by Simon Daish
Egypt’s Aida Rahmo and Dina Meshref will face off in the top half of the semi-finals draw after wins over Yusra Helmy (EGY) and Lynda Loghraibi (ALG).
Five games were required by Rahmo to see off Helmy in the last eight, while Meshref managed her victory in four ends as Loghraibi was condemned to a straight games exit.
Two more players from Egypt were involved in quarter-finals action, with differing fortunes. Amira Yousra (EGY) was left disappointed by Olufunke Oshonaike (NGR) across five ends, but for Farah Abdel-Aziz (EGY) it was an opposite outcome against fellow countrywoman Reem El-Eraky.
El-Eraky actually made a fairly bright start to the quarter-finals fixture and after the conclusion of game two the scores were level. However, a rise in the level of performance from Abdel-Aziz saw three consecutive game wins follow suit to seal her spot in the last four (14-12, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-3).
“We (Abdel-Aziz and El-Eraky) were former teammates at Zamalek and I really understood her style of play having played together for more than three years at the same club. In the match, I thought it would be easier than usual but she gave a good fight. I then decided to change tactics which confused her a lot. In the semi-final match against Olufunke Oshonaike, I have watched her played against my teammates – Dina Meshref and Nadeen El-Dawlatly – and think that I understand some of her game and I hope I can win against her with this being the first time I will play against her” – Farah Abdel-Aziz (Egypt).