains the crowd a lot, and the battle was good today. I was really sharp from the beginning but it was a good match.

"I have won the British Open already, so it is a big thing, a big title and a big stage, so I couldn't be more proud of playing in front of this amazing crowd."