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Allam British Open 2021
Men's Draw
16 - 22 Aug
Hull, England, $175k

ROUND TWO
17 Aug
ROUND THREE
18-19 Aug
QUARTERS
20 Aug
SEMIS
21 Aug
FINAL
22 Aug

[1] Ali Farag (EGY)
11-13, 11-3, 11-7, 11-2 (49m)
[9/16] Greg Lobban (SCO)

Ali Farag
10-12, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9 (76m)
Mohamed Abouelghar

Ali Farag
9-11, 11-0, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8 (79m)
Mostafa Asal
Ali Farag
11-5, 11-4, 11-6 (29m)
Miguel Rodriguez

 
Ali Farag
11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 (64m)
Paul Coll

 
[9/16] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
10-12, 11-9, 12-10, 11-7 (59m)
[9/16] Adrian Waller (ENG)
[9/16] Omar Mosaad (EGY)
11-2, 12-10, 11-5 (34m)
Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT)
Omar Mosaad
11-8, 11-3, 11-6 (40m)
 Mostafa Asal
[8] Mostafa Asal (EGY)
11-3, 11-4, 11-8 (43m)
George Parker (ENG)
Eain Yow Ng (MAS)
11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-2 (71m)
[5] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Eain Yow Ng
15-13, 11-13, 14-12, 8-11, 11-4 (101m)
Miguel Rodriguez

Miguel Rodriguez
11-13, 11-6, 9-11, 11-4, 13-11 (87m)
Marwan Elshorbagy
[9/16] Miguel Rodriguez (COL)
11-8, 11-9, 11-4 (46m)
Todd Harrity (USA)
Raphael Kandra (GER)
11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9 (51m)
Victor Crouin (FRA)
Raphael Kandra
12-10, 11-8,
12-10 (38m)
Marwan Elshorbagy
[4] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY)
11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8 (49m)
[WC] Nick Wall (ENG)
[3] Paul Coll (NZL)
11-8, 11-7, 12-10 (54m)
Youssef Ibrahim (EGY)
Paul Coll
5-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-2, 11-4 (73m)
Mazen Hesham
Paul Coll
13-11, 11-9, 13-11 (65m)
Diego Elias
Paul Coll
11-8, 11-7, 11-5 (31m)
Mohamed Elshorbagy

 
[9/16] Mazen Hesham (EGY)
11-7, 11-4, 11-7 (34m)
Nicolas Müller (SUI)
[9/16] Gregoire Marche (FRA)
11-8, 11-9, 11-8 (51m)
Borja Golan (ESP)
Gregoire Marche
11-9, 11-7, 11-3 (39m)
Diego Elias
[7] Diego Elias (PER)
11-7, 2-11, 11-6, 11-3 (51m)
Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
Youssef Soliman (EGY)
7-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 (74m)
[6] Fares Dessouky (EGY)
Youssef Soliman
w/o
Iker Pajares Bernabeu
Youssef Soliman
11-4, 7-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7 (66m)
Mohamed Elshorbagy
Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP)
11-4, 11-3, 4-11, 9-11, 11-7 (74m)
Alan Clyne (SCO)
Baptiste Masotti (FRA)
11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 3-11, 11-4 (67m)
Lucas Serme (FRA)
Baptiste Masotti
11-7, 8-11, 13-11, 11-7 (55m)
Mohamed Elshorbagy
[9/16] Joel Makin (WAL)
12-10, 6-11, 11-7, 3-11, 11-6 (76m)
[2] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY)

ROUND ONE

[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bye
[9/16] Greg Lobban (SCO) bye
[9/16] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) bye
[9/16] Adrian Waller (ENG) bye
[9/16] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bye
Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT) bt Shahjahan Khan (USA) 11-8, 11-7, 4-11, 10-12, 11-6 (66m)
George Parker (ENG) bt [WC] Sam Todd (ENG) 11-7, 11-7, 13-11 (43m)
[8] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bye
[5] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bye
Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bt Benjamin Aubert (FRA) 11-6, 11-4, 11-4 (30m)
Todd Harrity (USA) bt Tom Richards (ENG) 11-7, 11-9, 11-3 (32m)
[9/16] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) bye
Raphael Kandra (GER) bt Karim El Hammamy (EGY) 12-10, 11-6, 8-11, 11-3 (68m)
Victor Crouin (FRA) bt Ben Coleman (ENG) 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 (32m)
[WC] Nick Wall (ENG) bt Daryl Selby (ENG) 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 (61m)
[4] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bye
[3] Paul Coll (NZL) bye
Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt Sébastien Bonmalais (FRA) 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5 (46m)
[9/16] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bye
Nicolas Müller (SUI) bt Rui Soares (POR) 9-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5 (35m)
[9/16] Gregoire Marche (FRA) bye
Borja Golan (ESP) bt Nathan Lake (ENG) 8-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9 (61m)
Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt Ramit Tandon (IND) 7-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-4 (64m)
[7] Diego Elias (PER) bye
[6] Fares Dessouky (EGY) bye
Youssef Soliman (EGY) bt Richie Fallows (ENG) 11-7, 11-4, 11-3 (25m)
Alan Clyne (SCO) bt Auguste Dussourd (FRA) 11-9, 11-5, 11-3 (37m)
Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bt Bernat Jaume (ESP) 10-12, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 (50m)
Baptiste Masotti (FRA) bt Joshua Masters (ENG) 11-3, 11-1, 9-11, 11-2 (31m)
Lucas Serme (FRA) bt Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) 8-11, 11-6, 13-11, 9-11, 11-9 (100m)
[9/16] Joel Makin (WAL) bye
[2] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bye

Allam British Open 2021
Women's Draw
16 - 22 Aug
Hull, England, $175k

ROUND TWO
17 Aug
ROUND THREE
18-19 Aug
QUARTERS
20 Aug
SEMIS
21 Aug
FINAL
22 Aug

[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
11-8, 11-2, 11-6 (26m)
Olivia Fiechter (USA)

 Nour El Sherbini
11-4, 11-9, 11-1 (23m)
Joshna Chinappa
 Nour El Sherbini
11-5, 11-2, 11-4 (19m)
Nadine Shahin
 
Nour El Sherbini
11-7, 9-11, 11-2, 11-6 (37m)
Amanda Sobhy

 

