Round two of the 2020-21 PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family begins today at the University Club of Chicago with the action split across the glass court inside Cathedral Hall as well as three ‘traditional’ courts housed elsewhere in the building.
You can follow all of the action from the side courts here as the likes of former World Champions Gregory Gaultier and Karim Abdel Gawad, as well as Egypt’s Hania El Hammamy and England’s Sarah-Jane Perry, compete for a place in the last 16.
Clyne Makes it Into Round Three
Results:
[12] Olivia Clyne (USA) bt [21] Low Wee Wern (MAS) 3-1: 11-9, 4-11, 11-9, 11-8 (43m)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt [23] Coline Aumard (FRA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-3, 11-7 (24m)
[10] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt [27] Melissa Alves (FRA) 3-0: 11-5, 11-5, 16-14 (37m)
USA No.2 Olivia Clyne has reached the third round of the PSA World Championships for the first time in her career after she battled to a 3-1 victory over experienced Malaysian Low Wee Wern.
The No.12 seed made the switch from the glass court on day one – where she beat Switzerland’s Cindy Merlo – to the side courts today and she was drawn into a difficult battle by 30-year-old Low, who had beaten Merlo’s compatriot, Nadia Pfister, in round one.
They shared the first two games between them, and Clyne had to be on her mettle to hold off the Malaysian in the third and fourth games as she closed out an 11-9, 4-11, 11-9, 11-8 victory in 43 minutes to ensure that she will play No.3 seed Camille Serme for a place in the quarter-finals.
“I was really happy to get through, Wee Wern’s an incredible player and she’s been at the very top of the game,” said Clyne.
“I knew it was going to be hard, I was hoping it wasn’t going to be that hard, but of course it was. I was just happy with the way I was able to regroup, I found myself at quite a deficit in the third, and I fought hard to get back and I was really pleased with myself that I managed to finish off the game.
“I was just saying to Alan that I definitely prefer the glass. I don’t know if it’s because of the stage or because we’re in the US and I get the support of the home crowd, but honestly I’m just happy to play. Give me a court and I’ll figure out a way to do it, it’s definitely different but I’m just happy that my next one is definitely on the glass.
“I’m expecting for this [match against Serme] to be very hard, very long and gruelling. She’s a fantastic player, she’s playing fantastic squash right now, and I’m going to try and sink my teeth in and hold on for dear life.”
Wee Wern commented on Twitter:
Lost out in a close 3-1 here in Chicago yesterday. Getting a better feel on court and frustrating to not get the win but on the bright side, I’ve got a bit of time to get treatment and reduce the pain I’ve been having before competing again in August. Thanks everyone! ❤️
England’s Sarah-Jane Perry also secured passage through to the last 16 courtesy of a 3-0 win over France’s Coline Aumard and the World No.6 will take on India’s Joshna Chinappa in the next round.
Chinappa overcame France’s Melissa Alves by an 11-5, 11-5, 16-14 margin.
Parker Reaches RD3 for the First Time
Results
George Parker (ENG) bt [15] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 3-1: 13-11, 3-11, 11-4, 11-6 (48m)
[6] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt Borja Golan (ESP) 3-0: 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 (47m)
[13] Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 3-1: 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7 (58m)
England’s World No.44 George Parker joined Clyne in reaching the third round of the Worlds for the first time in his career following an impressive 3-1 victory against World No.17 and 2015 World Champs runner-up Omar Mosaad.
The first game was a huge battle which went the distance to the tie-break, but Parker wasn’t able to press on after taking the opener as the man Leicester took just three points in the second.
But he refocused to close out a 13-11, 3-11, 11-4, 11-6 in 48 minutes, which sets up a first round fixture on the glass court against Peruvian Diego Elias.
“It was just nice to win my first game really, I’ve been losing a lot of first rounds at this level, so it’s nice to get a game and get a bit of confidence after winning a match,” Parker said.
“I had nothing to lose there, he’s been a top 15-20 player for a long time, so I just went in there, let my hand go a bit, enjoyed it and I probably got a bit of luck here and there with a few good decisions. I’ve got nothing to lose tomorrow either, it’s the first time I’ve played two games in a row at a major event for a long time, so I’m happy.
