(25.08.2016) Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Squash Open 2016 comes to its fifth day in action to confirm the top eight in both men’s and women’s events. Home interests Max Lee came through from four games to break into the quarter finals for the first time in his career whereas Annie Au, Ho Tze Lok and Yip Tsz Fung failed to make a step closer to the quarter finals.
The only home interests sailed through to the quarters, the Hong Kong top men's player Max Lee conquered the seed No.7 Ali Farag of Egypt at 11-8, 7-11, 13-11 and 11-9 to make the first appearance of Hong Kong men’s player in top 8. “I am very happy and excited to make it to the quarters as I have been watching the tournament when I was very young. I still desire to win so I hope to manage to have more mature performance.” Max will encounter Fares Dessouky who stunned the second seed Gregory Gaultier in the see-saw five games.
The giant killer, Cameron Pilley of Australia who beat all the top players to finish at the first runner-up last year made a revenge on the repeat of last year’s final against the defending champion Mohamed Elshorbagy by knocking out the World No.1 in the tough five games. He will be facing Karim Abdel Gaward in the quarter finals.
Another upset went to Egyptian Nour El Tayeb who overcame her fellow and the third seed Raneem El Welily in four games to secure her top eight places for the second to meet Amanda Sobhy from United States.
The 10 times champion Nicol David is still alive for her defending journey by taking down Joelle King in another five setters. She will meet Camille Serme who defeated the local wildcard, Ho Tze Lok at a straight 11-5, 11-5 and 11-4.
Meanwhile, two other home heroes Annie Au and Yip Tsz Fung are forced to end their running in Hong Kong Open by losing at a straight to the seed one Nour El Sherbini and Ryan Cuskelly respectively.
The quarter-finals will be staged at the clear-view four sided glass courts at Hong Kong Park Sports Centre for the first time at 12noon tomorrow.
