Day Two Side Courts – As it Happened

Elaraby recovers from slow start to progress

Egypt’s World No.12 Rowan Elaraby impressed as she came from a game down to beat South Africa’s World No.40 Alexandra Fuller and progress to the third round.

Elaraby went into the match having beaten Fuller 3-1 two years ago in the pair’s only previous PSA encounter.

It was Fuller, however, who took the evenly-contested first game 11-8. 

The Egyptian, though, soon found parity with a dominant 11-3 win in the second, before keeping up the momentum to take the third 11-8.

The 21-year-old continued to impress in the fourth, sealing the match with an 11-7 win.

“I’m relieved I guess. Alex is a very tough player. After playing before I knew this one was going to be tough, so I tried to take as much as I could to take the win, because she was up a lot. I really didn’t want to lose the fourth because a fifth would have been really difficult.”

Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bt Alexandra Fuller (RSA) 3-1: 8-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-7 (36m)

Clyne completes exciting comeback

USA’s Olivia Clyne produced a thrilling comeback to beat the Netherlands’ Milou van der Heijden in a five-game thriller.

World No.13 Clyne went into the match with a 3-0 PSA record against van der Heijden, although with the last encounter being in 2016, it was unlikely to weigh particularly heavily on either player’s mind.

In an exciting first game, it was the World No.38 who first seized the initiative, punishing Clyne’s errors and taking it 12-10.

The second game, too, was a balanced one, with Clyne coming out on top in an 11-7 win.

The tight affair continued into the third, with Clyne saving game ball to level at 10-10. However, van der Heijden recovered from the setback, taking the game 12-10 to leave her in the driving seat.

Clyne showed her mental and physical resilience once again, though, upping her level to take the fourth and fifth games 11-6 to secure a memorable victory.

After the match, Clyne said: “That was tough, I feel relieved. Milou played fantastically, she was cutting off any loose cross-courts that I hit and my rubbish length was definitely punished. Honestly I’m glad to have hustled through that. [In the final two games] I tried my best to play more simple squash – I love to make a meal out of things and go for fancy stuff when I shouldn’t, much to the dismay of everyone who supports me – so I doubled down and forced hit to hit winners.”

Olivia Clyne (USA) bt Milou van der Heijden (NED) 3-2: 10-12, 11-7, 10-12, 11-6, 11-6 (52m)

B or C game enough for Sobhy to progress

American No.6 seed Amanda Sobhy is safely through to the third round after coming from behind to beat Malaysian World No.36 Sivasangari Subramaniam 3-1.

Both players went into the match with reasons to be confident. Subramaniam had won the only meeting between the two, a 3-2 victory in the 2019 Women’s World Championship, while Sobhy could point to her pedigree in the tournament, having made it to the quarter-finals in 2016.

In a tense first game, it was Subramaniam who was able to keep her nerve, taking it 11-9.

World No.5 Sobhy, however, came back in the the second with a vengeance, annihilating the 22-year-old 11-2 in just six minutes.

In the third, Sobhy continued to press, taking it 11-6.

Although Subramaniam battled well in the third, Sobhy was able to maintain her advantage, closing out the match with an 11-8 win.

Speaking afterwards, Sobhy said: “I’m happy to have won. I think it was a bit scrappy and she surprised me with how well she backed up her match from yesterday. I thought that maybe she’d come out a little slower out of the blocks, but actually I ended up starting slower. I think having isolated yesterday and not having played on this court until today, I’m happy to have won and come out using my B or C game. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be sharper. I think dropping the first game actually settled me more.”

[6] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) 3-1: 9-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-8 (41m)

Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bt [5] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 3-2: 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-2 (71m)

Sobhy through after Gilis injury

USA’s Sabrina Sobhy progressed to the next round in difficult circumstances, after Belgium’s Tinne Gilis was forced to retire injured.

Gilis, 9-4 down in the second after winning the first, pulled up soon after playing a shot at the front. Although it initially looked innocuous, the severity of the injury was such that a distressed Gilis had to be helped off the court.

It was quickly determined that Gilis could not continue and Sobhy would progress.

Speaking afterwards, Sobhy said: “It never feels good [to see another player injured]. I hope she’s ok, you’d never wish an injury upon an opponent because we’ve all been through them and they are horrible no matter the severity. I hope she’s ok and has a speedy recovery.”

Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bt Tinne Gilis (BEL) 3-1: 6-11, 9-4 retired (24m)

King overcomes injury to beat England’s Hutton

New Zealand’s No.7 seed Joelle King recovered from an injury to her right ankle to beat England’s Jasmine Hutton in the pair’s first PSA match.

King, a five-time quarter finalist, was playing her first match in the tournament, having received a first-round bye. Hutton, meanwhile, had beaten Enora Villard 3-0 to reach this stage.

There was some concern for the 32-year-old King when she appeared to injure her right ankle early in the first game, with the World No.8 requiring medical attention.

However, when King returned, with strapping, she looked impressive and took the first game 11-6.

Hutton improved and the second and third games were closer, though King ultimately had enough to see both through 11-9, 11-8.

[7] Joelle King (NZL) bt Jasmine Hutton (ENG) 3-0: 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 (40m)

Evans wins Welsh derby

World No.11 Tesni Evans progressed to the next round after beating World No.23 Emily Whitlock in an all-Wales matchup.

Both players have some pedigree in the competition, with Evans making the quarter final in 2018 and Whitlock doing the same in 2017.

Whitlock went into the game with a strong head-to-head record against her opponent, winning all three of their previous PSA meetings, though the most recent was back in 2016.

The 27-year-old made the stronger start, moving Evans around well at the beginning of the first game. The 28-year-old soon grew into the contest, though, and took the game 11-7 with a powerful cross-court drive.

Evans continued to look strong in the second, with her control and poise allowing her to rack up a healthy lead and she took the second game 11-4, finishing it with five unanswered points.

Whitlock improved significantly in the third, taking the game 11-5 with a well-masked straight drive. 

This was followed up by an excellent fourth game, in which both players had game – and for Evans, match – ball. It was Evans who eventually prevailed, as she held her nerve to take the game 13-11 and the match 3-1.

Speaking after the match, Evans said: “I’m feeling good after that, it got a bit close in the end. I was pretty happy with how I started and then she changed her tactics, which took me off my game for a bit, but I’m really happy to have saved four game balls and get the win. I think [in the final game] I stepped up again, I think I dropped back a bit off the pace earlier, a bit on my side and a bit because Emily pushed up in front of me so it was a battle, because whoever could get in front of the other was winning the points.”

Tesni Evans (WAL) bt Emily Whitlock (WAL) 3-1: 11-7, 11-4, 5-11, 13-11 (48m) 

Dangerous Hesham sees off Mueller

World No.14 Mazen Hesham is through to the next round after beating World No.34 Nicolas Mueller 3-0.

Hesham went into the match with a 2-1 PSA record against Mueller, with their last meeting a narrow 3-2 win for Hesham at this year’s El Gouna Open.

Hesham, a quarter finalist in 2019 and 2015, was playing his first match having had a bye in the first round.

Mueller, meanwhile, recovered from one game down to beat Rui Soares in the first round and spoke afterwards about targeting a quicker start in today’s match.

Unfortunately for Mueller, Hesham was in no mood to allow this. The Egyptian flew out of the blocks, taking the first two games 11-7 and 11-4.

Mueller battled back in the third, and initially looked like he would find a route back into the match. However, this was soon nipped in the bud by Hesham, who came back to take the third game 11-7.

“I’m really happy to get through in three today, it’s always tough playing Nicky. When we played our El Gouna match a few weeks ago, that was really tough, so to win like this on a court like this is a really good thing for me,” Hesham said after the match.

Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 3-0: 11-7, 11-4, 11-7 (34m)

Former World No.3 Mosaad through after convincing Al Tamimi win

Egypt’s Omar Mosaad overpowered Qatar’s Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi to record a 3-0 win and progress to the third round.

Former World No.3 Mosaad started in brutal form, taking the first game 11-2.

In the second, a much-improved Al Tamimi reached game ball, but was unable to convert, with Mosaad taking the game 12-10.

From here the match looked effectively over as a contest, and despite Al Tamimi’s game battling, the superior Mosaad eased to an 11-5 victory in the third.

Speaking afterwards, Mosaad said: “I’m really happy to get my consistency. Abdullah is a very talented player and I knew it was going to be tricky today because he has a very good hand, especially on the forehand volley. I was lucky that he played a long match yesterday and I think that gave me an advantage in the first game. In the second game he started really well so I had to push as hard as I could, I’m really happy to be in the last 16 of this tournament.”

Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) 3-0: 11-2, 12-10, 11-5 (34m)

England’s Parker falls to No.8 seed Asal

No.8 seed Mostafa Asal is safely through to the next round after dispatching England’s George Parker, who broke his racket after the match in frustration.

Parker had gone into the match in good form, with the 25-year-old looking sharp in his 3-0 victory over Sam Todd in the first round. Asal, meanwhile, came into the match fresh, having benefited from a bye in the first round, though his preparation had been disrupted by issues with his bags, leading him to play against Parker using borrowed kit.

In the match, the pair’s first PSA meeting, Asal quickly got after the World No.39 and took the first two games 11-3 and 11-4.

Parker improved in the third and briefly threatened a comeback. However, the World No.9 was able to shut the game down, taking the game 11-8 and the match 3-0.

Speaking after the match, Asal said: “I’m really glad to make it through. I was thinking a lot about the match and what had happened [to his kit] so it was difficult for me. George Parker today was a very tough opponent. It was a clean and fair match between us tonight. It was tough, I’ve tried to watch him a lot recently. He’s a very scary player to play in my first match so I’m just happy to be through to the next one.”

Asal also thanked a number of his fellow professionals and sponsors, who had helped to provide kit and rackets for Asal to use.

[8] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt George Parker (ENG) 3-0: 11-3, 11-4, 11-8 (43m)

Alves wins 71-minute slog against Gilis

France’s Melissa Alves emerged victorious in a constantly-shifting 71-minute match with Belgium’s Nele Gilis.

Ahead of today’s match, Gilis had the stronger record, having beaten Alves in their two PSA meetings, the most recent a 3-1 victory this June.

It was Gilis who made the first move in this match, with the 25-year-old looking strong in her 11-6 first-game victory.

27-year-old Alves, however, hit back well, matching Gilis’ first-game score in the second.

Alves carried the momentum from the second through to the third, which she took 11-8 after a battling rally.

Next, however, it was Gilis’ turn to flip the match. The World No.14 dominated the fourth, with eight unanswered points handing her the game 11-4.

With the tie delicately balanced, it was Alves who was finally able to take the decisive fifth, which she won 11-8.

After the match, Alves said: “Against Nele it’s always a tough one. It was such a great match, so fair and two players who wanted to play and I’m just so happy I won. 11-8 in the fifth, that could have gone either way but I fell like I played great and it’s one of those wins that gives you confidence for the rest of the season and the rest of the tournament.

“I felt I was consistent today, I attacked a little more and took my chances at the right time and it paid off today.”

Melissa Alves (FRA) bt Nele Gilis (BEL) 3-2: 6-11, 11-6, 11-8, 4-11, 11-8 (71m)

Lobban credits tactical focus

Australia’s Donna Lobban is through to the next round after beating Egypt’s Mariam Metwally in a gripping five-game match.

The pair went into the match with an even record in PSA matches, with Lobban winning the last meeting – in the first round of the 2018 British Open – 3-0.

The match was a fiercely contested one and with both players competing for space there were a number of collisions, with Lobban requiring ice at one stage after an accidental collision with Metwally’s elbow.

With both players trading games, including an 11-2 win for Metwally in the third, the final game was impossible to predict. It was Lobban, though, who kept cool, sealing the 61-minute match with an 11-8 win in the fifth.

Speaking afterwards, Lobban said: “I’m so happy and so relieved. I knew it was a match that I could win if I put the right game together today. But she’s a really tricky opponent and the match was so up and down. When I was getting the tactic right I was winning comfortably and in others, if I wasn’t getting it right, she’s so skilful that you can get in trouble very easily. In the end I had to be smart and patient and pick the right times to go for it.

“I think the difference was me being steady and sticking to my game plan. I learnt more when I was losing, especially in that third game. Once I refocused and got her moving again the points started coming my way. It was one of those matches that were night and day, when you get it right it’s easy, when you get it wrong it’s easy to be losing!”

Donna Lobban (AUS) bt Mariam Metwally (EGY) 3-2: 11-9, 9-11, 2-11, 11-6, 11-8 (61m)

Chinappa through after strong performance against Mendez

India’s World No.10 Joshna Chinappa produced an accomplished performance to beat USA’s World No.41 Haley Mendez in three games.

