Egyptian Trio Cause Upsets To Reach Chestnut Hill Classic Second Round

Egypt’s Nardine Garas, Salma Eltayeb and Kenzy Ayman all downed higher-ranked opposition to reach the second round of the Chestnut Hill Classic presented by Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.

Eltayeb took on compatriot Nour Aboulmakarim, with the pair meeting for the first time on Tour. 18-year-old Eltayeb currently sits 19 places below her compatriot in the World Rankings, but she was by far the better player in this contest at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.

She needed just 27 minutes to get the job done, winning 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 to secure her second round spot. Eltayeb will now face Malaysia’s Rachel Arnold, the tournament’s No.5 seed, in the last 16 of the Bronze level competition.

Kenzy Ayman took on Canadian No.2 Danielle Letourneau in her opening match on Thursday evening. The first game went to a tie-break, with the Egyptian eventually coming out the victor 13-11. She then doubled her advantage in the contest but the Canadian fought back to win the third game. However, Ayman was in scintillating form in the fourth, not allowing Letourneau to get on the board in an 11-0 win, as she claimed victory.

“Yeah it was a good match. We played against each other two years ago. She is never easy [to play] but I managed my game plan well at the end and pulled it off, [so] now I’m focusing on the next one,” Ayman said after her win.

The third Egyptian to secure a surprise win on the opening day was Nardine Garas. The 19-year-old defeated Latvia’s Ineta Mackevica in a four-game contest, regrouping after losing the second game of their match. She then went on to drop just seven points over the next two games, as she booked her second round spot, where she will now face top seed Nele Gilis on Friday.

Elsewhere, Hong Kong’s Tsz-Wing Tong and Ka Yi Lee both advanced, while Canada’s Nicole Bunyan coming through a tough five-game battle against German No.1 Saskia Beinhard. The English duo of Millie Tomlinson and Lucy Beecroft were the other two women to win on the opening day in Philadelphia.

The Chestnut Hill Classic presented by Springside Chestnut Hill Academy continues with the second round on Friday afternoon. The seeded players come into the draw for the PSA World Tour Bronze level competition.

Action from the tournament will be streamed on the Philadelphia Cricket Club YouTube channel throughout the week. You can also keep up to date with live scores from the event here.

First Round Results: Chestnut Hill Classic presented by Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
Nardine Garas (EGY) bt Ineta Mackevica (LAT) 3-1: 11-1, 7-11, 11-3, 11-4 (27m)
Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) bt Grace Gear (ENG) 3-1: 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 (41m)
Salma Eltayeb (EGY) bt Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) 3-0: 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 (27m)
Lucy Beecroft (ENG) bt Nadia Pfister (SUI) 3-0: 11-9, 11-9, 12-10 (27m)
Kenzy Ayman (EGY) bt Danielle Letourneau (CAN) 3-1: 13-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-0 (34m)
Nicole Bunyan (CAN) bt Saskia Beinhard (GER) 3-2: 11-2, 11-6, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8 (45m)
Millie Tomlinson (ENG) bt [WC] Allie Stoddard (USA) 3-0: 11-3, 11-2, 11-4 (21m)
Ka Yi Lee (HKG) bt [WC] Hannah Craig (IRL) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-5 (21m) 

Second Round Draw: To Be Played Friday, March 3
[1] Nele Gilis (BEL) v Nardine Garas (EGY)
Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) v [6] Lucy Turmel (ENG)
[5] Rachel Arnold (MAS) v Salma Eltayeb (EGY)
Lucy Beecroft (ENG) v [3] Olivia Clyne (USA)
[4] Melissa Alves (FRA) v Kenzy Ayman (EGY)
Nicole Bunyan (CAN) v [7] Jana Shiha (EGY)
[8] Hana Moataz (EGY) v Millie Tomlinson (ENG)
Ka Yi Lee (HKG) v [2] Olivia Fiechter (USA)