Stewart and Stefanoni Join Six Egyptians in CIB Egyptian Open Main Draw Qualification

The 2024 CIB Egyptian Open continued today at the OWest Complex in Cairo, with the Qualifying Finals taking place for the first-ever PSA Diamond level event.

There was Egyptian interest in all eight matches, but Scotland’s Rory Stewart and USA’s Marina Stefanoni both beat their Egyptian opponents to advance to the main draws.

Top-seeded Stewart took over an hour to get past Ibrahim Elkabanni in four tough, often contentious games, while Stefanoni overcame wildcard Ruqayya Salem in three close games, coming from 6-10 down to take the first.

“I’m quite happy with a win, I wish I could have done it in three games,” said the Scottish No.1.

“He is a good player, and I know how good he is. I know the level I can play at, I think I deserve to be in the bigger events, but my ranking says different. So I’m trying to get in there, I’m happy I won my position in the main draw.”

Stefanoni was also delighted to advance: “I’m now in the big event, but qualifying feels like it’s a tournament on its own, such hard players to play against, pretty cut throat. I’m glad I have a day off, and a chance at the main draw. Since I’ve graduated school, I have been around 50 to 60, so I haven’t got into Platinum events. This is the first time, and I’m very excited to be with the other players.”

Rana Ismail and Nour Heikal both won five-game all-Egyptian battles to advance, while wildcard Barb Sameh overcame Ireland’s Hannah Craig.

Ismail was on the brink of qualifying when she held three match balls in the third game, but Nour Khagafy fought back, levelling the match and earning a match ball of her own in the decider before Ismail pulled through 13-11 in just over an hour.

“I had a few heart attacks during that match,” admitted Ismail.

“In the fourth I kept thinking about the previous game, thinking I should have won, and I didn’t give it my all. When I got down 8-4 down in the fifth I suddenly realised I was very close to losing the match. I thought, come on, this is your last chance, so I gave it my all.”

All four wildcards won through to the qualifying finals, but it was only Barb Sameh who managed to claim a main draw spot as she beat Ireland’s Hannah Craig in four close games. Craig was rewarded for her efforts by drawing the ‘Lucky Loser’ spot caused by the withdrawal of Olivia Weaver.

Joining Stewart in the men’s draw are Mohamed Zakaria, Yassin Elshafei and Moustafa El Sirty.

World Junior Champion Zakaria was delighted to advance after beating Wales’ Emyr Evans in straight games. “I’m happy obviously that I made it through the qualifications, I was not given anything, I had to earn the spot. I’m going to give it my utmost everything. I’m super super super grateful to win this, and to play this level of event for the first time ever!”

The qualifiers will learn who they face in the main draws at Thursday evening’s opening function, with the first round taking place on Friday with 32 matches across four courts at the OWest complex.

Women’s Qualifying Finals : 
[10] Rana Ismail (EGY) 3-2 [WC] Nour Khagafy (EGY)  11-8, 11-6, 11-13, 5-11, 13-11 (61m)
[WC] Barb Sameh (EGY) 3-1 [15] Hannah Craig (IRL) LL  11-8, 10-12, 11-7, 11-6 (49m)
[5] Marina Stefanoni (USA) 3-0 [wc] Ruqayya Salem (EGY)   15-13, 11-7, 11-7 (39m)
[8] Nour Heikal (EGY) 3-2 [WC] Habiba El Shazli (EGY)   11-13, 11-7, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9 (57m)

Men’s Qualifying Finals : 
[8] Mohamed Zakaria (EGY) 3-0 [14] Emyr Evans (WAL)   11-6, 11-5, 11-8 (40m)
[1] Rory Stewart (SCO) 3-1 [6] Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY)   11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6 (63m)
[16] Yassin Elshafei (EGY) 3-1 [7] Aly Hussein (EGY)   11-5, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5 (47m)
[11] Moustafa El Sirty (EGY) 3-1 [5] Yannik Wilhelmi (SUI)    7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 (56m)