The Windy City Open 2026 presented by the Walter Family continued this evening with four bottom-half round two matches taking place from the University Club of Chicago.
The opening match of the evening saw Olivia Weaver produce an incredible performance in front of a supportive home crowd, defeating Malaysia’s Aira Azman in three straight games in just 24 minutes. The US No.1, who has reached two successive major event finals this season, proved to be a woman on a mission in the first game, winning 11-3.
This intensity and determined spirit continued, as Weaver was able to shake off the challenges presented by the World No. 21, showing strength at the front of the court and winning the next two games both 11-8. Winning in front of a home crowd in Chicago, the No.4 seed will join her US teammate, Amanda Sobhy, in the last eight and will be hoping to maintain this form in Monday’s quarter-finals.
The first men’s match of the evening saw the former World No.1 Karim Gawad book his place in the quarter-finals of the Windy City Open for the sixth time, after a brutal four-game match against Mohamed Abouelghar.
The second-round match in Chicago proved to be a great battle, with both players pushing each other to the limit with very little separating the pair over a 22 minute opening game. The opener was eventually settled with Gawad winning 14-12.
The following game continued in a similar way for the No.4 seed, as he fought off the threats from Abouelghar, winning the second 11-6. Despite Gawad taking the lead, the match proved to be a battle of willpower, with the World No.17 refusing to let the opening two games affect him, as Abouelghar overcame an early three-point deficit (4-1) to win the third 11-9.
However, despite Abouelghar’s best efforts, the match was only going one way, with the current World No.3 being able to turn the momentum back in his favour, winning the fourth 11-8.
World No.8 Fayrouz Aboelkheir was able to secure her place in the last eight of the Windy City Open for the first time after an impressive 3-0 victory over Salma Hany.
The 19-year-old, who has reached two major semi-finals this season, had plans to extend this record further, making a strong start to the match, winning the opening game 11-5.
After a comfortable first game, the No.8 continued to look very sharp on court and was playing with experience beyond her years, winning the second game 11-7. With a two-game lead, Aboelkheir continued to control the contest, preventing the World No.14 from creating any opportunity to work her way into the contest, winning the third game 11-6.
In the final match, Victor Crouin was able to book his place in the last eight after a dominant straight game victory over Kareem El Torkey in 30 minutes.
El Torkey, who seemed to be carrying an injury throughout the match, was punished by the Frenchman, who was ruthless throughout the contest, and was able to make quick work of his Egyptian opponent, winning the first 11-4.
Despite the injury, the World No.22 was able to fight through the pain in the second, challenging the French No.1 in a 12-minute game. However, despite his efforts, it seemed to do more damage to the Egyptian as he required treatment during the break before the third.
Moving into the third game, Crouin continued to show his ruthlessness against his opponent, demonstrating the difference in fitness levels to the Chicago crowd, as he claimed the third game 11-1. The French No.1 will now have a day’s rest before he meets the former World No.1 and No.4 seed Karim Gawad, which is set-up to be an epic quarter-final.
Results: Men’s RD2 (bottom-half)
[4] Karim Gawad (EGY) bt. Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 3-1: 14-12, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8 (66m)
[7] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt. Kareem El Torkey (EGY) 3-0: 11-4, 11-8, 11-1 (30m)
Results: Women’s RD2 (bottom-half)
[4] Olivia Weaver (USA) bt. Aira Azman (MAS) 3-0: 11-3, 11-8, 11-8 (24m)
[8] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) bt. Salma Hany (EGY) 3-0: 11-5, 11-7, 11-6 (27m)