Egyptian duo Mohamed Elshorbagy, the men's World No.1, and Women's World
No.3 Raneem El Welily triumphed in their respective title-deciders at
the 2016 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and Equitrust
Life Insurance Company to lift the silverware at the fifth PSA World
Series tournament of the 2015/16 season.
With equal prize money on offer it was double-delight for Egypt as El
Welily overcame compatriot Nour El Sherbini to win her first PSA World
Tour title since September 2015 while Elshorbagy collected his fourth
consecutive World Series crown after opponent Nick Matthew, the English
World No.3, was forced to retire in the third game of their encounter
due to injury.
After reaching the World No.1 spot last Autumn El Welily suffered from a
huge drop in form, failing to reach the final on her last five outings.
But she put in a performance of note to defeat the in-form 20-year-old,
who came into the match following back-to-back 3-0 wins over Nicol David
and Laura Massaro, in the sort of victory that could propel the
enigmatic shot-maker back to the summit.
“I’m lost for words right now,” said an emotional El Welily after the
match. “I’m very, very happy to have won today. It’s the first title in
a long time.
“I never thought I’d be No.1 after winning here last year so I’m just
going to take it one step at a time. It’s all about baby steps and
taking it one match an done point at a time.
“I need to work hard to make sure I have that same attitude and huger on
court for the rest of the season. There’s still a few tournaments to
play but I’m really grateful that I won today and hopefully I can keep
it up.”
Vanquished opponent El Sherbini said: “She was just too good today - she
deserves to win.Sshe has been playing so well all week from the first
match. It’s nice to see her back at her best form.”
For Elshorbagy celebrations were muted as he collected his maiden Windy
City Open crown.
The opening game of the encounter lived up to the pre-event billing
between the two perennial foes as they slugged it out in a series of
tough, punishing rallies but it was evident early that Matthew was
struggling on court and the tenacious 35-year-old was forced to conceded
early in the third game and hand Elshorbagy the victory.
“I noticed at the start of the second he was struggling to move," said
the Egyptian.
“I live for great battles and to play against great players like Nick.
It’s unfortunate what happened today as that’s not the way that I wanted
to win.
“But this is the first time I’ve won this title and I’m very happy to
have my name on there - it is an achievement that I’m very proud of."
Speaking afterwards Matthew said: “I felt a muscle in my glute go in the
first game and it seized up. Mohamed is hard enough to play when you’re
fully mobile never mind injured so it was a frustrating end.
“I don’t mind losing - it’s just disappointing when you can’t do
yourself justice and give Mohamed the fight he deserves.”
Egyptians Dominate As Finalists Decided
click on images for larger view The
finals of the 2016 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and
Equitrust Life Insurance Company, PSA World Series tournament taking
place at the University Club of Chicago, will have a heavy Egyptian feel
after three of four available berths in the respective men's and women's
title deciders were snatched up by players from the Middle Eastern
country today.
In the women's draw in-form 20-year-old Nour El Sherbini (right), who
last month claimed the first major World Series title of her career when
she won the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions, followed up her
impressive 3-0 win over Nicol David with a masterclass performance to
beat pre-tournament favourite and World No.1 Laura Massaro.
El Sherbini played with unrestricted attacking flair throughout the
match and underlined her position as a genuine top class contender by
overturning a 2-7 deficit in the third game to take the match 11-7,
11-9, 11-9.
“I have been struggling with a flu so I really did not expect to reach
the final but I think I played perfect today," said El Sherbini.
“Because I was struggling with my breathing I was going for every shot
and thankfully they were going in. Normally when I play Laura it is a
tough five-game match so to win 3-0 is an achievement that I’m
definitely proud of."
El
Sherbini will face compatriot and defending women's champion Raneem El
Welily (left) in the final.
After stuttering through the early rounds of the tournament El put in a
highly polished and focused performance to overcome Camille Serme of
France 3-0.
“I tried to stay relaxed and play to my game plan and I think I focused
well and managed not to get loose and play too many shots down the
middle," said El Welily.
"I’m very happy to be into the final again here in Chicago. I enjoy this
tournament and it brings the best out of me and it is great that it is
an all-Egyptian final and I’m looking forward to playing Nour.
"She’s in top form and played really well today so it should be a very
good match tomorrow.”
In
the men's draw perennial foes Nick Matthew (right), the defending
champion, and Mohamed Elshorbagy, the man Matthew beat to glory 12
months ago, will lock horns for championship bragging rights once again
- just weeks after contesting the Tournament of Championship final.
