“I think that’s some of my best squash that I’ve played, best movement-wise,” she said. “I really want to challenge the big three. I want to put myself in that category.”
The American also said she had decided to attack her opponent, rather than let El Sherbini dictate play.
“When playing El Sherbini, a lot of people are on the back foot,” she said. “Whereas I was like, maybe I’ll just go on the attack from the start and throw her off.
“If I’m going to lose, I want to lose on my terms. I want to go out knowing that I gave it all I got.”
The world No 5 added that playing in the “beautiful setting” of the HK$2 million arena outside the Xiqu Centre in the city’s cultural district had helped raise her game.
“The floor is awesome, they’ve done a great job in Hong Kong,” Sobhy said. “I’m glad that I get another day to play on here.
“This is so much better [compared to the indoor court at the Hong Kong Squash Centre], I am a performer, the better the atmosphere, the better I perform.”
Sobhy will face defending champion Hania El Hammamy on Sunday, after the world No 3 Egyptian beat Nele Gilis of Belgium 11-5, 11-5, 11-1 in just 32 minutes.
In the men’s event, world No 1 Ali Farag remains one win away for the title, further burying the memory of this withdrawal last time through injury.
The Egyptian top seed came out on top to win 11-4, 11-9, 11-8 in 44 minutes, notching up his 15th win over fellow compatriot Mostafa Asal in 19 meetings.
“It’s one of the tournaments with the biggest history in our sport, especially on this side of the world,” Farag said. “So, to make it to the final three times is a huge honour.
“But I would love to go one better and hopefully I can have my hands on that trophy tomorrow.”
A two-time finalist in Hong Kong, Farag lost to Mohamed Elshorbagy in 2017 and 2018, but said he was “very happy” with the new court despite having some concerns after the morning practice.
“I thought the reflection of the light on the glass flooring was a little annoying to me, at least in the mock-up,” he said. “But thankfully once the match started, I forgot about it and I can’t complain.”
Standing in Farag’s way will be Paul Coll after the world No 4 from New Zealand saw off Elshorbagy in four games, winning 11-4, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3 in the final match of the day.
The women’s final will kick off Sunday’s matches at 6pm, followed by the men’s title match.
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