[1] Amanda Sobhy (Usa) 3-1 [2] Salma Hany (Egy) 8-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 (49m)
Final: Sobhy back from 1/0 down to take the title
Amanda Sobhy is the 2023 Canadian Women’s Open champion after coming from behind to defeat Egypt’s Salma Hany to win her 20th PSA title.
Both players had reached final without dropping a game, though US No.1 Sobhy will likely have taken confidence from her dominant 9-0 record against the Egyptian. It was Hany who struck first, with the Egyptian moving Sobhy around the court well and finishing the opening game strongly as she pushed on from 7-5 down to winning 11-8.
Unsurprisingly, Sobhy came back firing in the second game, with the American more accurate in her attacking play and giving Hany, who took an injury break after the game, few opportunities. After taking the second game 11-5, Sobhy continued to attack in the third, testing an increasingly frustrated Hany’s movement as she moved ahead with a second 11-5 win.
With momentum behind her an oozing confidence, Sobhy looked to put the match to bed rapidly in game four, with the American taking the first four points against the labouring Egyptian.
Despite the efforts of Hany, she could do little as Sobhy continued to win quick fire points, with the American putting the contest to bed with an 11-6 victory.
“It feels great to have won a 20th title,” said Sobhy. “That was my goal this week, to win the event, and I’m really pleased that I did it. It was amazing and so great to have this level of women’s squash back in Canada! This is the first time in 20 years having the glass court in this venue and it’s been phenomenal all week. I am so glad that I played this event and I want to thank you all for making it happen and showing up day after day to make it happen!”
Hany said: “I’d like to congratulate Amanda for winning today. I’m obviously very gutted to lose another final to her, but we’re not going away from each other. Overall, I’m very happy with my week and think I played some amazing squash!”
Semis : Top seeds through to final
Top seed Amanda Sobhy overcame hey younger sister Sabrina in three close games, while second seeded Egyptian Salma Hany eased past Olivia Clyne in straight games to reach the final.
“I wanted to go out there and show her that I’m top dog in the Sobhy family for a reason,” said Amanda, “and that she’s going to have to work to beat me. I know she’s going to come back stronger again and it’s going to be just as tough, but I’m going to try and hold on for as long as I can with the winning streak!”
Salma said : “I’m very happy with today’s performance. Olivia’s such an amazing player and has been playing really well since the beginning of the season. I’m obviously very proud of how I managed the game and am very happy to be through in three.”
Quarters : US trio lead seeds into last four
The top four seeds – three of them American – will contest the semi-finals in Toronto.
Top seed Amanda Sobhy ended home hops with a straight-game win over Hollie Naughton, and will face sister Sabrina, who overcame England’s Lucy Beecroft in four close games, for a place in the final.
Olivia Clyne completed the US hat-trick as she came from two games down to beat Sivasangari Subramaniam 13-11 in the decider, and now meets second seed Salma Hany, who eased past Emily Whitlock in straight games.
Round Two : Seeds progress to quarters
The top eight seeds triumphed in Round Two in Toronto, with Hollie Naughton keeping home hopes alive as she beat Kenzy Ayman in straight games to set up a quarter-final against top seed Amanda Sobhy.
Round One : Zein and Garas advance
Egypt’s Zena Zein and Nardine Garas upset 9/16 seeds to reach round two in Toronto, beating Marina Stefanoni and Grace Gear. Saskia Beinhard and Cindy Merlo both needed five games to book their last sixteen places where the top eight seeds join the action on day two, while Nicole Bunyan came through in four close games to boost home interest.