World No.1 Elshorbagy overcame the challenge of Colombian Miguel Angel
Rodriguez, the man who knocked his younger brother Marwan Elshorbagy out
in the quarter-finals, in straight-games to reach the final.
"Miguel has been playing very well in this tournament and especially
against my brother yesterday but I have raised my game match after match
and played some of my best to beat
him
today," said Elshorbagy (left).
“He was playing strong at the end of the second and third as well so I’m
happy to have gone through in three games and be back in the final.
“I’ve never won this tournament so it would be nice to get my name on
that trophy and I can’t wait to come back and play on this stage
tomorrow.”
35-year-old Matthew prevented an Egyptian clean-sweep by defeating World
Championship runner-up Omar Mosaad in their first meeting since Matthew
lost to the powerful World No.4 last October.
“I lost to him in US Open and that was the first time he beat me and it
was a little bit on my mind today," said Matthew.
"But I’m a different player than I was before Christmas so I wanted to
carry on making that statement and prove it. He’s improved so much and I
had to be very proactive and keep the ball away from his danger weapons
so I’m happy to beat him.
“Mohamed (Elshorbagy) and I had a great final in New York and I beat him
here in the final last year so i’m sure he’s going to want to prove a
point. He's the World No.1 for a reason but I believe that on my day in
front of this crowd and support that anything can happen."
Nicol David Crashes Out Of Windy City Open
click on images for larger view Former
World No.1 Nicol David crashed out of the 2016 Windy City Open presented
by Guggenheim Partners and Equitrust Life Insurance Company, PSA World
Series tournament, at the quarter-final stage after falling to a
straight-games defeat at the hands of Egyptian Nour El Sherbini (right)
- the 20-year-old who ended David’s J.P. Morgan Tournament of
Champions’s campaign by the same scoreline in January.
El Sherbini, who went on to win the Tournament of Champions in what was
her maiden PSA World Series triumph, played with pinpoint aggression and
confidence from the very first serve to nullify 32-year-old David’s
strengths across the court and set up a mouthwatering semi-final
encounter with World No.1 Laura Massaro, who sent out a signal of intent
with her ruthless demolition of World No.6 Omneya Abdel Kawy of Egypt in
just 29-minutes.
“Playing Nicol is always very hard," said El Sherbini.
“But today I wasn’t overthinking things on court - I was just going for
my shots. Once I had an opportunity to attack I just went for it but all
three games could have gone either way - thankfully in the end they all
went for me.”
England’s
Massaro (left) has been the player to beat on tour so far this season
but after a poor showing at the Tournament of Champions in January, when
she lost out in the last eight, she looked to be back to the form that
took her to glory at the U.S. Open and Qatar Classic as she dominated
against Kawy to underline her credentials as the tournament favourite
and top seed.
“You can never let your guard down at all in any match and I think in
that third game I maybe switched off and was already warming down," said
Massaro.
"As a result she got back into and it was edgy. I’m angry at myself for
that. I did the same thing in the last round so I’m really happy to get
off 3-0 against a very dangerous opponent and I’m really excited to be
in the semi-finals.”
On the other side of the draw defending champion Raneem El Welily
(right) came through against World Junior Champion Nouran Gohar while
all hopes of home success were dashed as American World No.7 Amanda
Sobhy lost out to France’s Camille Serme in a thrilling five game
encounter that the World No.5 took 11-9 in the fifth.
In the men’s draw defending champion Nick Matthew and 2015 runner-up
Mohamed Elshorbagy, the World No.1, took a step towards a championship
re-match with victories over Tarek Momen and Simon Rösner, respectively.
A
regular face in the last eight of major tournaments throughout the past
18-months Rösner has looked increasingly likely to secure a breakthrough
victory against the top players, with narrow defeats to Gregory Gaultier
in particular underlining his continued improvement, but Elshorbagy
(left) dealt with the challenge in typically aggressive fashion,
impressing as he came through in 53 minutes.
“Simon and I always have very high quality battles - we have similar
type of play which is why our matches are always good and we enjoy
playing each other,” said Elshorbagy.
“He’s tough to play so I’m happy to get off the court with the win. The
longer the match went on the better he was playing.
“I’m feeling good physically right now. I was ill her last year and
really it was a miracle for me to get to the final - this year I’m fresh
and happy to be playing well and hopefully I can carry on the good form
into the semi-finals.”
