Paul Coll & Amina Orfi Crowned 2026 British Open Champions

Paul Coll of New Zealand and Egypt’s Amina Orfi were crowned champions at the 2026 Quilter Cheviot British Squash Open after memorable victories on finals day at The Rep Theatre in Birmingham.

For Paul Coll, the triumph marked a third British Open title after the former World No.1 recovered from a slow start to defeat defending champion and current World No.1 Mostafa Asal, securing the title after the Egyptian was forced to retire early in the fourth game.

Asal had looked sharp in the opening stages, claiming the first game 11-9, but the physical demands of his epic 115-minute semi-final victory over Diego Elias appeared to take their toll. Paul Coll steadily gained control of the contest, dominating the next two games 11-3 and 11-6 with disciplined, high-tempo squash. With the momentum firmly in the New Zealander’s favour, Asal was unable to continue at the start of the fourth game, handing Coll a 9-11 11-3 11-6 0-0 ret. victory after 52 minutes.

The success adds to Coll’s previous British Open titles from 2021 and 2022 and represents the 33rd PSA World Squash Tour title of his distinguished career.

In the women’s final, newly crowned World Champion Amina Orfi continued her remarkable rise by becoming the youngest women’s British Open champion in history. The 18-year-old Egyptian once again overcame World No.2 Nour ElSherbini, just weeks after defeating her compatriot to capture the PSA World Squash Championship crown.

Nour ElSherbini made the stronger start, taking the opening game 11-7, but Amina Orfi responded with the composure and maturity that have become hallmarks of her game. Raising the intensity of her attacks while maintaining exceptional accuracy, she claimed the next three games 11-8 11-5 11-8 to secure a landmark victory.

The win sees Amina Orfi break a record that had stood for 94 years. At 18 years and 10 months old, she surpasses the achievement of Susan Noel, who was 19 years and eight months old when she won the title in 1932.

Having already survived the longest women’s match in British Open history in the semi-finals, Amina Orfi capped an extraordinary week in Birmingham, England by adding another major title to her growing collection. The victory further underlines her status as one of the sport’s brightest talents and confirms her place among the leading figures in the women’s game.

The 2026 Quilter Cheviot British Squash Open was staged in Birmingham, England from the 26th May to 7th June.

For more information and details of how to watch match highlights, visit: 
psasquashtour.com

2026 Quilter Cheviot British Squash Open, The Rep Theatre, Birmingham, England
Men's Final:
[2] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) 9-11, 11-3, 11-6 ret. (52m)

Women's Final:
[3] Amina Orfi (EGY) bt [2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) 7-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-8 (64m)

Men's Semi-Finals:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [3] Diego Elias (PER) 11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9 (115m)
[2] Paul Coll (NZL) bt Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) 11-7, 11-4, 11-3 (41m)

Women's Semi-Final:
[3] Amina Orfi (EGY) bt [1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 11-8, 11-7, 14-16, 11-6 (110m)
[2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt [6] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) 11-7, 11-4, 11-3 (28m)

Men's Quarter-Finals:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [6] Victor Crouin (FRA) 11-8, 11-3, 11-4 (43m)
[3] Diego Elias (PER) bt [7] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) 11-9, 11-13, 11-1, 11-5 (70m)
Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) bt [4] Karim Gawad (EGY) 11-8, 8-11, 14-12, 11-9 (84m)
[2] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [11] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) 13-11, 11-6, 11-2 (56m)

Women's Quarter-Finals:
[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [7] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) 11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 8-11, 11-4 (65m)
[3] Amina Orfi (EGY) bt [10] Amanda Sobhy (USA) 11-9, 11-4, 11-5 (41m)
[6] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt [4] Olivia Weaver (USA) w/o
[2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt [9] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 11-9, 11-4, 11-5 (32m)

Men's 3rd Round:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [16] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) 13-11, 11-3, 11-7 (35m)
[6] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt Adam Hawal (EGY) 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 (44m)
[7] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bt Juan Vargas (COL) 11-7, 11-4, 11-7 (40m)
[3] Diego Elias (PER) bt [10] Youssef Soliman (EGY) 11-3, 3-0 ret. (25m)
[4] Karim Gawad (EGY) bt [12] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 (39m)
Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) bt [8] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) 19-21, 11-4, 11-3, 11-9 (74m)
[11] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) bt [5] Joel Makin (WAL) 11-8, 11-9, 11-5 (55m)
[2] Paul Coll (NZL) bt Declan James (ENG) 11-5, 11-5, 11-7 (43m)

