Egypt’s Raneem El Welily is into the semi finals of the Oracle NetSuite Open 2019 after knocking out the defending two-time champion Sarah-Jane Perry in straight games on the glass court at the spectacular Embarcadero Plaza in San Francisco.
The pair had met ten times on the PSA World Tour, with their last meeting being that final in San Francisco in 2018, where Perry won an epic 57 minute battle 3-2. This clash started in a tight fashion, with neither player giving an inch.
It would be the World No.1 that would go on to take it 11-8, though, after reeling off a string of points in the latter stages of the game. From the start of the second game, it looked as if it would be finished in an instant, as El Welily took the first four points with consummate ease.
However, Perry fought back to take a 7-5 lead, only for the Egyptian to go on another run of four straight points. She went on to take the victory and avenge her defeat from this exact court a year ago.
“It just shows how strong the women’s tour is. Everyone is such a strong contender to win every tournament and everyone has chances to win,” El Welily said.
“I had to be prepared today because SJ is never an easy match, but I am glad it was 2-0. I almost lost that second game but I recovered well to get off in two. The court is a little dead so hitting it hard is one way to get it to the back. It is not the only way but this is what I tried to do today and I am glad it worked.
“I love it [San Francisco]. It is absolutely fantastic and the atmosphere here is amazing as always. The weather has also been great since we arrived as well!”
El Welily will now face India’s Joshna Chinappa in the semi finals of the tournament, after she got the better of New Zealand’s World No.6 Joelle King in three games.
Result - Women’s Quarter Finals (Top Half): Oracle NetSuite Open
[1] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [5] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 2-0: 11-8, 11-8 (21m)
[8] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt [4] Joelle King (NZL) 2-1: 11-9, 6-11, 11-3 (35m)
Draw - Women’s Quarter Finals (Bottom Half): Oracle NetSuite Open (To be played Saturday 28 September)
[3] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v [6] Amanda Sobhy (USA)
[7] Tesni Evans (WAL) v [2] Camille Serme (FRA)
Draw - Women’s Semi Finals (Bottom Half): Oracle NetSuite Open (To be played Sunday 29 September)
[1] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [8] Joshna Chinappa (IND)
