Tesni Evans joined the Colombian Cannonball and the finest squash players from Egypt to lift the WOW factor at Drexel University in Philaphelphia.
The young Welsh lady from Rhyl joined the World’s best squash players to make the 2018 US Open a massive hit.
Miguel Rodriguez, from Bogota in Colombia, is a fans favourite who earned his nickname thanks to his athletic, tenacious and intense style.
He also produced the moment of the tournament so far during his clash with Mohamed ElShorbagy, a magnificent retrieve to win a rally when his opponent was in total control.
Take a look at the moment of magic below.
OUTRAGEOUS RETRIEVAL!!! 😱😱😱
This is RIDICULOUS from @MiguelSquash – first the dive then the sprint!
We still can't believe he got that ball! 👏 #BritOpen18 #WhereLegendsAreMade pic.twitter.com/g31nB1ldDY
— PSA World Tour (@PSAWorldTour) May 20, 2018
Meanwhile, British champion Evans, a 25-year-old who still has room for progress in the rankings, took on the best and powered into the women’s semi-finals.
Egypt dominate World squash right now – Nour El Sherbini and Raneem El Wellily compete in tonight’s women’s final and World number one Mohamed ElShorbagy is favourite for win the men’s title against Simon Rodney (Germany).
But squash fans are talking about Evans and Welsh squash. England players were scattered and none qualified for the last four in either the men’s or women’s events. Players in the semis represented Egypt (4), Wales, France, New Zealand and Germany.
World number one El Sherbini, a 22-year-old from Alexandria, said: “Tesni has been playing so good and has beaten a lot of top players.”
BEAST MODE!@MoElshorbagy is just incredible when he's in this form!! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/254K8jysBh
— PSA World Tour (@PSAWorldTour) October 12, 2018
El Weily, aged 28 and also from Egypt’s second city Alexandria, was also impressed by her Cardiff-born opponent.
Evans downed New Zealand’s Joelle King and England’s Sarah-Jane Perry, Commonwealth Games gold and silver medallists this year, and started her semi-final in style.
She attacked El Wellily at the front of the court and surprised an opponent who has earned a big reputation as one of the most consistent players in the World circuit.
The two rivals have both played some of their best squash at the US Open and their clash on the glass court in Philadelphia became a cut and thrust dogfight. Neither player would give an inch and Evans fought as though her life depended on it.
Her run to the last four, farther than any Welsh player has progressed before, ended in a 14-12, 7-11, 12-14, 11-13 defeat after a battle which lasted 64 minutes.
“Tesni played really well, all credit to her for pushing me all the way and fighting,” said World champion El Wellily. “She has had an impressive week and is going to fight all season.
“Winning the US title is something I would love to do, but playing the World number one is not going to be easy.
“Nour is a very good friend and we play against each other a lot. Playing any Egyptian girl is usually more difficult mentally.”
The two Egyptians will meet for the 19th time on the PSA Tour, with the current head-to-head record locked at nine wins apiece. The pair met in six finals last season, with El Sherbini claiming four wins to El Welily’s two.
The men’s final features ElShorbagy against German player Simon Rusner, who killed off Egyptian hopes that they could dominate finals day.
Rusner won 3-1 against Ali Farag in their semi-final.
Both the men’s and women’s winners will claim $22,800 in prize money and will qualify for the season-ending PSA World Tour Finals.
The finals of the US Open will begin at 5pm local time (10pm UK time) on Saturday, October 13 and both matches will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV (Rest of World), Eurosport Player (Europe only) and other major broadcast channels, including BT Sport, beIN Sports, Fox Sports Australia and Astro.
Results – Men’s Semi-Finals: 2018 FS Investments US Open Squash Championships
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (Egypt) bt [8] Paul Coll (New Zealand) 3-1: 7-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6 (78m)
[4] Simon Rцsner (Germany) bt [2] Ali Farag (Egypt) 3-1: 4-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-6 (54m)
Men’s final – to be played this evening (October 13)
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (Egypt) v [4] Simon Rцsner (Germany)
Women’s Semi-Finals: 2018 FS Investments US Open Squash Championships
[1] Nour El Sherbini (Egypt) bt [5] Camille Serme (France) 3-1: 10-12, 11-7, 12-10, 11-8 (62m)
[2] Raneem El Welily (Egypt) bt [12] Tesni Evans (Wales) 3-1: 12-14, 11-7, 14-12, 13-11 (64m)
Draw – Women’s final – to be played this evening (October 13)
[1] Nour El Sherbini (Egypt) v [2] Raneem El Welily (Egypt)