“I rang all the boozers in Leicester, my old man and all my friends who are a bit older but they all support me and help me out, sponsors. They were all watching me having a few beers, so I thought I’d give them a call.
“They’ve watched me grow up from a junior level playing local squash to coming out here and competing against the best. They’ve followed me the whole way, so it’s nice to be able to phone someone like that straight after.
“I’ve played at ToC in New York on that glass court and that was an unbelievable experience, but I’m just happy to be playing. It’s been a tough year, I’ve only played 4/5 tournaments in a year, and I’ve been losing quite a lot of first rounds, so I’ve felt like I haven’t played competitively. I’m feeling match fit and they [Elias and Castagnet] are both great players, so we’ll see what happens.”
2016 World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad is also through after vanquishing Spain’s Borja Golan, while Frenchman Gregoire Marche got the better of Switzerland’s Nicolas Mueller.
Marche will play No.5 seed Marwan ElShorbagy in the next round, while Gawad will play France’s Baptiste Masotti.
Hany, Evans & El Hammamy Claim victories
Results
[8] Salma Hany (EGY) bt [26] Zeina Mickawy (EGY) 3-1: 11-8, 11-6, 11-13, 11-5 (43m)
[9] Tesni Evans (WAL) bt [28] Lucy Turmel (ENG) 3-2: 9-11, 11-8, 11-3, 3-11, 11-7 (61m)
[4] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Tze Lok Ho (HKG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-2, 11-6 (27m)
The second group of women’s matches today saw Egyptian duo Salma Hany and Hania El Hammamy – along with Wales’ Tesni Evans – secure their places in the last 16.
Hany, the No.8 seed for the event, threw away a commanding lead in the third game of her fixture against compatriot Zeina Mickawy, but she was back on it in the fourth game to seal the win in 43 minutes.
“I’m very pleased with how I played today, Zeina is a very dangerous player, she attacks a lot and I’m glad I managed to contain her well,” Hany said.
“I had a lead in the third, I was 9-6 up, and then I let it go a little bit. All credit to her, she fought back, but I’m glad I had a good start in the fourth to close it out in four. I’m looking forward to going to the amazing venue [glass court].
“It’s the World Champs, it’s a big event for all of us, and I’m looking forward to playing on the big stage and performing there.
“Everyone is here to win, nobody wants to go home soon in this event. I put in some work before this event, and I’m taking it match-by-match, enjoying my time out there and looking forward to getting another chance to perform again in this tournament.”
Hany will play either USA’s Sabrina Sobhy or Egypt’s Rowan Elaraby on the glass court housed in the stunning Cathedral Hall in the next round.
Meanwhile, Evans fought tooth and nail to come out on top against England’s Lucy Turmel, winning 9-11, 11-8, 11-3, 3-11, 11-7 after 61 minutes of intense action.
Evans’ reward will be a meeting with World No.2 Nouran Gohar.
World No.5 Hania El Hammamy is also through and she will play Belgium’s Nele Gilis in the next round following a commanding victory against Hong Kong’s Ho Tze Lok.
ElShorbagy Battles Past ElSherbini
Results
[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) 3-2: 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 11-4 (70m)
[7] Fares Dessouky (EGY) bt Ryosei Kobayashi (JPN) 3-0: 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 (36m)
[8] Diego Elias (PER) bt Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-6, 11-4 (35m)
World No.5 Marwan ElShorbagy faced a huge battle as he vied for a place in the last 16 and only secured his place there following a 70-minute battle against fellow Egyptian Mohamed ElSherbini.
It was a physical affair, with both players getting involved in plenty of communication with the referee, receiving a code of conduct warning in response.
ElSherbini fought back from two games down and took a 4-2 lead in the decider, but ElShorbagy came storming back to take nine points in a row, setting up a last 16 clash with Gregoire Marche.
“Results-wise, I’m happy to get the win today,” said ElShorbagy.
“We come from the same generation and it was a tough battle. I had to focus all the way through and I’m happy to get the win in the end, but the quality of the refereeing wasn’t up to the standard that I expected from the World Championship.