Women's 3rd Round:
[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [16] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) 13-11, 11-3, 11-7 (35m)
[7] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) bt [12] Salma Hany (EGY) 7-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-2 (47m)
[10] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt [8] Tinne Gilis (BEL) 11-6, 11-6, 11-5 (31m)
[3] Amina Orfi (EGY) bt Mélissa Alves (FRA) 11-7, 11-5 ret. (28m)
[4] Olivia Weaver (USA) bt [11] Nele Gilis (BEL) 7-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-3 (53m)
[6] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt [13] Marina Stefanoni (USA) 5-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-5 (38m)
[9] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt [5] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, 11-5 (52m)
[2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt Sin Yuk Chan (HKG) 11-3, 11-2, 11-7 (23m)

Men's 2nd Round:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Alex Lau (HKG) 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 (29m)
[16] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bt Curtis Malik (ENG) 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 (47m)
[Q] Adam Hawal (EGY) bt [15] Grégoire Marche (FRA) 11-5, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5 (65m)
[6] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt Kareem El Torkey (EGY) 5-11, 11-4, 13-11, 9-11, 11-9 (81m)
[7] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bt Abhay Singh (IND) 11-9, 11-4, 7-11, 12-10 (76m)
Juan Vargas (COL) bt [9] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) 8-11, 7-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-1 (75m)
[10] Youssef Soliman (EGY) bt [WC] Simon Herbert (ENG) 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 (41m)
[3] Diego Elias (PER) bt Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 11-8, 11-3, 11-1 (32m)
[4] Karim Gawad (EGY) bt Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) 8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-6 (47m)
[12] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) bt Timothy Brownell (USA) 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 (41m)
Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) bt [14] Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) 9-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-5, 12-10 (80m)
[8] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) 11-9, 11-9, 13-11 (33m)
[5] Joel Makin (WAL) bt Veer Chotrani (IND) 12-10, 11-9, 11-3 (39m)
[11] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) bt Auguste Dussourd (FRA) 11-7, 11-2, 11-2 (36m)
Declan James (ENG) bt [13] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 11-7, 8-11, 7-11, 11-5, 12-10 (70m)
[2] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [WC] Sam Todd (ENG) 11-6, 11-7, 12-10 (53m)

Women's 2nd Round:
[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Zeina Mickawy (EGY) 11-3, 9-11, 11-8, 11-3 (41m)
[16] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bt Kenzy Ayman (EGY) 11-5, 11-9, 13-11 (30m)
[12] Salma Hany (EGY) bt Torrie Malik (ENG) 0-11, 11-8, 9-11, 13-11, 11-7 (52m)
[7] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) bt Farida Mohamed (EGY) 12-10, 11-8, 11-0 (27m)
[8] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt Nardine Garas (EGY) 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 11-3 (54m)
[10] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Georgia Adderley (SCO) 11-8, 2-11, 11-8, 11-6 (45m)
Mélissa Alves (FRA) bt [14] Jasmine Hutton (ENG) 8-11, 11-8, 11-3, 9-11, 12-10 (69m)
[3] Amina Orfi (EGY) bt [Q] Ruqayya Salem (EGY) 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 (41m)
[4] Olivia Weaver (USA) bt Aira Azman (MAS) 11-5, 11-3, 11-3 (20m)
[11] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt Nour Heikal (EGY) 11-9, 11-5, 11-9 (36m)
[13] Marina Stefanoni (USA) bt Sana Ibrahim (EGY) 11-9, 12-10, 11-9 (38m)
[6] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt Nadien Elhammamy (EGY) 11-2, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6 (38m)
[5] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt Lucy Turmel (ENG) 10-12, 11-2, 11-8, 11-9 (46m)
[9] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt Malak Khafagy (EGY) 11-5, 11-7, 11-4 (34m)
Sin Yuk Chan (HKG) bt [15] Nada Abbas (EGY) 14-12, 9-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-5 (56m)
[2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt Hana Moataz (EGY) 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7 (33m)

