Contrasting PSA World Championships Fortunes For Teenage Prodigies In Chicago

Teenagers Jonah Bryant and Mohamad Zakaria, widely predicted as future stars of world squash, experienced mixed fortunes on day three of the PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family in Chicago.

Bryant, the 19-year-old world No.35 from England, produced the first major seeding upset when he defeated Egypt's Fares Dessouky, the No.14 seed - while Zakaria, the Egyptian 17-year-old who recently became the second youngest player ever to make the world top 20, went down in straight games to England's Mohamed ElShorbagy, the 7th seed.

His shock 5-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-1 second round victory sees Bryant, who is making his maiden World Championship appearance, progress to face 5th seed Tarek Momen for a place in the quarter-finals.

ElShorbagy marked his 756th match on the PSA Squash Tour with his win over World Junior Champion Zakaria - overtaking the mark set by fellow former world No.1 Gregory Gaultier.

"I've never missed a World Champs, so I've been very blessed with my career," said ElShorbagy, 34, after his 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 win.

"I'm happy to win in three. He's obviously a very talented and unique player that will be there for so many years. It's something that we both should be proud of, that I can play at that level at my age, and he can play at that level at his age. We're going to see much, much more of him on TV, I'm sure"

ElShorbagy will go up against Dimitri Steinmann for a place in the quarter-finals after he beat USA's Shahjahan Khan to end American participation in the men's draw.

In the women's event, world No.1 and defending champion Nouran Gohar continued her attempts to win a second successive World title with a dominant 3/0 win over Malak Khafagy.

Gohar - who is attempting to reach her 15th PSA final in succession - completed a routine 11-4, 11-3, 11-3 victory in just 21 minutes to set up a round three match with Fayrouz Aboelkheir.

"If anything, it [winning the World Champs before] relieves the pressure," Gohar said afterwards.

"I want to win it multiple times, but it's already in the bag and it will always be there. My shoulders are more relaxed and I want to enjoy it this week.

"Every single match is a threat. Whether you're the defending champion or world No.1, I'm the hunted one. Every round is dangerous and I can't take anything lightly. This isn't a cliche, it's real."

Elsewhere, seven-time World Champion Nour El Sherbini beat Nardine Garas, whilst US duo Olivia Weaver and Amanda Sobhy beat Rachel Arnold and Kenzy Ayman, respectively.