U.S. Open: Sobhy Fights Back To Overcome Orfi

US No.1 Amanda Sobhy overturned a 2-1 deficit to progress to the semi-finals of the U.S. Open presented by TRUIST, edging past Amina Orfi 3-2.

It went the distance between the pair, who were meeting for the second time this season after Sobhy got the better of Orfi in four games at the Qatar Classic.

Orfi, who became the youngest quarter-finalist at a Platinum-level event after she ousted Joelle King, led with an unrelenting pace which Sobhy matched.

The American drew first blood but the tempo set by Orfi didn’t let up in the second as the 16-year-old levelled proceedings.

Short rallies in the opening exchanges of the third disrupted Orfi’s game as she strugged to find her rhythm. Having been behind, Orfi made it 6-6 as momentum shifted in the young Egyptian’s favour as she nudged back ahead.

Orfi looked to be on course to causing another upset with a commanding 6-1 lead against the home favourite, but the pendulum swung back in Sobhy’s favour when she needed it most.

Sobhy’s accuracy ramped up and she converted game ball and a huge reaction followed to tee up a tiebreak. The US No.1 was firmly in control as she closed out the fifth 11-3 to progress.

Afterwards, Sobhy said: “I think sometimes when you’re down you can relax, I have nothing to lose. I think I got a couple of lucky bounces and some calls in my favour.

“Once you start getting points, it gives you the momentum and the momentum shifted. I took it point by point and I didn’t want to lose tonight. 

“I think a few years ago there’s no way I would have won a match like that. I probably would have crumbled and confidence-wise I wouldn’t have been able to fight and stick in with it.

“Since moving down to Florida I’ve put a really good training block in, I’ve been working with Wael [El Hindi], we have a good team and set up down there. I have something to fall back on so even when I’m 6-1 down I’m okay – go point by point and I’ll be okay.”

Result
[5] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Amina Orfi (EGY) 3-2: 11-5, 7-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-3 (64m)