Men's 1st Round:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bye
Alex Lau (HKG) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 11-4, 11-8, 12-14, 11-6 (35m)
Curtis Malik (ENG) bt Karim El Hammamy (EGY) 10-12, 11-4, 11-2, 11-1 (50m)
[16] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bye
[15] Grégoire Marche (FRA) bye
[Q] Adam Hawal (EGY) bt Bernat Jaume (ESP) 11-6, 11-8, 11-3 (39m)
Kareem El Torkey (EGY) bt [LL] Adrian Waller (ENG) 11-6, 10-12, 11-1, 4-11, 11-5 (40m)
[6] Victor Crouin (FRA) bye
[7] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bye
Abhay Singh (IND) bt Matias Knudsen (COL) 11-8, 11-5, 11-4 (37m)
Juan Vargas (COL) bt [Q] Mohamed Gohar (EGY) 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 (43m)
[9] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) bye
[10] Youssef Soliman (EGY) bye
[WC] Simon Herbert (ENG) bt Miguel Rodriguez (COL) 15-13, 11-8, 11-4 (38m)
Baptiste Masotti (FRA) bt Raphael Kandra (GER) 4-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7 (47m)
[3] Diego Elias (PER) bye
[4] Karim Gawad (EGY) bye
Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) bt [Q] David Bernet (SUI) 11-4, 13-11, 11-8 (48m)
Timothy Brownell (USA) bt Moustafa Elsirty (EGY) 9-11, 11-1, 12-10, 11-9 (53m)
[12] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) bye
[14] Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) bye
Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) bt Patrick Rooney (ENG) 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 (29m)
Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) bt Muhammad Ashab Irfan (PAK) 11-8, 11-7, 11-6 (36m)
[8] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bye
[5] Joel Makin (WAL) bye
Veer Chotrani (IND) bt Noor Zaman (PAK) 11-8, 12-14, 11-6, 11-7 (47m)
Auguste Dussourd (FRA) bt Ramit Tandon (IND) 14-12, 4-7 ret. (30m)
[11] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) bye
[13] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) bye
Declan James (ENG) bt [Q] Sam Osborne-Wylde (ENG) 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 (54m)
[WC] Sam Todd (ENG) bt Fares Dessouky (EGY) 11-5, 5-11, 11-9, 11-4 (54m)
[2] Paul Coll (NZL) bye

Women's 1st Round:
[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bye
Zeina Mickawy (EGY) bt [Q] Farida Walid (EGY) 11-8, 11-9, 11-6 (34m)
Kenzy Ayman (EGY) bt Lucy Beecroft (ENG) 11-5, 9-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9 (56m)
[16] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bye
[12] Salma Hany (EGY) bye
Torrie Malik (ENG) bt Hana Ramadan (EGY) 11-4, 6-11, 11-9, 2-11, 11-4 (45m)
Farida Mohamed (EGY) bt Ka Yi Lee (HKG) 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8 (34m)
[7] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) bye
[8] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bye
Nardine Garas (EGY) bt Anahat Singh (IND) 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9 (45m)
Georgia Adderley (SCO) bt [WC] Alicia Mead (ENG) 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 (35m)
[10] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bye
[14] Jasmine Hutton (ENG) bye
Mélissa Alves (FRA) bt [Q] Lauren Baltayan (FRA) 8-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 (48m)
[Q] Ruqayya Salem (EGY) bt Rachel Arnold (MAS) 11-9, 12-10, 9-11, 11-3 (43m)
[3] Amina Orfi (EGY) bye
[4] Olivia Weaver (USA) bye
Aira Azman (MAS) bt Grace Gear (ENG) 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 (25m)
Nour Heikal (EGY) bt Aifa Azman (MAS) 11-9, 11-6, 11-9 (45m)
[11] Nele Gilis (BEL) bye
[13] Marina Stefanoni (USA) bye
Sana Ibrahim (EGY) bt Tomato Ho (HKG) 11-5, 11-4, 11-6 (28m)
Nadien Elhammamy (EGY) bt Mariam Metwally (EGY) 11-9, 11-7, 11-8 (30m)
[6] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bye
[5] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bye
Lucy Turmel (ENG) bt [Q] Alina Bushma (UKR) 11-9, 11-3, 11-4 (35m)
Malak Khafagy (EGY) bt Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) 6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-5 (43m)
[9] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bye
[15] Nada Abbas (EGY) bye
Sin Yuk Chan (HKG) bt Hollie Naughton (CAN) 11-9, 6-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-9 (50m)
Hana Moataz (EGY) bt [WC] Katie Malliff (ENG) 12-10, 11-13, 3-11, 11-2, 11-4 (50m)
[2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bye

