Wildcard Abouelghar Gatecrashes Motor City L16

Back on the PSA World Tour after knee surgery a year ago, Egyptian wildcard Mohamed Abouelghar battled back from two games down to upset Mexico's Leonel Cardenas and set up a last 16 clash with defending champion Diego Elias in the Sturbridge Capital Motor City Open.

Winner of the title in 2019, former world No.7 Abouelghar defeated 9/16 seed Cardenas 8-11, 10-12, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5 in 55 minutes in only his third Tour appearance since November 2021.

"Sometimes you need to block all the negative thoughts and just be in the here and now," said the 29-year-old, currently ranked 111 in the world - 80 places below his Mexican opponent. "It's easier said than done, but this is what we train for. And I've tried hundreds of ways throughout my career to get me into the here and now, even though sometimes (when) I'm not able to do it. But today after 2/0 down, I said to myself: 'you can reset and you need to win three games anyways.'

"It can work both ways. Sometimes it just drains you. And sometimes it gives you more energy and it gives you more feel for the court. I'm really, really happy to be back from 2/0 down and win this one."

Elsewhere, Cardenas' compatriot Cesar Salazar launched a comeback of his own as he too came back from two games down to win, beating Egypt's Karim El Hammamy 3/2.