Moustafa Elsirty provides stern test for 3-time Champion Mohamed ElShorbagy at U.S. Open in Philadelphia

Moustafa Elsirty provided a stern test for 3-time U.S. Open Champion Mohamed ElShorbagy in the 3rd round of the U.S. Squash Open being staged at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.

ElShorbagy has been arguably the most consistent player on the men’s world tour over the past decade & is a winner of the U.S. Open trophy in 2014, 2016 & 2018. The 31-year-old Englishman has shown signs of being back to his magnificent best in recent months & saw off the threat of the dangerous Moustafa El Sirty on the all-glass show court to reach the quarter-finals of this event for the 12th time in a row.

20-year-old Moustafa Elsirty has a reputation of being one of the most dangerous up-and-coming Egyptians on the PSA World Tour & ElShorbagy was forced to put in a clinical performance to quell his opponent’s attacking threat.

There were some high-quality exchanges in parts, but Elsirty was seldom able to knock his opponent out of his rhythm before ElShorbagy took closed-out an impressive 11-8 11-6 11-5 victory.

U.S. Squash Open, Arlen Specter US Squash Center, Philadelphia, USA
2nd Round
Miguel Rodriguez (COL) bt Todd Harrity (USA) 3-0: 14-12, 11-5, 11-4 (39m)
Despite controlling large parts of the match, including the opening game which he narrowly lost on a tie-break, Todd Harrity was denied a place in the 3rd round of the U.S. Squash Open by Miguel Angel Rodriguez of Colombia who closed-out a competitively fought 12-10 11-8 11-5 victory on the all-glass show court at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.

Todd Harrity started the match in great form & ran out to an 8-3 lead, moving the ball around the court with great precision & using an effective hold to stop Rodriguez’s movement. Rodriguez came storming back however & saved two game balls on his way to take the first 14-12.

Rodriguez carried that momentum into the following games & seemed to be enjoying himself on the all-glass court, mixing up the paces & mopping up loose shots from the American No.2 to the match 3-0 in 39 minutes.

Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt James Willstrop (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-7, 12-10 (23m)
James Willstrop fell to an impressive performance by Mazen Hesham with the Englishman unable to contain the relentless attacks of the Egyptian who claimed an notable 11-5 11-7 12-10 victory.

Lucas Serme (FRA) bt [3] Mostafa Asal (EGY) 3-2: 7-11, 7-11, 4-6 retired (64m)
Despite being awarded the match against defending U.S. Open Champion Mostafa Asal, Lucas Serme is unlikely to be play any further part in this year’s championships after having received hospital treatment after suffering concussion & a perforated eardrum in his 2nd round match.

Lucas’s injuries were caused by Asal who turned on a loose ball at the back of the court during the third game of their match & striking Serme in the head with the ball.

Everyone at the UNSQUASHABLE wishes Lucas well whose condition with be closely monitored ahead of his potential return to the court against Marwan ElShorbagy.

[5] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) 3-0: 11-6, 11-2, 11-4 (29m)
Despite another determined performance, Spanish No.1 Iker Pajares Bernabeu was unable to repeat his heroics of the opening day of the U.S. Squash Open, falling to Mohamed ElShorbagy 11-6 11-2 11-4 in the 2nd round at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.

Moustafa Elsirty (EGY) bt George Parker (ENG) 3-1: 7-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8 (59m)
Moustafa Elsirty came through a tough battle against fellow #teamunsquashable player George Parker of England to reach the 3rd round of the U.S. Squash Open at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.

The match had many discussions with the match officials with both players becoming increasing frustrated with both each other & the referee. Elsirty held it together the better of the two in the fourth game to close-out a hard-fought 59-minute 7-11 11-5 11-9 11-8 victory.

U.S. Squash Open, Arlen Specter US Squash Center, Philadelphia, USA
1st Round:
Todd Harrity (USA) bt [WC] Spencer Lovejoy (USA) 3-0: 12-10, 11-8, 11-5 (36m)
Todd Harrity produced a clinical performance in the 1st round of the U.S. Squash Open to overcome fellow American Spencer Lovejoy 12-10 11-8 11-5 in 36 minutes on the all-glass show court at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.

World No.39 Todd Harrity was the only American to claim a victory in the men’s draw on day one with victory in an all-American battle with Spencer Lovejoy, earning a 12-10 11-8 11-5 victory to ensure he will take on Colombia’s Miguel Rodriguez in 2nd round.

