Semi-Finals: Preview, Stats & How to Watch Live

Play continues today at the world-renowned Alexandra Palace for the semi final matches of the London Squash Classic 2025 presented by Bassim Haidar, with four top-quality matches coming your way from the stunning all-glass court in London.

The fifth day of the Gold-level event gets underway from 15:00 (GMT+1) and will be available to watch live on SQUASHTV and broadcast partners. Have your say on who you think will win with our new match predictor here. Watch the pre-show live and for free on YouTube from 14:30 (GMT+1).

The traditional best-of-five format will be re-introduced today for the semi-finals, with Japanese No.1 Satomi Watanabe taking on Belgium’s Nele Gilis in the first match of the day, followed by defending champion Sivasangari Subramaniam facing Amina Orfi. That clash will be followed by men’s top seed Diego Elias taking on World No.4 Joel Makin and Eain Yow Ng versus Paul Coll In the last match of the day.

For more information from the London Squash Classic 2025, visit the event website or follow the PSA on X,Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Threads, WhatsApp and LinkedIn.

Order Of Play:

World Times

Gilis v Watanabe

Due to the unfortunate withdrawal of women’s top seed Olivia Weaver, Belgium’s Nele Gilis takes her place in the London Classic semi-finals to take on the ever-improving Satomi Watanabe.

Gilis has endured a difficult 18 months on the PSA Squash Tour but has shown glimpses of her top quality in recent events and will be looking to a big performance today to show the squash world that you should never write her off.

Watanabe, on the other hand, has been in terrific form in 2025. Currently sitting at her highest world ranking of No.6, she’ll certainly have sights set on the next milestone of the top 5 this season. Watanabe is yet to win a Gold event and with the current World No.4 out through injury, this could be a big event for the Japanese No.1.

Sivasangari v Orfi

Defending champion Sivasangari Subramaniam is back in the semi-finals of the London Squash Classic, this time coming up against World Junior Champion and World No.5 Amina Orfi.

The Malaysian’s heroics here in 2024 was one of the most impressive victories ever seen on the PSA Squash Tour and a similar performance will likely be needed today if she is to get past Orfi and score only her second win over the teenager.

Orfi has looked sharp and focused so far this week and after another successful summer at the World Juniors, will be hungry for more trophies. A win here this week would certainly close the gap between her and Weaver in the rankings and bring her closer to World No.4.

Elias v Makin

The first men’s semi-final could be an absolute cracker. Diego Elias and Joel Makin are set to lock horns once again on the PSA Squash Tour with a spot in the final up for grabs.

World No.4 Makin knows what it takes to beat the former World Champion Elias, having done it on 4 occasions. It’s never easy for either player when the pair cross paths but the pair can often bring the best out of each other.

The last time the pair met was at the PSA Squash Tour Finals, where Makin came through in controversial fashion. Elias lost all composure after receiving a conduct stroke for arriving late onto court. We’re certainly hoping that the squash is the main story after today’s clash in which both will fancy their chances.

Yow Ng v Coll

Eain Yow Ng produced a classy performance yesterday to down No.4 seed Marwan Elshorbagy in straight games and book his spot in the semi-finals. His opponent is the defending champion Paul Coll, who’s looking for his first title since February.

Coll may feel as though he’s on borrowed time after he narrowly avoided an early elimination, coming past Mohamed Abouelghar 13-11 in the decider earlier in the week. A blistering victory over Youssef Soliman yesterday has set Coll back on track as he looks to maintain his terrific record over Yow Ng.