Gawad, Gaultier, Sobhy, El Welily Reach Windy City Quarters by Nathan Clarke
February 26, 2017
- World No.6 Amanda Sobhy - the highest ranked U.S.-born player ever -
emerged victorious in a momentous all-American encounter with Olivia
Blatchford today (Feb 26) to reach the quarter-finals of the 2017 Windy
City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners & EquiTrust Life
Insurance Company.
23-year-old Sobhy, in the first meeting this century between two
US-born players this deep into a PSA World Series tournament, came
through in four games against 24-year-old Blatchford, having been made
to work hard for the win by the World No.26.
After taking the first comfortably Sobhy found herself drawn into a
real battle as Blatchford upped her game to take the second 12-10 in a
tie-break. And Sobhy could have gone behind in the third,
managing to get out of trouble and take it 12-10 before sealing the win
with a one-way 11-3 fourth game.
"It was difficult mentally out there against a good friend," said Sobhy.
"I got a bit edgy when things where getting close. She played well in
the big points and I was really bummed to lose the second game. I
finally felt like I relaxed in the fourth so hopefully I can play the
whole match tomorrow like that.
"But I enjoyed the match today. It's great to have two US players at
this stage of a major event. It shows that we can produce the talent so
hopefully we will see more of it in the future."
Sobhy will take on 2016, and 2015, tournament winner Raneem El Welily,
the Egyptian former World No.1, for a place in the semi-finals after
she downed Hong Kong's Annie Au with little difficulty. Joining them in
the last eight were 2014 tournament winner Laura Massaro and World No.4
Nouran Gohar - who had to come from behind to defeat the in-form
Sarah-Jane Perry.
The Englishwoman, who broke into the top ten for the first time in her
career last month, took the opening game 11-6 and enjoyed periods of
control. But Gohar stayed calm, applied pressure through her
hard-hitting style and was rewarded when Perry slowed up physiclaly n
the third, setting the platform for the win.
"It was a big battle, she's in-form at the moment and I'd never beaten her before," said Gohar.
"I had to play very well today. She's just made the top 10 so I had to be 100 per cent ready mentally and physically.
"In the first game it was all her - I just tried to stick in there and dig deep to win the match."
In the Men's draw another in-form English player, James Willstrop, came
out victorious against Egyptian opposition, coming through a tough and
testing match with Mohamed Abouelghar to set up a quarter-final with
2015 World Champion Gregory Gaultier.
Willstrop demolished Omar Mosaad 3-0 in round one and picked up from
where he left off as he continued to hit accurate, precise lines and
leave Abouelghar powerless to resist as he took a 2-0 lead.
But Abouelghar's top fifteen calibre was on full display as he reduced
the error count, tightened up his line hitting and played with patience
to transform the match into an almighty tussle. He took the third and
was enjoying success in the fourth until 9-9, when Willstrop's
beautifully deceptive crosscourt kill set up match point - although he
needed two more to convert the win.
"There was a lot of relief at the end of that one - it was very hard," said Willstrop.
"He was very heard to break down today. I might have a ranking
advantage and the experience, but he's given me a real tough ride the
last few times we played.
"I handled it well in the first two today but he just got better and
better and grew into it. I though he was class - he was making it very,
very hard and wasn't giving me any openings. I'm very happy that I
managed to get through it."
The winner of Willstrop's encounter with Gaultier will face either
Spaniard Borja Golan, who beat Leo Au to reach his first World Series
quarter-finals in over a year, or current World Champion Karim Abdel
Gawad.
The Qatar Classic and Tournament of Champions winner beat compatriot
Fares Dessouky in a hard fought 3-1 encounter to return to wining ways
after losing to Gaultier in the Swedish Open final earlier this month.
"I really want to do well in this event and keep my performances high and get the winning going," said Gawad.
"I went on court very focused and trying to start strong and I feel
like I played very well today. I felt like I kept my rhythm and focus
going throughout the game which is pleasing.
"You can't win every match but the most important thing I believe is to
always try and learn from your mistakes. I lost in Sweden but I've
tried to work on what I did wrong and come into this tournament as if
it is the first one of the season."