Elshorbagy
will play Colombia’s Miguel Angel Rodriguez (right) in the last four
after the ‘Cannonball’ eliminated Elshorbagy’s younger brother Marwan
3-0 while Matthew will line up against World Championship runner-up Omar
Mosaad.
The powerful Egyptian ended the run of viral-sensation Mathieu Castagnet
after a bruising 84 minute battle that was played at a relentless pace
from start to finish and had both men on the brink of exhaustion towards
the close.
You have to give 100 per cent in every match and I really had to push
hard today,” said Mosaad.
“He’s such a good player and pushes a lot when he’s tired. I think we
both played well and I’m happy to win an get through to the semi-finals
which I’m looking forward to.
“It’s going to be hard against Nick but I will give it my all - now it’s
time to recover and be ready for it.”
Matthew
Saves 3 Match Balls In Windy City Thriller
click on images for larger view Defending
Champion Nick Matthew was forced to come from two-games down and save
three match balls in a 109 minute thriller to avoid a shock exit at the
hands of Spain’s Borja Golan during the second round of the 2016 Windy
City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and Equitrust Life Insurance
Company, PSA World Series tournament, currently taking place at the
University Club of Chicago.
Inside the club’s stunning Cathedral Hall Matthew, who led the duo’s
head-to-head record 6-0 prior to their Chicago clash, found himself
unable to halt the charge of a red-hot Golan who produced arguably the
best squash of his career to take the first two games courtesy of some
wonderfully composed aggressive play that saw him outmuscle and
outmanoeuvre Matthew.
The 35-year-old three-time World Champion showed just why he is known as
‘The Wolf’ however as he mounted an incredible comeback taking the third
and fourth games by the narrowest of margins. The duo then traded points
like a pendulum in a nervy fifth game before Matthew saved three
consecutive match balls, grasping the match at the first opportunity to
come through 10-12, 9-11, 11-3, 13-11, 14-12.
“I feel like a bit like I’ve won the tournament right now,” said Matthew
afterwards. “It is mad that that was only a second round match.
“In the first two games, especially the first game, it was the best I’ve
ever seen him play - I don’t think I played badly but I was 2-0 down.
“I won here last year and the thought of losing second round was driving
me on - I just kept fighting and fighting - sometimes you just have to
do whatever you can to win. I went all the way to plan z today.”
Matthew
will now line up against Egyptian Tarek Momen (left) in the last eight
after he downed World Junior Champion Diego Elias while Frenchman
Mathieu Castagnet put in a spell binding performance to secure hi last
eight berth at the expense of Daryl Selby.
After coming from 2-0 down to defeat Ali Farag in his first round
encounter Castagnet came through in more straightforward fashion today,
defeating Selby 3-1 in a match that also saw one of the greatest points
in squash history.
Back in the match after taking the third game Selby played all out
attack when an amazing turn of events at 7-5 in the fourth game saw
Castagnet dive full length in the front left corner to get an
implausible retrieval before he somehow managed to recovered to hit a
forehand straight winner to the amazement of the crowd.
“It’s not been an easy draw for me because Ali and Daryl are such good
players,” said Castagnet.
“You have to be focused and fight in every rally and that’s exactly what
I did today so I’m very happy.
“I
have no explanation about that shot in the fourth. I love this sport and
if I have to dive and push myself to play the shot, I will do whatever I
have to to win. That’s my personality and my commitment and maybe that’s
why I’m now a top ten player.”
Castagnet faces World Championship runner-up Omar Mosaad (right) in the
last eight while in the women’s draw defencing title holder Raneem El
Welily (below left) secured her place in the quarter-finals after a
stuttering display against Hong Kong’s Annie Au.
After
totally annihilating her first round opponent Coline Aumard for the loss
of just seven points El Welily slipped back in the inconsistent play
that has dogged her recent appearances on the PSA World Tour as she
engaged in a all-out shootout with Au in a match that rarely saw a rally
last more than five shots and where her superior shot selection
eventually got her out of trouble.
“She played very well and probably the best she has played against me,”
said El Welily.
“I had to dig in and stay confident and focused as much as possible.
It’s too early to talk about the final or anything yet, I’m happy to be
in the quarters and I’m looking forward to the next match.”
