Harrow ELITE TEAM Dominates at the J.P Morgan Tournament of Champions
By Sarah Kiley
This year’s international J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions was history-making in two ways. 1. It’s the first time the tournament has offered parity for the men’s and women’s prize fund (an all-time tournament high at $150,000 to each champ) 2. Harrow’s own Amanda “The Beast” Sobhy became the first American-born athlete ever to make it to the finals [Read more here…]. The rest of #teamharrow athletes blanketed the Qualifying and Main Draw rounds, making a strong showing in both the men’s and women’s matches.
In the qualifying rounds, Harrow’s Alan Clyne (SCO) bt. Joe Lee (ENG) 3-1 (11-8, 5-11, 6-11, 3-11) but lost to #12 Seed, Nasir Iqbal (PAK) in the next round.
In Round 1 of the Main Draw, Leo Au (HKG) bt. Gregoire Marche (FRA) 3-0 (11-6,11-9,11-7) and was out in Round 2 against Borja Golan (ESP).
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt Daryl Selby (ENG) 3-2 (11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 3-11, 11-8) but got knocked out in Round 2 by #2 Seeded Nick Matthew (2).
Round 2 saw two Harrow athletes battle, 8th Seeded Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) vs. Ryan Cuskelly (AUS). ElShorbagy bt. Cuskelly 3-1 (12-10, 12-14, 11-9, 12-10).
The Quarter Final saw ElShorbagy face off with Karim Abdel Gawad’s opponent from the previous round, Nick Matthew. ElShorbagy was defeated 2-3.
In Round 1 Qualifying, #14 Seed Nikki Todd (CAN) bt. Olivia Fiechter (USA) 3-2 (6-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5) but got knocked out in round 2 by #6 seed Misaki Kobayashi (JPN)
Round 2 Qualifying saw Harrow vs. Harrow in #14 Seed Samantha Teran (MEX) vs. #12 Seed Fiona Moverley (ENG). Teran prevailed beating Moverley 3-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-8) but lost to #7 seed Nour El Sherbini (EGY) in Round 1 of the Main Draw.
Round 1 saw Rachael Grinham (AUS) lose to Delia Arnold (MAS) 3-1 and Donna Urquhart (AUS) beat by Camille Serme (FRA) 3-10.
#9 Seed Annie Au (HKG) beat Joey Chan (HKG) 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 12-10) and went on to lose to Nicole David in Round 2, 0-3.
Round 1 pitted ELITE TEAM Players, #5 Seed Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) bt. Low Wee Wern (MAS) 3-2 (11-9, 7-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6) while fellow ELITE player Joshna Chinappa (IND) beat Kanzy Emad El Defrawy 3-2 (11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 7-11). In round 2, Omneya would beat Joshna 3-0 (11-9, 11-3, 11-9) and then lose to Nicole David in the Quarter Finals, 2-3.
Heba El Torky (EGY) advanced to round 2, beating #12 Seed Joelle King (NZL) 3-1 (9-11,11-5,12-10,11-9) then losing to #8 Seed Nouran Gohar (EGY) in Round 2.
Round 1 of the Main Draw also saw #1 Seed and 2015’s Champion, ELITE Team member Raneem El Welily defeat Tesni Evans (WAL) 3-1 (11-6,11-6,11-5) and #10 Seed Amanda “The Beast” Sobhy beating Deon Saffery (WAL) 3-0 (5-11,4-11,9-11). They would face off in Round 2, with Sobhy winning 3-1 (5-11, 11-6, 5-11, 6-11) and going on to victories in the Quarter Final (beating Alison Waters (ENG 3-0) and Semi Final (beating Nouran Gohar (EGY) 3-0), placing 2nd overall.
