Team USA’s Amanda Sobhy will face world No. 3 Hania El Hammamy in the British Open Quarterfinals Friday after a third round victory over Egypt’s Salma Hany Wednesday, April 12, in Birmingham, England.
Following a difficult second round victory against U.S. teammate Olivia Blatchford Clyne on Monday on a traditional court, Sobhy made her debut on the all glass show court set up in the Rep Theater against world No. 14 Salma Hany.
Sobhy defeated Hany in the Canadian Open final last month and continued her success against the 9/16 seed with a comprehensive 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 win in twenty-seven minutes.
“It definitely felt a lot better than my first match,” Sobhy said. “It is hard not to appreciate the venue, the crowd, this court, this atmosphere, so I wanted to have my play reflect how I feel out there, which is pure enjoyment. I guessed it showed today, which I am happy about,” Sobhy said. “You have to read every match the same. Each round is really tough, and when one match finishes, you focus on the next, stay present and really focus on one match at a time. Rinse and repeat at this point! I will enjoy my day off, talk with my team and get ready for the quarterfinals.”
Sobhy will face El Hammamy for the second time in 2023 following a narrow five-game defeat in the Black Ball Open semifinals last month. Watch the match live on SquashTV Friday, April 14, at 7:30pm local time, 2:30pm ET.
“There is no homework, we will call it film review, A lot of resting, working on little things and doing what I need to do to feel good going into my next match,” Sobhy said of her quarterfinal match up. “There is always something, I am my harshest critic so I can always find something to improve. It was pretty good, I am happy with that!”
Sobhy is the lone American in the tournament after world No. 7 Olivia Fiechter fell in four games against world No. 5 Joelle King Tuesday, while world No. 2 Nour El Sherbini ended world No. 16 Sabrina Sobhy’s run in four games Wednesday.
For more tournament coverage visit britishopensquash.info.