Chinappa went into today’s match having beaten Mendez in the pair’s only previous meeting, a 3-2 victory in the 2019 Women’s World Championships.

Just as in 2019, today’s match was a close one. Despite the 3-0 margin, it could easily have been different, with Chinappa eking out 13-11 wins in games one and two, before a more comfortable 11-6 in the third.

Speaking after the match, Chinappa said: “I feel relieved. The first match is always really tricky and at this level everyone is really good and solid and playing well, whoever it is, you can be in trouble. So to get off today in three, I’m very pleased about that. The last time we played was a huge battle, so I’m pleased to have started well. I’m [pleased with] how I hung in there and battled it out when the situation got tough.”

Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt Haley Mendez (USA) 3-0: 13-11, 13-11, 11-6 (32m)

No.6 seed Dessouky in shock defeat to World No.30 Soliman

No.6 seed and World No.7 Fares Dessouky suffered a shock defeat at the hands of his fellow Egyptian, World No.30 Youssef Soliman. 

Dessouky went into the match with a 2-0 PSA record against Soliman, and it was little surprise when the 26-year-old took the first two games 11-7 and 11-5.

Soliman, however, then rallied spectacularly, taking the third game 11-7 and the fourth 11-2.

Although Dessouky fought hard and for every point in the fifth, Soliman doggedly stuck to his high-pressure game and secured a memorable win with an 11-8 victory, to leave Dessouky stunned.

Speaking after the match, Soliman said: “Coming back against Fares is definitely difficult. The only thing to do when you go 2-0 down is to believe that you can come back against someone like Fares. I really look up to him, he’s definitely more skilful than me, but my advantage is I’ve watched him a lot and learnt from him. But today was all about belief.”

Youssef Soliman (EGY) bt [6] Fares Dessouky (EGY) 3-2: 7-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 (74m)

Bernabeu survives dramatic Clyne fightback

Iker Pajares Bernabeu secured his place in the last 16 with a well-earned victory over Alan Clyne.

Bernabeu went into the match having won in the pair’s only previous encounter – a 3-0 victory in last year’s Windy City Open – and it initially looked as though he would repeat that feat, with the Spaniard taking the first two games 11-4 and 11-3.

Scotland’s Clyne, however, fought back to claim the third game 11-4 and force Bernabeu into a fourth, which he took 11-9 to level the match.

With both players having expended so much energy during the first four games, it was no surprise that the fifth was fiercely contested. Neither player was able to dominate and any leads were quickly reeled in.

Eventually, though, Bernabeu was able to get the better of his opponent, taking the final game 11-7.

After the match, Bernabeu said: “That felt good. I had to [isolate] in my room [due to a COVID precaution] and although I took a test and it was negative, I couldn’t do anything until tomorrow. It was mentally very tough to prepare on my own and train separately from the group. It was so tough mentally so I’m really happy to win this.”

Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bt Alan Clyne (SCO) 3-2: 11-4, 11-3, 4-11, 9-11, 11-7 (74m)

Masotti beats Serme in all-French affair

World No.24 Baptiste Masotti beat his friend and fellow Frenchman Lucas Serme 3-2 to progress to the next round.

Despite this only being his second match of the tournament, Serme went into this evening’s encounter with 100 minutes of game time under his belt, courtesy of his brutal first-round showdown with Dimitri Steinmann.

Masotti, meanwhile had a more serene affair in his first match, beating Joshua Masters 3-1 in 31 minutes.

This game, just as in Serme’s last, was another challenging encounter, with both players going flat-out for 67 minutes.

The first two games were particularly tight and competitive, with Masotti taking the first 11-8 and Serme the second 11-7. 

After these two, though, each player dominated and then shrank back. Masotti took the third game by a comfortable-looking 11-4 scoreline, only for Serme to peg him back in the fourth, 11-3.

Masotti, however, was eventually able to finish off the gruelling encounter, taking the final game 11-4. 

Speaking after the match, Masotti said: “It’s always difficult to play a friend and a guy from the French team, so I knew that I needed to put a lot of pressure won him during every point, because if you don’t there is no chance you win the match. I was trying to play with pace and at times got frustrated, so I’m glad that in the fifth I went back to my plan and made fewer mistakes. I’m very happy to win and am looking forward to the next round.”

Baptiste Masotti (FRA) bt Lucas Serme (FRA) 3-2: 11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 3-11, 11-4 (67m)