Men's Qualifying Finals:
Dewald van Niekerk (RSA) v David Bernet (SUI)
Sam Osborne-Wylde (ENG) v Adrian Waller (ENG)
Mohamed Gohar (EGY) v Perry Malik (ENG)
Emyr Evans (WAL) v Adam Hawal (EGY)
 
Men's 2nd Qualifying Round:
Dewald van Niekerk (RSA) bt Ameeshenraj Chandaran (MAS) 11-5, 11-3, 11-8 (54m)
David Bernet (SUI) bt Salman Khalil (EGY) 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 6-11, 11-5 (70m)
Sam Osborne-Wylde (ENG) bt Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) 11-3, 11-5, 7-11, 11-6 (60m)
Adrian Waller (ENG) bt Yassin Shohdy (EGY) 11-7, 7-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-2 (51m)
Mohamed Gohar (EGY) bt Balazs Farkas (HUN) 12-10, 3-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-5 (55m)
Perry Malik (ENG) bt Sanjay Jeeva (MAS) 11-7, 11-8, 11-9 (43m)
Emyr Evans (WAL) bt Yusuf Sheikh (ENG) 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 (39m)
Adam Hawal (EGY) bt Matthew Lai (HKG) 11-8, 11-7, 11-7 (48m)

Men's 1st Qualifying Round:
Ameeshenraj Chandaran (MAS) bt Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) 6-11, 15-13, 12-10, 11-2 (62m)
Dewald van Niekerk (RSA) bt Oliver Dunbar (NZL) 12-10, 11-5, 11-5 (48m)
David Bernet (SUI) bt Duncan Lee (MAS) 11-9, 14-12, 11-7 (43m)
Salman Khalil (EGY) bt Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) 11-3, 11-6, 11-3 (27m)
Sam Osborne-Wylde (ENG) bt Dylan Roberts (ENG) 11-7, 11-3, 11-6 (38m)
Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) bt Finnlay Withington (ENG) 11-5, 11-9, 11-4 (34m)
Yassin Shohdy (EGY) bt Dylan Molinaro (AUS) 11-4, 11-3, 11-4 (30m)
Adrian Waller (ENG) bt Owain Taylor (WAL) 11-8, 11-7, 13-11 (43m)
Balazs Farkas (HUN) bt Heston Malik (ENG) 11-7, 11-4, 3-11, 12-10 (51m)
Mohamed Gohar (EGY) bt Mohamed Sharaf (EGY) 12-10, 6-11, 11-7, 6-11, 14-12 (64m)
Perry Malik (ENG) bt Bailey Malik (ENG) 11-9, 11-4, 11-5 (31m)
Sanjay Jeeva (MAS) bt Rui Soares (POR) 5-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (51m)
Yusuf Sheikh (ENG) bt Ryunosuke Tsukue (JPN) 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 (24m)
Emyr Evans (WAL) bt Yannik Omlor (GER) 11-6, 11-3, 11-2 (22m)
Matthew Lai (HKG) bt Elijah Thomas (NZL) 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 (50m)
Adam Hawal (EGY) bt Henry Leung (HKG) 11-3, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9 (67m)

Women's Qualifying Finals:
Lauren Baltayan (FRA) bt Joelle King (NZL) 11-9, 11-8, 11-9 (42m)
Farida Walid (EGY) bt Noa Romero (ESP) 11-8, 11-7, 11-5 (34m)
Alina Bushma (UKR) bt Jana Swaify (EGY) 3-11, 11-6, 11-3, 6-11, 11-5 (54m)
Ruqayya Salem (EGY) bt Toby Tse (HKG) 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7 (35m)

