Team USA’s Amanda Sobhy is through to the quarterfinals of the $76,000 Manchester Open following a second round win over Julianne Courtice Friday, May 10, at the National Squash Center in Manchester, England.
The American world No. 8 and eight seed opened up her campaign against the English world No. 36, a Manchester local, in their first PSA match up since Sobhy won in three games at the 2019 PSA World Championships in Chicago.
Unlike Chicago, it was Courtice who started on the front foot, taking the first game 11-4. Sobhy rebounded to quickly win the second 11-2 before closing out the match 11-6, 11-9 in thirty-three minutes.
“Last time we played it was on home soil for me, we played in Chicago,” said the 25-year-old from Boston. “I had the home crowd which helps a lot and the home court advantage, it was the reverse this time and she has been playing really well. She has improved a ton since we last played in February, so hats off to her for really making me push this round and I’m really happy to be through.”
Sobhy will now face Egypt’s world No. 7 Nouran Gohar for the first time since the 2018 Windy City Open where Gohar prevailed in four games.
“I played Nouran a couple of years ago when I came back on tour after being injured,” Sobhy said. “She had a really good week in El Gouna and I had a pretty decent week as well. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and it should be good.”
Watch the match live on SquashTV and PSA Facebook Live Saturday, May 11, at 5:00pm local time, 12pm noon EDT.