Nour El Sherbini
9-11, 13-11,
5-11, 11-7, 11-2 (64m)
Nouran Gohar
 
[9/16] Joshna Chinappa (IND)
13-11, 13-11, 11-6 (32m)
Haley Mendez (USA)
Rachel Arnold (MAS)
11-4, 11-6, 11-7 (31m)
Lucy Turmel (ENG)
Rachel Arnold
8-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 (45m)
Nadine Shahin
[9/16] Nadine Shahin (EGY)
11-7, 12-10, 3-11, 11-8 (34m)
[8] Salma Hany (EGY)
[6] Amanda Sobhy (USA)
9-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-8 (41m)
Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS)
Amanda Sobhy
11-5, 11-4, 11-4 (30m)
Olivia Clyne

Amanda Sobhy
11-7, 12-10 ret. (24m)
Rowan Elaraby
[9/16] Olivia Clyne (USA)
10-12, 11-7, 10-12, 11-6, 11-6 (52m)
Milou van der Heijden (NED)
[9/16] Rowan Elaraby (EGY)
8-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-7 (36m)
Alexandra Fuller (RSA)
Rowan Elaraby
11-4, 11-3, 11-3 (24m)
Danielle Letourneau
Danielle Letourneau (CAN)
w/o
[3] Camille Serme (FRA)
[4] Hania El Hammamy (EGY)
11-8, 11-3, 11-8 (36m)
[9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN)
Hania El Hammamy
11-6, 11-4, 14-12 (39m)
Melissa Alves
Hania El Hammamy
6-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-4, 11-4 (65m)
Joelle King
Hania El Hammamy
11-8, 11-5, 11-9 (49m)
Nouran Gohar
 
Melissa Alves (FRA)
6-11, 11-6, 11-8, 4-11, 11-8 (71m)
[9/16] Nele Gilis (BEL)
Sabrina Sobhy (USA)
6-11, 9-4 ret. (24m)
[9/16] Tinne Gilis (BEL)
Sabrina Sobhy
11-1, 11-9, 11-13, 2-11, 13-11 (63m)
Joelle King
[7] Joelle King (NZL)
11-6, 11-9, 11-8 (40m)
Jasmine Hutton (ENG)
[5] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
5-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-8 (40m)
Coline Aumard (FRA)
Sarah-Jane Perry
12-10, 11-5, 11-7 (23m)
Donna Lobban
Sarah-Jane Perry
11-9, 11-2, 11-13, 13-11 (46m)
Nouran Gohar
Donna Lobban (AUS)
11-9, 9-11, 2-11, 11-6, 11-8 (61m)
Mariam Metwally (EGY)
[9/16] Tesni Evans (WAL)
11-7, 11-4, 5-11, 13-11 (48m)
Emily Whitlock (WAL)
Tesni Evans
11-7, 13-11, 11-3 (33m)
Nouran Gohar
Zeina Mickawy (EGY)
11-2, 11-4, 11-9 (26m)
[2] Nouran Gohar (EGY)

ROUND ONE

[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bye
Olivia Fiechter (USA) bt Nadia Pfister (SUI) 11-7, 11-5, 11-2 (20m)
[9/16] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bye
Haley Mendez (USA) bt [WC] Katie Malliff (ENG) 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5 (47m)
Lucy Turmel (ENG) bt Cindy Merlo (SUI) 11-8, 11-3, 11-4 (25m)
Rachel Arnold (MAS) bt Hana Ramadan (EGY) 11-3, 11-9, 10-12, 11-4 (36m)
[9/16] Nadine Shahin (EGY) bye
[8] Salma Hany (EGY) bye
[6] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bye
Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt [WC] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 15-13, 14-12, 13-15, 9-11, 11-6 (73m)
[9/16] Olivia Clyne (USA) bye
Milou van der Heijden (NED) bt Marina Stefanoni (USA) 11-4, 12-10, 11-5 (27m)
[9/16] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bye
Alexandra Fuller (RSA) bt Cristina Gomez (ESP) 10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 11-3 (35m)
Danielle Letourneau (CAN) bt Ineta Mackevica (LAT) 11-3, 11-3, 11-8 (19m)
[3] Camille Serme (FRA) bye
[4] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bye
[9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bye
Melissa Alves (FRA) bt Marie Stephan (FRA) 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (30m)
[9/16] Nele Gilis (BEL) bye
Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bt Lily Taylor (ENG) 11-3, 11-4, 11-3 (19m)
[9/16] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bye
Jasmine Hutton (ENG) bt Enora Villard (FRA) 11-2, 11-8, 11-5 (29m)
[7] Joelle King (NZL) bye
[5] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bye
Coline Aumard (FRA) bt Tessa ter Sluis (NED) 11-8, 11-4, 11-5 (24m)
Mariam Metwally (EGY) bt Rachael Chadwick (ENG) 11-2, 11-4, 11-2 (19m)
Donna Lobban (AUS) bt Anna Serme (CZE) 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 (27m)
[9/16] Tesni Evans (WAL) bye
Emily Whitlock (WAL) bt Emilia Soini (FIN) 11-6, 11-8, 11-4 (27m)
Zeina Mickawy (EGY) bt Nicole Bunyan (CAN) 12-10, 11-8, 11-8 (29m)
[2] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bye

REPORTS

Final

New Zealand’s Coll and Egypt’s El Sherbini
Capture 2021 Titles


New Zealand’s Paul Coll and Egypt’s Nour El Sherbini are the 2021 Allam British Open champions after they got the better of Egypt’s Ali Farag and Nouran Gohar in their respective final fixtures at Hull’s Allam Sport Centre earlier today.

The British Open is the sport’s longest-running tournament, and World No.4 Coll put his name in the history books as he became the first male Kiwi to ever lift the prestigious title, saving his best squash until the final to down World Champion Farag in four games.

The 29-year-old had never won a major title before today and had suffered 13 consecutive defeats to Farag in their PSA history. However, Coll put that to one side as he produced a formidable performance to come from one game down and get his hands on the iconic trophy.

“It’s been a long journey for myself,” said Coll afterwards. “Coming right from juniors, I had to leave home at a young age. This moment right here makes it all worth it.

“My parents were supposed to be here, but due to COVID they can’t travel, so just super proud of this moment. I just want to thank everyone from New Zealand and everyone who’s helped me over my career to get to this stage. There’s too many people to single out, but thank you all. I love you all. Thank you to the whole of New Zealand for getting up at two AM and watching.”

The women’s final saw World No.1 El Sherbini triumph after she came from 2-1 down to prevail 9-11, 13-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-2 against World No.2 and 2019 champion Nouran Gohar to win her third British Open title.

The two Egyptians were facing each other in their fourth final this season, with the last coming at the PSA World Championships in Chicago just last month, when El Sherbini went on to claim her fifth World Championship title.

