Amanda Sobhy and Olivia Fiechter reached another historic milestone for Team USA in PSA Platinum events, becoming the first two Americans to reach the Allam British Open quarterfinals together April 1, in Hull.
Fiechter, world No. 11, reached her first career British Open quarterfinal courtesy of a three-game upset over Egypt’s world No. 8 Rowan Elaraby, while Sobhy reached her fourth career British Open quarters courtesy of two 3-0 wins.
The All-American quarterfinal ensured one American semifinalist, and it was the world No. 4 who took the match 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 to become the first American to reach back-to-back British Open semifinals.
“The last two times she beat me she barely beat me in five and in the first games she beat me like 11-1 so I didn’t want to give her that confidence, and I wanted to send the message that if you’re going beat me then hats off to you but I’m going to bring it,” Sobhy said after the match. “We have so much respect for each other, we’re best friends, I knew we were both going to give it our all and whatever happens on court stays on court and we’re in each other’s corners in the next match, but when we’re on court we’re competitors and I think it’s nice to show people that you can be competitive but still be happy for each others success and I think that’s a nice message for females.”
Fiechter and Sobhy’s run headlined a successful British Open for Team USA. Elsewhere, world No. 23 Sabrina Sobhy reached her second consecutive British Open third round, falling short against world No. 1 and eventual finalist Nouran Gohar.
In the men’s draw, world No. 34 Todd Harrity and world No. 30 Shahjahan Khan both enjoyed first round success. Harrity pushed seven seed Marwan Elshorbagy to five games in the second round before exiting the tournament. Khan celebrated his second career appearance in a Platinum third round, defeating France’s Sebastian Bonmalais in the second round and losing against six seed Diego Elias in the round of sixteen.