U.S. Open RD1: Brownell Fights Back For Maiden Round Two Appearance

USA’s Timothy Brownell fought back from 2-0 down to reach the second round of the U.S. Open for the first time as he overcame Dimitri Steinmann 3-2.

Brownell showed impressive powers of recovery after he wiped out an early lead from Steinmann to send the match into a decider. However, mid-way through the fifth there were some ugly scenes as a frustrated Steinmann barged into Brownell in the middle of the court, sending the World No.50 sprawling.

Brownell avoided injury but Steinmann’s outburst was punished with the referee calling a conduct game against the Swiss player to bringing the match to a sudden end.

“It seemed like he was getting a bit frustrated at the end there,” he said.

“We’ve all been there but he took it a step too far. You can’t put another player’s career at risk, he could easily have taken me out for the season. I’m happy that neither of us are hurt, I wish him the best and hopefully he can get his emotions in check.

“He’s not a bad guy, he just loses his lid a bit. I gassed him out and I thought I was going to take the match anyway. I’m really proud with the work my team and I have done, he’s one of the strongest players on tour and I think I was fitter than he was, so I was really proud of myself.

“I’m disappointed in him, he’s got to put a lid on that.

“It wasn’t out of nowhere, I’m not going to go into it, but it’s been boiling up for a while. There were a few things that were set, I wasn’t trying to provoke him, I just kept my mouth shut. I don’t want to put him down, but he’s got to control that because it’s not safe for players.

“This is our life and he could have taken that away from me and that’s not fair. If he ends my career, what’s that for? It’s just a squash match, there’s going to be many more of those. He’s going to come back stronger and hopefully he learns from this.

“It feels amazing to win here at home. I came up short last year against Iker Pajares so I was getting deja vu. It’s really nice to come through and play a teammate who won a marathon match. Congratulations to Shahjahan and whoever goes through to round three deserves it.”

Brownell’s fellow countryman Shahjahan Khan, who will be his round two opponent, also earned his first-ever second round appearance in this tournament after defeating Karim El Hammamy 3-1 in an 88-minute battle.

It was physical throughout between the two, who were meeting for the fourth time on the PSA World Tour, with the first two games both 22 minutes each in duration.

Khan edged the first 11-9 before El Hammamy responded by taking the second 11-8, as the Egyptian remained steady with Khan losing his focus at the backend of the second.

After regaining his lead by clinching the third, Khan clawed his way back in the decisive fourth game to 5-5 having been 5-2 down as the American progressed to the second round of the US Open for the first time.

“It was really nerve-racking,” Khan said afterwards.

“I’ve played Karim [El Hammamy] so many times on the PSA World Tour and the last time was four games and this one was tougher because we’ve played each so many times, but I came out on top of it and I played the important points really well, which was really key for me.

“My game plan was to keep him there and keep him in the rally and hopefully force some mistakes. I think the game plan worked well for me.

“It’s my first round two match of the US Open, I’m looking forward to it. I’m going to enjoy the moment tomorrow give it my best shot.”

Aly Abou Eleinen held off a spirited display from tournament wildcard Spencer Lovejoy to progress to round two.

Lovejoy charged into a 7-1 lead in the opener, only for Eleinen to claw it back to 9-8. However Lovejoy converted when a stroke went in his favour, but Eleinen roared back in the second as an 8-1 advantage soon became an 11-2 win.

Eleinen nudged ahead for the first time when he claimed the third 12-10 despite Lovejoy having two game balls. The steely determination of Lovejoy saw him force a fifth game against the Egyptian.

In what was a gripping decider, Eleinen prevailed to tee up a clash in the second round with his fellow countryman Omar Mosaad.

“It was a bit emotional,” Eleinen said.

“My parents flew this morning to watch me play and my new-born nephew is here as well. It was good to play in front of my family and playing in Philly is like a second home to me. I went to college just a block away.

“Spencer is a great friend of mine and last year we were housemates. It was an emotional day and I’m glad I got through.

“My parents will be here all week and I’ve got some friends here as well, so it’s exciting times for me.

