Day THREE – Round Three Player Reaction

“I think my length and lines were a lot better than yesterday,” said Sobhy in her post-match interview.

“Such a contrast from the regular courts that are super hot and bouncy. This is quite dead and a lot slower of a pace and I know how skilful she is, so if I could keep it tight in the back corners, I felt like she would give me an opening and I could capitalise on it. I’m pleased with that and I think it’s going to give me confidence going into the next round and I get the rest of the day to recover.

“The court is definitely going to take an attacking ball in, which is nice, but it rewards good length too. I think the level is so strong for the women, especially at the top that it’s basically whoever shows up on the day can pull the win, whether that’s for the seed or against – it makes things exciting and keeps me on my toes. I’m just going to try and keep enjoying being out here.”

“I knew I was going to have to fight today, that was our first meeting on the PSA World Tour,” said Rodriguez following his victory.

“I felt this was a serious serious match, like a three-hour match. I had to dig in and did everything I could. In the first game he played really well and I wasn’t sure about my tactics and so I started playing more fluid squash, more patient, maybe more quality shots in the second game but what a match.

“I tried to do Plan A – Plan A is my game but I knew that Ng is very good on the backhand side, very patient and he’s volleying every shot and barely makes any mistakes, I had to be on my toes and focused for every shot. I don’t know which game I won, all the games were tie-breaks and the last one was different. These kind of matches give me a boost, thank god I have a day off tomorrow.

“This is motivation for me to come back to the British Open, where I became a legend. Winning this tournament in 2018 – amazing memories.”

“I’m really pleased with my performance,” said Elaraby afterwards.

“I’ve had a tough time travelling abroad over this period of time, being away from my family, home and friends – it’s been really hard. I’ve been working on myself and I’m really glad I fought and with my performance, I’m happy to be through.

“I have to speak to my coach, talk about today and then see how my tactics will change. We will definitely talk about it, I’m looking forward to playing Amanda on the glass court, I can’t wait.”

“I lost to Rapha three years ago here in Hull so every time I play against him I remind myself of that lesson,” said ElShorbagy.

“I need to be sharp, I’m always fired up when I play him. I’m happy with the way I played today, in the third game I was a little lucky, Rapha had a good lead and I thought I would just stay with him and luckily he made a few errors and a few good shots from me and I won the game.

“I wish we played tomorrow, not the day after [because] he will have a day to recover, hopefully he doesn’t recover well! Miguel has great experience, he’s done so much for the sport and when I play him I’m just going to think about tactics, I’m not going to put in mind that he might be tired or anything because, as I said, he’s got experience on how to recover well. He won this event three years ago. It’s a dream of every player to have his name on the trophy. As a junior I looked up to Miguel, I’m just really happy to reach the quarter finals and look forward to coming back here in two days.

“know I’ve never reached the semis here but I don’t really put that in my mind. I’ve got a lot in my mind already – the opponent on the day is enough on the mind! I’m just focusing on the match, I haven’t played Miguel in a very long time so I’m just looking forward to having a good match with him!”

Speaking after the match, Shahin said: “It’s still sinking in. It’s my first quarter final ever. I was too nervous, too excited, because I think anyone can win, it’s 50-50 either way but I’m happy it went in my favour!

“It really could have gone either way, the scores were so close. Maybe just a bit of luck [was the difference between the two]. We both worked really hard this match. It was tough, mentally and physically. We left everything on court.”

On a potential matchup with World No.1 Nour El Sherbini, who plays Joshna Chinappa later today, Shahin said: “To me, Nour has no fault, God bless her. I don’t think she has anything. Everyone, when you go against Nour El Sherbini, you don’t expect to win.”

Speaking after the match, Asal said: “Im grateful that I’m here and that I made it here in front of the home of Squash in England. I used to play a lot of British Junior Opens and it’s my favourite tournament as well.  I want to thank Mr. Allam for having us here in front of this amazing crowd, they are really making the atmosphere feel good. Thank you guys for coming today and enjoying the matches. I love England and I love to watch the Premier League. After every tournament, me and my dad usually go to London to have a vacation there, so I’m happy to be here as well.”

