Join us here for reports and reaction as round three of the PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family concludes today at Chicago’s Lakeshore Sport & Fitness.
Kennedy Through After Elaraby Retires
[8] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt [9] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) 3-1: 1-11, 11-8, 5-2 rtd (29m)
England No.1 Georgina Kennedy has advanced to the quarter-finals of the PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family after her round three opponent Rowan Elaraby was forced to retire in the third game at Chicago’s Lakeshore Sport & Fitness.
Elaraby was superb in the opening game as she dropped just a solitary point. However, her momentum was cut short after she pulled up injured lunging for the ball when 8-7 up in the second.
She made it as far as the third game but ultimately had to shake hands with her opponent, handing Kennedy a last eight spot against seven-time World Champion Nour El Sherbini.
“Sport is so cruel and it’s no secret that she was completely outplaying me there,” said Kennedy afterwards.
“I don’t know what happened, there was no contact between us. I was trying to work my way back in, but the way that was going she deserved that spot in the quarter-finals. I don’t feel good and I’m playing she won’t be out too long and that she’ll be back for the British, but it really sucks.
“Being injured is the worst thing that can happen to you. It’s quite lonely and our whole day revolves around training, when that gets taken away from you it’s really hard to figure out how to fill your time and how to feel purposeful.
“It’s a weird one, I definitely don’t feel I deserve this spot in the quarter-finals, but the tournament goes on and I just hope she is ok.”
El Sherbini Holds Off Mohamed
[2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt [16] Farida Mohamed (EGY) 3-1: 11-5, 10-12, 11-3, 11-9 (37m)
Seven-time World Champion Nour El Sherbini overcame a stern test against World No.16 Farida Mohamed to continue her attempts to lift a record-equalling eighth PSA World Championships trophy.
El Sherbini – who is just one title behind the legendary Nicol David on the all-time female winners list – didn’t have things her own way against an opponent she had beaten in all four of their previous encounters on the PSA Squash Tour.
El Sherbini dropped just five points in the opening game but didn’t quite hit her marks in the second as Mohamed peppered the ball low and short to put points on the board. Mohamed did squander two game balls as she clipped the tin too many times, but she came through in the tie-break to draw level.
Mohamed was swiftly stopped in her tracks though as El Sherbini ruthlessly dispatched her in the third game, hitting her lines with accuracy and not giving Mohamed a chance to attack.
Mohamed had a glimpse of an opportunity at 8-7 up in the fourth, but two strokes against her and a tin at match ball soon handed the win to the World No.2.
[s-u_quote]“Farida is a very dangerous player and she can hit nicks from anywhere,” said El Sherbini.
“There is a very small margin between putting in an incredible shot and putting it into the tin. You don’t know what you’re going to get, but she is an amazing player and she’s been getting good wins this season. I’m definitely happy with the way I played, it was better than the last meeting even if it was the same score.
“I tried to have more tough rallies to get myself back into it and get myself ready for the game after. I try to play every point as if it was the last one.
“I rate her [Kennedy] as an amazing player. It was a very bad end to an amazing match, everyone was looking forward to it, and I wish Rowan [Elaraby] a speedy recovery, I hope she will be back soon.
“I have another day off now and hopefully I will be ready for it.”
[/su_quote]
Gawad Advances After Eleinen Retires
[6] Karim Gawad (EGY) bt [11] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) 3-1: 8-11, 11-0, 0-0 rtd (21m)
Karim Gawad is into the quarter finals of the World Championships after his fellow Egyptian Aly Abou Eleinen was forced to retire due to injury.
Eleinen, who had never beaten Gawad on the PSA Squash Tour going into today’s match, started strongly when he drew first blood by winning 11-8 in the opener.
The World No.12 was injured in the opening exchanges of the second game when he slipped and hurt his knee. Eleinen conceded the second game, and after returning to court at the start of the third he was unable to continue and had to retire.
“He said it happened too quick and he didn’t know what had happened,” he said post-match.
“I hope it’s not too serious and hopefully he’ll be back as soon as possible. Aly is a great friend and a great person on and off court, I hope it’s not too serious, he’s a great player and hopefully he’ll be back on court very soon.
“He played amazing. In the first game I was totally outplayed and in the second game I just tried to take him back – it’s hard to talk about tactics or anything now, hopefully he’s all good and we see him back again soon.”
Asal Dispatches Ng
[2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [10] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) 3-0: 11-4, 11-6, 11-7 (56m)
World No.1 Mostafa Asal continued his strong start to the World Championships with a 3-0 success over Eain Yow Ng.
Asal didn’t a drop a game in his previous two matches and the ‘Raging Bull’ extended that streak to book a place in the quarter finals.
The Egyptian had won two of the previous three matches on the PSA Squash Tour with Ng, with their last encounter coming in the opening round of the U.S. Open earlier this season.
Asal was in control throughout, looking very organised and solid down the backhand side while taking the ball in early as he opened up a comfortable two-game lead against the Malaysian.
Mistakes started to creep into Asal’s game in the third, as Ng nudged in front but the World No.1 had too much to outmanoeuvre his opponent, especially down the backhand side to clinch it 11-7. Asal will meet former world champion Karim Gawad in the quarter finals.
“Yow is a fantastic player. All of his country will be proud [of him] after reaching World No.10 and he’s a fantastic player to play with. It was a good match today,” he said.
“It was solid, solid lines down the backhand side and he was very tight as well. It was an amazing performance today and I’m ready for another match after tomorrow.”
US No.1 Weaver Overcomes Hany
[4] Olivia Weaver (USA) bt [12] Salma Hany (EGY) 3-1: 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4 (47m)
US No.1 Olivia Weaver saw off Salma Hany in four games to earn herself a quarter-final place on home soil.