El Welily will face dangerous compatriot Nouran Gohar in the next round
where either victor could face an in-form Amanda
Sobhy
(right), the American number one who sent out a signal of internet to
her championship rivals as she negotiated a difficult looking encounter
against former World No.4 Joelle King in emphatic fashion, dismissing
the New Zealander 3-0 after just 25-minutes.
“Joelle is a very good player and so tough to beat - if you give her any
opportunities she takes them,” said Sobhy. “I knew I had to be on it
from start to finish and stay focused.
“She loves to hit the ball hard and so do I, so it could have been a
hardest hitter competition out there. But I made sure that I mixed up
the pace to take her out of her element and I’m really happy to get off
in three games.”
2nd
Round Top Half
Elshorbagy Brothers Charge Into Windy City Quarter-finals
click on images for larger view Elshorbagy
brothers Mohamed (right) and Marwan, the World No.1 and No.10, edged
towards a second consecutive Windy City Open semi-final showdown after
coming through their respective second round encounters during the third
day of action at the PSA World Series tournament taking place inside the
University Club of Chicago.
The pair, who live together in their adopted hometown of Bristol,
England, met in the last four here twelve months ago when Mohamed
triumphed and they are on course for a repeat encounter after Marwan
pulled off the biggest upset of the day to see off in-form Egyptian
compatriot Karim Abdel Gawad courtesy of a tense five-game victory.
Marwan
(left) stormed out to a commanding two-game lead to capitalise on a
sluggish start from his opponent but five-game specialist Gawad mounted
a typical comeback to force a fifth game in which the World No.10 played
with poise and control to prevail.
“Karim and I know each other’s game very well so we knew what to expect
from each other today,” said Marwan.
“I think I managed to play better in the first two games and he was the
better player in the second two. I know how good he is at winning
five-game matches so I just told myself to keep hitting and running and
giving it my all and I’m very happy to win especially because this is a
big tournament for me.
“I reached the semis here last year and I’m in the quarters again this
year so I’m looking forward to coming back on court in a couple of
days."
Top
seed Mohamed, runner-up in 2015, continued his march towards a maiden
Chicago crown with a hard-earned victory over Mohamed Abouelghar while
World No.6 Miguel Angel Rodriguez (right) secured his first
quarter-final place at the Windy City Open courtesy of some missed
opportunities by opponent Tom Richards.
Richard played with confidence, composure and craft for the majority of
their matchup in a performance that belied the 20 place gap between the
pair on the rankings but a series of all-or-nothing errors at the
crucial stages ensured it was Rodriguez who took the win.
"Tom is playing well at the moment and he had some good results in the
past few weeks so it was a tough match today,” said Rodriguez.
“I think that nowadays all matches against top 20 and top 30 players are
very competitive but I’m delighted to come through and make my first
quarters here in Chicago.
“He was playing very solid throughout but I took my chances in the third
where I had a great comeback and I’m happy I managed to see it out.”
After
suffering a shock second round defeat during the 2015 Windy City Open
which led to her taking an extended break from the sport, World No.1
Laura Masaaro (left) made sure lightning would not strike twice as she
compressively defeated compatriot Victoria Lust in the women's draw.
Defeat twelve months ago proved to be the catalyst for a career-defining
change in the 32-year-old's approach to the game and in the midst of
some of her finest ever form she played with total control to come
through 3-0 after just 31 minutes on court, despite a drop in level in
the third game.
“I felt pretty good on court tonight and I’m pleased with how I started
in particular,” said Massaro.
“I dropped off a little mentally in the third game and that was enough
to let her into the mix so I was quite happy to get off there in three
games at the end as it was getting quite tight.
“Despite
that blip I felt like I had a lot of clarity in mind an played with a
lot of focus on what I needed to do. I’m not worrying about what people throw at me on
court but instead I’m concentrating on playing my game an hopefully I
can keep that going.”
Massaro is joined by Nicol David (right) in the quarter-finals after the
Malaysian World No.2 comfortably beat England's Sarah-Jane Perry, also
in 31-minutes, with World No.3 Raneem El Weily to play tomorrow.
Momen And Castagnet Comeback
From Brink To Keep Windy City Hopes Alive
click on images for larger view On
the second day of first round action at the 2016 Windy City Open
presented by Guggenheim Partners and Equitrust Life Insurance Company
Egyptian Tarek Momen and Frenchman Mathieu Castagnet (right) were forced
to dig deep to escape the clutches of defeat and keep their tournament
aspirations alive on a day that was once again dominated by lengthy
battles across the men’s draw.