However, it looked as though it was going to be a different story this time around as World No.2 Gohar executed her game plan to perfection in the early stages to take a 2-1 lead as El Sherbini looked to be struggling physically, sporting heavy strapping to her thigh.

A complete shift in momentum though in the fourth saw El Sherbini come back to life to take the title in an epic five-game contest and add to her 2016 and 2018 titles.

“I was struggling the whole match and just wanted to keep going and keep pushing every point,” said El Sherbini afterwards. “I was almost going to be 2-0 down and who knows what would happen.

“I didn’t expect the last game would be that quick, but I felt myself going point after point and I didn’t want to stop if it was working. So just keep going, keep going and it’s an indescribable feeling right now.

“It’s amazing [to have won a third title]. The British Open is a title that every player would love to win and competing in the British Open straight after the World Championship is very tough for me mentally, but I just wanted to keep the same form I was on.”

Coll and El Sherbini take home $22,800 in prize money following their wins.
 
Semi Finals

Coll Ousts World No.1 ElShorbagy to Reach Allam British Open Final

New Zealand’s World No.4 Paul Coll became the first Kiwi since Carol Owens in 2001 to reach the final of the prestigious Allam British Open - taking place at Hull’s Allam Sport Centre this week – after he defeated 2019 tournament champion and current World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy.

Coll had only ever beaten the Egyptian once in their previous 10 meetings, but the 29-year-old produced some of his best squash to overcome ElShorbagy and become the first male New Zealander to reach the event final since 1986, when Ross Norman finished runner-up to Jahangir Khan.

“I’m a bit lost for words,” admitted Coll after his 11-8, 11-7, 11-5 win. “It’s an amazing feeling, especially to get some revenge on Mohamed as well.

“He’s the in-form player at the moment, he just got to World No.1. I always back my squash but the last three times he’s got me, so I’m feeling really good in my game.

“A lot of it is just being there and being familiar with the situation. This is my third major final now so I’m a bit more experienced, I hope. I believe in my game, massively this week. I think a lot of it is having that experience of being here before. I really believe that I can do it now and I’m familiar with the situation, so hopeful for tomorrow.”

His opponent in the final will be reigning World Champion Ali Farag, who, after ElShorbagy’s exit, has ensured he will return to the top of the men’s World Rankings next month.

29-year-old Farag has won just about every major there is in his glittering career, but the British Open title has eluded him so far. He took another step towards achieving that goal as he prevailed 11-5, 11-4, 11-6 against 2018 champion Miguel Rodriguez to reach his second final in Hull.

“Miguel has shown his class over and over again over the years and whenever people write him off, he proves it back again like this week,” said Farag in his post-match interview.

“Coming into this, I had a very tough draw. I only thought match-by-match, I drew James Willstrop in the first match but then he withdrew and then it became Greg Lobban, Abouelghar, Asal and I barely won each of those matches. I haven’t booked my flight back home yet because I didn’t know when I’m going to lose or be flying home, but now I know it will be Monday, so it’s time to book my flight.”

The women’s final will see World No.1 Nour El Sherbini and defending champion Nouran Gohar go head-to-head in a final for the fourth time this season, with their last meeting coming just last month in Chicago at the PSA World Championships.

25-year-old El Sherbini, who won the British Open title in both 2016 and 2018, did not let the heavy strapping on her thigh affect her as she overcame USA’s World No.5 Amanda Sobhy in four games to reach her fourth final at the event.

“It never gets easier and every match is more tough than the one before,” said El Sherbini. “She’s on top form this season, we’ve played a lot of tough matches. I’m just trying to get myself to the end of the game and respond when she got the second game, kept the momentum I’m playing with and when I started the third game, I wanted to keep going and get a good start. I think that helped me a lot.”

Meanwhile, Gohar put Manchester Open champion Hania El Hammamy to the sword, despite a resilient effort from the 20-year-old, as she came out on top 11-8, 11-5, 11-9 in 49 minutes.

The 23-year-old will be targeting her second British Open title to add to her 2019 victory when she defeated France’s Camille Serme.

“If I’m not playing my best squash here, where should I play it?” Said Gohar afterwards. “It’s the most prestigious tournament and I always love to come back.

“Against someone of Hania’s calibre you have to play your best just to win and to win in three you have to play extra special as well. I’m just happy with the way I played.

“It’s no pressure at all [to be defending champion], I’m the No.2 seed, she’s the No.1. I won it last year, I have it already and it will always be there. I’m just enjoying it. Actually it’s a repeat of the 2016 final, which was five years ago. I’m just happy to be able to play against Sherbini in another final and hopefully it’s going to be another good one and the crowd will enjoy it.”

The finals of the British Open will take place tomorrow (August 22) and play starts at 15:00 (GMT+1). Action from the Allam Sport Centre will be broadcast live on
SQUASHTV and the official Facebook page of the PSA World Tour (excluding Europe and Japan). The semi-finals and finals will also be shown live on the channels of contracted broadcast partners.

For updates on the Allam British Open, please visit the official tournament website or follow the event on Twitter.
 
Quarter Finals

Rodriguez Takes Out ElShorbagy to Reach Allam British Open Semi-Finals

Colombia’s World No.11 Miguel Rodriguez axed Egypt’s World No.5 Marwan ElShorbagy in an emphatic five-game battle to reach the semi-finals of the Allam British Open, PSA World Tour Platinum event taking place at Hull’s Allam Sport Centre this week.

Rodriguez famously clinched the 2018 title when he defeated Marwan’s older brother, Mohamed ElShorbagy in the final, and the 35-year-old continued to make special memories in Hull as he fought off the No.4 seed to reach the last four.
ElShorbagy came from game ball down to take the lead in a tightly contested first game, before Rodriguez came to the fore with some of the best squash he has played for some time to draw level.

The momentum swung once again in the favour of the Egyptian as he regained control of the match to take a 2-1 lead, before a conduct stroke against ElShorbagy in the fourth caused him to lose his focus as Rodriguez got back on level terms once again. A 7-5 lead for ElShorbagy in the fifth didn’t sustain as Rodriguez showed exactly why the British Open is his favourite tournament as he converted on his fourth match ball attempt to close out in 87 minutes.

“This tournament really motivates me and I’m over the moon,” said Rodriguez. “This is a special court for me and I gave everything again, I had a tough battle two days ago and thank god I had a day off yesterday.

“For me this tournament is special and the equation is happening again, so I’m just going to enjoy the day.”

Rodriguez will face reigning World Champion Ali Farag in the next round after he was put through his paces in a fraught five-game match against compatriot Mostafa Asal.

