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Gutsy Bryant overcomes Scianimanico in sweltering heat at Australian Open
World No.11 Jonah Bryant battled through the Brisbane heat to book his spot in the semifinals of the Squash Australian Open 2026, defeating fellow rising star Melvil Scianimanico in a brutal four-game duel at South Bank Piazza.
On a sweltering evening of play in which temperatures rose close to 30°C combined with 85% humidity, it was 20-year-old Bryant who joined World No.2 Paul Coll, World No.12 Nele Gilis and World No.6 Sivasangari Subramaniam in the semifinals of the Gold-level event.
The Englishman, who lost to old junior rival Scianimanico from 2-0 up at the Irish Open last May, avenged his defeat from that day with a gutsy 11-1, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7 victory.
With the match locked in at 1-1, it was Bryant who came in clutch in the latter stages of both the third and fourth games, moving away from 7-7 in both to seal victory after 66 minutes of play.
I’m glad to get over the line today, says Bryant
“I’m really glad to get over the line today,” Bryant said after the match. “It’s going to always be tough in those conditions, even if you’re leading by a long way – you’re always going to have to dig in physically.
“I was really pleased with the way I was able to stick in rallies and when my chances arrived to take them. There are some days when you’re not at your best, and it’s just about bouncing back the next time out!”
Bryant will face training partner and current World No.2 Paul Coll in the semifinals, after the recent New Zealand Open champion proved too strong for unseeded Frenchman Auguste Dussourd.
Coll continued his blemish-free quest for a second Australian Open title in dominant style, smartly pushing his opponent across the court in the heat and taking any opportunities which were presented to him. The Kiwi No.1 rarely looked in trouble and wrapped up the 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 win after just 40 minutes of play.
Nele to take on Sivasangari in semis
In the women’s draw, Nele Gilis secured a semi-final meeting with Malaysian No.1 Sivasangari Subramaniam after impressing in her three-game victory over No.8 seed Aifa Azman.
Nele Gilis secured a semi-final meeting with Malaysian No.1 Sivasangari Subramaniam after impressing in her three-game victory over No.8 seed Aifa Azman. Gilis won 11-5, 11-5, 11-3
World No.12 Gilis, a runner-up at the New Zealand Open last week, continued her fine form with a commanding 11-5, 11-5, 11-3 win over the World No.28.
After the match, Gilis said: “It’s so hot. Nothing can prepare you for this. It’s my first time on this glass court. I’ve played in hot conditions, but nothing like this, to be honest. It was brutal out there.
“We train on this court in the morning, which is ten times harder, so I guess that prepared me for it tonight.”
Top seed Sivasangari, meanwhile, received a Walkover after her opponent, Aira Azman, withdrew from the event prior to the night’s play due to a hamstring injury.
Results: Men’s singles (Quarterfinals): 1-Paul Coll (NZ) beat Auguste Dussourd (FRA) 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-5); 4-Jonah Bryant (ENG) beat Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) 3-1 (11-1, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7).
Women’s singles (Quarterfinals): 4-Nele Gilis (BEL) beat 8-Aifa Azman (MAS) 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-3); 1-Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) W/O 6-Aira Azman (MAS).