The World of Squash
at Your Fingertips

HOME
NEWS
RESULTS 
CALENDAR
EVENTS
PLAYERS
CLUBS
RULES
LINKS
MAGAZINE
FEATURES
GEAR
DIRECTORY
WORKSHOP
PROMOTIONS
COLUMNS
ARCHIVE
About SP
Squash on TV
Search
UK Counties
World Links

Online Store
Books, Subs, Videos

Squash Directory
Where to get it all

Classified Section
Job, Jobs, Jobs Something to sell ...

 

LATEST | DRAWS |  TICKETS | HISTORY | REPORTS

 

LATEST

$550,000 PSA World Championship 2022, National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Cairo, Egypt

 

DRAWS

World Championships 2021/22
Men's Draw
13 - 22 May
Ciaro, Egypt, $550k

Second ROUND
15-16 
MAR
THIRD ROUND
 17 -
18 MAR
QUARTERS
19-20 MAR
SEMIS
21 MAY
FINAL
22 MA
Y
[1] Paul Coll (NZL)
11-5, 11-3, 11-9 (36m)
Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND)
Paul Coll
11-5, 11-0, 11-6 (38m)
Mazen Hesham
Paul Coll
11-8, 13-11,
10-12, 2-11,
11-9 (122m)
Tarek Momen



Paul Coll

11-4, 8-11,
10-12, 11-8, 11-7 (109m)
Mohamed Elshorbagy


 
Mohamed Elshorbagy
9-11, 11-8,
7-11, 11-9,
11-2 (74m)
Ali Farag
[10] Mazen Hesham (EGY)
11-8, 11-5, 11-6 (40m)
Karim El Hammamy (EGY)
[9] Joel Makin (WAL)
11-8, 11-3, 11-6 (45m)
Lucas Serme (FRA)
Joel Makin
8-11, 11-9, 11-2,
11-7 (73m)
Tarek Momen
[6] Tarek Momen (EGY)
11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8 (50m)
Faraz Khan (USA)
[8] Fares Dessouky (EGY)
11-6, 9-11, 11-3, 11-4 (50m)
George Parker (ENG)
Fares Dessouky
11-6, 14-16, 11-8, 11-7 (72m)
Grégoire Marche
Fares Dessouky
11-1, 12-10,
12-10 (54m)
Mohamed Elshorbagy
[13] Grégoire Marche (FRA)
15-13, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8 (66m)
Ramit Tandon (IND)
[12] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
11-9, 11-5, 11-8 (37m)
Victor Crouin (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad
11-3, 11-4, 6-0 retired (26m)
Mohamed Elshorbagy
Juan Camilo Vargas (COL)
11-6, 11-4, 11-5 (27m)
[3] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY)
[4] Mostafa Asal (EGY)
11-5, 11-3, 11-4 (33m)
Omar Mosaad (EGY)
Mostafa Asal
 11-2, 11-7, 11-3 (34m)
Saurav Ghosal
Mostafa Asal
 9-11, 11-4,
11-7, 11-7 (76m)
Diego Elias
Mostafa Asal
8-11, 11-8,
11-8, 6-11, 11-9 (97m)
Ali Farag

 
[16] Saurav Ghosal (IND)
11-8, 11-8, 11-7 (48m)
Todd Harrity (USA)
[15] Youssef Soliman (EGY)
11-7, 11-5, 11-3 (32m)
[WC] Yassin Elshafei (EGY)
Youssef Soliman
11-4, 11-2, 11-3 (37m)
Diego Elias
[5] Diego Elias (PER)
11-9, 11-3, 11-7 (39m)
Sébastien Bonmalais (FRA)
[7] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY)
8-11, 11-4, 11-9, 14-12 (46m)
Henry Leung (HKG)
Marwan Elshorbagy
11-8, 11-8, 16-14 (41m)
Nicolas Müller
Marwan Elshorbagy
11-7, 11-5, 11-7 (39m)
Ali Farag
 
Nicolas Müller (SUI)
11-4, 11-4, 11-6 (28m)
Raphael Kandra (GER)
[11] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY)
10-12, 7-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-7 (64m)
Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT)
Youssef Ibrahim
11-3, 11-1, 11-2 (29m)
Ali Farag
Cesar Salazar (MEX)
13-11, 11-1, 11-9 (31m)
[2] Ali Farag (EGY)

rOUND ONE 13-14 MAy


[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [WC] Seif Shenawy (EGY) 11-5, 11-3, 11-8 (40m)
Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) bt Mazen Gamal (EGY) 11-9, 11-2, 11-5 (33m)
Karim El Hammamy (EGY) bt Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY) 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4 (67m)
[10] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt David Baillargeon (CAN) 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 (23m)
[9] Joel Makin (WAL) bt Leandro Romiglio (ARG) 11-8, 11-4, 11-2 (32m)
Lucas Serme (FRA) bt Tsz Kwan Lau (HKG) 11-6, 11-6, 11-5 (28m)
Faraz Khan (USA) bt Mohamed Elsherbini (EGY) 5-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-5 (49m)
[6] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Eain Yow Ng (MAS) 15-13, 11-6, 11-9 (43m)
[8] Fares Dessouky (EGY) bt Rui Soares (POR) 11-4, 11-2, 11-2 (22m)
George Parker (ENG) bt Edmon Lopez (ESP) 11-6, 11-3, 11-4 (33m)
Ramit Tandon (IND) bt Christopher Gordon (USA) 11-4, 11-4, 11-6 (27m)
[13] Grégoire Marche (FRA) bt Auguste Dussourd (FRA) 11-4, 11-7, 6-11, 9-11, 11-3 (71m)
[12] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) 11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9 (54m)
Victor Crouin (FRA) bt Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 11-6, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5 (45m)
Juan Camilo Vargas (COL) bt Shahjahan Khan (USA) 11-6, 12-10, 9-7 ret. (41m)
[3] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt Balázs Farkas (HUN) 11-8, 11-2, 11-6 (25m)
[4] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Adrian Waller (ENG) 11-7, 11-5, 11-6 (38m)
Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Moustafa El Sirty (EGY) 9-11, 12-10, 11-3, 11-5 (47m)
Todd Harrity (USA) bt Alan Clyne (SCO) 11-7, 11-4, 11-3 (32m)
[16] Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt Zahed Salem (EGY) 11-4, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7 (54m)
[15] Youssef Soliman (EGY) bt Borja Golan (ESP) 11-9, 11-6, 11-8 (49m)
[WC] Yassin Elshafei (EGY) bt Asim Khan (PAK) 11-4, 8-11, 11-6, 11-3 (42m)
Sébastien Bonmalais (FRA) bt Bernat Jaume (ESP) 11-7, 11-4, 11-4 (36m)
[5] Diego Elias (PER) bt Patrick Rooney (ENG) 11-4, 7-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-2 (57m)
[7] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bt Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) 2-0 ret.
Henry Leung (HKG) bt Ivan Yuen (MAS) 8-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 (47m)
Nicolas Müller (SUI) bt Ryosei Kobayashi (JPN) 11-7, 11-6, 11-5 (24m)
Raphael Kandra (GER) bt [14] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) 11-6, 5-11, 11-9, 4-11, 11-6 (70m)
[11] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt Nathan Lake (ENG) 11-5, 11-7, 11-4 (26m)
Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT) bt Greg Lobban (SCO) 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8 (67m)
Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) 5-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-4 (62m)
[2] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Leonel Cardenas (MEX) 11-8, 11-5, 11-8 (30m)
 

World Championships 2021/22
Women's Draw
13 - 22 May
Ciaro, Egypt, $550k

Second ROUND
15-16 
MAR
Third ROUND
 17 -
18 MAR
QUARTERS
19-20 MAR
SEMIS
21 MAY
FINAL
22 MA
Y
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY)
11-4, 11-2, 11-4 (27m)
[25] Farida Mohamed (EGY)
Nouran Gohar
11-6, 11-4, 11-4 (38m)
Tesni Evans
Nouran Gohar
11-1, 11-5, 11-4 (30m)
Rowan Elaraby
Nouran Gohar
5-11, 11-3, 11-6, 15-13 (49m)
Amanda Sobhy