Farag was forced to come from behind twice against the young Egyptian and despite a number of interventions from referee John Massarella directed at Asal, the World No.2 was able to hold his composure and get the job done in five.

“Mostafa is a top player, a very good squash player, very explosive and has a variety of shots that he can kill you with, just sometimes it doesn’t turn very pretty,” commented Farag after the match.

“I was not proud of myself with how I let it get in my head in the third and if I let more emotion out then I would lose it. That’s why I was trying to stay calm for the whole match, even now I have so much emotion inside, probably in the room I will be shouting at myself.”

The other men’s semi-final will see Egypt’s Mohamed ElShorbagy and New Zealand’s Paul Coll go head-to-head for a place in the final.

World No.1 ElShorbagy is aiming for his fourth title at the British Open and to keep hold of his No.1 spot and the 30-year-old was pushed all the way in an 11-4, 7-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7 victory over Bristol-based training partner Youssef Soliman, despite a resilient effort from the 24-year-old.

“I told him after the match this is the first step for him, his first quarter, his first-ever British Open to play in,” said the defending champion. “What a remarkable achievement for him. Today he left it all out there, it was definitely a fifty-fifty at the end and a little bit of experience here and there got me through.

"[Paul’s] physically very strong. He’s one of the best strikers of the ball in the game. I don’t think he gets a lot of credit for how good he is as a ball striker. He actually hits the ball really really well.”

Coll claimed a comprehensive 3-0 victory over close friend Peru’s Diego Elias to advance and will be targeting his first British Open final tomorrow.

“It was very clean and free-flowing squash which is always physically tougher than it looks,” said the World No.4. “We’re great friends off court, it’s hard to put that aside but I think it was a very clean match.

“I know exactly what he’s got in his weaponry, he’s got every shot in the book. His holes just slowly eat away at you and I didn’t really want to go further than three. I was a lot happier with my movement, my shots to the front were a lot quicker. A good improvement on yesterday, I was very happy with it.”

In the women’s draw, defending champion Nouran Gohar battled past English No.1 Sarah-Jane Perry to keep her chances of retaining the prestigious trophy strong.

The Egyptian was dominant in the opening two games to take a comfortable lead, before World No.6 Perry, who reached the final back in 2017, saved three match balls before converting her own game ball in the third as she looked to mount a comeback against the Egyptian.

Opportunities to draw level in the fourth went begging for Perry though as she squandered two game balls and Gohar was able to take the win in four games.

“I knew even if I was 2-0 up and won the second game 11-2 that wasn’t a reason to win the whole match,” said Gohar. “I was pretty happy with the way I dealt with the fourth game even though for the whole game I was down, I went for my shots and maybe she plays good shots, but I can as well. I’m happy with the mental side of it more than anything else.”

Gohar will face compatriot Hania El Hammamy in the semi-finals after she came from 2-1 down against New Zealand’s World No.8 Joelle King to advance and reach the last four at the event for the first time in her career.

“It’s definitely a relief, I lost before to Joelle in three,” said El Hammamy. “Today I knew it was going to be a tough game. She had a very tough match yesterday, but she’s a very strong player and I knew I shouldn’t take that for granted. I’m so happy I was able to get through this and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.

“I think playing against Nouran is definitely a challenge for me. Going on court with her I have to be carrying a whole different plan, she’s one of the strongest, maybe the strongest, on the women’s tour. She hits the ball really hard. That kind of player needs to have a different kind of game plan.”

The other semi-final will see World No.1 Nour El Sherbini and USA’s World No.5 Amanda Sobhy battle it out after they claimed respective wins over Egypt’s Nadine Shahin and Rowan Elaraby earlier in the day.

The two recently faced each other at the PSA World Championships in Chicago and Sobhy admitted that she was keen to redeem herself after that performance, which saw her beaten in 25 minutes on El Sherbini’s way to her fifth World Championship title.

“I’m looking forward to playing Nour again,” said Sobhy, who reached the last four after being 2-0 up before Elaraby was forced to retire from their match due to injury.

“She gave me quite a lesson at the World Champs, so I’ll be trying to redeem myself tomorrow if I do play her.
“The British Open is second tier to World Championships, it’s such a prestigious event. I’ve never made it to the semis of the British before and I’m pleased to be able to get to the semis and to continue the form I’ve been in.”

El Sherbini, meanwhile, was in dominant form to comfortably dispatch compatriot Shahin as she looks to get her hands back on the British Open trophy, which she last won in 2018.
“I’m really happy with my performance and trying to be confident with my body this week,” said El Sherbini. “I’m playing another semi-final, so until now it’s going good.

“It’s our fourth meeting this season and we’ve been playing in big stages in Platinum events now, so I think [the way she’s playing in] every tournament she’s really in good form this season. She’s playing her best squash ever. Every time is a good and tough match. I’ll try to forget all the past matches and just think of tomorrow’s match.”

The semi-finals of the British Open will take place tomorrow (August 21) and play starts at 14:00 (GMT+1). Action from the Allam Sport Centre will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV and the official Facebook page of the PSA World Tour (excluding Europe and Japan). The semi-finals and finals will also be shown live on the channels of contracted broadcast partners.

For updates on the Allam British Open, please visit the official tournament website or follow the event on Twitter.
 
Round Three Bottom Half

King Holds off Sobhy Comeback to Reach Allam British Open Quarters

New Zealand’s World No.8 Joelle King was forced to hold off a comeback from USA’s World No.21 Sabrina Sobhy in a five-game thriller as she booked her place in the quarter finals of the Allam British Open, taking place at Hull’s Allam Sport Centre this week.

King was forced to do things the hard way as Harvard graduate Sobhy bravely fought back from two-games down to push proceedings to a tense fifth game that went all the way to the tie-break before King, who was sporting strapping to her ankle, was able to convert on her fourth match ball attempt.

“Sabrina is a great athlete and if you put that ball loose, she puts it away,” said the New Zealander afterwards. “I was finding it really hard to win at the end of games, she just didn’t go away. There were a couple of points there I thought it wasn’t my day today, but somehow I found a way to win.

“She made me work for every point and sometimes those games are good. They make you really sharpen up. The first one obviously was quite comfortable and then she changed what she was doing. I’m just really pleased to win.”

The 32-year-old will face Egypt’s Hania El Hammamy in the next round after she overcame France’s World No.26 Melissa Alves in straight-games at the PSA World Tour Platinum event.

Manchester Open champion El Hammamy was dominant in the opening two games before 27-year-old Alves rallied well in the third, pushing the Egyptian into a tiebreak and threatening a fourth game. El Hammamy, however, kept her cool to see off the challenge, eventually taking the game 14-12 to seal a 3-0 victory.

