Sobhy Shines In Chicago To Reach Sixth Successive Windy City Quarter Final

USA No.2 Amanda Sobhy produced a scintillating display on day three of the 2026 Windy City Open presented by the Walter Family to upset world No.7 Satomi Watanabe and maintain her 100% quarter final appearance record at the PSA Squash Tour Platinum event at the University Club of Chicago.

The pair contested the opening match of the day in Cathedral Hall with a pumped-up Sobhy feeding off the energetic home crowd to start strongly. Sobhy won the first game 11-6, looking sharp and focused on the task at hand.

Despite Watanabe battling back to win the second game, Sobhy couldn't be stopped. Her hard-hitting accuracy to the back corners continued to push Watanabe deeper in the court, and volleying opportunities were gobbled up by the former world No.3. After securing the third game 11-6, Sobhy pushed on again and claimed the fourth game 11-8 to storm into the last eight.

"I think I've been really close to beating some top eight players this season, but it hasn't quite clicked," said Sobhy after her win.

"But today it was all about staying loose and free and playing the squash that I'm capable of. It's been tricky in the first half of the season, but I'm so glad I could get over the finish line today."

Sobhy will take on the current world No.2 Amina Orfi in the last eight on Sunday after she recovered from a game down to beat Marina Stefanoni. The Chicago crowd were treated to another home victory as USA No.1 Olivia Weaver confidently booked her spot in the quarters, beating Aira Azman in three games. Her quarter final opponent Fayrouz Aboelkheir also won comfortably as she downed compatriot Salma Hany in just 27 minutes.

The men's matches opened with two-time Windy City Open champion Mohamed ElShorbagy earning his spot in a seventh quarter final at one of his favourite events. The Englishman defeated France's Baptiste Masotti in straight games to join compatriots Marwan ElShorbagy and Jonah Bryant in the last eight. It will be the first time since 2015 that three Englishmen have featured in a major event quarter final.

ElShorbagy's opponent in the last eight will be No.2 seed Paul Coll after he beat Eain Yow Ng in a testing three-game affair. No.4 seed Karim Gawad avoided a potential banana-skin as he navigated past former world No.7 Mohamed Abouelghar in four games. A mixture of high skill and refereeing decisions decided the contest. Gawad will now face France's Victor Crouin in the last eight after he eased past Kareem El Torkey in exactly 30 minutes.