Amanda Sobhy stuns Nicol David to advance to NetSuite Open squash final

The defending champion went a game down early on after a fast start from David saw the eight-time World Champion mix up her game to edge it on the tie-break. But Sobhy soon began to dominate and took the next three games to earn a first ever win over the Malaysian.

Former World No.1 James Willstrop and World Champion Gregory Gautier will battle for honours in the Men’s final after they rose to respective wins against Diego Elias and Marwan ElShorbagy.

On the spectacular glass show court housed on Justin Herman Plaza, Willstrop played some of his very best squash in a ruthless display as he dismantled 19-year-old Peruvian Elias, with the pinpoint accuracy and intelligent shot selection that were the bedrock of his rise to World No.1 in 2012 in full flow.

The Yorkshireman romped to an 11-5, 11-3, 11-6 victory in 39 minutes to reach his biggest final since the Kuwait PSA Cup in 2013.

Gaultier, a winner in 2012 and 2014, was on the front foot from the outset and quickly sailed into a two-game lead against an out of sorts ElShorbagy.

The third game was a much closer affair as ElShorbagy finally found his length, only to see Gaultier ultimately take it on the tie-break to wrap up an 11-3, 11-7, 14-12 victory.

2016 NetSuite Open – Men’s Semi-Final Results
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [4] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) 3-0: 11-3, 11-7, 14-12 (45m)
[WC] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [Q] Diego Elias (PER) 3-0: 11-5, 11-3, 11-6 (39m)

2016 NetSuite Open – Men’s Final Draw
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [WC] James Willstrop (ENG)

2016 NetSuite Open – Women’s Semi-Final Result (Bottom Half)
[3] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt [2] Nicol David (MAS) 3-1: 10-12, 11-5, 11-2, 11-5 (41m)

2016 NetSuite Open – Women’s Final Draw
[1] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [3] Amanda Sobhy (USA)