Nouran Gohar

7-11, 11-7,
11-8, 11-7 (56m)
Nour El Sherbini


 
[13] Tesni Evans (WAL)
12-10, 11-2 ret. (19m)
Coline Aumard (FRA)
[12] Joshna Chinappa (IND)
11-8, 12-10, 11-5 (37m)
[18] Emily Whitlock (WAL)
Joshna Chinappa
Walkover
Rowan Elaraby
[8] Rowan Elaraby (EGY)
11-7, 11-7, 11-9 (33m)
[26] Hana Ramadan (EGY)
[5] Joelle King (NZL)
11-3, 11-5, 11-9 (28m
Yathreb Adel (EGY)
Joelle King
11-7, 15-13, 8-11, 11-6 (56m)
Nada Abbas
Nada Abbas
10-12, 11-6,
11-5, 11-5 (44m)
Amanda Sobhy
[15] Nada Abbas (EGY)
11-6, 3-0 ret. (13m)
[17] Olivia Clyne (USA)
[11] Nele Gilis (BEL)
11-6, 11-5, 11-6 (41m)
Lisa Aitken (SCO)
Nele Gilis
11-9, 11-8, 11-9 (44m)
Amanda Sobhy
[31] Alexandra Fuller (RSA)
11-3, 11-5, 11-6 (22m)
[4] Amanda Sobhy (USA)
[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY)
8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-2 (40m)
Satomi Watanabe (JPN)
Hania El Hammamy
11-9, 11-6, 11-8 (44m)
Georgina Kennedy
Hania El Hammamy
11-8, 11-4,
10-12, 11-8
Nour El Tayeb


Nour El Tayeb

11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 11-3 (51m)
Nour El Sherbini
[9] Georgina Kennedy (ENG)
11-2, 11-4, 11-2 (26m)
[20] Danielle Letourneau (CAN)
[21] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS)
11-9, 11-9, 11-9 (25m)
[14] Nadine Shahin (EGY)
Sivasangari Subramaniam
11-5, 4-11, 11-5,
13-11 (42m)
Nour El Tayeb
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
12-10, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3 (44m)
[7] Salma Hany (EGY)
[6] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
11-8, 11-4, 12-10 (26m)
[24] Mélissa Alves (FRA)
Sarah-Jane Perry
8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 2-11, 11-8 (57m)
Sabrina Sobhy
Sarah-Jane Perry
11-5, 8-11,
11-7, 14-12 (44m)
Nour El Sherbini
[22] Sabrina Sobhy (USA)
12-10, 11-5, 11-9 (35m)
[10] Olivia Fiechter (USA)
[23] Tinne Gilis (BEL)
11-7, 11-8, 11-2 (34m)
[16] Hollie Naughton (CAN)
Tinne Gilis
11-5, 11-4, 11-5 (30m)
Nour El Sherbini
[WC] Kenzy Ayman (EGY)
12-14, 11-7, 11-4, 11-9 (48m)
[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY)

rOUND ONE 13-14 MAy


[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt Énora Villard (FRA) 11-7, 11-6, 11-2 (28m)
[25] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bt Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) 10-12, 11-8, 14-12, 11-5 (40m)
Coline Aumard (FRA) bt [30] Rachel Arnold (MAS) 5-11, 6-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-3 (46m)
[13] Tesni Evans (WAL) bt Karina Tyma (POL) 7-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 (32m)
[12] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt Katie Malliff (ENG) 11-6, 11-8, 11-9 (33m)
[18] Emily Whitlock (WAL) bt Cindy Merlo (SUI) 4-11, 11-1, 11-4, 11-4 (33m)
[26] Hana Ramadan (EGY) bt Marie Stéphan (FRA) 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 (27m)
[8] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bt Millie Tomlinson (ENG) 11-5, 11-5, 11-9 (28m)
[5] Joelle King (NZL) bt Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) 11-7, 11-5, 11-8 (36m)
Yathreb Adel (EGY) bt [27] Mariam Metwally (EGY) 9-11, 12-10, 14-12, 4-11, 11-5 (73m)
[17] Olivia Clyne (USA) bt Julianne Courtice (ENG) 6-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 (40m)
[15] Nada Abbas (EGY) bt Tze Lok Ho (HKG) 11-6, 11-5, 13-11 (36m)
[11] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt Emilia Soini (FIN) 9-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4 (41m)
Lisa Aitken (SCO) bt [29] Donna Lobban (AUS) 11-9, 11-1, 11-4 (29m)
[31] Alexandra Fuller (RSA) bt Marta Dominguez Fernandez (ESP) 7-11, 11-3, 11-4, 10-12, 11-2 (50m)
[4] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Haley Mendez (USA) 11-4, 11-4, 11-1 (17m)
[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Sana Ibrahim (EGY) 11-7, 11-7, 11-4 (33m)
Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt [19] Lucy Turmel (ENG) 12-14, 13-11, 11-6, 14-12 (73m)
[20] Danielle Letourneau (CAN) bt Anna Serme (CZE) 11-6, 11-4, 11-3 (21m)
[9] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt Milou van der Heijden (NED) 11-2, 11-0, 11-4 (19m)
[14] Nadine Shahin (EGY) bt Nicole Bunyan (CAN) 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-8 (39m)
[21] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt Saskia Beinhard (GER) 11-3, 11-3, 11-2 (17m)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [28] Aifa Azman (MAS) 11-7, 11-3, 11-6 (24m)
[7] Salma Hany (EGY) bt Ineta Mackevica (LAT) 11-6, 13-11, 11-3 (23m)
[6] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) 11-4, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4 (30m)
[24] Mélissa Alves (FRA) bt Zeina Mickawy (EGY) 11-13, 11-6, 3-11, 11-8, 11-7 (50m)
[22] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bt Jana Shiha (EGY) 11-3, 11-5, 11-8 (22m)
[10] Olivia Fiechter (USA) bt Ka Yi Lee (HKG) 11-8, 12-10, 11-13, 11-6 (38m)
[16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt [WC] Nardine Garas (EGY) 7-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-1 (29m)
[23] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt Georgia Adderley (SCO) 11-2, 5-11, 11-4, 12-10 (49m)
[WC] Kenzy Ayman (EGY) bt [32] Jasmine Hutton (ENG) 12-10, 12-10, 12-10 (33m)
[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt Cristina Gomez (ESP) 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 (21m)

 

REPORTS

Finals

El Sherbini and Farag Crowned CIB PSA World Championships Cairo Champions



Egypt’s World No.2s Nour El Sherbini and Ali Farag have lifted the 2021-22 CIB PSA World Championships Cairo titles after beating compatriots Nouran Gohar and Mohamed ElShorbagy, respectively.

Both finals were a repeat of the 2020-21 PSA World Championship finals in Chicago with the outcome also the same as El Sherbini and Farag conquered their compatriots in memorable performances at the Egyptian National Museum of Civilization.

El Sherbini has lifted the women’s PSA World Championship title for the sixth time in her career following an 7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 victory in 56 minutes over World No.1 Gohar. That win puts her clear in second place on the all-time tournament’s women’s winners list, with just Malaysian icon Nicol David ahead of her with a record eight World Championship titles.

The Alexandria-born player utilised all of her trademark accuracy and experience as she was forced to come from one game down in her first tournament back since retiring from the CIB Black Ball Open final due to injury, also against Gohar, back in March.


Nour El Sherbini

“It’s always a dream for me to win this tournament and I wait for it every year,” said El Sherbini afterwards. “It’s been very hard, the last couple of months.

“Nouran is the best player right now. Every match is a challenge, she challenges me more and it’s hard playing her and it’s getting tougher. The last time we played, it wasn’t the best match between us. I didn’t finish the match, so it was a bit challenging for me to come and play her again in the final of the World Champs after pulling out of the Black Ball Open.

“She’s the one I’m challenging right now and she’s the one I’m looking up to now. Both of us are challenging each other for the No.1 spot. She took it from me and now I’m looking to get it back.”

Farag, meanwhile, claimed his third PSA World Championship title after he came from 2-1 down against 2017 World Champion ElShorbagy to triumph 9-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 11-2 in 74 minutes.


Ali Farag

Both players were subjected to brutal five-game encounters in their semi-final matches but backed up well as they put on a show for the packed out crowd in Cairo. It was Farag who hit top gear in the fifth game to reign victorious though as World No.3 ElShorbagy looked to suffer with fatigue in the closing stages.

As a result, Farag will replace New Zealand’s Paul Coll and go back to World No.1 in June’s men’s World Rankings.