“I’m just really happy to get through, it was a tough match with Spencer,” said Todd Harrity.

“He’s young & up and coming & we’re both Americans training together at the [Specter] Center. We know each other’s games well. I thought I was a little nervous at times, but I stuck with it on the big points, I didn’t run from the situation & I’m really happy to win today.”

James Willstrop (ENG) bt Nick Wall (ENG) 3-0: 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 (35m)
James Willstrop of England produced a masterclass of clinical accuracy & courtcraft to overcome fellow #teamunsquashable player Nick Wall 11-6 11-7 11-9 in the 1st round of the U.S. Squash Open on the all-glass show court at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.

Lucas Serme (FRA) bt Zahed Salem (EGY) 3-1: 11-2, 4-11, 11-9, 11-7 (50m)
Lucas Serme battled hard to overcome Zahed Salem of Egypt 11-2 4-11 11-9 11-7 in the 1st round of the U.S. Squash Open being stage at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.

Moustafa Elsirty (EGY) bt Auguste Dussourd (FRA) 3-1: 11-7, 11-13, 11-4, 11-6 (55m)
Moustafa Elsirty of Egypt powered to an impressive 55-minute 11-7 11-13 11-4 11-6 victory over Auguste Dussourd of France in the 1st round of the U.S. Squash Open on the all-glass show court at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.

Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bt [WC] Timothy Brownell (USA) 3-2: 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 6-11, 13-11 (93m)
Spanish No.1 Iker Pajares Bernabeu came back from two match balls down to avoid an upset against wildcard Timothy Brownell as the U.S. Open which got under way yesterday at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia-based Brownell received partisan support by his home fans which contributed to the young American come back from 2-1 down to level the scores, before storming to an 8-2 lead in the decider.

Brownell was initially able to repel a late fightback from the Spaniard to earn two match balls, but Iker kept his composure to win four consecutive points to seal a 93-minute 11-9 9-11 11-3 6-11 13-11 victory.

“I’m over the moon with this win. After being 8-2 down in the fifth, I saw myself going home. I kept fighting to 8-8 & then it was 10-8 & I came back again to take the match. It was a fair & clean match, he’s a good player & I enjoyed every minute on court.

“I’ve been injured for three or four months & having these matches again is something I was missing very much. I totally forgot about [the crowd], I was focusing on myself & trying to take each point. It was very tough, but I also had good friends supporting me here & I was looking at them after every point,” said Iker Pajares Bernabeu.

George Parker (ENG) bt Tayyab Aslam (PAK) 3-0: 5-1 retired

Yathreb Adel (EGY) bt Anna Serme (CZE) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 (24m)

U.S. Squash Open Preview:
The historic U.S. Squash Open starts today at the spectacular Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia which hosted the tournament for the first time in 2021 & boasts 18 courts, including two all-glass courts.

One of the highlights of the opening day will be James Willstrop up against fellow Englishman & #teamunsquashable player Nick Wall.

In another eagerly anticipated 1st round match, Todd Harrity of the USA will face compatriot & Wild Card Spencer Lovejoy.

Spanish No.1 Iker Pajares Bernabeu will play Wild Card Timothy Brownell of the USA, George Parker will face Pakistan No.1 Tayyab Aslam & Moustafa Elsirty of Egypt will play Auguste Dussourd of France.

Lucas Serme of France will be up against Zahed Salem of Egypt, which Czech No.1 Anna Serme will play Egyptian Yathreb Adel.

💻 unsquashable.com for more information or follow UNSQUASHABLE on Instagram & Facebook.

James Willstrop (ENG) vs. Nick Wall (ENG)
Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) vs. Timothy Brownell (USA)
George Parker (ENG) vs. Tayyab Aslam (PAK)
Todd Harrity (USA) vs. [WC] Spencer Lovejoy (USA)
Moustafa Elsirty (EGY) vs. Auguste Dussourd (FRA)
Lucas Serme (FRA) vs. Zahed Salem (EGY)
Anna Serme (CZE) vs. Yathreb Adel (EGY)

Next stop for James Willstrop, Iker Pajares Bernabeu, Moustafa Elsirty, George Parker, Lucas Serme, Nick Wall & Anna Serme on the PSA World Tour ➡️ U.S Open, Arlen Specter US Squash Center, Philadelphia from 8th to 15th October