“I haven’t played with him in a while, but he’s been doing a tonne of work here at the Specter Center. He’s so fit and so quick now. He came out firing in the first game and went into a 8-1 lead.

“It took me some time to settle in and even when I had control of the match he found a way to come back. He kept fighting until the end of the fifth game, it was a tough match and I’m glad I got through to the second round.”

In the women’s draw, and just 48 hours on from winning Gold at the Asian Games, Sivasangari Subramaniam came from behind to down Alexandra Fuller 3-1.

After a slow start to the match where Fuller went one game up, Subramaniam landed the perfect response by emphatically drawing level before taking the third and fourth games, stepping up the court against the South African to earn her place in round two.

“I think I was playing quick and wasn’t really thinking much on court in the first game, and in the second I started thinking a bit more and using the height a bit more,” she said.

“I played much better and I told myself I need to take the lead, focus and play each point at a time. I think I did well today.

“I still can’t believe what happened 48 hours ago [winning Gold at the Asian Games]. Two Gold medals at the Asian Games is huge for my country and for myself as well.

“The turnover was quick and I didn’t have any time to celebrate. I had to be up for a 24 hour flight straight after and I only got here yesterday. I’m happy to win in the first round and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

England’s Katie Malliff will face Farida Mohamed of Egypt tomorrow in round two following her 3-0 victory against Zeina Zein.

After drawing first blood with an 11-4 win, Malliff edged the second 12-10 in a close contest with the Egyptian before securing her second round spot as she took the third 11-9.

“It was a good match and we’ve never played each other before,” Malliff said post-match.

“I’ve seen a few videos of her matches. I knew she was a really good player, she’s really quick and she gets a lot of balls back. When she’s given time she’s really attacking, so I knew I had to keep it tight and be patient.

“I think I played her [Farida Mohamed] in juniors six years ago. She’s a quality player and hits the ball hard with real intensity, so it will be a really tough match.”

Round Two of the U.S. Open takes place tomorrow (Sunday October 8), with the action getting underway from 12:00 (GMT-4). Action from both glass courts at the Arlen Specter Squash Center in Philadelphia will be streamed live on SQUASHTV while action from on Court 7 & Court 15 will be broadcast on the PSA Live Streams YouTube channel.

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Results – Men’s First Round (Evening Session): 2023 U.S. Open
Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) bt [WC] Spencer Lovejoy (USA) 3-2: 8-11, 11-2, 12-10, 4-11, 11-8 (65m)
Timothy Brownell (USA) bt Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) 3-2: 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-1 (73m)
Shahjahan Khan (USA) bt Karim El Hammamy (EGY) 3-1: 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8 (88m)
Patrick Rooney (ENG) bt Balazs Farkas (HUN) 3-0: 11-3, 13-11, 11-3 (31m)
Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt Leandro Romiglio (ARG) 3-0: 11-8, 11-7, 18-16 (48m)
Leonel Cardenas (MEX) bt Bernat Jaume (ESP) 3-1: 6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-6 (48m)
Raphael Kandra (GER) bt Nick Wall (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-9 (39m)
Adrian Waller (ENG) bt Todd Harrity (USA) 3-1: 12-10, 12-10, 3-11, 11-8 (59m)

Results – Women’s First Round (Evening Session): 2023 U.S. Open
Katie Malliff (ENG) bt Zeina Zein (EGY) 3-0: 11-4, 12-10, 11-9 (33m)
Zeina Mickawy (EGY) bt Ineta Mackevica (LAT) 3-1: 9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-8 (33m)
Jana Shiha (EGY) bt Millie Tomlinson (ENG) 3-1: 11-9, 4-11, 11-8, 11-8 (36m)
Emily Whitlock (WAL) bt Enora Villard (FRA) 3-0: 11-2, 11-2, 11-5 (27m)
Lucy Beecroft (ENG) bt Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 11-7, 11-6 (29m)
Jasmine Hutton (ENG) bt Nicole Bunyan (CAN) 3-0: 11-6, 11-1, 11-2 (22m)
Georgia Adderley (SCO) bt Nadine Shahin (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 11-5, 12-10 (30m)
Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt Alexandra Fuller (RSA) 3-1: 8-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-7 (29m)