Mohamed ElShorbagy sets sights on US Open title defence

The 26-year-old Egyptian defeated England’s World No.4 Nick Matthew at last year’s instalment, and ElShorbagy is looking forward to playing at the World Series event once again this year. The event will be shown live on Eurosport Player.

“I really enjoy playing there,” said ElShorbagy.

“The promoters and sponsors always make sure we feel welcome and everything is really easy. I’m sure everyone looks forward to playing there.”

The Egyptian – who is seeded second at the tournament following the withdrawal of World No.1 and top seed Gregory Gaultier – recently reigned victorious at the Oracle NetSuite Open picking up his first title of the season and will open against Australia’s World No.17 Cameron Pilley in round one at the U.S. Open.

ElShorbagy has won the U.S. Open twice in the last three years as he also conquered compatriot Amr Shabana in the 2014 final – with that victory leading him to the coveted World No.1 spot – and the Egyptian is hoping his good run at the tournament continues.

He said: “I have great memories because it is the tournament that got me to World No.1 three years ago.

“I’ve won it twice in three years and when I didn’t play very well last season it was one of the tournaments I won, so I have good memories there.

“I always love playing there and love all of the support. It’s a tournament I always look forward to.”

The U.S. Open also features a women’s event and represents the first chance for players to earn points for the World Series Standings as they bid to qualify for the season-ending PSA World Series Finals – with only the top eight players on the men’s and women’s standings earning a coveted berth at the lucrative tournament.

Qualification for the 2017 U.S. Open takes place between October 5-6, while the main draw will be held between October 7-14 inside the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University.

Action from the tournament will be shown live on Eurosport Player from October 7-14

Draws
2017 U.S. Open – Men’s First Round Draw
[2] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) v Cameron Pilley (AUS)
Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
Simon Rösner (GER) v [Qualifier]
Cesar Salazar (MEX) v [5] James Willstrop (ENG)
[7] Tarek Momen (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Qualifier]
Gregoire Marche (FRA) v Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
Zahed Mohamed (EGY) v [3] Nick Matthew (ENG)
[4] Ali Farag (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v [Qualifier]
Alan Clyne (SCO) v [Qualifier]
[WC] Christopher Gordon (USA) v [8] Fares Dessouky (EGY)
[6] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Max Lee (HKG) v Diego Elias (PER)
Omar Mosaad (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Paul Coll (NZL) v [1] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)

2017 U.S. Open – Women’s First Round Draw
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v Mariam Metwally (EGY)
[Q] v [14] Victoria Lust (ENG)
[10] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v [Q]
Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY) v [7] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
[6] Nicol David (MAS) v Donna Urquhart (AUS)
Joey Chan (HKG) v [9] Annie Au (HKG)
[12] Emily Whitlock (ENG) v [Q]
Millie Tomlinson (ENG) v [4] Laura Massaro (ENG)
[3] Camille Serme (FRA) v [WC] Haley Mendez (USA)
[Q] v [11] Joelle King (NZL)
[16] Olivia Blatchford (USA) v [Q]
[Q] v [8] Alison Waters (ENG)
[5] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v [Q]
Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND) v [13] Joshna Chinappa (IND)
[15] Tesni Evans (WAL) v Heba El Torky (EGY)
[Q] v [2] Raneem El Welily (EGY)