Sobhy Sinks Serme For Second Successive World Series Semi by Howard Harding
photo courtesy Steve Cubbins, SquashSite
August 29, 2014
- US squash star Amanda Sobhy claimed "one of my best-ever wins" when
she upset third seed Camille Serme in today's quarter-finals of the
Women's Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open to reach
her second successive Women's Squash Association World Series Gold
event semi-final.
The 21-year-old from
New York, in her final year at Harvard University, had never beaten
Serme before. But, buoyed by a surprise last four finish in last week's
WSA World Series Malaysian Open, the No8 seed dug deep to overcome the
world No5 from France 11-5, 1-11, 11-7, 11-3 in 37 minutes.
"I was just running
around and playing too short in the second," Sobhy (pictured above in
action with Serme) admitted to www.squashsite.co.uk later. "I just had
to settle down again and I was pleased with how relaxed I was.
"I'm really happy. It's a good day and I can go back to school happy whatever happens next.
"It's nice to know I'm
getting close to the top ten players while I'm still at school," added
the US number one who currently stands at nine in the WSA world
rankings. "It will be great when I've finished and can go full time on
the tour."
Sobhy now faces a
tough test in Nicol David, the top seed from Malaysia who is bidding
for a remarkable tenth successive title. The world No1 put paid to
domestic interest in the remainder of the championship by beating
surprise opponent Joey Chan, the Hong Kong number two who ousted No7
seed Omneya Abdel Kawy in the previous round
David defeated the 15th seed 11-8, 11-4, 11-3 to take her winning streak in Hong Kong to 48 matches.
Egyptian Nour El Tayeb
is also extending a magnificent Malaysian Open run in Hong Kong: The
16th seed from Cairo secured her latest scalp with an 11-4, 9-11, 11-4,
11-8 victory over Alison Waters, the fourth seed from England.
"I can't believe it,"
said the delighted 21-year-old. "It was completely the opposite type of
game than against Wee Wern yesterday - Alison hits the ball really hard
and I was having to try to contain her.
"I'm so happy to be in the semis here. My coach has been telling me to enjoy the game and I was really enjoying that match!"
El Tayeb now faces a
further English opponent after second seed Laura Massaro survived a
testing five-game battle against 10th seed Rachael Grinham, saving a
match-ball in the decider to beat the 2002 champion 11-8, 7-11, 11-9,
5-11, 12-10 in 58 minutes.
"I was always in
control," joked Massaro, the world No2 (pictured above in action with
Grinham). "She's in great form so I knew it was going to be a tough
match, and I think she worked out how to play this court against Annie
(Au) yesterday.
"I was down in two of
the games I won, I just had to keep sticking in and stay strong like I
always do," added the Lancashire lass.
"I've enjoyed my matches on here this year, but it will be good to get on the all-glass court tomorrow."
RESULTS: Women's Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open, Hong Kong