“I’m happy to use my experience to win the match and I’m looking forward to another battle with Greg Marche. I’ve played him only once on the PSA and that was at the World Championship here in Chicago two years ago. It was a tough player and since the beginning of the season he’s played really.
“He did well at the World Tour Finals, and I think this is the best squash of his career. I’m expecting a tough battle tomorrow, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
World No.7 Fares Dessouky has booked his place in the last 16 thanks to a 3-0 win over Ryosei Kobayashi – who was the first Japanese man to reach round two – while Peru’s Diego Elias beat Frenchman Mathieu Castagnet.
Fiechter Topples Gilis to Reach Last 16 for First Time
Results
[17] Olivia Fiechter (USA) bt [14] Tinne Gilis (BEL) 3-1: 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 13-11 (57m)
[13] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt [25] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) 3-1: 11-6, 12-10, 3-11, 13-11 (60m)
[15] Nadine Shahin (EGY) bt Rachel Arnold (MAS) 3-1: 12-14, 13-11, 11-4, 11-7 (38m)
USA’s World No.20 Olivia Fiechter claimed a fine win over Belgium’s Tinne Gilis to earn her spot in the last 16 of the World Championships for the first time.
The 20-year-old hadn’t won a World Championship match before this week in Chicago, but followed up her opening day victory over France’s Enora Villard with a 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 13-11 victory over World No.17 to become the second USA player into the third round.
“From the very beginning it was a battle,” said Fiechter, who will play World No.1 Nour El Sherbini in the next round.
“Our rankings are very tight, and I think we both knew there was a lot on the line. It’s the first time I’ve ever gotten to the second round of the World Championships, so to make it to the last 16 means so much. There were definitely some nerves out there, but as the match went on I think my length improved.
“Tinne’s an incredible competitor, she covers the court so well, so I just tried to keep a high ’T’ position and tried to find my targets and tried to stay patience. I was able to do that in the big rallies at the end of those tight games and I’m so excited to walk away having won the match.
“I’m so excited, I can’t wait to be back on the glass. I was lucky enough to play the first round on the glass, and I had some friends from the area come to support me. It’s been a while since I’ve played a major on home soil, and it’s always a bit more exciting for the players when we have some friends and family in the crowd.
“I’ve never been on court with Nour El Sherbini and it’s an opportunity that we all dream about when we go pro. I’m going to go out there and play my heart out.”
Gilis’s older sister – World No.14 Nele – overcame Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam 11-6, 12-10, 3-11, 13-11 in 60 minutes, while Nadine Shahin beat Rachel Arnold.
Gilis will now take on No.4 seed Hania El Hammamy, while Shahin will play the winner of Joelle King versus Emily Whitlock.
Sivasangari commented on Twitter :
Not meant to be today!
Absolutely gutted to not get the win today after losing out 3-1 in an hour long of battling on court.A lot of positivity to be taken from this tournament to get me to the next level. Only getting closer! Time to regroup, and prepare for the next one 💪🏻
Abouelghar, Ibrahim and Ghosal Reach Next Round
Result
[11] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) bt Arturo Salazar (MEX) 3-0: 11-7, 11-5, 11-4 (24m)
Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt Shahjahan Khan (USA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-5, 13-11 (53m)
[12] Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt Raphael Kandra (GER) 3-0: 11-8, 11-3, 11-5 (39m)
Egyptian duo Mohamed Abouelghar and Youssef Ibrahim have reached the last 16 along with India’s Saurav Ghosal.
Abouelghar put in a confident performance to dispatch Mexico’s Arturo Salazar by an 11-7, 11-5, 11-4 scoreline and he will now take on World No.7 Fares Dessouky in a tasty third round encounter between the two shot-makers.
“I think he struggled with his body a little bit,” Abouelghar said.
“He had a touch match yesterday and at the beginning he was playing to the front a lot and I couldn’t read his game. As soon as I adapted I got in my groove and it all went well from that point.
“Me and Fares have been playing together since we were young, and we both know what to expect. When you play the World Champs and you get to the later stages and start playing on the glass court, it has a different feeling.
