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ToC Update: Sobhy Reaches First World Series Final in New York

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History maker Amanda Sobhy has moved into her first PSA World Series final with a scintillating victory over Egypt’s Nouran Gohar in the last four of the 2016 Women’s J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions in New York’s iconic Grand Central Terminal.

Sobhy, who yesterday became the first American-born woman to reach the last four of the prestigious tournament, started on the back foot after a fast start from Gohar saw the 18-year-old rattle off a number of early points. Roared on by a raucous crowd, World No.8 Sobhy battled back and came out on top after a multitude of frenetic rallies saw the United States No.1 seize the initiative to run out an 11-9 winner in game one.

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A splendid start to the second saw the New York native hit an immaculate range of winners and she soon doubled her lead to give herself a real advantage heading into game three. Sobhy, who was studying a degree in Social Anthropology at Harvard as recently as the summer, looked as though her lead was about to be halved after Gohar, the current World Junior Champion found some momentum to take a 9-5 lead. However, the American, who achieved the distinction of becoming the World Junior Champion five years before Gohar did, showcased her impressive mental strength to comeback once more and take the match with an 11-9, 11-9, 12-10 margin of victory.

“I’m a little shocked, I don’t really have any words,” said Sobhy, who was cheered on by a large Harvard contingent.

“It was a battle. Even though it was 3-0 it was so tough from the beginning to the end. I just tried to stay in my bubble and not let the pressure of getting to the finals in front of my home crowd get to me.

“I’m so relieved to win in three. It could have gone either way. We could have had a five-gamer or she could have beat me 3-0.”

“I’m just really relieved that I handled the big points at the end well and that I stayed mentally focused, even though I was down, with the help of the amazing crowd again.”

Sobhy will face Nour El Sherbini in the final after the Egyptian downed 2014 winner Nicol David in superb style.

Result – Semi-Final: Women’s J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions 2016
[10] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt [8] Nouran Gohar (EGY) 3-0: 11-9, 11-9, 12-10 (38m)

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