On missing the World Championships in Chicago due to visa issues, he said: “For sure after the World Tour finals I had lots of problems, mentally as well. All my team was disappointed. I had the visa in my hand and my driver beside me and all the team was positive, but suddenly I said to my team I will not make it because I will go through to the  match directly after the flight. I want to compete I want to win the tournament. After the World Tour finals I’m not playing for the first or second round, I’m playing for the tournament. Actually I cried for maybe the first time in my life because of this tournament, I’ve had problems here, my bags were not here, I just got my clothing and everything 30 minutes before the match. Yesterday I borrowed from Mohamed ElShorbagy all of his clothes, I want to thank him a lot, for the T-shirt, shorts and socks. I want to thank him and my sponsors, Technifibre and Eye for supporting me to make it through. I’m happy to be here, happy to be back and I’m sure there’s more to come this tournament.”

On tonight’s match between Ali Farag and Mohamed Abouelghar, he said: “It’s a tough match for sure, lots of rallies are going to come, lots of short game as well. I’m glad that I made it through, Mosaad is a really good character and one of my favourite players that I used to watch when I was young. My father would always say in my solo practice to play like Mosaad, so all the credit to him. I’m looking forward to the match tonight, I’ll be watching with my friends.”

Speaking after the match, El Sherbini said: “Joshna’s a very skilful and tricky player and she has a lot of experience and has been playing for a long time. I was tested in this match in the second game but in the third I started really good and kept the momentum until the last point.”

“There’s a huge difference between 1-1 and 2-0 up, so I didn’t want to lose the second game and make the match longer, I just tried to refocus and get my gameplan back and try to win every point. It was a huge advantage to me to win the second game.

“On her quarter-final match with Nadine Shahin, she said: “She’s really good, in beating Salma and Rachel in two tough matches. Being in the quarter final of the British Open is something really big for her and I’m sure she’s going to be excited and looking forward to this match and I’m also going to be excited and looking forward to it. It’s always hard playing an Egyptian, I didn’t play her a lot actually but Im looking forward to it.”

After the match, Farag said: “I don’t remember what I said [to Abouelghar when walking off court]. It’s a shame whenever Abouelghar and I share a court because we’re such very very good friends and you don’t want either of us to lose really when you’re on court but obviously you’ve got to think about yourself and do your best to try and win but whenever it ends it’s a sad moment for whoever wins as well because of the friendship. But obviously I’m very relieved and very proud of how I fought back. Mohamed was so clinical today. I didn’t start off badly, or maybe I did, but he was hitting winners out of nowhere with the bouncy ball as well. So I had to step it up a little, which I did, but then it was edgy in the first two games so I decided to slow it down in the next three. I didn’t want to go out without a fight, trying every plan A,B,C all the way to Z and if it doesn’t work then it doesn’t work and he’s a better player on the day, I just wanted to try everything. It’s one of the proudest matches of my life, definitely.”

On what the difference was that allowed him to win the battle: “Did I win the battle? I’m not sure. Mohamed is so clinical in the front two corners but I was counter-dropping rather than me initiating because when I do and it’s not good enough, he goes and counter-drops very well. So I was trying to contain him in the back corners and whenever he goes I pounce on it and go for it. I’m super happy, super relieved. Coming into this after the World Championships is not easy. Also the fact that I wasn’t home and had to change my routine. I love my routine so much, it gives me confidence! So to change it was not easy. So happy with the way I fought back.”

On his quarter-final opponent opponent Mostafa Asal, he said: “He’s a top top player at the age of 20, which shows how good he is, already winning the World Tour finals. We’ve played a few times so I know what to expect and he knows what to expect. He’s getting better every day, so I have to be on my metal. But for now I’m not really thinking of that to be honest, for now I have to think of my recovery. It’s a good thing I have an off day tomorrow, and a photoshoot with the PSA, and then I’ll get ready for the match on Friday.

“In those down times, you need some support from outside and obviously in the bubble I can’t travel with any coaches, Nour [El Tayeb, Farag’s wife and fellow professional] is not here so the Dunlop team has been amazing today. I could hear the entire team after every point and between games, it gave me a huge boost. It’s way more than a partnership, it’s more of a family thing, so I’m super grateful. Thank you very much.”