Meanwhile, World No.2 Nouran Gohar brought an end to US hopes in the women’s event as she axed the country’s No.1 player Amanda Sobhy in straight games, ending a three-match losing streak to the American.
Gohar is nicknamed ‘The Terminator’ on tour and the 22-year-old lived up to that nickname as she played at an electric pace and found her line and length right from the off to complete an 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 victory in 30 minutes.
“For me, it’s the toughest draw to get playing Amanda,” said Gohar.
“The head-to-head speaks for itself. I don’t think anyone else has a record like this, beating me six times. I was just trying to focus on not playing the most beautiful squash, but the most efficient to be able to beat her today.”
Gohar will play World No.1 Raneem El Welily for a place in the final after the three-time champion defeated United States No.2 Olivia Blatchford Clyne 11-7, 11-8, 11-6.
World Champion Nour El Sherbini avenged her J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions final defeat to World No.3 Camille Serme after fighting to an 11-8, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9 victory in 45 minutes.
The World No.4 has suffered with illness and a long-standing knee injury this week in Chicago, but kept her focus at the crucial moments to move to within one win of a third final Windy City Open final appearance.
“My mother kept telling me to not let it get to five, I had to finish it as quickly as possible,” El Sherbini said afterwards.
“I have played Camille before and I knew I had to finish it in four and not make it any longer. She has been playing amazing the last two tournaments. She is beating only Egyptians and she beat me in our last meeting at the final of the Tournament of Champions. I was just trying to be steady for every shot and to stick to my game plan.”
