Soliman Survives Steinmann Scare To Reach Pittsburgh Semis

Amongst an action-packed set of Pittsburgh Open quarter-finals played at the Rivers Club in Pennsylvania, Egypt's Youssef Soliman came out on top after saving three match balls in a testing 74-minute five-setter with Switzerland's Dimitri Steinmann, while No.5 seed Youssef Ibrahim upset No.4 seed Victor Crouin after an exciting clash.

In the final and longest match of the night, No.3 seed Soliman defeated No.6 seed Dimitri Steinmann after a dramatic encounter.

Soliman dominated the early phases of play, with Steinmann hitting the tin and struggling to keep up with the pace of play. After a brief injury break for the Swiss player at 9-1, he looked refreshed, but the damage had already been dealt as Soliman claimed the first game 11-4.

In a complete reversal of momentum, the 'Jet' came alive in game two, hitting winners and covering the court like his usual self. Steinmann raced to a resounding 8-1 lead, finishing the game 11-3.

Soliman reacted well, lengthening the rallies, and though more decisions crept into the match, the 2024 Pittsburgh Open semi-finalist retook his lead, winning the third game 11-5.

Another momentum shift saw Steinmann pull away at 5-5 in the fourth with five consecutive points before taking the game 11-6 to restore parity in the match.

The final game was the only closely-contested game of the match, and while even more traffic led to more decisions, it was Steinmann who looked poised to reach the semi-finals with two match balls. Determination from Soliman saw the Egyptian level the game, and after saving yet another match ball at 11-10, it was the world No.11 who came out on top after a stroke was awarded on his first match ball.

Speaking after the match, Soliman said: "Tough one, tough one. Dimi got his tactics spot on. The whole match I was really digging in, trying to find a way through that one.

"I saved three match balls. I don't know how I remained that calm but I think I played the crucial points really well, and I'm very proud of the whole performance and the way I fought.

"He played really well. I didn't feel like I was settled, I didn't feel like I was able to dictate the pace of the game, but it sometimes happens and you need to fight and fight and fight and that's what I am proud of today."

In the first match of the day, Egypt's Ibrahim overcame No.4 seed Crouin in after a thrilling four games.

A brutal 20-minute first game saw both players keeping a fast tempo as play kept shifting to either side of the court. The Egyptian and the Frenchman traded points into a tie-break, where Ibrahim had the chance to draw first blood at 11-10.

Crouin rallied and after saving a game ball had his own opportunity to go ahead in the match, but it was the 'Gunslinger' who claimed the first-game win 15-13 with a front-court boast.

The world No.14 responded well, controlling the rallies from the start of the second game to win 11-5 and level the match at one-all.

Game three saw shorter rallies between the pair, but the score stayed just as close as in game one. Crouin and Ibrahim were again inseparable to 10-10, but the world No.15 again edged the tie-break to retake the advantage.

The No.5 seed carried that momentum into the fourth game, quickly taking a 6-2 lead and converting the game 11-5 to claim the first semi-final place.

World Champion Diego Elias claimed his spot in the semi-finals with a three-game victory over France's Sebastien Bonmalais.

Despite losing in straight games, the Frenchman battled well against the 'Peruvian Puma', saving a match ball in the third and earning a game ball for himself, before Elias came back to win the tie-break and clinch the match.

World No.5 Joel Makin also progressed to the semi-finals after Scotland's Greg Lobban retired injured. The Scotsman played out two games, but was clearly affected by the issue, and shook hands with the Welshman after losing the second game 11-5.