Major Upset Sees El Hammamy Through Windy City Opener

Egyptian teenager Hania El Hammamy produced the biggest win of her career to knock Malaysia's eight-time World Champion Nicol David out of the 2018 Windy City Open presented by the Walter Family & EquiTrust Life Insurance Company in a huge first round upset.

Former world No.1 David looked on course for a routine win when she took a 2/0 lead. However, a brilliant response from 17-year-old El Hammamy saw her battle back to secure a second round berth for the first time at the tournament - which this year offers a record high prize fund of $250,00 in both the men's and women's draws.

The teenager played without fear as she stared down the barrel of defeat, fighting back to level the scores before going on to win a tense and nervy fifth game to claim the biggest win of her career 8-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-9 after 54 minutes.

The shock win marked David's first defeat in the opening round of a PSA World Series event since the Seattle Open in May 2002 - since when the Malaysian legend has played 110 WS events!

"It was such a good match against a legend like Nicol," said El Hammamy.

"I can't believe it, I was 2/0 down and I tried to stay positive and not let myself get down. I just wanted to focus and play as well as I could.

"I was telling myself that I'm playing against a legend, I'm 2/0 down and I haven't played my best, so I thought 'let's go and keep your mind positive'.

"It's my first win over somebody in the top ten and it's not just anyone in the top ten, it's Nicol and it's an amazing feeling."

Elsewhere in the women's draw, World Champion Raneem El Welily began her title defence strongly as she dispatched Belgian qualifier Tinne Gilis in straight games. The Egyptian world No.2 will now take on Emily Whitlock in the next round after the English player defeated France's Coline Aumard.

"The first match of any event is always hard mentally and emotionally," said El Welily, bidding for a fifth successive appearance in the final.

"It takes time to adjust to it and she's been playing very well. You can see from her recent results and how she was on court today that she's hungry - but I just tried to come here and be positive and enjoy every moment of being on court."

In the men's draw Hong Kong qualifier Max Lee (pictured left) pulled off a huge upset as he dumped world No.9 Mohamed Abouelghar out in the first round courtesy of a comprehensive straight games triumph that saw him produce some of his best squash of recent years.

The Hong Kong number one has struggled with repeating cramp issues during the past year, falling from world No.12 to No.30, but looked to have put his issues behind him as he moved with ease to dominate the court against Abouelghar and prevail in what was a high-quality exhibition of shot-making.

"Today I think I played very well and I'm very, very happy to win," said Lee.

"He's a very good player and is still young - I just tried my best in every point. I had a few lucky bounces at times and the conditions maybe suited me better and he made a lot of errors which helped me.

"I've been suffering a lot with cramp over the past couple of seasons so it's good to be winning matches again. I played a few events before coming here and I feel like I have some momentum behind me now and that my game is coming back, so it's good."

Meanwhile, tournament top seed and 2016 Windy City Open champion Mohamed Elshorbagy ousted England's Declan James in straight games to secure his place in the next round where he will face France's Mathieu Castagnet.

"I feel good," said Elshorbagy after the match.

"I came here and wanted to play well and I'm really looking forward to seeing how I can do this year. I have made it to two finals before and I really enjoy playing here and I hope I can go all the way here this year."