Big sister is watching: Leo Au scores massive upset at Hong Kong Open
Hong Kong star given little chance but manages to pull off an improbable win over the three-time world champion in his opening match at the Squash Centre
Local star Leo Au Chun-ming pulled off a major upset at the Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open, defeating three-time world champion Ramy Ashour in a result his elder sister couldn’t believe at first.
After sister Annie Au Wing-chi cruised to a 3-0 win over teammate and qualifier Tong Tsz-wing in her women’s opener, she dashed off to watch her brother thinking the match will be over quickly in favour of the Egyptian, the former world number one at the Squash Centre. Ashour is also defending Hong Kong Open champion.
“I don’t know if he [Leo Au] can get a point against Ashour so I have to get to the match quickly,” she said before settling in her seat to watch her brother.
After Leo stunned Ashour 6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 10-12, 11-4, big sister was grinning ear to ear, amazed Leo had completed victory against one of the sport’s most established stars.
“We never played before but I never ever imagined I would beat such a big name in squash,” said Leo Au. “I just wanted to play a good game but in the end it became one of my biggest wins.”
Au is not about to rest on his laurels as he faces another intriguing battle in the next round, where he meets fourth seed Ali Farag, also from Egypt.