Women's 2nd Qualifying Round:
Lauren Baltayan (FRA) bt Millie Tomlinson (ENG) 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 (39m)
Joelle King (NZL) bt Saskia Beinhard (GER) 11-2, 11-5, 11-7 (26m)
Noa Romero (ESP) bt Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8 (39m)
Farida Walid (EGY) bt Habiba Hani (EGY) 12-10, 11-4, 11-4 (33m)
Jana Swaify (EGY) bt Asia Harris (ENG) 8-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-4 (38m)
Alina Bushma (UKR) bt Kaitlyn Watts (NZL) 11-3, 11-6, 11-9 (37m)
Ruqayya Salem (EGY) bt Nicole Bunyan (CAN) 11-7, 11-3, 11-6 (31m)
Toby Tse (HKG) bt Haya Ali (EGY) 11-6, 11-7, 4-11, 9-11, 11-6 (45m)

Women's 1st Qualifying Round:
Lauren Baltayan (FRA) bt Emily Coulcher-Porter (ENG) 11-7, 11-7, 5-11, 11-8 (38m)
Millie Tomlinson (ENG) bt Wai Yhann Au Yeong (SGP) 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 7-11, 11-7 (60m)
Saskia Beinhard (GER) bt Cindy Merlo (SUI) 5-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6 (45m)
Joelle King (NZL) bt Olivia Besant (ENG) 9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-1 (27m)
Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) bt Olivia Owens (ENG) 10-12, 11-8, 11-4, 11-8 (41m)
Noa Romero (ESP) bt Ainaa Amani (MAS) 14-12, 11-5, 11-9 (34m)
Farida Walid (EGY) bt Madeleine Hylland (NOR) 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 (29m)
Habiba Hani (EGY) bt Tanvi Khanna (IND) 11-5, 14-12, 8-11, 11-5 (48m)
Jana Swaify (EGY) bt Mariam Eissa (ENG) 11-3, 11-6, 11-3 (16m)
Asia Harris (ENG) bt Hayley Ward (RSA) 8-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-5 (36m)
Kaitlyn Watts (NZL) bt Nour Khafagy (EGY) 11-9, 11-13, 13-11, 12-10 (56m)
Alina Bushma (UKR) bt Kiera Marshall (ENG) 11-6, 11-4, 11-4 (29m)
Nicole Bunyan (CAN) bt Alison Thomson (SCO) 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 (27m)
Ruqayya Salem (EGY) bt Madison Lyon (AUS) 11-6, 11-2, 11-2 (23m)
Toby Tse (HKG) bt Ella Jane Lash (NZL) 11-7, 11-1, 11-7 (20m)
Haya Ali (EGY) bt Menna Walid (EGY) 11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5 (36m)

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have unveiled the draws for the Quilter Cheviot British Squash Open, the most storied title in professional squash, with World No.1s Mostafa Asal and Hania El Hammamy heading the fields for the second PSA World Squash Tour Diamond event of the 2025-26 squash season.

A total of 154 players, including qualifiers, will converge on Birmingham for the sport’s longest-running professional championship. After qualifying concludes, main draw action begins on the 30th May, with finals scheduled for the 7th June. Early rounds will be staged at the Solihull Arden Club before the tournament moves to the all-glass showcourt at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, an arena perfectly suited to elite squash.

Mostafa Asal arrives as the dominant force in the men’s game. The Egyptian tops the draw seeking a second British Squash Open crown, having lifted the trophy in 2024 before finishing runner-up to Diego Elias last year. With only two defeats all season and victories in nearly every major event, Asal’s form makes him the man to beat once again.

Two-time British Squash Open champion Paul Coll is seeded second and chasing a third British Open title that would place him among an elite group of modern greats. The Kiwi has been Asal’s most consistent challenger this season and will feel at home in the Midlands, where he regularly trains under Rob Owen. Converting that familiarity into silverware will be his clear objective.

Defending champion Diego Elias and 2016 World Squash Champion Karim Gawad occupy the third and fourth seedings. Elias’ campaign has been disrupted by a knee injury earlier in the season, but his recent return to form, highlighted by a high-quality final appearance at the Optasia Squash Championships, suggests he is regaining rhythm at the right time. Gawad, meanwhile, continues to defy the years with his craft and deception, and his draw places him in the same half as Coll, setting up the potential for a compelling last-four clash.

The depth in the 5–8 seedings underlines the tournament’s strength. British hopes rest with Joel Makin and Marwan ElShorbagy, while France’s Victor Crouin and Egypt’s young star Mohamad Zakaria complete the top eight. Notably, World No.7 Youssef Ibrahim is absent this year due to exceptional circumstances.