Speaking after the final, Farag said: “I’m really happy to be done with the tournament; the pressure we live through every day. I didn’t come into this week with that pressure, but then the week started and I felt the pressure.

“I’m super proud of my week, I had to go through a very tough draw. I had to go through a lot of tough players to reach the final and today, I’m playing against the greatest of our generation. I have a lot of people around me who, if I’m being honest, wrote Mohamed off after the past few months and I told them there’s no chance Mohamed’s going to go away without a fight. He’s going to come back smarter and harder and he did. It’s inspiring how every time he faces a challenge he comes back stronger, we saw it yesterday and here today. I’m extremely blessed to come out as the winner today.”

This season’s PSA World Championships is the sport’s most lucrative with $1,100,000 in total player prize compensation on offer – split equally across the men’s and women’s draws and El Sherbini and Farag take home $79,800 in prize money each.

The next stop on the PSA World Tour will be the El Gouna International Platinum event, which will once again feature the best players in the world between May 27 – June 3. The action will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV and multiple broadcasters around the world.
 
Semi Finals

ElShorbagy Upsets Coll as World Championships Finalists Confirmed


Mohamed ElShorbagy

Egypt’s World No.3 Mohamed ElShorbagy upset New Zealand’s World No.1 Paul Coll in a dramatic and thrilling five-game encounter in the semi-finals of the 2022 CIB PSA World Championships, held at the Egyptian National Museum of Civilization.

2017 World Champion ElShorbagy, who in December 2021 dropped to his lowest ranking in four years following a string of disappointing results, rekindled the form that saw him dominate the sport to reach his fifth World Championship final, where he will go up against compatriot Ali Farag in a repeat of the 2020-21 final.

Speaking after his encounter with Coll, which he won 11-4, 8-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-7 in 109 minutes, ElShorbagy said: “I’ve been in this situation so many times in my career. I think we have a habit as human beings to have a short memory, so I needed to remind everyone who I am.

“I went to Gregory [Gaultier] two months ago and told him I want to come back to who I am again and we put together a plan. We haven’t played for such a long time and I’ve been waiting for a long time to get on court with him [Coll]. I’ve been World No.1 and seeded No.1 at a World Champs. It’s so tough, there’s so much pressure on you when you’re seeded No.1 in a World Champs.”

Farag, meanwhile, secured his place in a third PSA World Championship final in four years, after an intense 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9 victory over 21-year-old Mostafa Asal, who was featuring in his first semi-final at the event.

If Farag, who is a two-time champion, was to win the tournament showpiece tomorrow against ElShorbagy, it would mean he retakes the World No.1 spot in June’s men’s World Rankings following Coll’s semi-final exit.


Ali Farag

“It was not enjoyable to watch, to be fair, it was too much out of rhythm and it was tough to concentrate,” admitted Farag. “That’s why I felt edgy at the end, I couldn’t get into momentum and all credit to him, at 8-2 he never gave up. He got me edgy and I’m very relieved to see that one go into the tin.

“Mohamed’s never gone anywhere, I was watching and learning how he was playing. It was a masterclass of tactics. I told him that after his match and I told him he was a bit annoying in the middle of the match as well.

“To be fair, for tomorrow, I don’t care too much about the No.1 for now. It’s the final of the World Championships. I think Mohamed and I said last year that we owe it to each other to play in the final of the World Championships and now two, to make it even better.”

The women’s final will also be a repeat of the 2021 final in Chicago between World No.1 Nouran Gohar and World No.2 Nour El Sherbini after they defeated the USA’s Amanda Sobhy and Egypt’s Nour El Tayeb, respectively.

El Sherbini will be competing in her eighth World Championship final, matching the record of Malaysian icon Nicol David, where victory over Gohar tomorrow would see her clinch a sixth crown.


Nour El Sherbini celebrates against Nour El Tayeb

“Seeing Nour play yesterday, it was unbelievable squash,” said five-time World Champion El Sherbini. “She showed everyone what a fighter she is. I’ve known her for a long time and I knew how her life had changed and what a struggle and challenge it is. Seeing her play like this is unbelievable. Every time I see her on court, I’m really proud to see her playing like this.

“I know what this tournament means to each of us. It means a lot to me and it definitely means a lot to her [Gohar], so I’m sure it’s definitely going to get the best out of us tomorrow.”

Gohar, the World No.1, booked her place in a second consecutive final after a high-quality match with World No.4 Sobhy as she aims to get her hands on the World Championship trophy for the first time in her career.

The American had failed to take a game off Gohar in their last six matches, but she started with aplomb today as she stormed out of the blocks to catch the Egyptian by surprise to take the first. Gohar worked her way back into the match, however, to close out the next three, including a tight decider to win 5-11, 11-3, 11-6, 15-13.


Nouran Gohar in action against Amanda Sobhy

“It wasn’t easy for sure. I’ve played Amanda at every tournament, it has been a habit,” said Gohar. “I think she kept her best to the last and most important tournament. It was a very tough match, but it’s good to have a match like this, just before tomorrow, to get some nerves out.

“It’s the biggest occasion you can play in, it comes with a bit of pressure, but I’m just glad about the way I dealt with it.”

The finals of the CIB PSA World Championships Cairo take place tomorrow (May 22) and play from the Egyptian National Museum of Civilization will start at 20:00 (GMT+2) and will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV and multiple broadcasters around the world.
 
Day Eight

El Tayeb Downs El Hammamy To Reach World Semi-finals


Nour El Tayeb

Egypt’s World No.28 Nour El Tayeb claimed a sensational victory as she defeated compatriot and World No.3 Hania El Hammamy 11-8, 11-4, 10-12, 11-8 to advance to the semi-finals of the CIB PSA World Championships in Cairo.

29-year-old El Tayeb gave birth to her first daughter, Farida, just 10 months ago but showed that she is back to the form that took her to a career-high of World No.3 back in 2018 as she produced a shot-making masterclass to reach the last four of the prestigious event for the third time in her career.

The 2018-19 PSA World Championship runner-up took control from the outset to take a 2-0 lead, before El Hammamy showcased her trademark resilience to fight back on the tie-break in the third game. El Tayeb had her resurgence in the fourth though as she had nerves of steel to close out the impressive victory in 76 minutes.

“I pictured myself winning this event so many times, but to actually be in the semis after such matches, is for me an incredible achievement,” said El Tayeb afterwards.

“It’s been very tough with Hania. I was up 2-0 against Hania before and lost, so I know how it feels to be 2-0 up and lose. I took a lot from Paul [Coll]’s match yesterday, who was 2-0 up and then managed to win in the end. The top three girls are very strong and I just beat one of them and hopefully there are two of them left. I’m counting on my family and friends to come and cheer me on tomorrow.”

El Tayeb will now face five-time World Champion Nour El Sherbini for a place in the final of the sport’s most lucrative tournament, where $1,100,000 in total player prize compensation – split equally across the men’s and women’s draws – will be up for grabs.


Nour El Sherbini

El Sherbini, competing in her first event for two months, secured her place in the semi-finals after battling past a resilient Sarah-Jane Perry of England, with the Egyptian eventually prevailing 11-5, 8-11, 11-7, 14-12.

“I’m really happy I’m through,” said El Sherbini. “SJ is one of the smartest, if not the smartest, players on tour. She’s very skilful and she was moving really well today. She broke my rhythm a little and I just tried to fight and stick in every point. I’m really happy to sneak the last game.”

El Tayeb will also be joined in the semi-final stage by her husband Ali Farag after he defeated Marwan ElShorbagy in straight-games to reach the last four in the men’s event.

Farag, the defending men’s World Champion, looked to be in total control as he withstood an early onslaught from ElShorbagy to prevail and set up a pivotal encounter with compatriot Mostafa Asal for a place in the final.


Ali Farag

“I couldn’t have asked for a better set-up to produce my best squash,” said Farag. “CIB are taking the sport to another level and that makes us feel very proud to be on court.

“I’ve got every single member of my support team, from the age of zero to 30 here with me. I can’t be more inspired, and I hope I can keep up this brand of squash.”

The last men’s winner of the day was Asal as he overcame Peru’s Diego Elias in a tense affair, which was disrupted by decisions and traffic issues, to reach his first PSA World Championship semi-finals.

An intense first game was edged by the Peruvian, before Asal, who was roared on by the home crowd, prevailed in a second game that was plagued by decisions.

