The wind’s on Raneem’s sails as she bids to make history

PETALING JAYA: Egyptian Raneem El Welily (pic) is on course to become the first player – men or women – to win a hat-trick of titles at the Windy City Open squash championships.

The 28-year-old Raneem dished out a solid display to beat Hong Kong’s Annie Au 11-8, 8-11, 11-4, 11-7 in the second round of the US$150,000 (RM669,000) tournament in Chicago on Sunday.

The world No. 3, who won this title in 2015 and last year, faces home favourite Amanda Sobhy in the quarter-finals.

World No. 6 Sobhy beat wildcard Olivia Blatchford 11-7, 12-14, 12-10, 11-3 in an all-American clash.

“It’s great to have two US payers in this stage of a major. It was, however, difficult mentally ... taking on a good friend,” said Sobhy.

“I got a little edgy when the scores were close. Olivia also played well for the big points and I was really bummed to lose the second set.

“But I finally relaxed in the fourth set ... hopefully, I can play like this in the quarter-finals.”

England’s Laura Massaro, who won the title in 2014, is also in the last eight after thumping Canadian qualifier Sam Cornett 11-2, 11-8, 11-8.

The 33-year-old world No. 5 will take on Egyptian world No. 4 Nouran Gohar next.

In the men’s event, 33-year-old James Willstrop of England rolled back the years to beat Egypt’s Mohamed Abouelgar – 10 years his junior – 11-4, 11-8, 8-11, 13-11 to book his spot in the quarter-finals.

The former world No. 1, who is now ranked ninth in the world, meets world No. 3 Gregory Gaultier of France for a place in the semi-finals.