U.S. Open RD2: Reigning Champion Elias Kicks Off Title Defence  

Reigning champion Diego Elias began his US Open presented by TRUIST title defence with a 3-1 win over Ramit Tandon on Glass Court West.

It was their first-ever meeting on the PSA World Tour as Elias, who could return to World No.1, took a two-game lead before Tandon reduced the deficit by clinching the third game.

However Elias claimed an 11-4 win in the fourth to book his place in round three, where he will face England’s Nathan Lake on Tuesday.

“I think it was my first time playing Ramit [Tandon],” he said.

“We’ve been on tour for 10 years and it’s the first time we played. He’s really tricky, has good shots and I didn’t know what to expect. I think he played very well today and I’m glad I could make it through.

“I’ve played a few times with Nathan, he’s a good player and understands the game really well. I have to be very focused and hopefully I can play well on Tuesday.

“I think I played well in Paris and Qatar and my body is feeling good. I just need to keep my focus and enjoy it every time I step on court.”

New Zealand No.1 Paul Coll avoided a potential upset as he came from behind to beat Baptiste Masotti.

Having lost the opener 11-8, Coll restored parity with an 11-6 victory before Masotti regained his advantage with an 11-9 success in the third.

However Coll produced two dominant displays in the fourth and fifth games, winning 11-3 and 11-2, respectively, to tee up a third round clash with Youssef Ibrahim on Tuesday.

Afterwards, Coll said: “It’s not how I wanted to play from the word go, but the last two games I was very happy with, I got my game back.

“In the first three games I was close but not quite hitting my targets and being a bit passive. It felt that as soon as I would get that I’d be able to do what I did in the last two.

“It was about staying calm and being focused on my game plan because I wasn’t executing it very well in the first three.

“I want to follow up on those last two games and make sure I’m hitting the back wall, finding my targets and sticking to my game plan.”

In the all-American battle in the women’s draw, Amanda Sobhy came out on top against her compatriot Olivia Clyne in a straight games triumph.

Sobhy, who’s won 12 of the previous 13 meetings with Clyne, extended it to 14 victories as she ran out 11-4, 11-9, 11-3 in just over half an hour.

“We’ve been playing each other since we [Amanda Sobhy and Olivia Clyne] were 11 so we know our games inside out and I want to go in there and preparing for the next match and focusing on the feel of the court and finding my targets,” said Sobhy.

“I’m happy to get the win today. I’ve built up a good friend group here and my family is here. Apart from Nationals they get to see me live so even though I live in Florida I’m so pumped to see them and they’re all super stoked to see me play.”

Belgian’s Nele Gilis ended hopes for home favourite Sabrina Sobhy to earn her place in round three with a 3-0 victory.

Gilis notched 11-5 and 11-7 wins in the opening two games and looked to be comfortably on her way to the third round when she had a 9-2 lead in the final game.

However Sobhy clawed back six points to pull the score back to 8-9, however the Belgian No.1 was able to hold off the resurgent American to prevail.

“I had to be sharp from the get go because Sabrina [Sobhy] has been playing really good and she’s caused some upsets,” Gilis said.

“I’m really proud of myself that I managed to stay focused from the get go and I was happy with my length today. I had a few days to get used to the court, it was good I came here a few days early so I could find my length well and I think that’s what won me the match.

“It was a lapse in concentration [Sobhy reducing the arrears in the third game], but all credit to her – she fully took advantage and I lost my length completely. That’s what I was trying not to do as I know how dangerous she is.

“It’s difficult [playing in front of an opponent’s home crowd] every time she won a point they were so loud so I wanted to win every point. I wanted to keep them quiet!”

Elsewhere, 2017 champion Nour El Tayeb cruised into round three by dispatching Marina Stefanoni.

El Tayeb confirmed her spot in the next round in 24 minutes with an 11-7, 11-3, 11-5 win against the American,

“It was a tricky first round against Marina,” El Tayeb said.

“I played well last week and I wanted to replicate that, so I was a bit nervous. Then the match got pushed back, so that didn’t help. Ali played today as well which didn’t help the nerves, so I’m happy now I’m passed the first round.

“I haven’t felt like this in a while, so it’s satisfying to play like this. I want to push this further and do it more.”

The third round of the U.S. Open will take place tomorrow (October 9) and play begins at 17:00 (GMT-4). Matches from both glass courts will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV.

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Results – Men’s Second Round (Evening Session): 2023 U.S. Open

Miguel Rodriguez (COL) bt [7] Victor Crouin (FRA) 3-1: 11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6 (64m)

Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt Greg Lobban (SCO) 3-2: 11-5, 11-4, 11-13, 7-11, 11-7 (58m)

[4] Paul Coll (NZL) bt Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 3-2: 8-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-3, 11-2 (79m)

Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt Patrick Rooney (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 12-10, 13-11 (46m)

Raphael Kandra (GER) bt Leonel Cardenas (MEX) 3-0: 11-3, 11-5, 11-8 (23m)

[6] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 3-1: 11-5, 10-12, 11-6, 11-6 (50m)

[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 3-1: 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9 (52m)

Adrian Waller (ENG) bt Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) 3-2: 6-11, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-9 (80m)

[2] Diego Elias (PER) bt Ramit Tandon (IND) 3-1: 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-4 (48m)

Results – Women’s Second Round (Evening Session): 2023 U.S. Open

[6] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt Sabrina Sobhy (USA) 3-0: 11-5, 11-7, 11-8 (35m)

[5] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Olivia Clyne (USA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-9, 11-3 (31m)

Zeina Mickawy (EGY) bt Jana Shiha (EGY) 3-1: 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 12-10 (33m)

[4] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt Marina Stefanoni (USA) 3-0: 11-7, 11-3, 11-5 (24m)

Lucy Beecroft (ENG) bt Hana Moataz (EGY) 3-2: 4-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-9 (49m)

[7] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt Georgia Adderley (SCO) 3-0: 11-5, 11-1, 11-5 (28m)

Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bt Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) 3-2: 11-9, 10-12, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7 (58m)

[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt Sana Ibrahim (EGY) 3-0: 11-2, 11-4, 11-4 (32m)