Brownell Makes Major US Open Breakthrough

World No.50 Timothy Brownell became the first man from the USA to reach the third round of the US Open for 37 years after overcoming compatriot Shahjahan Khan in a captivating second round match at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.

The US Open is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the PSA World Tour calendar and switched to a 'softball' tournament in 1985. The following year saw two home players make the quarter-finals - since when no man from the States has been able to make it beyond the second round, until Brownell completed a 12-10, 11-8, 9-11, 18-16 victory against Khan after 84 minutes of action.

"I'm over the moon," said Brownell afterwards.

"I was just trying to have a smile on my face. It's really easy to tighten up, feel the moment and see the finish line, but I looked at my mum and she was like: how cool is this? I loosened up and hit a winner that I definitely wouldn't have hit if I was feeling a bit tense.

"I've got a lot of friends and family here and it's really cool for them to see that."

Brownell will come up against three-time US Open champion Mohamed ElShorbagy in the last 16.

In the women's event, US No.1 Amanda Sobhy secured safe passage through to the third round after she beat fellow American Olivia Clyne by an 11-4, 11-9, 11-3 scoreline to set up a match with Egypt's Zeina Mickawy.