Team USA’s Sabrina Sobhy upset Egypt’s world No. 8 Nour El Tayeb for the first time in their eighth encounter on the PSA World Tour to reach the third round of the Windy City Open presented by the Walter Family Thursday, February 22, at the University Club of Chicago.
The pair were meeting for a second PSA World Tour Platinum event in a row following El Tayeb’s victory at last month’s J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions in Grand Central, but it was Sobhy who would emerge victorious under the chandeliers inside the University Club of Chicago’s picturesque Cathedral Hall.
Sobhy, world No. 15, held off a third game comeback from the Egyptian to convert on her third match ball 12-10, 11-9, 15-13 in forty-five minutes.
“It’s a huge win for me,” Sobhy said afterwards. “I’ve grown up playing with Nour and everyone knows her talents and her capabilities, she pushes everyone to their absolute max. She’s come back with amazing wins when she is 2-0 down, match ball down or whatever. I had lost to her every single time and she’s made me feel really uncomfortable on court and like a beginner. To come out with this performance, it’s what I’ve been working towards. I’m really proud of how I competed and held my composure on court today.”
Sobhy will face England’s world No. 24 Lucy Turmel in the round of sixteen Friday evening at 7pm CT, 8pm ET.
Sobhy is joined by U.S. teammate and world No. 6 Olivia Weaver in the round of sixteen after the American produced a clinical win over Hong Kong’s Tomato Ho on the University Club’s side courts.
Team USA’s Timmy Brownell and Todd Harrity both exited the tournament at the hands of higher-ranked opposition after impressive first round wins on Wednesday.
Watch live coverage on squash.tv. For tickets and more tournament information visit the Windy City Open website.