World No.8 Castagnet found himself 2-0 down and match ball down to an
in-form Ali Farag, the Egyptian who last month captured the biggest
title of his career at the Motor City Open defeating World No.1 Mohamed
Elshorbagy and World No.3 Nick Matthew en-route, but showed why he is
considered one of the most tenacious competitors on tour as he showed
tremendous fighting spirit to complete one of the most remarkable
comebacks in tournament history after an absorbing 71 minutes.
“I don’t know how I did it,” said Castagnet. “I was in very good shape
today and I worked hard on getting the right tactics with my coach Renan
Lavigne for the third, fourth and fifth games and I’m very, very happy
that it worked.
“We have played a few times and I remember a match a few years ago and
he had 7 match balls and I saved them to win in five. So when I saved
them today I was sure he would think about that match and I was
confident I could pull it off so I’m delighted.”
It
took World No.11 Tarek Momen (left) six minutes longer to secure his
second round place as he twice came from behind to get the better of
Swiss national champion Nicolas Müller - who played his best match of
recent years to come within a whisker of a huge upset.
After seeing an early 7-3 lead in the fifth game eroded Momen was
staring down the barrel of defeat and was beaten all ends up when Müller
hit what would have been a simple winner into the tin before a second
unforced error handed Momen match ball, which he grasped at the first
opportunity.
“There are so many mixed feelings right now – that was two hours of
nervous breakdown,” said Momen.
“I’ve never seen him play that well and he’s improved physically as
well. Many times I thought he’d feel the work and the effects of the
rallies but he just kept fighting back.
“I feel like I played very well but he just took it to the next level
and I can’t really believe that I won to be honest.
“I’m just very happy to be through and hopefully I will play a little
better in the next round.”
Castagnet and Momen were victors in two of eight first round matches
that went beyond the 70 minute mark in one of the most competitive PSA
World Series first rounds ever, that also saw World No.5 Omar Mosaad
prevail 3-1 in an attritional battle with former World No.1 James
Willstrop.
In
the women's draw defending champion Raneem El Welily began her title
defence with an emphatic victory over Coline Aumard of France, taking
just 20 minutes to see off the challenger for the loss of just six
points.
After exiting the Qatar Classic and Tournament of Champions in the early
rounds the victory will serve to bolster El Welily’s hopes of retaining
the crown and securing a return to winning ways at the very top level of
the PSA World Tour after a barren few months.
"I love being here in Chicago and I had two great events here previously
so hopefully it will be the same again this year," said El Welily.
"Obviously
everyone is here to win so I'm trying to just make sure I enjoy it and
take it match by match.”
Top ranked American hope Amanda Sobhy (right) put in a similarly
emphatic performance in her opening encounter, taking just 19-minutes to
get past Salma Hany Ibrahim as she continues to push towards a maiden
World Series crown.
The strength and depth of talent on the PSA World Tour was in full show
during the opening day of action at the 2016 Windy City Open presented
by Guggenheim Partners and Equitrust Life Insurance Company as a series
of physically punishing marathon encounters dominated proceedings at the
University Club of Chicago.
click on images for larger view Fresh
from the biggest victory of his career at the PSA M70 UCS Swedish Open
earlier this month Egyptian World No.9 Karim Abdel Gawad
(right)
came within a whisker of exiting at the first hurdle in a high quality
encounter with World No.40 Paul Coll of New Zealand that set the scene
for what was to follow as six of eight men's matches went beyond the
60-minute mark.
Coll, who only booked his place in the main draw after coming through
two rounds of qualification, played fearless and composed squash to
unsettle Gawad, twice extending game-leads before he finally succumbed
to the Egyptian in the closing stages of a nail-biting five-game 79
minute encounter.
"Today was not easy at all,” said Gawad. “He came through qualification
but his level today shows that he is much better than a qualifying
player.
"He was the better player today and he had me under pressure from the
very start and throughout the match. I’m very lucky an happy that I
managed to get the win and move through to the next round.”
Gawad
was joined in the second round by Colombian World No.6 Miguel Angel
Rodriguez
(left)
who displayed glimpses of the form that took him to a high of No.4 in
2015 in a gruelling 4-game 76 minute victory over England's Chris
Simpson.
“That was a very tough match,” said Rodriguez. “I have played a lot of
times with Chris and I know how tough he is so I think I played well in
first game. But from then on it just got tougher and tougher so I’m very
happy to get through.
