NEW YORK — Egyptian tennis player Mayar Sherif advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open on Monday, becoming the first woman from Egypt to reach that stage at the Grand Slam tournament.
Sherif defeated her opponent in the fourth round in straight sets, according to the United States Tennis Association. The victory marks a historic milestone for Egyptian and Arab tennis.
The 30-year-old from Cairo, ranked outside the top 100 entering the event, has now equaled her best Grand Slam performance. She previously reached the second round at multiple majors, including the French Open.
Sherif won the match 6-4, 7-5 in just under two hours on the hard courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. She capitalized on strong baseline play and effective serving in key moments.
"This means everything to me and to Egyptian tennis," Sherif said in a post-match interview on court, broadcast by the tournament. "I worked so hard for moments like this. I hope this inspires more girls back home to chase their dreams."
Her achievement comes as she continues a career that includes one WTA singles title and multiple WTA 125 titles. Sherif turned professional after a standout college career at Pepperdine University, where she earned All-American honors.
Egyptian sports officials welcomed the news. The Egyptian Tennis Federation described the result as a landmark moment for the country’s tennis program, which has historically had limited representation at the highest levels of the women’s game.
Sherif is the highest-ranked Egyptian woman in WTA history, having reached a career-high of No. 31. She has steadily built her profile on the professional circuit after beginning to represent Egypt in international competitions.
The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year, features a 128-player women’s singles draw. Top seeds and defending champion players entered the tournament as favorites, but several upsets have opened opportunities for lower-ranked competitors.
Details of Sherif’s path to the quarterfinals include victories over seeded players in earlier rounds, though specific opponents and exact scores for all matches remain subject to official confirmation from tournament organizers.
In the quarterfinals, Sherif is scheduled to face a higher-ranked opponent later this week. Tournament officials said the match time will be announced on Tuesday.
Sherif’s run adds to a growing list of milestones for African and Arab players in women’s tennis. She became the first Egyptian woman to win a Grand Slam main-draw match several years ago.
Tennis analysts have noted her improved fitness and mental toughness this season, though Sherif herself has attributed recent progress to consistent training and support from her team.
The tournament continues through the weekend, with semifinals and the final to follow. Organizers reported strong attendance and viewership for the early rounds.
