HONG KONG— The sensation of round 2 of the Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Squash Open 2016 was unseeded, last year finalist, Cameron Pilley of Australia beating world No 1, Mohamed Elshorbagy of Egypt in a tough 5 set match lasting 90 minutes. In another upset, Fares Dessouky of Egypt beat No 2 seed, Gregory Gaultier of France in 85 minute.
Elshorbagy and Pilley met in the final last year when Elshorbagy won to pick up the Championship prize. Pilley put up a strong performance to reversed the fortunes this match.
Other 2nd round men winners include former Champion James Willstrop of England who is now down the world rankings to No 19, beat Tarek Momen of Egypt in 4 sets, in just under an hour. Max Lee of Hong Kong checked into the quarters by beating Ali Farag of Egypt. Lee now plays giant killer Dessouky of Egypt, ranked 15.
In the women’s tournament Nicol David of Malaysia took 4 sets to beat Joelle King of New Zealand and now meets Camille Serme of France in the quarter finals. From today’s showings No 1 seed Nour El Sherbini may have a tough encounter in the Quarters when she meets fellow Egyptian, Omneya Abdel Kawy who disposed of Joshana Chinappa in 3 sets. El Sherbini looked off her game today taking 4 sets to overcome Annie Au of Hong Kong - with the first set going to 18-16. Au had Sherbini in trouble on many occasions but the top seed took the 4th game 11-7 to win the match, after dropping the 3rd set 6-11.
American player Amanda Sobhy will take on Egyptian, Nour El Tayeb in the quarter finals. England’s Laura Massaro seeded 2 is safely through to play Nouran Gohar of Egypt. Massaro beat Emily Whitlock of England in 4 sets while Gohar overcame Alison Waters of England in Round 2.
Hong Kong’s Leo Au had a tough opening match, losing 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 to Australian, Cameron Pilley. Max Lee’s first round opponent was successful qualifier, Joe Lee, of England.
Eight of the top 10 men world ranked men are in the tournament while all of the top 10 world ranked women are taking part.
Earlier in the week the qualifying rounds were played on Sunday Aug 21 and Monday Aug 22, leading to the main draw 1st and 2nd round matches on Tuesday to Thursday, played at the Hong Kong Squash Centre. From Friday Aug 26 the matches move to the all glass show court next door to the Hong Kong Squash Centre at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre.