In the women’s draw, Hania El Hammamy leads the field as top seed and former champion, aiming to add another British Squash Open title to a season already rich in major victories. Working alongside former champion Laura Massaro has brought renewed sharpness to her game, and she arrives as the clear favourite.

However, eight-time Women's World Squash Champion Nour ElSherbini remains a formidable obstacle. Historically at her best on the biggest stages, ElSherbini has rediscovered her rhythm in recent months and will be targeting another deep run at a tournament where she has been a perennial finalist.

Behind the leading pair, Amina Orfi and Olivia Weaver are emerging as genuine title contenders after pushing the top seeds to the limit in several major events this season. Both will sense that this could be the opportunity to disrupt the established order.

Further threats lie in the form of Sivasangari Subramaniam and Satomi Watanabe, whose consistency this season has elevated them into serious quarter-final dangers, while Fayrouz Aboelkheir and Tinne Gilis round out a top eight packed with quality.

With history, prestige and ranking points all on the line, this year’s British Open promises another compelling chapter in one of squash’s most revered championships.

Men’s Draw:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) Bye
Alex Lau (HKG) v Nicolas Mueller (SUI)
Curtis Malik (ENG) v Karim El Hammamy (EGY)
[10] Jonah Bryant (ENG) Bye
[16] Gregoire Marche (FRA) Bye
Eain Yow Ng (MAS) v Qualifier 
Kareem El Torkey (EGY) v Bernat Jaume (ESP)
[6] Victor Crouin (FRA) Bye
[7] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) Bye
Matias Knudsen (COL) v Abhay Singh (IND)
Juan Vargas (COL) v Qualifier
[9] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) Bye
[11] Youssef Soliman (EGY) Bye
[WC] Nick Wall (ENG) v Miguel Rodriguez (COL)
Baptiste Masotti (FRA) v Raphael Kandra (GER)
[3] Diego Elias (PER)  Bye
[4] Karim Gawad (EGY) Bye
Qualifier v Iker Pajares (ESP)
Timothy Brownell v Moustafa Elsirty (EGY)
[13] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) Bye
[15] Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) Bye
Patrick Rooney (ENG) v Yahya Elnawasany (EGY)
Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) v Muhammad Ashab Irfan (PAK)
[8] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) Bye
[5] Joel Makin (WAL) Bye
Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) v Noor Zaman (PAK)
Ramit Tandon (IND) v Auguste Dussourd (FRA)
[12] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) Bye
[14] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) Bye
Qualifer v Declan James (ENG)
Fares Dessouky (EGY) v [WC] Sam Todd (ENG)
[2] Paul Coll (NZL) Bye

Women’s Draw:
[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) Bye
Qualifier v Zeina Mickawy (EGY)
Kenzy Ayman (EGY) v Lucy Beecroft (ENG)
[16] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) Bye
[12] Salma Hany (EGY) Bye
Torrie Malik (ENG) v Hana Ramadan (EGY)
Farida Mohamed (EGY) v Ka Yi Lee (HKG)
[7] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) Bye
[8] Tinne Gilis (BEL) Bye
Nardine Garas (EGY) v Anahat Singh (IND)
Georgia Adderley v [WC] Alicia Mead (ENG)
[10] Amanda Sobhy (USA) Bye
[14] Jasmine Hutton (ENG) Bye
Qualifer v Melissa Alves (FRA)
Rachel Arnold (MAS) v Qualifier
[3] Amina Orfi (EGY) Bye
[4] Olivia Weaver (USA) Bye
Grace Gear (ENG) v Aira Azman (MAS)
Aifa Azman (MAS) v Nour Heikal (EGY)
[11] Nele Gilis (BEL) Bye
[13] Marina Stefanoni (USA) Bye
Tomato Ho (HKG) v Sana Ibrahim (EGY)
Sabrina Sobhy (USA) v Nadien Elhammamy (EGY)
[6] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) Bye
[5] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) Bye
Qualifier v Lucy Turmel (ENG)
Malak Khafagy (EGY) v Mariam Metwally (EGY)
[9] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) Bye
[15] Nada Abbas (EGY) Bye
Hollie Naughton (CAN) v Sin Yuk Chan (HKG)
Hana Moataz (EGY) v [WC] Katie Malliff (ENG)
[2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) Bye