[1] Nele Gilis (BEL) 2-0 Salma Eltayeb (EGY) 11-6, 11-6 (23m)
As often, the first game was paramount. Very high quality game I thought. Once again, I’m amazed with the young Egyptians maturity on this event. Salma made me think of a young Mohamed Shorbagy, finding good deep shots before taking her chances to the front.
First game, a good and solid start from the number one seed, Nele dispatching the shots but the Egyptian on her hills the whole time. Accurate squash, hitting target at the back, good power to the front, both girls were battling away. Mid game, very balanced, 3/4, but it’s Nele that finds the winners at the end of long rallies, 7/3, 8/4, 9/5, 11/6, 10m. Two unforced errors each.
The second saw the same long and intense rallies but fatigue started to show for the young 18 years old, and she offered 6 points to her opponent. Meaning, as you know that Nele had to score only 5 points… Another good game, dominated by the Belgium, 5/2, then both fighting neck to neck, 5/5, 6/6. Experience paying off for Nele at the business end of the game, and it’s 11/6 in 11m…
Are we going to have a Gilis v Gilis final? The answer, same time tomorrow….
Salma
First of all, Nele is the better player right now.
I’m here to compete with the top players, and that’s what I’ve done tonight. My body is a bit sore from the week but a lot of positive, happy with my week here, and now I can go and work on a few things back home…
Nele:
“I think I got better towards the end. At the start I was nervous because I want to do well here at my favourite tournament. Salma just made the final of the World Junior Championships, I know it would be tough to beat her. So I was a bit edgy and nervous but I’m just glad I could sneak the win 2-0.
“Its definitely a surprise for me to back playing pain free so quickly. I couldn’t be more happy about it. My goal was to be fit for this event really and play in front of this amazing crowd.”