“I think I played well,” said the World No.7. “Melissa kept me on my toes from the beginning of the match. I knew I would have to be very alert and focused because she keeps throwing everything at you and you have to keep up with her. I managed to do that in the first two games and then I lost a little bit of focus in the third. All credit to her, she played so well.

“I’ve played against Joelle a lot of times, so I know what to expect. Hopefully tomorrow’s going to be a tough match against her. I’m definitely happy she had a five-setter today, maybe that will help a little tomorrow. I think tomorrow’s going to be a physical and tough match.”

Meanwhile, defending champion Nouran Gohar ensured her run at the 2021 instalment continued in strong form as she produced an impressive display against Wales’ World No.11 Tesni Evans.

Gohar, who beat France’s Camille Serme in the final in 2019 to win the title, took the first game by an 11-7 margin before Evans began to cause real problems for her in the second as she went game ball up. However, a few errors cost the Welshwoman at the crucial time and the World No.2 was able to fight back and despite Evans saving one game ball, was able to convert on the second attempt.

“She’s a talented player so I knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” said Gohar. “I was just trying to find my range and my targets, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s fine as long as I have a 3-0 win.

“The memories of 2019 are the highlight, but back to 2016 as well, I had some great matches and reached the final when I was 16 – it’s great when I remember those times. I always look forward to play this tournament, there’s some good vibes on court.”

She will face English No.1 Sarah-Jane Perry for a place in the semi-finals after the 2017 runner-up defeated Australia’s Donna Lobban by an 12-10, 11-5, 11-7 margin.

“I think I was a little bit lucky towards the end of the first to sneak that one,” said Perry afterwards.

“I thought I was starting to find my line and length, it is a bit of a baptism of fire even though we have practiced on here, coming and playing a match on here when you’ve been on the back courts. It’s probably been a bit of a theme, but you just have to adapt to it and I’m pleased to get through to another quarter final here, it’s awesome.

In the men’s draw, Mohamed ElShorbagy continued his title defence and defence of the World No.1 spot as he overcame France’s World No.24 Baptiste Masotti in a competitive battle to end the day’s play in Hull.

It’s the third time the two players have faced each other this season and ElShorbagy made sure to make it a hattrick of victories over the 26-year-old as he prevailed 11-7, 8-11, 13-11, 11-7 in 55 minutes.

“This tournament is a big challenge for a lot of players at this event. To come back after the World Championships and try to back it up here,” said ElShorbagy, who finished runner-up at this year’s PSA World Championships in Chicago.

“I go to every tournament, I go to every single match, to try and win. I’ve done that for the last 15 years of my career and I’m still going to do it hopefully for so many more years. Every single tournament I play, I try to win it.

“The World Championships were a disappointment, but I’m going to come back at it next year and go at it again. But right now it’s the British Open, I’m going to try and win it for a fourth time. There are lots of players playing very well but I’m here to fight another day.”

He will face Egypt’s Youssef Soliman in the quarter finals after he received a walkover following the withdrawal of Spain’s Iker Pajares Bernabeu, who he was due to play in round three today.

The Spaniard was withdrawn from the event yesterday following guidance from Public Health England after he was contact traced in relation to a positive COVID-19 test from a fellow passenger on his flight from Spain to the United Kingdom.

The other quarter final in the bottom half of the draw will see New Zealand’s Paul Coll go up against close friend Diego Elias of Peru.

Coll was forced to five in his thrilling 73-minute battle with World No.14 Mazen Hesham. The Kiwi struggled to get to grips with the talented shotmaker as he found himself 2-1 down following an imperious start from the Egyptian.

The World No.4 managed to wrestle control back in the fourth and finally settled into his rhythm as he comfortably drew back level once again with Hesham hitting a string of errors, before closing out 11-4 in the fifth.

“It was very tough, a lot of people see his shots to the front but today his weight of stroke to the back was really good,” said Coll afterwards.

“I had to cover the front, those boast nicks and quick shots, but then his holds and then that weight of stroke to the back was real tough today. Real mental battle for me today, I got pushy – my coach is going to have my head because I was pushing a lot of shots and I think he makes you do that. I know what I’ve got to work on but happy to get through that.”

Elias meanwhile continued his rich vein of form that saw him claim last week’s Manchester Open title as he comfortably dispatched France’s World No.13 Gregoire Marche 11-9, 11-7, 11-3.

“It’s never easy playing Greg, he’s a very fit player,” said the Peruvian. “I had to be at 100 percent the whole time. I’m feeling good after [winning the Manchester Open] last week. My body’s feeling good and I just want to enjoy every single match and give my 100 percent.”

The quarter finals of the British Open will take place tomorrow (August 20) and play starts at 12:00 (GMT+1). Action from the Allam Sport Centre will be broadcast live on
SQUASHTV and the official Facebook page of the PSA World Tour (excluding Europe and Japan). The semi-finals and finals will also be shown live on the channels of contracted broadcast partners.

For updates on the Allam British Open, please visit the official tournament website or follow the event on Twitter.
 
Round Three Top Half

Farag Survives Abouelghar Test to Reach Quarter Finals

Egypt’s reigning World Champion Ali Farag was forced to come from two games down against compatriot Mohamed Abouelghar to progress to the quarter finals of the Allam British Open taking place at Hull’s Allam Sport Centre.

Farag stands a chance of regaining top spot in the men’s World Rankings next month should he match or better rival’s Mohamed ElShorbagy’s results this week at the sport’s oldest tournament. But the chance almost slipped away completely this evening as he found himself staring down the barrel of defeat as Abouelghar took a commanding 2-0 lead.

The World No.2 soon turned things around though as he refocused and got his game plan back on track to get back on level terms with relative ease, an edgy fifth game then ensued with plenty of decisions taking their toll before Farag claimed it 11-9.

“It’s a shame whenever Abouelghar and I share a court because we’re such very good friends and you don’t want either of us to lose really,” said Farag afterwards. “Obviously I’m very relieved and very proud of how I fought back.

“Mohamed was so clinical today. I didn’t start off badly, or maybe I did, but he was hitting winners out of nowhere. I had to step it up a little, which I did, but then it was edgy in the first two games, so I decided to slow it down in the next three.

“Coming into this after the World Championships is not easy. Also, the fact that I wasn’t home and had to change my routine. I love my routine so much, it gives me confidence, so to change it was not easy.”

Farag will face compatriot Mostafa Asal in the quarter finals after he overcame World No.17 Omar Mosaad in straight-games in his first match on the glass court at the PSA World Tour Platinum event.