“You have to be very consistent to compete in big events now because all
top 20 players are good and no match can be taken for granted. You have
to play hard in every match and give it 100 per cent.”
Mohamed
Abouelghar, Max Lee, Marwan ElShorbagy and Tom Richards joined Gawad and
Rodriguez in securing hard fought opening round victories while World
No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy (right) secured his passes to the second round
with a more straight forward 3-0 win over Scotland's Alan Clyne.
In the women's draw the top seeds enjoyed a similarly straightforward
start with World No.1 Laura Massaro, World No.2 Nicol David and World
No.4 Nour El Sherbini all coming through their first round matches
courtesy of impressive 3-0 wins.
For
Massaro
(left),
competing as the number one seed in a PSA World Series tournament for
the first time, a return to form comes as a timely opportunity of her to
re-assert her credentials as the sport’s top player after she suffered a
disappointing quarter-finals exit during January’s J.P. Morgan
Tournament of Champions.
“Coming into a World Series tournament as the top seed is a very nice
feeling and this is the first time that I’ve ever experienced that so
I’m excited to hopefully do well here,” said Massaro.
“I won this event two years ago so I’ll be doing everything I can this
week to try and replicas that.
“I feel like my form is pretty good coming into this event. I won the
British Nationals a few weeks ago and I’m happy with how I played today
but I need to make sure I keep on improving and pushing my level up if I
want to go all the way and win the title.”
Coll Stuns Mohamed As Qualifying Concludes
The final round of qualification for the 2016 Windy City Open
presented by Guggenheim Partners and Equitrust Life Insurance
Company drew to a close at the University Club of Chicago yesterday
with New Zealand's Paul Coll stealing the headlines in the final
match of the day as he secured a surprise berth in the main draw of
the PSA World Series tournament.
Up against top seeded Zahed Mohamed, Coll, who ranks 10 places below
the Egyptian on the PSA World Rankings, produced a stellar
performance as he dominated proceedings throughout, playing with
variation and composure to secure an 11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5 victory
after just over an hour on court.
Coll will now face top ten ranked Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad, recent
UCS Swedish Open winner, in the first round today (Feb 25) while,
after securing an emotional victory in the first round of
qualification, England's Oliver Pett was denied a place in the main
draw after losing a gruelling 68-minute, five-game encounter with
German Rapheal Kandra.
Pett twice saw game leads eroded by Kandra and couldn't find enough
in his tank to see out the match, losing in a nervy fifth game
tie-breaker, before the all-english and all-Scottish battles between
Adrian Waller and Declan James and Alan Clyne and Greg Lobban,
respectively, saw both sets of players pushing each other to the
limit in 70-minute plus encounters highlighting the strength across
the PSA World Tour right now.
"It’s very tough mentally to play somebody like Greg because not
only he is a very dangerous player but also he is a great friend,"
said Clyne after his win.
"It’s very hard to talk with him in the morning about the matches,
and then go on court to try and win. We hadn’t played since the
Nationals last year so it was about time we played again. He is so
dangerous, and I needed to keep my level up consistently, which I
managed to do today."
In the women's draw 15-year-old Hania El Hammamy produced the only
upset of the day as she overcame higher seeded Milou van der Heijden
3-1 in what was an otherwise straight forward day at the office for
the higher seeds.
"I had never played her before and in the first game I just couldn’t
find my game or rhythm," said El Hammy.
"She was just too good but at the start of the second, I managed to
get my shots back at the front, and that made the difference."
After finishing as runner-up in last month's Open Du Gard, PSA M5
tournament, England's Oliver Pett extended his recent run of good
form to secure an emotional victory over Pakistan's number one
player Nasir Iqbal in the first round of qualification at the 2016
Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and Equitrust Life
Insurance Company.
The 27-year-old has endured a rollercoaster ride over the past few
seasons with career-threatening injuries and then the loss of both
his parents impacting heavily on his playing opportunities on the
PSA World Tour but he returned to form in Chicago with a spirited
3-2 victory over Iqbal - ranked 215 places above him on the world
rankings - which he dedicated to his mother, who passed away
recently after losing her battle with cancer.
"My Mum - that’s all I’m thinking about at this moment," said Pett
after the match.
"I'm thinking about everything she went through. I thought I would
never play squash again, there were so many doubts but it was
incredible to play again today. I was a good player so it’s all a
question of believing that I can compete against those guys again.