“I’m happy I have a rest day tomorrow and I’ll try and get onto the glass court and have a rest.”
Ibrahim followed up a solid first round win over 2010 World Championship runner-up James Willstrop with a win against USA’s Shahjahan Khan and he will play reigning World Champions Tarek Momen next.
Ghosal will line up against New Zealand’s Paul Coll after beating Germany’s Raphael Kandra.
Naughton Scores Best Ever Result
Result
[16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt [19] Danielle Letourneau (CAN) 3-2: 7-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-3, 11-4 (42m)
[7] Joelle King (NZL) bt [24] Emily Whitlock (WAL) 3-1: 11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9 (54m)
[11] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bt [18] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) 3-1: 10-12, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 (46m)
Canada’s Hollie Naughton has booked her place in the third round at the Worlds for the first time after beating compatriot Danielle Letourneau by a 7-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-3, 11-4 scoreline in 42 minutes.
World No.19 Naughton will now take on either USA No.1 Amanda Sobhy or Egypt’s Nada Abbas in the next round as she makes her maiden appearance on the glass court at the University Club of Chicago.
“It felt like two separate matches on there to be honest,” Naughton said.
“It’s always going to be tough and it’s always going to be nervy when you’re playing a fellow countrywoman, especially when we’re so close in the PSA rankings and we want to be top in Canada. I’m happy to get the win, it was tricky.
“I’m so excited [to play on the glass], it’s been a while since I’ve played in front of a crowd, and I’ve never actually played on the glass court here, so I’m really looking forward to that.
“I quite like the glass and I think my game suits the glass a bit more. Maybe other people need to adapt a bit more, but I just try and play my game.”
New Zealand’s Joelle King beat England’s Emily Whitlock to set up a third round fixture with Egypt’s Nadine Shahin, while Rowan Elaraby overcame Sobhy’s younger sister – Sabrina – after overturning a one-game deficit.
Elaraby will play No.8 seed and fellow Egyptian Salma Hany next.
Makin Axes Gaultier as Masotti & Rodriguez Advance
Results
[9] Joel Makin (WAL) bt Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-8, 11-0 (39m)
Baptiste Masotti (FRA) bt [14] Mazen Hesham (EGY) 3-2: 9-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-1, 11-6 (57m)
[10] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) bt Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) 3-0: 11-9, 11-7, 11-4 (51m)
Welshman Joel Makin ended 2015 World Champion Gregory Gaultier’s tournament and even inflicted a dreaded ‘bagel’ upon the French legend.
Makin hit his lines well and manoeuvred the 38-year-old around the court to complete an 11-4, 11-8, 11-0 victory in 39 minutes.
Makin is into the third round of the World Championships for the third time in his career and he will take on either World No.2 Mohamed ElShorbagy or England’s Patrick Rooney for a place in the quarter-finals.
“I’m really happy with that, it’s one of the best matches I’ve put together,” Makin said.
“I got a really good weight and line and got him behind me. He’s got those low kills from anywhere and he’s incredibly difficult to play. I was moving well and I was able to get those back and put him under pressure. You know how class he’s been and what he’s done, so I treated it like any top player you’d play now regardless of his age.
“I’m not sure if there was something wrong with him towards the end, I’m not sure if he’s got a niggle or something, but I thought I put it together well on the day. I want to get stuck in and I think I can turn him [ElShorbagy] over if I play like that. I’ve played well over the past few weeks, though Egypt was disappointing, but I’m feeling good again.
“Mohamed has a tough match against Patrick Rooney, and I’ve been getting some good wins, he snuck the last one 3-2, I won the one before that 3-2, and if I put it together like that then I think I can get the win. I’ve had three hard weeks of training and my body is good, so I think I can get through quite a few matches playing like that.”
Baptiste Masotti
Frenchman Baptiste Masotti is into the third round for the first time after he came back from two games down to beat Mazen Hesham, who required physio treatment for a shin problem after the third game.
Masotti will play 2016 World Champion Gawad in the next round, while Colombia’s Miguel Rodriguez defeated Switzerland’s Dimitri Steinmann to set up a round three clash with World No.1 Ali Farag.
