Semifinals Deliver Drama as Finalists Are Decided

The day began with a high-quality women’s semifinal between two players who have now become fixtures at the SACC Costa Rica Open. Habiba Hani (EGY) [2] and Alina Bushma (UKR) [4] are both familiar faces to the crowd, and their styles are equally familiar: physical, committed, and willing to take risks. Bushma, who had lost to Hani here in 2022, was determined to flip the result. Although she dropped the first game 11–13, she immediately shifted gears, attacking with purpose and striking winner after winner. The constant pressure she imposed eventually forced the Egyptian into a series of errors, allowing Bushma to take the next two games. Hani fought back to level, dragging the match into a decider, but Bushma remained composed and continued testing the short corners. She closed the match 3–2 (11–13, 11–3, 11–6, 10–12, 11–5) after 68 minutes, completing a significant upset and earning a place in the final.

The first men’s semifinal unfolded in a similar way, with long rallies, heavy movement and several momentum changes. Top seed Tom Walsh (ENG) began strongly, taking the opening game and looking fully in control. But Mohamed Sharaf (EGY) [4] has developed a reputation this week for slow starts and strong finishes, and the pattern repeated. Sharaf’s pace increased, he began stepping forward, and the length of the rallies grew. Walsh pushed the match into a fifth game with the help of support from teammate Jeremías Azaña and the coach in his corner, but the final stretch belonged to Sharaf. The Egyptian built a lead early in the decider, and although Walsh tried to close the gap, Sharaf’s accuracy on key points secured his victory. After another 68 minutes of demanding squash, he won 3–2 (6–11, 11–5, 11–8, 10–12, 11–8).

The second women’s semifinal presented a different dynamic, with top seed Marie Stephan looking to control the pace against the young Egyptian Amina El Rihany [3]. Stéphan edged the first game, but the match shifted when El Rihany began taking advantage of any loose shots and moving the ball into the front corners. Pressure mounted, and a series of decisions brought frustration for Stéphan, who received a Code of Conduct warning late in the second game and a conduct stroke shortly after. El Rihany continued to play with variation and confidence, winning the next three games and claiming the match 3–1 (7–11, 11–5, 11–6, 11–3) in 36 minutes.

The day concluded with a fast-paced men’s semifinal between two former champions: Josue Enriquez (GUA) and Ronald Palomino (COL) [2]. Palomino, who has been in ruthless form all week, maintained his almost uninterrupted streak of straight-game wins. The Colombian dictated the tempo from the start, closing out the match 3–0 (4–11, 6–11, 5–11) in just 30 minutes to secure his return to the final.