Before the third game, referee Sheldon Anderson went down to speak to both players in order to improve the flow of the game, but Elias was unable to shake his frustrations as World No.4 Asal closed out an 9-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7 win in 76 minutes.


Mostafa Asal

“Every time I’m looking [at my performances],” said Asal. “I have won the World Tour Finals, I have won the US Open, I’m winning major titles, so why not this? It’s going to be my first [World Championship] trophy. First of all, I’m looking forward to my next match, an unbelievable opponent and we are studying each other really well.

“I’m not feeling like it’s a physically tough tournament for me, my matches have been 30 minutes or something like this, so I’m ready to perform and be on here.”

The semi-finals of the CIB PSA World Championships Cairo take place tomorrow (May 21) and play from the Egyptian National Museum of Civilization will start at 18:30 (GMT+2) and will be broadcast live on  SQUASHTV
 
Day Seven

Coll Conquers Momen To Advance To PSA World Championships Cairo Semi Finals


Paul Coll

New Zealand’s World No.1 Paul Coll escaped defeat at the hands of 2019 World Champion Tarek Momen in a 122-minute thriller at the Egyptian National Museum of Civilization to reach the semi-finals of the PSA World Championships Cairo.

The two players have enjoyed some emphatic battles in the past, but Coll looked as though he was going to secure his place in the last four in straight-forward fashion after going two games up, despite some outstanding attacking play from Momen.

It was the third game where the tide truly started to change though as the Egyptian saved two match balls to begin his ascendancy into the match as he threw everything at the two-time British Open champion to take the third.

Coll appeared to be struggling with fatigue and his movement in the fourth as Momen blew him away to draw level for the loss of just two points before both players played some of their best squash in the fifth to bring the match to a grandstand finish. It was a controversial stroke decision on match ball that proved to be the killer blow for Momen’s comeback as 30-year-old Coll secured his place in the semi-finals of the tournament for the third time in his career.

“It was a tough match, it’s very hot out here and he was taking me into all corners of the court and wasn’t missing,” Coll said in his post-match interview. “I’m just very happy to claw my way out of that one. It’s the battles, that’s what we come here for, it’s what we love.

“He’s got the softest touch in the world and if he’s not missing, then you just end up going into all four corners of the court. It’s absolutely brutal. If he’s on his day, he’s one of the hardest players in the world. He makes you do a tremendous amount of work, just due to his great hands and his soft touches.”

Coll will face former World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy for a place in the final after he got the better of 2022 Canary Wharf Classic champion Fares Dessouky in the last match of the day on the glass court outside the Egyptian National Museum of Civilization.


Mohamed ElShorbagy

ElShorbagy was at his best in the opening game to dismantle any hope Dessouky had of a good start as he took it 11-1.

Dessouky managed to grow into the match and ran ElShorbagy close in the following two games, but it was the experience of the 2017 World Champion that helped him in the big points as he closed out 11-1, 12-10, 12-10 in 54 minutes.

“In the second and third, it was all to play for, it was so crucial and could have gone either way,” ElShorbagy said. “Maybe at a few points here and there, I just played the crucial point better than him, but it was a great and high-quality match and I’m glad to make the semis.

“Paul is the World No.1. When you’re the World No.1, it’s not because you’re beating everyone, it’s because you’re winning most of your matches. It was probably one of the most high quality matches I’ve watched in years. He’s the World No.1 for a reason and he’s going to show how fit he is in the semis. We haven’t played in a very long time and I’m so excited to play him. It’s been an experience being the underdog at this event and I’m going to give it everything to make another final at the World Champs.”

In the women’s draw, USA’s World No.4 Amanda Sobhy was forced to come from a game down against giant killer Nada Abbas, who sent out New Zealand’s World No.5 Joelle King in the previous round, as she booked her place in the last four for the second year in a row.

Abbas came into the match full of confidence and carried that momentum into the first game as she caught Sobhy on the backfoot to take the lead. The American soon got her tactics right though as she saw off the attacks of the Egyptian to take the next three games.


Amanda Sobhy

Sobhy will take on World No.1 Nouran Gohar in a repeat of the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions final, which took place earlier this month in New York.

“She [Abbas] played so well, a lot better than when we played a couple of weeks ago at ToC,” said Sobhy. “I think that she came out firing from the start, I’m glad that I got my momentum eventually and put a halt to that.

“There’s no pressure on me, I know that she’s [Gohar] going to bring it and give her all and I’d expect nothing less from her. I know it’s going to be a battle, so it’s just recovering, so I hope a little more of the crowd can be on my side.”

Meanwhile, Gohar showed exactly why she is one of the favourites for glory in Cairo as she dominated compatriot Rowan Elaraby from the outset to comfortably prevail 11-1, 11-5, 11-4 in 30 minutes.

“Rowan is one of the most dangerous players on tour, so I had that in the back of my mind,” said Gohar. “She’s been playing really good squash lately, so I was just trying to play my best. I had my targets on tonight and just tried to be sharp and play good squash.”


Nouran Gohar

The quarter finals of the PSA World Championships Cairo continue tomorrow (May 20) and play from the Egyptian National Museum of Civilization will start at 18:45 (GMT+2) and will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV
 
Day Six

England’s Perry Avoids Upset to Reach PSA World Championships Cairo Quarter Finals


Sarah-Jane Perry

England’s No.1 Sarah-Jane Perry narrowly avoided a third-round exit at the PSA World Championships Cairo, as she defeated USA’s World No.24 Sabrina Sobhy in five games at the Club S Allegria.

Action took place across two glass courts for the last time at this event and it was once again the Club S Allegria that provided the drama as Perry was put through her paces by Sobhy to reach the quarter finals in Cairo.

The American scored a huge win in round two against compatriot and No.10 seed Olivia Fiechter to reach the last 16 and continued that momentum in a tightly contested battle with Perry today as she took the first game.

Perry was able to use her experience to grind out the win though as she closed out 8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 2-11, 11-8 in 57 minutes to reach the last eight at the PSA World Championships for the fourth time in her career.

“For some reason, I have a good record in five-setters,” said Perry. “I’m not quite sure why, maybe because I just refuse to lose a lot of the time, I had no right to win that match today. She wasn’t giving me many opportunities so I was just taking what I could get really.”

Perry will face reigning World Champion Nour El Sherbini in two days’ time for the 16th time in their careers, after the latter comfortably prevailed against Belgium’s World No.13 Tinne Gilis.

El Sherbini and Gilis have enjoyed some memorable five-game matches recently, but today’s match did not follow that pattern as El Sherbini was in top form in despatch the 24-year-old 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 in 30 minutes.


Nour El Sherbini (left) against Tinne Gilis (right)

“I’m glad she wasn’t on her finest form, everyone knows what happened in the last two meetings,” said five-time World Champion El Sherbini. “I learned from those matches and tried to be prepared and mentally ready for this match. It was very important for me to win 3-0.”

The other women’s quarter final in the bottom half of the draw will see former World No.3 Nour El Tayeb go up against compatriot Hania El Hammamy for a place in the semi finals after they claimed respective wins over Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam and England’s Georgina Kennedy.

El Tayeb and El Hammamy last faced each other at the CIB Black Ball Open, where El Tayeb, who made her return to the tour this year after giving birth, claimed a huge upset against the current World No.3.

“I’m going to be very focused,” El Hammamy said following her win. “I’ll watch the last match [against El Tayeb] to learn from what I did wrong and hopefully I can change that.”

In the men’s draw, it was a straightforward win for defending champion Ali Farag as he manoeuvred past an on paper tricky opponent in Youssef Ibrahim.

Ibrahim, who came from two games down in the previous round against Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi, looked as though he was struggling with an injury throughout as Farag powered to an 11-3, 11-1, 11-2 victory.

Farag will face No.7 seed Marwan ElShorbagy in the last eight after he prevailed against Switzerland’s Nicolas Mueller, who he had lost both times to in their previous two encounters.


Ali Farag in action against Youssef Ibrahim

“The pressure is gone, I’ve already won it, so anything from here is a bonus,” said Farag afterwards. “There is pressure in terms of that I want to win every tournament I play in, but I’m not desperate anymore, thankfully, so I can enjoy my time.”

Elsewhere, Peru’s Diego Elias and Egypt’s Mostafa Asal will contest the last quarter final match, following their wins against Egypt’s Youssef Soliman and India’s Saurav Ghosal, respectively.

