By ALAN THATCHER
Amanda Sobhy carries US hopes into the second round of the Women’s Delaware Investments U.S. Open Championship after a revenge victory over Guyana’s Nicolette Fernandes.
New Yorker Sobhy stole the headlines on the second day of first round action in the Women’s Squash Association World Series Platinum event.
Despite being unseeded, Fernandes is now ranked higher than Sobhy, the 16th seed. And world No.19 Fernandes demonstrated the significance of her higher placing by beating the US star in last week’s Carol Weymuller Open clash in New York.
After losing a tough first game at Drexel, world No.23 Sobhy dominated the remainder of the match as she advanced to the last 16 for the second time since 2010, much to the delight of the Drexel crowd.
Sobhy took control from the outset of the second and proceeded to take the next two games for the loss of just five points – and build up an 8-2 lead in the fourth.
Fernandes fought back to 5-8, and from 5-10 down saved three match balls before finally succumbing as she tinned a dropshot to her own anguish – and Sobhy’s delight.
“Yes, a bit of revenge was on my mind after losing to Nicolette in the Carol Weymuller last week,” admitted Sobhy after her 10-12, 11-4, 11-1, 11-8 win in 47 minutes. “She’s been playing well, and I was fortunate to get another shot so soon.
“It’s been a good summer, I’ve been able to train more than study and hopefully I can get my ranking back up to the top twenty. I’ll be back later on to support Sabrina in her match and hopefully we can keep this Sobhy Super Streak going!”
A Sobhy double did not materialise, however, when younger sister Sabrina Sobhy, a 16-year-old qualifier, went down 11-7, 11-3, 11-2 to Egypt’s 14th seed Nour El Tayeb.
“I know Sabrina very well from the juniors,” said 20-year-old Tayeb. “I never played her but I’ve heard about her a lot. As you can see I was very focused today, because I know how dangerous Sabrina can be.”
There was further Egyptian success when last year’s runner-up Raneem El Weleily took a step close to a second successive appearance in the final with an 11-7, 11-4, 11-5 win over experienced Mexican Samantha Teran.
“It wasn’t an easy first round to get,” said third seed El Weleily. “It’s very hot on there and she doesn’t stop running.
“It would mean everything to me to win this event. It’s one of the very biggest and I’ve got my family here supporting me this week so hopefully I can keep on winning for them.”
2nd round line-up:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [10] Camille Serme (FRA)
[8] Madeline Perry (IRL) v [15] Line Hansen (DEN)
[4] Alison Waters (ENG) v [12] Donna Urquhart (AUS)
[5] Joelle King (NZL) v [13] Sarah Kippax (ENG)
[6] Low Wee Wern (MAS) v [16] Amanda Sobhy (USA)
[3] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) v [11] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
[7] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v [9] Kasey Brown (AUS)
[2] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [14] Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
13 October 2013
RESULTS: Women’s Delaware Investments US Open, Philadelphia, USA
1st round (lower half of draw):
[6] Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt [Q] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) 11-4, 11-4, 11-4 (30m)
[16] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) 10-12, 11-4, 11-1, 11-8 (47m)
[11] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) bt [Q] Kanzy Emad El-Defrawy (EGY) 5-11, 11-6, 11-3, 7-11, 11-6 (61m)
[3] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt Samantha Teran (MEX) 11-7, 11-4, 11-5 (25m)
[7] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt [WC] Kristen Lange (USA) 11-5, 11-6, 11-4 (22m)
[9] Kasey Brown (AUS) bt [Q] Lisa Aitken (ENG) 11-8, 11-6, 11-6 (42m)
[14] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [Q] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) 11-7, 11-3, 11-2 (17m)
[2] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt Victoria Lust (ENG) 11-7, 11-3, 11-4 (26m)
Event website: www.usopensquash.com
For all the latest WSA Tour news: wsaworldtour.com