Asal has been a man in form this season, claiming the CIB PSA World Tour Finals title before missing out on the PSA World Championships due to visa issues. However, the ‘Raging Bull’ came back into action with a bang and confirmed his title hopes for the week.

“I’m grateful that I’m here and that I made it here in front of the home of squash in England,” said Asal. “I used to play a lot of British Junior Opens and it’s my favourite tournament as well.

“After the World Tour Finals, I had lots of problems, mentally as well. All my team was disappointed. I want to compete I want to win the tournament. After the World Tour Finals, I’m not playing for the first or second round, I’m playing for the tournament. I’m happy to be here, happy to be back and I’m sure there’s more to come this tournament.”

The longest match of the day came courtesy of Colombia’s Miguel Rodriguez and Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng with their five-game bruiser of a match lasting 101 minutes.

Rodriguez made history back in 2018 when he became the first South American player to win the prestigious trophy, beating World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy in the final on that occasion and the Colombian made sure to make more memories at the event as he held off a comeback from Eain Yow in a thrilling battle with cramp eventually getting the better of the 23-year-old.

The Malaysian was in confident form after claiming his biggest ever career win over former World No.1 Karim Abdel Gawad in the previous round and a topsy turvy start to the match saw all three games go to tie-breaks with lots of stoppages for decisions as Rodriguez took a 2-1 lead.

Eain Yow rallied back well though as he managed to fight through the pain barrier to draw level once again but the decider proved to be a step too far though as Eain Yow was clearly struggling with cramp as Rodriguez closed out and helped his opponent off court at the end.

“I knew I was going to have to fight today, that was our first meeting on the PSA World Tour,” said Rodriguez. “I felt this was a serious match, like a three-hour match. I had to dig in and did everything I could. In the first game he played really well and I wasn’t sure about my tactics and so I started playing more fluid squash, more patient, maybe more quality shots in the second game but what a match.

“This is motivation for me to come back to the British Open, where I became a legend. Winning this tournament in 2018 – amazing memories.”

Rodriguez will face World No.5 Marwan ElShorbagy for a place in the semi-finals after he conquered Germany’s Raphael Kandra in straight-games.

The two players had a memorable match back at the 2018 British Open where Kandra claimed a shock victory, but it was not to be for the German this time around as ElShorbagy came from 9-5 down in the third to take the victory.

In the women’s draw, World No.1 Nour El Sherbini continued to show her dominance as she took just 23 minutes to dispatch India’s World No.10 Joshna Chinappa to book her place in the last eight.
El Sherbini, who won her fifth World Championship title last month in Chicago, will face compatriot Nadine Shahin in the next round after she reached her maiden Platinum quarter final following her 3-1 victory over Malaysia’s Rachel Arnold.

“There’s a huge difference between 1-1 and 2-0 up,” said El Sherbini. “I didn’t want to lose the second game and make the match longer, I just tried to refocus and get my game plan back and try to win every point. It was a huge advantage to me to win the second game.

“She’s [Shahin] really good, in beating Salma and Rachel in two tough matches. Being in the quarter final of the British Open is something really big for her and I’m sure she’s going to be excited and looking forward to this match and I’m also going to be excited and looking forward to it. It’s always hard playing an Egyptian, I didn’t play her a lot actually but I’m looking forward to it.”

Elsewhere, USA’s Amanda Sobhy had her own powerful performance as she came out on top in the all-American battle against World No.13 Olivia Clyne.

Sobhy held the advantage going into the match with eight wins to Clyne’s one in the head-to-head record and the No.6 seed continue that run of dominance as she hit clean lines and found all of her targets to ensure she advanced and marked her name as one of the contenders for the women’s title.

“The court is definitely going to take an attacking ball in, which is nice,” said Sobhy. “But it rewards good length too. I think the level is so strong for the women, especially at the top that it’s basically whoever shows up on the day can pull the win, whether that’s for the seed or against – it makes things exciting and keeps me on my toes. I’m just going to try and keep enjoying being out here.”

For Sobhy in the last eight it will be Egypt’s Rowan Elaraby after she reached her first quarter final at the British Open with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Canada’s Danielle Letourneau.

The 21-year-old didn’t put a foot wrong as she axed the Canadian, who struggled to get into the match after receiving a walkover yesterday due to the withdrawal of France’s Camille Serme, 11-4, 11-3, 11-3.

“I’m really pleased with my performance today,” said Elaraby in her post-match interview. “I’ve had a tough time travelling abroad over this period of time, being away from my family, home and friends – it’s been really hard. I’ve been working on myself and I’m really glad I fought and with my performance, I’m happy to be through.

“I’m looking forward to playing Amanda on the glass court, I can’t wait.”

Round three of the British Open takes continues tomorrow (August 19) and play starts at 12:00 (GMT+1). Action from the Allam Sport Centre will be broadcast live on
SQUASHTV and the official Facebook page of the PSA World Tour (excluding Europe and Japan). The semi-finals and finals will also be shown live on the channels of contracted broadcast partners.

For updates on the Allam British Open, please visit the official tournament website or follow the event on Twitter.
 
Round Two

Eain Yow Takes Out No.5 Seed Gawad in Round Two

Malaysia’s World No.22 Eain Yow Ng claimed his first ever win over a top 10 player after he got the better of former World No.1 Karim Abdel Gawad in round two of the Allam British Open taking place at the Allam Sport Centre in Hull.

The 23-year-old took the lead on the traditional courts at the Allam Sport Centre after coming from 5-3 down before Gawad, who has been struggling with injury this season, responded in the second to draw back level. The two continued to trade points and games as the former World Champion was once again able to peg Eain Yow back to level terms to push it to a fifth.

The talented Malaysian held his nerve well though and showed bravery with his shots to take the fifth by an 11-2 scoreline to progress to the last 16 of the British Open for the first time in his career.

“I’m feeling really good after that,” said Eain Yow afterwards. “Going in, I knew I had a chance but in the fourth game after I was leading 4-1 I was having flashbacks to last week [in the Manchester Open] against Omar Mosaad when I was 2-0 up and lost the fifth.

“After I lost the fourth, I told myself to remain calm and I played really well in the fifth game. I came out firing and I don’t think he expected me to come out as quickly and as focused as that. I really felt a sense of relief at the end because I was playing really well. In the last few months, I’ve been playing really well and not getting the wins, so today was a relief to be honest.”

Up next for Eain Yow will be 2018 British Open champion Miguel Rodriguez after he prevailed in straight-games over USA’s Todd Harrity on the traditional courts.