"And today it was so much more than squash. I know it was only a
match of squash but it was so much more for me - I was fighting for
my life out there."
Pett will now take on Germany's Raphael Kandra in the final round of
qualification where one of eight places in the main draw will be up
for grabs while a trio of highly anticipated domestic battles will
also see qualification come to a close.
Scotland's two top ranked players Alan Clyne and Greg Lobban will go
head-to-head after coming through their first round battles while
Hong Kong pairing Leo Au and Tsz Fung Yip and English pair Declan
James and Adrian Waller also face-off for national bragging rights.
In the women's draw all hopes of a third American player reaching
the main draw to join Amanda Sobhy and Olivia Blatchford were dashed
as Corey Schafer and Reyna Pacheco were defeated in straight-games
by Deon Saffery and Vanessa Raj, respectively.
Elsewhere it was straight sailing for the seeded players as they
breezed into the final round which takes place today at the
University Club of Chicago.
Egyptian World No.5 Ramy Ashour has withdrawn from the forthcoming
Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and Equitrust Life
Insurance Company as a result of ongoing issues with his troublesome
hamstring.
The three-time World Champion has made just five appearances on the
PSA World Tour since winning the 2014 World Championship - with
injury bringing a premature end to three of those outings - and his
injury woes continue to hamper his hopes of making a first
competitive appearance since November.
Frenchman Gregoire Marche moves up in the draw to occupy the space
vacated by Ashour and will face Hong Kong’s Max Lee in the first
round while Mathieu Castagnet rises up the seedings to take the
number eight seed and will take on Ali Farag in the first round.
Revised Main Draw - 2016 Windy City Open
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Gregoire Marche (FRA) v Max Lee (HKG)
[Qualifier] v [5] Simon Rösner (GER)
[7] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Tom Richards (ENG) v [Qualifier]
Chris Simpson (ENG) v [4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
[3] Omar Mosaad (EGY) v James Willstrop (ENG)
Saurav Ghosal (IND) v [Qualifier]
Daryl Selby (ENG) v Cameron Pilley (AUS)
Ali Farag (EGY) v [8] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
[6] Tarek Momen (EGY) v Mazen Hesham (EGY)
Fares Dessouki (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Borja Golan (ESP) v Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
[WC] Chris Hanson (USA) v [2] Nick Matthew (ENG)
With places at the season-ending PSA Dubai World Series Finals still
also to play for the Windy City Open promises to deliver another
enthralling instalment of World Series action, all of which will be
available to watch live and exclusive on SQUASHTV and Eurosport
Player.
2015 World Champion Gregory Gaultier has withdrawn from this month's
Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and Equitrust Life
Insurance Company after failing to recover from an ankle injury
sustained during January's J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions.
The 33-year-old Frenchman had hoped to compete at the second PSA
World Series tournament of 2016 but hasn't been able to make a
return to full fitness and will now be replaced in the main draw of
the event, which gets underway at the University Club of Chicago on
February 25, by Egyptian Mohamed Abouelghar.
Abouelghar will take on a yet-to-be-determined qualifier in the
first round while Karim Abdel Gawad has moved up the draw to occupy
the number eight seed and will also face a qualifier on day one.
2016 Windy City Open - Revised Main Draw:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) v Max Lee (HKG)
[Qualifier] v [6] Simon Rösner (GER)
[8] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Tom Richards (ENG) v [Qualifier]
Chris Simpson (ENG) v [4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
[3] Omar Mosaad (EGY) v James Willstrop (ENG)
Saurav Ghosal (IND) v [Qualifier]
Daryl Selby (ENG) v Cameron Pilley (AUS)
Ali Farag (EGY) v [5] Ramy Ashour (EGY)
[7] Tarek Momen (EGY) v Mazen Hesham (EGY)
Fares Dessouki (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Borja Golan (ESP) v Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
[WC] Chris Hanson (USA) v [2] Nick Matthew (ENG)
With places at the season-ending PSA Dubai World Series Finals still
also to play for the Windy City Open promises to deliver another
enthralling instalment of World Series action, all of which will be
available to watch live and exclusive on SQUASHTV and Eurosport
Player.
Sobhy
To Star In 2016 Windy City Open
American squash star Amanda Sobhy will be hoping that home advantage will allow
her to make it second time lucky when she competes for the 2016 Windy City Open
presented by Guggenheim Partners and EquiTrust Life Insurance Company as part of
a World Class field heading to the University Club of Chicago from February
25—March 2 for the PSA World Series tournament – now in its 35th year.
