England’s rising star Jonah Bryant said he was ready to take over the baton for a new generation of players after knocking out compatriot and former world champion Mohamed El Shorbagy at the Hong Kong Squash Open on Tuesday.
Bryant, 20, recorded a 3-1 victory over the 34-year-old El Shorbagy in 50 minutes at Hong Kong Squash Centre to reach his third platinum quarter-finals this season.
“I am really happy; it’s always a big match coming through against a legend of the sport like that,” said world No 14 Bryant. “He’s been a legend of our game for the past 10 years.
“Obviously, I know he’s nowhere near what he was 10 years ago in his prime, but still really happy to get the win today. I’m over the moon to win over an idol in squash.”
After conceding the first two games, El Shorbagy took the third but it was Bryant – having reached a career-high ranking of 13 in the world only last month – who took the 11-7, 11-7, 11-13, 11-5 win to square the ledger with the former Egyptian representative, having lost in the London Classic in September.
Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam (right) beat France’s Melissa Alves. Photo: Handout
“At the start, I was on the winning end of the short rallies, which was, I think, the big difference,” Bryant said. “I managed to get the first game started well, in the second again, and then the third was much more level.