Another shock on the traditional courts saw World No.30 Youssef Soliman take out World No.7 Fares Dessouky in a five-game thriller.

26-year-old Dessouky took a two-game lead and looked as though he was going to cruise to a comfortable victory before Soliman rallied back to draw level.

Dessouky, who won the CIB Black Ball Open in December, fought hard for every point in the fifth, but Soliman stuck with him and managed to close out 11-8 in the fifth to secure a memorable victory and leave Dessouky stunned.

“Coming back against Fares is definitely difficult,” said Soliman afterwards. “The only thing to do when you go 2-0 down is to believe that you can come back against someone like Fares. I really look up to him, he’s definitely more skilful than me, but my advantage is I’ve watched him a lot and learnt from him.”

Soliman will take on Spain’s Iker Pajares Bernabeu after he prevailed in his own lengthy five-game battle to defeat Scotland’s Alan Clyne with both looking to reach their maiden quarter-final at the British Open.

Meanwhile, defending champion Mohamed ElShorbagy got his tournament off to a winning start after holding off a comeback from tenacious Welshman Joel Makin in a blockbuster round two tie.

A defeat against Makin would have seen rival Ali Farag overthrow ElShorbagy as the World No.1 next month, but he held firm to hold off a comeback from the Manchester Open finalist in the last match of the day.

The World No.1 will face France’s Baptiste Masotti for a place in the quarter finals after he defeated his fellow countryman Lucas Serme on the traditional courts.

“I think we were both flat for different reasons,” said ElShorbagy. “He’s had a lot of matches, I’ve had to deal with a lot of finals recently, and it was a test for both of us. Even though I won, I think we both succeeded in the way we showed our opponents that we will fight even when we’re tired. In my head I just needed to get through, I didn’t care about the result, I just needed to get through because I knew it would be a completely different story from now on.”

World Champion Farag also ensured a safe passage through to the third round after he came from a game down against Scotland’s Greg Lobban on the glass court.

“I had to get those fundamentals back in the first few points of the second,” said Farag. “Then from that point on I found my game a lot better. All credit to Greg, he was firing on all cylinders to start with, so I’m just glad that I pulled through.”

In the women’s draw, 2019 champion Nouran Gohar got her title defence off to an emphatic start, taking just 26 minutes to secure an 11-2, 11-4, 11-9 victory over compatriot Zeina Mickawy on the glass court.

Gohar – who beat France’s Camille Serme to win the sport’s longest-running tournament two years ago at the Allam Sport Centre – only recently arrived in the UK from the United States but the toll of travelling looked to have little effect on the World No.2 as she refused to give Mickawy even a sniff.

“I have great memories here,” said Gohar. “It’s always good to come back to a place where you have great memories. I think I played well today even though I came from the US. I’ve just been sleeping since I came here, I’ve not been doing anything else.

“But I can’t really complain about the jet lag because I was playing well, so it’s fine.”
She will play World No.11 Tesni Evans in the last 16 after she came out on top in the all-Welsh battle with Emily Whitlock.

Top seed Nour El Sherbini was also in spellbinding form to take her place in the third round after she axed USA’s World No.20 Olivia Fiechter in straight-games.

It was only their second meeting on the PSA World Tour following El Sherbini’s win over Fiechter at last month’s PSA World Championships but, like in Chicago, the Egyptian had too much for her opponent as the two-time British Open champion completed an 11-8, 11-2, 11-6 victory.

El Sherbini, who got her hands on the prestigious British Open trophy in both 2018 and 2016, will come up against India’s Joshna Chinappa in round three after she defeated USA’s Haley Mendez.

“I’m really happy with my performance, I thought it was a tough first round,” said El Sherbini.
“You saw our last meeting in Chicago where she pushed me until the end. I’m playing her in back-to-back tournaments, so I just wanted to play well and maybe make it a bit better than last time. She’s really good, she gets everything and her movement on court is unbelievable.”

Gohar and El Sherbini will be joined in the last 16 by compatriot Nadine Shahin after the World No.16 axed compatriot and World No.9 Salma Hany on the side courts as another seed toppled in round two.

Shahin takes on Malaysia’s Rachel Arnold for a place in the last 16 as the World No.43 caused her own upset to the seedings after taking out home hope Lucy Turmel in straight-games.

“It’s been a while since I beat a top-ten player and it feels good,” said Shahin afterwards. “I hope that helps me push into the top ten myself. I feel confident and very good. After my [Manchester Open second-round defeat to Emily Whitlock] I was down a bit, but I decided I have nothing to lose any way and I would come back stronger and better and that’s what I did.”

Round three of the British Open takes place tomorrow (August 18) and play starts at 12:00 (GMT+1). Action from the Allam Sport Centre will be broadcast live on
SQUASHTV and the official Facebook page of the PSA World Tour (excluding Europe and Japan). The semi-finals and finals will also be shown live on the channels of contracted broadcast partners.

For updates on the Allam British Open, please visit the official tournament website or follow the event on Twitter.
 
Round One

Wildcard Wall Upsets Selby as Allam British Open Begins


Wildcard Nick Wall caused the upset of the day after taking out former World No.9 Daryl Selby as the Allam British Open, PSA World Tour Platinum event got under way today at the Allam Sport Centre.

England’s World No.146 Wall, who was featuring in the main draw of the prestigious tournament for the first time, showed his skill on the big stage as he came from a game down against the experienced Selby to win 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 in 61 minutes.

He will face the challenge of Egypt’s World No.5 Marwan ElShorbagy in the second round.

“Just an amazing experience to be here, to be given the opportunity and to play a legend like Daryl,” said Wall in his post-match interview. “He is someone I have always looked up to.
“We [with coach, Nick Matthew] spoke a lot before the tournament. It has been a tricky few months for me and the preparation has not been ideal. I have done what I can, and that is what he asked of me. Luckily, I have been able to get myself fit enough to get here, which was the first thing I wanted to do. Then, to win against Daryl, that is just great.

“[It is a] great opportunity to play someone like Marwan [ElShorbagy], one of my favourite players, and I am sure I will learn a lot from that match.”

Wall will be joined by compatriot George Parker in the second round after he overcame wildcard Sam Todd in straight-games to claim his first ever win at the British Open.
Todd showed his class in a confident start to proceedings to go 7-5 ahead, but the superior experience of Parker saw the older Englishman play the key rallies better and he came back to take the opener.

The second game soon followed, but Todd refused to be overawed by the occasion and he continued fighting in the third to force his opponent to a tie-break. But he was unable to extend the match to a fourth game as Parker completed an 11-7, 11-7, 13-11 triumph in 43 minutes.