Sobhy, a 2015 Harvard graduate, produced an inspired performance during the
opening World Series tournament of 2016, the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions
in New York, as she stormed to a maiden World Series tournament final but
couldn’t make it over the final hurdle, falling to Egyptian challenger Nour El
Sherbini. The 22-year-old will be hoping to make amends for that defeat when US
Squash fans will be behind her once again when the second major event of the
year - and the second consecutive World Series tournament to offer equal prize
money for men and women - gets underway on February 25.
Sobhy will face stiff competition from a field that is headlined by the
experienced triumvirate of Laura Massaro, Raneem El Welily and Nicol David - the
trio who have dominated the PSA World Series over the past few years and are
currently embroiled in a fascinating three-way battle to hold the World No.1
ranking spot currently occupied by Massaro.
In the men’s draw top seed Mohamed Elshorbagy will be hot favourite to continue
his recent streak of dominance and collect a fourth consecutive World Series
tournament and his first Windy City Open crown.
The Egyptian powerhouse successfully defending his Qatar Classic, Hong Kong Open
and Tournament of Champion titles inside the past three months and will come
into Chicago hoping to avenge his defeat to Nick Matthew in the final 12 months
ago, but with the likes of Cameron Pilley, Ryan Cuskelly and Mazen Hesham
upsetting the traditional names to reach World Series semi-finals and finals at
the back end of 2015, 25-year-old Elshorbagy won’t be able to take anything for
granted.
“The strength of the draws across both the Men’s and Women’s tournaments is
testament to just how competitive the PSA World Tour is at present and we are
looking forward to what promises to be another exciting instalment of world
class squash competition in Chicago,” said Tournament Director John Flanigan.
“Our stunningly unique venue in Cathedral Hall at the University Club of Chicago
has produced some thrilling and memorable matches over the past few years and
with the depth of talent on show and the plethora of upsets currently abounding
on tour, squash fans are certain to be treated to more of the same this
February.
“Guggenheim Partners support for the third consecutive year, along with
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, and all our other sponsors and patrons makes
it possible for us to host this world class professional event and we’re
delighted to be working with both partners again in 2016”
Draw - 2016 Women’s Guggenheim Partners Windy City Open, PSA World Series
[1] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Line Hansen (DEN)
Heba El Torky (EGY) v [9] Nouran Gohar (EGY)
[16] Emily Whitlock (ENG) v [Qualifier]
[WC] Olivia Blatchford (USA) v [6] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
[5] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Tesni Evans (WAL) v [15] Delia Arnold (MAS)
[12] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [3] Nicol David (MAS)
[4] Camille Serme (FRA) v [Qualifier]
Joey Chan (HKG) v [13] Low Wee Wern (MAS)
[11] Joelle King (NZL) v Donna Urquhart (AUS)
Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY) v [7] Amanda Sobhy (USA)
[8] Alison Waters (ENG) v [Qualifier]
Victoria Lust (ENG) v [14] Jenny Duncalf (ENG)
[10] Annie Au (HKG) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [2] Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Draw - 2016 Men’s Guggenheim Partners Windy City Open, PSA World Series
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) v Max Lee (HKG)
[Qualifier] v [7] Simon Rösner (GER)
[5] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v [Qualifier]
Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Tom Richards (ENG) v [Qualifier]
Chris Simpson (ENG) v [3] Nick Matthew (ENG)
[4] Omar Mosaad (EGY) v James Willstrop (ENG)
Saurav Ghosal (IND) v [Qualifier]
Daryl Selby (ENG) v Cameron Pilley (AUS)
Ali Farag (EGY) v [6] Ramy Ashour (EGY)
[8] Tarek Momen (EGY) v Mazen Hesham (EGY)
Fares Dessouki (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Borja Golan (ESP) v Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
[WC] Chris Hanson (USA) v [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
With places at the season-ending PSA Dubai World Series Finals still also to
play for the Windy City Open promises to deliver another enthralling instalment
of World Series action, all of which will be available to watch live and
exclusive on SQUASHTV and Eurosport Player.
Tickets for the 2016 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company starting at just $20 and can be purchased at
http://www.windycityopen.com
For more tournament updates and behind the scenes action follow Windy City Open
on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and please use our official tournament hashtag
#WCOsquash
