Amanda Sobhy Dethrones World No. 2 El Hammamy to Reach British Open Semifinals

Team USA’s Amanda Sobhy upset defending champion and world No. 2 Hania El Hammamy in a decisive 3-0 quarterfinal victory to reach the semifinal of the British Open Friday, April 15, at the Rep Theater in Birmingham, England.

Sobhy and El Hammamy recently faced off the Black Ball Open semifinals last month, which the Egyptian edged in a close five-game contest.

After dropping the first four points of the match, the American took control of the momentum and earned a statement 11-8, 13-11, 11-4 win in thirty-six minutes.

“It sounds like I’ve won the tournament, and I shouldn’t think that way because this is just the quarterfinals,” Sobhy said. “But it was such a tough match and mentally I think I got my tactics spot on today. She’s the defending champion and I didn’t have anything to lose. This incredible venue screams performance and if anyone knows me I’m a performer, regardless of whether it’s squash, music or theatre so this is like home! I feel like I’m at home here and I can play my best squash and it showed tonight with my squash.”

Sobhy will now play three-time British Open Nour El Sherbini in the semifinals Saturday at 5pm local time, noon ET. El Sherbini came through a tricky battle in the opening match of the night, coming from behind to defeat England’s Georgina Kennedy in a fifth game. Watch the semifinal live from 10am ET Saturday, April 15 on SquashTV.