“He’s got nothing to lose and he makes you very edgy,” said Parker. “You don’t want to put the ball in spots around the middle, and if you overhit at the back he is dangerous. On a court like this, he can reel two or three points off really quickly, so that made me really edgy to start with. I tried to keep the ball straight and deep as much as I could, pin him in the back and hope for an error. He is a dangerous player, he’s going to be very good.”

Next up for Parker is a second-round clash with CIB PSA World Tour Finals winner Mostafa Asal which promises plenty of fireworks.

“It will pretty much be similar, but on a better level to Sam,” Parker said of his next opponent.

“Anywhere around the middle he is going to stand on it and hit a perfect length. You’ve got to be wary where you put the ball with players like that, but when you’re scrambling sometimes you can’t help but put it there, and that’s why he is dangerous.

“I’ve played a lot of games, I played two in Manchester and now this one in England, so I’m sharp. I’ve got a four-week break after this, so I have nothing to lose going forward. It’s sort of my final tomorrow, like it was Sam’s final today, so I’ll give it everything and see what happens.”

The longest match of the day went to France’s Lucas Serme and Switzerland Dimitri Steinmann who battled it out for 100 minutes on the side courts at the Allam Sport Centre at the University of Hull.

It was the Frenchman who was able to get over the line though and booked his place in the second round, where he will come up against compatriot Baptiste Masotti following his assured 3-1 victory over England’s Joshua Masters on the glass court.

Meanwhile in the women’s draw, it was almost joy for another wildcard in Georgina Kennedy as she fought back from two games down against Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam in the first match of the day on the glass court.

It couldn’t have been any tighter between the two players with three of the games going to tie-breaks. However, it was the Malaysian that had enough in the tank to take the win in five and book her place in the next round where she will face USA’s Amanda Sobhy, who she memory beat the last time the two played at the 2019-20 PSA World Championships.

“She is better than what she is ranked but I am just relieved to get through the first round,” said Subramaniam.

“I knew it would be a tough match, Gina is a tough player. I knew I had to push hard and take the lead because she is really fast, so definitely I will have to recover well because this was a long match and I hope to come back fresh tomorrow.”

Fellow wildcard Katie Malliff also put up a tough fight, but it was not enough to prevent USA’s Haley Mendez – who was celebrating her 28th birthday – from getting the win as she held off a comeback from the brave English teenager.

It turned out to be a good day for British trio Lucy Turmel, Jasmine Hutton and Emily Whitlock will also bolster the home hopes in the second round as they claimed respective wins over Switzerland’s Cindy Merlo, France’s Enora Villard and Finland’s Emilia Soini.

Welshwoman Whitlock continued her strong form that saw her reach the semi-finals of the Manchester Open last week as she downed Soini 11-6, 11-8, 11-4 to set up a mouthwatering battle with compatriot Tesni Evans in the next round.

“It’s been difficult with the long day yesterday in my room and the really late practice,” said Whitlock.

“I felt okay this morning, but I wish I played an hour earlier. I don’t feel too bad, it’s fine but it’s just starting again on a new court at a new tournament, and it’s actually really dead. She’s firing in these boasts, and I’m having to run a lot, but it’s all good, there are worse problems in the world.

“It’s not on the glass court [against Evans], but it should be a good game either way, so I’m looking forward to it.

“I feel like we play a similar game, but who knows. It’s a new court, a new match, a new day, so it’s anyone’s. The strength and depth of the tour is so strong and it’s a new day tomorrow, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Round two of the British Open takes place tomorrow (August 17) and play starts at 12:00 (GMT+1). Action from the Allam Sport Centre will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV and the official Facebook page of the PSA World Tour (excluding Europe and Japan). The semi-finals and finals will also be shown live on the channels of contracted broadcast partners.

For updates on the Allam British Open, please visit the official tournament website or follow the event on Twitter.
 
Preview

World Champions El Sherbini and Farag Top Allam British Open Draws

World Champions Nour El Sherbini and Ali Farag will headline the draws for the 2021 Allam British Open, PSA World Tour Platinum tournament when they line up at Hull’s Allam Sport Centre between August 16-22.

Both players will be making their first tournament appearances since taking the honours at the PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family last week in Chicago, and El Sherbini will kickstart her attempts to win a third British Open crown.

The 25-year-old won a fifth World Championship trophy last week against World No.2 Nouran Gohar and is seeded to contest the Allam British Open final against the same opponent.

El Sherbini received a bye into the second round where she will play either USA’s Olivia Fiechter or Egypt’s Menna Hamed. From there, the Egyptian is predicted to play India’s Joshna Chinappa and compatriot Salma Hany, before a potential semi-final meeting with 2019 runner-up Camille Serme.

Gohar, the defending Allam British Open champion, will get under way against either Egypt’s Zeina Mickawy in the last 32, with the likes of Wales’ Tesni Evans, England No.1 Sarah-Jane Perry and World No.5 Hania El Hammamy standing between Gohar and a place in a third British Open final.

Farag, meanwhile, collected his second World Championship trophy last week in the Windy City and beat the man who will overtake him as the new World No.1 on August 1 - Mohamed ElShorbagy.

Farag did lose out to ElShorbagy when they met in the 2019 Allam British Open final, and the pair are seeded to meet in the title decider once again. Farag will begin against England’s three-time runner-up James Willstrop in round two, before a matchup against World No.12 Mohamed Abouelghar in round three.

CIB PSA World Tour Finals winner Mostafa Asal is then a likely opponent in the quarter-finals, with the winner of that match predicted to take on World No.5 Marwan ElShorbagy in the last four.

ElShorbagy will get his fifth spell at World No.1 under way against the men’s British No.1 Joel Makin in what will be their fourth meeting in their last five tournaments. Mexico’s Cesar Salazar could await ElShorbagy in round three, ahead of predicted fixtures against Fares Dessouky and Paul Coll in the last eight and last four, respectively.

The wildcard spots in the men’s event go to World No.175 Sam Todd and World No.140 Nick Wall, who will play fellow Englishman Declan James and Daryl Selby, respectively. In the women’s draw, World No.105 Georgina Kennedy and World No.363 Katie Malliff have been handed the wildcard spots. Kennedy will play Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam, while Malliff will play Egypt’s Farida Mohamed.

Action from the Allam Sport Centre will be shown live on SQUASHTV and the official Facebook page of the PSA World Tour (excluding Europe and Japan). The semi-finals and finals will also be shown live on the channels of contracted broadcast partners.

For updates on the Allam British Open, please visit the official tournament website or follow the event on Twitter.
 

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