Weaver, who had the upper hand over Hany going into today’s third round clash, is into the last eight of this event for the second time in her career having reached the semi finals last year.
The US No.1 was tested by the Egyptian, with the opening game neck and neck until Weaver’s accuracy helped her pull clear to go one game up.
Hany looked to be on course to comprehensively taking the second when she charged into a 6-0 lead before Weaver reduced the deficit to get within touching distance of the US star. However Hany was able to hold off the surge from Weaver to restore parity.
Another early lead for Hany in the third was soon wiped clear by Weaver, who then pressed on to regain her advantage.
Weaver requested the new ball at the end of the third, a decision which paid dividends in the ensuing game as she comfortably earned her spot in the last eight.
“It was nip and tuck – in that first game we were feeling each other,” she said.
“We just played in Australia but I feel that everyone on Tour is adding things to their game so it feels like you’re playing a new opponent. Salma has been playing great squash recently and we prepared well, I knew I had to play well today to win.
“She took a huge lead in the second but I proud how I fought back. I really wanted to find my targets on this court – if you’re leaving it in the middle it’s an extremely punishing court.
“I’m very happy to get past Salma and into the next round.”
Sivsangari Reaches Maiden World Champs Quarter-Final
[7] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt [15] Amanda Sobhy (USA) 3-0: 11-8, 14-12, 11-6 (34m)
Sivasangari Subramaniam produced a magnificent performance against Amanda Sobhy, downing the US star in straight games to advance to her first quarter-final at the World Championships.
The duo had already met twice this calendar year prior to today’s meeting with one win apiece, with the last encounter a five-game battle in the final of the Gaynor Cup going the way of Sivasangari.
Sobhy came firing out of the blocks from the first game, but Sivsangari worked her way into the game with her positive movement getting her ahead and helping her take the first.
Former US No.1 Sobhy was on good form again in the second, but some good variation in Sivasangari’s shots put her back in the driving seat to double her lead.
Sivasangari’s quality remained of the highest standard in the third, while keeping the error count low to round off an impressive straight games triumph.
“The last two times I’ve played Amanda it’s been 3-2 and I won the last one, but she’s a fighter with what she’s been through and she’s come back much stronger,” she said.
“I’m really pleased to be winning in three and that reaction showed how much it means to me as I’ve never been in the quarter finals of the World Championships and I barely make it into the quarter finals of Platinum events.
“I’m really pleased and happy with how I performed today.”
Coll Downs Crouin In Three
[4] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [13] Victor Crouin (FRA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 (39m)
Former World no.1 Paul Coll safely progressed to the quarter finals after dispatching Victor Crouin in straight games.
Coll took down the French No.1 in 39 minutes 3-0 for a quarter-final berth, with the winner of Dimitri Steinmann and Mohamed Elshorbagy awaiting him on Thursday evening.
The previous two matches the duo have played on Tour have been 3-0 victories in Coll’s favour, and the Kiwi No.1 made it three in succession to prevail in Chicago.
Coll, who reached the final of this event back in 2019, was controlling play well as he took advantage of anything loose left by Crouin sun the middle o the court.
Having taken the first 11-6, Coll once again capitalised of any opportunities Crouin presented to him to make it a two-game advantage.
Coll was hitting his marks well as he looked to be cruising to victory, however Crouin surged back as the rallies lengthened which favoured the Frenchman to go 9-7 ahead. An error from Crouin opened the door for Coll, though, and the New Zealander converted for a straight games success.
“I was a bit annoyed at myself in the third, being 9-7 down which isn’t good enough,” he said.
“That little break helped me and I had to keep saying to myself that there’s no way I’m losing this set. I’m happy I closed it out.
“You can see by everyone’s form that there’s no easy matches and everyone’s prepared for this.
“I’m just trying to enjoy my week and my squash, it’s the brand of squash I’m enjoying playing at the moment and I want to keep that going.
“Hopefully the crowd gets noisy and there’s going to be some booming matches this week.”
ElShorbagy Produces Sensational Comeback For Quarter-Final Berth
[7] Mohamed Elshorbagy (ENG) bt [16] Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) 3-2: 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-8 (73m)
Former world champion Mohamed ElShorbagy produced a sensational comeback from 2-0 down to defeat Dimitri Steinmann 3-2 in the final match of the day.
It’s the second time this week ElShorbagy has had to fight back having been 2-1 down to his England teammate Nathan Lake in round one, as the former World No.1 delved deep into his energy reserves to advance to the last eight.
Steinmann, bidding to become the first Swiss player to appear in the quarter finals of the World Championships ever, was playing at an unrelenting pace as he stunned ElShorbagy to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
ElShorbagy stood toe-to-toe with Steinmann, halving the deficit to keep himself within touching distance of him. Steinmann requested a new ball at the end of the third, but ElShorbagy took the sting out of Steinmann’s attacks to level.
In a tense decider, ElShorbagy’s experience came to the fore as the Englishman prevailed after 73 minutes of high octane squash for a quarter-final place.
“I’ve trained with him [Dimitri Steinmann] in Prague so many times. He’s been to Bristol to train with me a few times and I’ve never seen him play this well before.
“The first two games I couldn’t stop him and Greg [Gaultier] was telling me I need to slow it down and I kept telling him I’m trying and he kept on rushing me and he was accurate. He didn’t give me an error or two in the first three games that I could play with.
“The only one I can remember when I was 2-0 down, 9-all he had a chance to win it and I was in big trouble there. I’m just really happy, I can’t remember the last time I was 2-0 down to win 3-2 and it gives me physical confidence.
“I’m happy to be through to the quarters and I look forward to my rest day tomorrow.”
