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Mike Chan

American siblings Amanda and Sabrina Sobhy battled it out in the first round of the Hong Kong Squash Open on Monday, with Sabrina Sobhy recording her first professional victory against her older sister.
Sabrina Sobhy, 28, twice fought back from behind to edge past her sister, who is four years older, in a thrilling match that lasted 54 minutes, claiming a “huge” 9-11, 14-12, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6 win.
“Still in a little bit of disbelief, it was a very emotional match for me. I mean, [I am] incredibly happy,” she said. “I’ve never beaten her in a legitimate tournament in probably 10-plus years, so I’m just [letting it] settle in.
“I feel like I was down and out a little bit in the third and fourth [games]. I just really pulled it together and didn’t want to go home. So I was happy with that.”
The memorable win for Sabrina Sobhy came six weeks after she lost to her sister in the second round of the US Open, when she threw away a one-game lead to lose 3-1.
“I’m actually pleased that we played earlier in the season. I felt like there was much less noise being here in Hong Kong – Mum’s really like, there’s not much hype,” she said. “We obviously had the draw well in advance, so we knew what was expected and had a bit more time to prepare.

“[At the US Open] we had our first round to focus on first so it’s just this completely different set-up here than it was a couple of weeks ago.”
An experienced player who has been on the tour for 16 years, two fewer than her world No 10 sister, Sabrina Sobhy said no result on the court would affect their relationship.
“We’ve been doing it for years now, so I think we’re at our best when we both know that we love each other dearly,” said the world No 44, who was competing in Hong Kong for the third time. Before this tournament, Sabrina Sobhy’s best result in the city was reaching the second round in 2023.
“But we also understand that this is our career, and we put a lot of time and effort into it, competing at our best. We have a better understanding on the court; it is what it is, and we’re both respectful athletes and competitors, so that makes it a lot easier.”
Also at the Hong Kong Squash Centre were the Egyptian duo of Hania El Hammamy and Nour El Sherbini.
In an odd turn of events, two-time champion and top seed El Hammamy, who won in 2022 and 2023, reached the second round without hitting a ball after her opponent, Hollie Naughton of Canada, failed to turn up for the match.
El Sherbini, the 2017 winner, came back from behind to eliminate Jasmine Hutton of England 6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-2 in 36 minutes.
In the men’s event, top seed Mostafa Asal said he was happy to be back playing in “one of my favourite” tournaments after he swept past Abhay Singh of India 11-3, 11-5, 11-7 in 35 minutes.
“He played and performed well today so it was tricky,” said the two-time and reigning champion. “Still, it’s a long, long tournament and a long week, and the players are in good form.
“You need to respect every match and I am looking forward to mine.”
Having also triumphed in Hong Kong in 2022, Asal said he was “amazed” the city could always find a different area to set up the glass court.
At the event in 2022, the glass court, which is used for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals, was set up at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre. In 2023 and 2024 it was at Xiqu Centre and Edinburgh Place, respectively. This year it has been set up at Ocean Park.
Asal said he was staying at the Ocean Park Marriott Hotel and could see the glass court from his hotel room.
“[The locations] are amazing every year. I am excited and love coming to Hong Kong.”
In other matches, third seed Joel Makin of Wales survived several scares to overcome Declan James of England, needing 94 minutes to win 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 12-14, 11-5.
Sixth seed Mohamed El Shorbagy of England triumphed over Egyptian Fares Dessouky 11-7, 17-19, 16-14, 11-5.


Hong Kong Squash Open: Egypt stars Nour El Sherbini and Mostafa Asal crowned champions

Hong Kong Squash Open: El Sherbini ‘not done yet’ after toppling world’s best El Hammamy

Hong Kong Squash Open: Japan’s Watanabe summons grit to shock teenager Orfi

Hong Kong Squash Open: Mostafa Asal 2 wins from title but misses facing retired Farag

Hong Kong Squash Open

Hong Kong Squash Open: Sabrina Sobhy secures memorable win over sister in first round

Sabrina Sobhy (right) records her first professional victory against her older sister Amanda. Photo: Handout

Mostafa Asal is happy to be back playing in ‘one of my favourite’ tournaments. Photo: Handout

Yeung at heart: head of National Games Office eyes role as athlete after retirement

Yeung Tak-keung (right) with the city’s men’s under-22 basketball team at Hong Kong Coliseum. Photo: Handout

Yeung Tak-keung (left) with triple gold medallist Ceci Lee Sze-wing. Photo: Handout

Wang and Sun warm up for WTT Finals as China hammer Hong Kong in Mixed Team World Cup

Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha (right) got China off to a winning start. Photo: Xinhua

Wong Chun Ting (right) and Doo Hoi Kem in action in Chengdu. Photo: Xinhua

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Top seed Hania El Hammamy receives bye to second round after her opponent fails to show, while men’s holder Mostafa Asal enjoys smooth start


Top seed Hania El Hammamy receives bye to second round after her opponent fails to show, while men’s holder Mostafa Asal enjoys smooth start.


Hong Kong Squash Open: Sabrina Sobhy secures memorable win over sister in first round

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Top seed Hania El Hammamy receives bye to second round after her opponent fails to show, while men’s holder Mostafa Asal enjoys smooth start

Top seed Hania El Hammamy receives bye to second round after her opponent fails to show, while men’s holder Mostafa Asal enjoys smooth start