Both players were in dominant form to record straight-games victories and set up a fourth meeting between the two, with Asal coming out on top in the previous three matches.

“I’m coming here to perform and to win match by match,” said Asal. “Me and my coaches are looking at videos to see how I can play against the player. I focused on lots of things today and I love playing in front of the crowd. I’m here to perform and I’m here for the title as well.”


Mostafa Asal

After his match, Elias said: “After playing in the Tournament of Champions [in New York] and then coming straight here and playing five games in the first round on the normal courts, the rest days help. I feel better and better every day I came here to win the tournament, so let's hope that happens.”

The quarter finals of the PSA World Championships Cairo get underway tomorrow (May 19) at the Egyptian National Museum of Civilization, where play will start at 18:45 (GMT+2) and will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV
 
Day Five

Abbas Stuns King to Reach Cairo Quarter Finals


Nada Abbas celebrates her win over Joelle King

Egypt’s World No.16 Nada Abbas stunned New Zealand’s World No.5 Joelle King in four games at the Club S Allegria to reach the quarter finals of the PSA World Championships Cairo for the first time in her career.

Today saw round three action take place across two glass courts, one at the Club S Allegria and one at the impressive new venue at the Egyptian National Museum of Civilization. However, it was at the former venue where the shock of the day took place as Abbas put in a mighty performance to down recent Manchester Open champion King.

The two players met last month when King took a comprehensive 3-0 victory at the Allam British Open, but it was a complete role reversal this time around as the 21-year-old Egyptian took control and managed to hold off a comeback from the Kiwi to prevail in four.

“I didn’t think about it, I was just here to enjoy it,” said Abbas. “I wasn’t pressuring myself about anything, I just wanted to play well and perform well.

“The crowd helped me a lot. They are cheering me for every point, helping me all the time. It was a boost for me to keep going and to play my best to win.”

Awaiting Abbas in the quarter finals will be USA’s World No.4 Amanda Sobhy after she prevailed in a tight 3-0 battle with close friend Nele Gilis of Belgium at the museum glass court.

“I thought it was a very fair match,” Sobhy said. “We didn’t have many calls [from the referee] and neither of us hit that many errors except from my last three points at the end. Nele and I are best friends and we know each other’s games inside out. I knew she was going to pick up a lot of balls, she’s a fighter and I’m so glad I won in three and finished off the games when it mattered.”

The other quarter final in the top half of the women’s draw will see World No.1 Nouran Gohar face compatriot Rowan Elaraby for a place in the last four, after the latter received a walkover into the quarter finals following the withdrawal of India’s Joshna Chinappa due to illness.

Gohar was at her dominant best to send out Wales’ Tesni Evans, who slipped midway through the second game and from then on look to struggle with the movement on that leg. The Egyptian, however, displayed a professional performance to move through the third round.

“The first game was very enjoyable, it felt like we were both playing well tonight,” said Gohar afterwards. “I was looking forward to a big battle against Tesni, it’s such a pity when a player is injured, but I was trying not to think about the injury because it could be tricky.

“World No.1 and World Champion, it’s something you always dream of. I’ve ticked the box of one of them, I just haven’t won the World Championship yet.”

In the men’s draw, 2019 World Champion Tarek Momen was forced to do things the hard way as he came from a game down against a resilient Joel Makin.


Tarek Momen in action against Joel Makin

Welshman Makin edged ahead in the first in a tightly contested game, before Momen prevailed in a lengthy second game. That seemed to give the Egyptian the momentum he needed as he comfortably took a 2-1 lead, courtesy of an 11-2 win in the third, before closing out 11-7 in 73 minutes.

“It was a tough one for me mentally,” said Momen. “I lost the first game very close, and then he went up in the second game 9-8 and he was very close of getting to 2-0 up.

“I had to dig really deep, so I am proud of how I fought today because I have always played tough matches against Joel, I don’t think we have ever had an easy one. Today was no different, and I am so glad I got the win today.”

Momen sets up a mouth-watering quarter final fixture with New Zealand’s World No.1 Paul Coll after he defeated Egypt’s No.10 seed Mazen Hesham in straight-games.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Fares Dessouky reached the quarter finals of the historic event for the second year in a row as he held off France’s Gregoire Marche in an entertaining four games at the Club S Allegria glass court.

The two players went toe-to-toe in a high quality affair which eventually saw Dessouky triumph 11-6, 14-16, 11-8, 11-7 in 72 minutes.

That win means that he faces 2017 World Champion Mohamed ElShorbagy for a place in the semi-finals after he was dominant against former World No.1 Karim Abdel Gawad, who shook hands early in the third game due to an injury.


Mohamed ElShorbagy

“I hope he’s fine, I don’t know what’s wrong with him, I know he’s been struggling with a foot injury, but he has been managing it quite well,” ElShorbagy commented. “He managed it well with me in Manchester and in the first two rounds [in Cairo].

“It’s very disappointing when you don’t continue a match for the crowd, the game, for anyone. I’ve played over 600 matches in my career and I’ve stopped only once. I’ve always made sure even when I was completely struggling to just make sure I continued.

“Some players, I understand that you can risk getting more injured if you keep going. I understand if he stopped for that, and I hope he comes back stronger because he is very important for the game.”

Round three of the PSA World Championships Cairo continues tomorrow (May 18) and play will be split across two glass courts, one at the Club S Allegria and the new venue of the Egyptian National Museum of Civilization. Action starts at 18:45 (GMT+2) and will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV.
 
Day Four

El Tayeb Downs Hany to Reach PSA World Championships Cairo Last 16


Nour El Tayeb

Egypt’s World No.28 Nour El Tayeb caused one of the upsets of the day at the Club S Allegria as she overcame No.7 seed Salma Hany in four games to reach the last 16 of the PSA World Championships Cairo.

It is El Tayeb’s first PSA World Championship appearance since giving birth to her daughter, Farida, last July and the former World No.3 continued to mark her return to squash action with yet another impressive performance.

The 2019 World Championship finalist edged a tight first game between the two Egyptians, before Hany hit back to grind out 11-9 in the second and get back on level terms. El Tayeb stepped it up a gear in the third and fourth though, as she produced a dazzling display of accurate hitting to close out 12-10, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3 in 44 minutes.

“At the start of the match, it felt like I didn’t have any structure in my squash and lately, the structure is what gives me the confidence and allows me to settle,” said El Tayeb afterwards.
“I don’t know why but in the third, I switched and managed to go short and then when I got five, six points, I saw it was working, and I felt more confident.

“Neither of us wanted to lose the Worlds in the second round, there was so much at stake for both of us. Maybe a bit of experience, a little bit of belief and confidence in the third and fourth carried me to the win.”

Courtesy of that win, El Tayeb will take on Malaysia’s World No.20 Sivasangari Subramaniam after she also got the better of a higher seeded opponent, beating Egypt’s Nadine Shahin 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 in just 25 minutes.

The upsets continued to come on the traditional courts in the women’s draw as World No.24 Sabrina Sobhy came out on top in all-American battle with World No.10 Olivia Fiechter to book her place in the third round.

Fiechter led early in the first game, only to be continually frustrated by Sobhy’s remarkable powers of recovery as the quick-footed 25-year-old covered all four corners expertly to take the opening game 12-10.

25-year-old Sobhy then powered her way to a 2-0 lead, before Fiechter pushed hard in the third but was unable to find a way through as Sobhy set up a third-round encounter with England’s Sarah-Jane Perry, following her win over France’s Melissa Alves.

“I’m very pleased with how I played and stuck to my game plan the entire match,” said Sobhy afterwards. “It was very close and tight. I’ve grown up playing her and I know how dangerous she can be and she has that admirable grit where she never gives up. I knew that if I eased up at all it could change in a second. I was pleased to stay strong that entire time.”

Elsewhere, defending champion Nour El Sherbini was forced to recover from an uncomfortable start to beat wildcard Kenzy Ayman in the opening match on the glass court.


Nour El Sherbini

18-year-old World No.79 Ayman, who beat World No.29 Jasmine Hutton in the first round, caused El Sherbini no end of problems early on in the match, with her unconventional swing and aggressive positioning throwing the World No.2 off her game as she took a shock one-game lead.

The former World No.1 managed to find her rhythm to take the second and third games, before sneaking out a hard fought 11-9 win in the fourth to advance at the tournament which she has won five times.

