Egyptian rising star Amina Orfi battled back from 2-1 down against Tinne Gilis to advance to the quarter finals of the 2024 J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions, the second time the 16-year-old has reached the last eight of a Platinum-level event.
Orfi, who was a quarter finalist at the 2023 U.S. Open back in October, trailed 2-1 to World No.8 Gilis before equalising by taking the fourth 11-9 and edging a closely-fought fifth game to seal a place in the last eight.
“It’s an amazing win,” said Orfi afterwards.
“I was down 2-1 in games and I came back and in the last I was 9-6 up and she came back and with the decisions at the end, it could have gone either way.
“I really enjoy this court and the people that watch, it’s amazing. I think it’s great for the sport, they were cheering for both of us, which is great. I’ve played them both [Rowan Elaraby and Nele Gilis] once before so depending on who wins, it’s more serious with a semi-final place up for grabs.”
In the men’s draw, defending champion Diego Elias overcame Youssef Ibrahim to tee up a quarter final showdown with Mazen Hesham.
The Peruvian won 3-1, with two injury breaks disrupting the flow of Ibrahim as Elias used his court craft well to see off the Egyptian and continue his title defence in New York.
Results: J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions 2024 – Men’s RD3 (bottom half)
[6] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt Sabrina Sobhy (USA) 3-1: 11-3, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7 (36m)
[6] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v [2] Nouran Gohar (EGY)