Sohby battles through to the Quarter Finals in Egypt

USA’s World No.6 Amanda Sobhy was forced to come from two games down against compatriot Olivia Clyne in a thrilling battle at the New Giza Sporting Club earlier in the day.

Clyne, who suffered a 3-0 defeat to Sobhy just three weeks ago at the British Open, showed she had put that behind her as she executed a strong game plan to go 2-0 up. However, Sobhy rallied back well to draw back level in quick-fire fashion before a controversial stroke decision saw her claim an 11-8 win in the fifth.

“She played so well, it’s the best I’ve seen her play against me,” said Sobhy. “You could tell she was so up for it. She took our match from the British and built on that and she was tactically brilliant.

“I got a bit lucky on that last call, that was one of those where you just don’t look anywhere and you are like 'Oh, I’m going to take it, sorry.' I’m happy I got through, it wasn’t my finest performance, but I’m just glad I just pushed and now I get to go to the Pyramids.”

She faces World No.9 Salma Hany for a place in the semi-finals after she overcame younger compatriot Jana Shiha in straight-games.

The other quarter final in the bottom half of the women’s draw will see a thrilling battle between World No.2 Nouran Gohar and World No.5 Hania El Hammamy following respective wins over Nada Abbas and Nele Gilis.

Gohar, who finished runner-up at this event to Nour El Sherbini last year, cut a determined figure as she found her accuracy quickly to down World No.27 Abbas, 11-3, 11-2, 11-5.

Meanwhile, El Hammamy had to come from a game down against Belgium’s Gilis to secure her last eight spot.

“It took both of us a while to adapt to the court conditions,” said El Hammamy. I think the first game it took a little bit of time to get into the game and the last three games, I managed to find my length and corners.”

The quarter finals of the CIB Egyptian Open take place tomorrow at 18:15 (GMT+2). Glass court action from the Great Pyramid of Giza will be shown live on SQUASHTV.

For more information on the 2021 CIB Egyptian Open, visit the tournament’s official website or follow on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.

Results – Round Three (Bottom Half): Men’s 2021 CIB Egyptian Open

[4] Paul Coll (NZL) bt Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 3-2: 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-5 (87m)

[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Ramit Tandon (IND) 3-0: 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 (31m)

Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt [6] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 3-2: 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6 (66m)

[2] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) 3-0: 11-4, 11-2, 2-0 retired (24m)

Draw – Men’s Quarter Finals (Top Half): To Be Played September 14^th

[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) v [9/16] Eain Yow Ng (MAS)

[9/16] Zahed Salem (EGY) v [3] Tarek Momen (EGY)

Draw – Men’s Quarter Finals (Bottom Half): To Be Played September 15^th

[4] Paul Coll (NZL) v [5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)

[9/16] Mazen Hesham (EGY) v [2] Ali Farag (EGY)