“I definitely [didn’t expect this performance],” said the Alexandrian afterwards. It was my first time playing her and the first time I’d seen her play. A wildcard and upsetting in the first round. I think she’s being getting a lot of good results, winning tournaments.

“She didn’t show any fear or any inexperience playing on the glass court, especially outdoors. I was definitely surprised, but I’m glad I had a little more experience than her to sneak every couple of points in each game.”

El Sherbini will face Belgium’s Tinne Gilis in the next round following her victory over Canada’s Hollie Naughton on the traditional courts. The two players have met twice already this season with El Sherbini winning both in thrilling five-game battles.

In the men’s draw, World No.2 Ali Farag led the top seeds into the last 16 stage of the sport’s biggest tournament as he battled through a tricky first game to conquer Mexico’s Cesar Salazar 13-11, 11-1, 11-9 in 31 minutes.

Next up for Farag will be talented Egyptian Youssef Ibrahim after he was forced to do things the hard way on the traditional courts at the Club S Allegria, coming from two games down against Qatar’s Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi to triumph in 64 minutes.


Ali Farag

“I’ve experienced all sorts of things before going on court. I don’t think I was necessarily slow off the blocks,” said Farag following his win. “It’s just that I wanted to play with intensity, but my fault was going too short, too early. I should have found my corners in the back first. But once I found my groove, I think I played well. My short game can still be better and in the third I tried it, but you can’t try it against Cesar, he’s going to kill you off. Thankfully I was able to pull that one back.”

After his match, Ibrahim said: “When I was down 2-0 down, I was thinking I don’t want to lose 3-0, my family is there. I still believed I could win the match and at no point in the match, did I think I couldn’t win because I was playing well.”

Meanwhile, No.4 seed Mostafa Asal staked his claim for World Championship glory as he eased past former World No.3 Omar Mosaad, 11-5, 11-3, 11-4 in 33 minutes.

The 2021 U.S. Open winner was full of confidence as he comfortably moved around the court to blitz away his opponent and secure a last 16 place against India’s Saurav Ghosal, following his win over USA’s Todd Harrity.

“I’m super proud that I’m playing in front of my country and my friends,” said Asal afterwards. “It gives me lots of confidence and I have won finals on this court. Step-by-step, match-by-match, I’m going to focus on the next one.”

Round three of the PSA World Championships Cairo takes place tomorrow (May 17) and play will be split across two glass courts, one at the Club S Allegria and the new venue of the Egyptian National Museum of Civilization. Action starts at 18:45 (GMT+2) and will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV.
 
Day Three

Top Seeds Triumph on Day Three at PSA World Championships Cairo


Paul Coll


World No.1s Paul Coll and Nouran Gohar led the top seeds into the third round of the PSA World Championships Cairo on an entertaining day of squash at the Club S Allegria in Egypt.

Men’s top seed Coll continued his impressive start at the event as he looks to win his first PSA World Championship crown. The 30-year-old was dominant to open up a 2-0 lead against India’s World No.52 Mahesh Mangaonkar as he used his athleticism and well-chosen attacks to dominate.

The Indian put up good resistance in the third game and caused Coll some trouble when he went short, but at 9-7 up, Coll built his way back into the match to rattle off four successive points and close out.

“I felt a lot more comfortable on court than in the first round,” Coll said. “It’s been a good first two rounds for me, coming through unscathed and with two 3-0s which is really good.

“I’m just sharpening everything, every shot we’ve been practicing with Rob [Owen] over the last two years. It’s overall a good week, sharpening everything that has got us to the top and just trying to keep it there.”

The Kiwi will move to the new glass court set up at the Egyptian National Museum of Civilization in the third round, where he faces Egypt’s World No.8 Mazen Hesham for a place in the quarter finals after he recorded an 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 victory over compatriot Karim El Hammamy to advance at the tournament.

There will be a clash of the former World Champions in round three as Egyptians Mohamed ElShorbagy and Karim Abdel Gawad go head-to-head for a place in the last eight at the prestigious event.

The former World No.1, who defeated younger brother Marwan to lift the title in 2017, was in confident form as he dominated from minute one, leaving Vargas struggling to come up with a response, to secure his place in the last 16.


Mohamed ElShorbagy

“He tried to fight, but the conditions sometimes are really hard when you come from the [traditional] courts, especially when it’s your first time,” said ElShorbagy afterwards. “I’m sure I’m going to see him again playing these big stages in the future.

“I’m really excited to go to the museum to be honest, it’s an amazing venue, very unique and I can’t wait to get back there tomorrow and see the venue and have a practice tomorrow.”

Gawad, meanwhile, got his revenge on France’s Victor Crouin to safely move through to the third round. The two players faced each other just last week when Crouin secured another big scalping at the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions in New York. However, Gawad made sure he was not on the receiving end of another upset this time around as he was at his best to win 11-9, 11-5, 11-8.

On the traditional courts, recent Manchester Open winner Joel Makin once again showed his consistency as he eased past France’s Lucas Serme on court two to secure a round three berth.

Meeting him in the last 16 will be 2019 World Champion Tarek Momen after he was pushed hard by USA’s Faraz Khan, eventually prevailing 11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8 in 50 minutes.

“You’ve got to accept that it’s not going to be a lot of fun for the first 30-45 minutes, take your punishment and accept he’s going to hit some unbelievable stuff,” said Makin on facing Momen in the next round.

“I can get into him physically and start to ask him a few questions, work him hard and wait for those errors to come because he’s always got them in him.”

The other men’s match in the top half of the draw will see Egypt’s Fares Dessouky take on France’s Gregoire Marche for only the third time in their careers as they were both put through tough battles to reach the last 16.

Dessouky came out on top in a fiery encounter with Englishman George Parker as tensions boiled over between the two players. It had been a tight and entertaining battle until a controversial decision in the fourth caused Parker to lose his focus and Dessouky was able to take full advantage. Meanwhile, Marche was forced to hold off a comeback from India’s Ramit Tandon as he showed his resilience to prevail in four games.

In the women’s draw, there were no problems for World No.1 Gohar as she powered her way past compatriot Farida Mohamed and into the third round of the sport’s biggest tournament.

The 24-year-old Cairo-native put in a typically brutal performance from minute one, with her power hitting consistently troubling the 20-year-old World No.19, who struggled to construct rallies throughout.


Nouran Gohar

“I had to play my A Game today to do it in three,” said Gohar. “Last time against her, it was a very tough battle, so that’s what we call learning lessons and definitely I learned from this one.

“I was really looking forward to the World Championships from the beginning of the year, it was definitely a goal. I’m not trying to think about it right now. Any match I play on the court, I want to win it, it doesn’t matter if it’s in the World Championship or in a practice match, I just try to focus on the game and do my best.”

Gohar will face Wales’ Tesni Evans on the new glass court at the Egyptian National Museum of Civilization after she overcame France’s Coline Aumard, who was forced to retire from their match after the second game due to injury.

Also on the glass court, USA’s World No.4 Amanda Sobhy showed no signs of slowing down her charge in Egypt as she comfortably put South Africa’s Alexandra Fuller to the sword in just 22 minutes.

Waiting for Sobhy in the third round will be Belgium’s Nele Gilis as she was also in top form to expertly despatch Scotland’s Lisa Aitken by an 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 margin.

“Me and Nele are best friends,” said Sobhy. “We haven’t played each other in a while, I know it’s going to be a fair battle. I think we’re both excited to be at the museum. It’s going to feel like a totally different tournament which is kind of nice to break things up.”

Elsewhere, New Zealand’s World No.5 Joelle King will take on Egypt’s Nada Abbas after they claimed respective victories over Egypt’s Yathreb Adel and USA’s Olivia Clyne on the traditional courts at the Club S Allegria.

The other round three clash in the top half of the draw will see Egypt’s World No.8 Rowan Elaraby face India’s Joshna Chinappa after they both claimed 3-0 wins earlier in the day over Egypt’s Hana Ramadan and Wales’ Emily Whitlock, respectively.

Round two of the PSA World Championships Cairo continues tomorrow (May 16) and play starts at 14:00 (GMT+2). Action from the glass court will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV, while the side court matches will be shown live on the PSA SQUASHTV YouTube channel.
 
Day Two

Defending Champions El Sherbini And Farag Claim Round One


Nour El Sherbini

Defending champions Nour El Sherbini and Ali Farag got their 2021-22 PSA World Championships Cairo campaigns off to winning starts with respective victories over Spain’s Cristina Gomez and Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas at the Club S Allegria in Egypt.

The bottom half of the draws took to the court today and El Sherbini, on her first appearance since the 2022 Black Ball Open in March, marked her return in imperious form as she adapted quickly to the difficult outdoor court conditions to win 11-4, 11-5, 11-4.

The World No.2 has been sidelined with injury since retiring during the Black Ball Open final against Nouran Gohar two months ago, but she looked to have put those woes behind her as she targets a sixth PSA World Championship crown.

“It feels good, I am really happy to be back. It was a good first match for me and I am so excited for this week,” said El Sherbini afterwards, who has featured in the last six finals of the sport’s biggest event.

“I am trying to have no nerves this week, putting all the negative thoughts out of my mind. I am feeling good, my body is good, physically way better than three months [ago]. I am just happy with the way I am playing now. No pressure, no stress, just try to relax and play the best squash I can this week.”

She will face wildcard Kenzy Ayman in the second round after she caused one of the upsets of the day against England’s World No.29 Jasmine Hutton on the traditional courts, recording a 3-0 victory, with all three of those games going to a tie-break.

“It’s my first time playing in a big PSA event, my first Worlds,” said World No.79 Ayman afterwards. “I took a lot of experience from my event in Bermuda, I won it. It showed me how I can learn to play like Raneem El Welily and Hania El Hammamy, like a professional squash player. I’m so excited because I get to play Nour El Sherbini, on the glass.”

Elsewhere, World No.3 Hania El Hammamy also continued the good form of the Egyptian players on home turf as she overcame Sana Ibrahim in straight-games to march into the last 32.

The reigning British Open champion was in dominant form to halt Ibrahim’s attacking style of play and get her title challenge off the mark in comfortable fashion.

“It’s good to be back at the World Championships. What an opportunity for any player to be playing in such a huge tournament,” El Hammamy said. “First round, playing against Sana, she is very tricky, very dangerous and she likes to attack a lot. I had to be sharp and to control the nerves to get through the first round.

“I know Sana, we both played a lot of juniors together, so I knew what to expect. She is very flexible and her swing flows a lot. You can wait for a drive and then you find a boast. You have to be sharp and stay alert in the middle of the court.”

El Hammamy will face Japan’s Satomi Watanabe in the next round after she stunned England’s World No.23 Lucy Turmel on the traditional courts to advance.


Hania El Hammamy

Watanabe, who secured her place at the sport’s biggest tournament after winning the University of Birmingham Open PSA Challenger event, showed her credentials as she came from one game down to win 12-14, 13-11, 11-6, 14-12 in a mammoth 73 minutes.

“It was a really, really tough match, both physically and mentally,” said Watanabe afterwards. “When so many games go to a tie-break, I was pleased to get through those and win today. I’m really looking forward to the match against Hania. She’s a really good player.”

In the men’s draw, Farag, who defeated Mohamed ElShorbagy in last season’s final, got off to the ideal start with an 11-8, 11-5, 11-8 victory over Mexico’s World No.37 Cardenas on the glass court.

The pair had never met on Tour previously, but the Mexican had moved inside the top 40 thanks to a good run at the Manchester Open in April, and he proved no fool on court in the opening round of the World Championships, as he took an early lead in the opening game.

However, Farag was able to come from 7-3 down to win it 11-8, and he held that momentum throughout the rest of the contest, winning in three to book his place in the second round in Cairo, where he will face another Mexican in Cesar Salazar after he came from two games down on the traditional courts.


Ali Farag

“First rounds are always tricky, especially if you are playing at a new venue, and if it is outdoors because you have to adapt to the conditions of the court,” Farag explained.

“Every player now moves really well but they all have holes in their movement somehow, so you try to look at them. I watched him play in Manchester and he played brilliantly well, so I watched with a lot of focus, on how I wanted to play today.

“The danger I always myself. If I feel alright, I have the belief that I can beat anyone on my day. I hope I can put six of those performances in a row.”

Also in the men’s draw today, World No.4 Mostafa Asal also secured his place in the last 32 courtesy of an 11-7, 11-5, 11-6 victory over England’s Adrian Waller in the final glass court match of the night.

Asal, who was forced to withdraw from last week’s J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions in New York due to a positive COVID test, battled through to win in 38 minutes and set up a second-round encounter with former World No.3 Omar Mosaad.

“I love playing here. I love playing in front of this crowd, my friends, my family, so thank you for coming, supporting me on the first day, the first round. I will arrive at my goal, and drive at the trophy,” Asal said to the crowd after the match.

“I love how the kids are reacting to me. Almost seven years to get on his court. I played lots of juniors, lots of PSA tournaments to get here. To be honest, it is hard but if you are committed then you will get here.”

The longest men’s match of the day came from Raphael Kandra against Colombia’s Miguel Rodriguez, as the German held off a comeback from the 2018 British Open winner in 70 minutes.

Kandra will face Switzerland’s Nicolas Mueller in the last 32 after he swept past Japan’s Ryosei Kobayashi in 24 minutes.

Round two of the PSA World Championships Cairo gets under way tomorrow (May 15) and play starts at 14:00 (GMT+2). Action from the glass court will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV, while the side court matches will be shown live on the PSA SQUASHTV YouTube channel.

 
Day One

World No.1 Gohar Off To Winning Start At PSA World Championships Cairo

World No.1 Nouran Gohar kicked off her attempt for PSA World Championship glory with a win over France’s Enora Villard as the prestigious tournament got under way at the Club S Allegria in Cairo, Egypt.


Nouran Gohar

This year’s PSA World Championships is the richest professional squash tournament in history as the players battle it out for $1,100,000 in total player prize compensation, which is split equally amongst the male and female athletes and Gohar got her tournament off to the perfect start with a 3-0 victory.

The match, which was delayed by 45 minutes due to adverse weather conditions, was over in just 28 minutes as the top seed adapted to the cooler conditions quickly and hit her targets at the front and back.

Villard showed some nice touches – particularly in a first game which saw her mount a mini-revival from 7-2 down to 7-6 – but was unable to put a game on the board against a ruthless Gohar, who finished as runner-up at the 2020-21 PSA World Championships.

“It’s always great when you’re done 3-0. It’s a 64 draw, there are a lot of matches, it’s the biggest tournament of the year, and you just want to be as fresh as possible,” said Gohar.

“I’m just trying to enjoy it. I’m not going to lie and say there is no pressure, obviously there is a bit of pressure, but I’m not trying to think about it too much. I’m trying to take it a match at a time and execute my game plan. I’m trying to focus on the small things, so I don’t get too overwhelmed with the whole thing.”

Gohar will face compatriot Farida Mohamed for a place in the third round after she came from a game down in a fiery encounter with Nour Aboulmakarim on the traditional courts.

“On the big points, I was trying to stay calm, especially when the rallies were long,” said Mohamed afterwards. “It was so physical today. There was a lot of contact during the game, each point.”

Joining them in the last 32 will be the USA’s World No.4 Amanda Sobhy, who claimed victory over her compatriot Haley Mendez in just 17 minutes on the glass court on day one.


Amanda Sobhy

The 28-year-old had won both of her previous meetings against Mendez in similarly dominant fashion – winning those matches in just 34 minutes of combined play time – and Sobhy wasted no time in making it a hat-trick of victories as she bounded round the court and hit winners at will.

The No.4 seed will go up against South Africa’s Alexandra Fuller in the next round as she steps up her bid to become the first American ever to win the World Championships.

“I’m happy that I finished it quickly because it was cold and windy,” said Sobhy. “I’m happy with how I played, the conditions were tough.

“We’ve [Sobhy and Fuller] never played. It’s exciting to play someone new after so many years on tour. We have a rest day tomorrow, so I know she’s going to feel fresh and I’m going to use the glass court to my advantage because she hasn’t played on it, I’m going to try and make as fast a start as possible.”

Fellow top seeds New Zealand’s Joelle King and Egypt’s Rowan Elaraby also safely made their way through to round two of the iconic tournament following respective wins over Hong Kong’s Tsz-Wing Tong and England’s Millie Tomlinson.

In the men’s draw, Paul Coll, the only male New Zealander ever to reach the summit of the PSA World Rankings, started his first World Championship as the top seed confidently as he overcame Egyptian wildcard Seif Shenawy in straight games.


Paul Coll

Coll – who turned 30 four days ago – kept his composure to take a two-game lead and held off a comeback from his opponent in the third to complete an 11-5, 11-3, 11-8 victory in 40 minutes.

“Today, it was more about getting a feel for the court for me,” said Coll. “With the outdoor court you’ve got to get used to it. There’s a lot of external factors to deal with, but I felt more comfortable as the game went on. I’m happy with a 3-0 first round win and I got off there and did the job.

“The last couple of tournaments I’ve felt that pressure [of being the No.1 seed] more. It was really good being home training for four weeks, I got back into a normal routine. I’m feeling good on court, so I’m probably feeling less pressure at this tournament compared to the British Open.”

Joining Coll in round two will be 2017 World Champion Mohamed ElShorbagy, who required just 25 minutes to record his first win of the 2021-22 PSA World Championships, getting the better of Hungary’s Balazs Farkas in straight games.


Mohamed ElShorbagy

“It’s very weird to go into a tournament being an underdog,” said ElShorbagy. “I haven’t had that for the last 10 years and that’s due to my poor run of form this season. In my last three majors I have not even made it to the quarters. It’s a very different stage in my career and I have never experienced anything like this.

“I’ve made some changes, I’ve started working with Greg [Gaultier] which has given me so much hunger and motivation back. Even though I lost the final in Manchester, I wanted to be on court mentally, the aggression was back, so I have a good feeling about this week. I’m being written off by so many people and I think that can put a lot of pressure on the other guys and not on myself.”

ElShorbagy’s fellow Egyptians Tarek Momen, Fares Dessouky and Mazen Hesham also successfully booked their places in the second round, which will take place on Sunday May 15.

Momen, who won this tournament back in 2019 when he defeated Coll in the final, overcame a resilient Eain Yow Ng of Malaysia in 43 minutes to set up a last 32 clash with USA’s Faraz Khan, who caused an upset on day one with victory over Egypt’s Mohamed ElSherbini. While Dessouky and Hesham recorded respective wins over Portugal’s Rui Soares and Canada’s David Baillargeon.

Round one of the PSA World Championships Cairo continues tomorrow (May 14) and play starts at 12:00 (GMT+2). Action from the glass court will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV, while the side court matches will be shown live on the PSA SQUASHTV YouTube channel.


Squash fans can also follow the tournament on 
FacebookTwitter or via the official event website: www.psaworldchampionships.com

 

PREVIEWS

Record Prize Money On Offer At 2021-22 PSA World Championships



The upcoming 2021-22 PSA World Championships will become the richest professional squash tournament in history when the best squash players on the planet line up in Cairo, Egypt next month to battle for $1,100,000 in total player prize compensation, which is split equally amongst the male and female athletes.

Held between May 13-22, the PSA World Championships is the most prestigious tournament on the PSA World Tour and will be staged at the Club S Allegria between May 13-18, while a stunning all-glass court will be erected at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation from May 17 onwards, with action from the third round and beyond being held at that venue.

The tournament will be headed up by World No.1s Paul Coll and Nouran Gohar, while reigning World Champions Ali Farag and Nour El Sherbini are seeded at No.2 for the event.

Coll, the only male New Zealander ever to reach the summit of the PSA World Rankings, will begin his tournament against wildcard Sheif Shenawy, while Farag is set to face Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas in the opening round.

Farag, a two-time World Champion, is drawn on the same side of the draw as the likes of World No.4 Mostafa Asal and the dangerous Marwan ElShorbagy, while Coll could come up against 2017 World Champion Mohamed ElShorbagy in the semi finals if matches go to seeding.

The men’s draw also features two other former World Champions in Tarek Momen, the 2019-20 champion, and Karim Abdel Gawad, the 2016 champion. Momen takes on Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng in round one, with Gawad set to face Dimitri Steinmann of Switzerland.

Gohar, a runner-up at the women’s 2020-21 PSA World Championships in Chicago, will get her event under way against France’s Enora Villard and is seeded to face USA’s Amanda Sobhy and No.8 seed Rowan Elaraby en route to the title decider.


Nouran Gohar will top the women's draw

World No.2 Nour El Sherbini, who has won the PSA World Championship title on five of the previous six occasions, will open up against Spain’s Cristina Gomez and is seeded to come up against Allam British Open champion Hania El Hammamy in what would be a blockbuster semi final battle.

The winners of the tournament will take home approximately $80,000 in prize money – the largest winner’s total ever at a PSA event – while they will also qualify for June’s CIB PSA World Tour Finals, which brings together the reigning PSA World Champions, as well as the winners of all PSA World Tour Platinum events for a season-ending showpiece event, also held in Cairo.

Just two spots remain in the World Championship draw, with the winners of next month’s Bermuda Open qualifying for the biggest event on the PSA World Tour.

Action from the glass court at both the Club S Allegria and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV, while the semi finals and finals will be shown live via the channels of PSA’s broadcast partners.

Squash fans can also follow the tournament on FacebookTwitter or via the official event website: www.psaworldchampionships.com
 

HISTORY

History Of The World Championships

The inaugural Men’s World Championship began in 1976 in London – with the whole tournament being played at the old Wembley Stadium, home of the English football team.

Whilst the Women’s Tour also first began that year in 1976, when the iconic Heather McKay lifted the first of her two titles, beating Marion Jackman on home soil in Brisbane, Australia.

Fellow Australians Rhonda Thorne and Sarah Cardwell followed in McKay’s footsteps before the legendary Susan Devoy became the first non-Australian player to get her hands on the coveted trophy in 1985, at which point the tournament was a biennial event.

Since then, the Men’s and Women’s tournaments have been staged in all four corners of the globe, with the competition being held in countries such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Hong Kong and Germany to name a few.

Australian legend Geoff Hunt took the first Men’s World Championship title after he beat Pakistan’s Mohibullah Khan in the final and he held onto it for a further three years after defeating Qamar Zaman on all three occasions, once in Canada and twice in his native country.

The next 16 years saw the Men’s World Championship dominated by players from Pakistan and, more specifically Jahangir and Jansher Khan, who between them won all but two World Championship titles between 1981 and 1996.

The two Khan’s are the most decorated players to have graced the Men’s World Championship with Jansher having eight to his name, whilst Jahangir captured the title six times – and the pair are considered to be two of the greatest players ever to play the sport.

A host of the biggest names in squash have also lifted the illustrious title, with Amr Shabana (4), Ramy Ashour (3), Nick Matthew (3) and David Palmer (2) all having their name engraved on the famous trophy.

Martine Le Moignan was the first Englishwoman to capture the title, before Devoy took the next two titles in 1990 and 1992, with the tournament switching to an annual format from that point onwards.
Australia dominated the women’s event over the next decade, with Michelle Martin’s triumph in 1993 bringing about a period that saw the title shared between her (three wins), Sarah Fitz-Gerald (5) and Carol Owens (1) in nine of the 10 tournaments held between 1993-2002.

England’s Cassie Campion was the only player to put a dent in the Australian dominance of the 90s, with her 1999 triumph over Martin seeing her become the first female English World Champion in 10 years.

Over the next few years, the legendary Malaysian Nicol David made her mark on the tournament, claiming her maiden World Championship title in Hong Kong in 2005 courtesy of a win over Australian Rachael Grinham, before retaining her title the following year with a win over Grinham’s younger sister, Natalie.

The Grinham sisters met in the final in 2007, with Rachael being the victor, but David responded with an incredible five wins on the bounce in an unprecedented spell of dominance.

That run eventually came to an end in the 2013 edition, which saw England’s Laura Massaro claim her first World title in Penang, beating then 18-year-old Nour El Sherbini in the showpiece finale.

But El Sherbini soon got her hands on the sport’s biggest prize when she battled back from two games down to become the youngest ever Women’s World Champion at the age of 20 – eclipsing the record set by Devoy 31 years earlier.

Tickets are available for purchase on Ticketmaster.

For more information on the 2018/19 PSA World Championships, follow the tournament on Twitter, Facebook or the Event's website.

 

 

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are available to purchase by visiting: Ticketmaster
 

 

INFO

The upcoming 2021-22 PSA World Championships will become the richest professional squash tournament in history when the best squash players on the planet line up in Cairo, Egypt to battle for $1,100,000 in total player prize compensation.
Click here for Event's website