Mostafa Asal & Nour ElSherbini Crowned 2026 Windy City Open Champions

World Champions Mostafa Asal and Nour ElSherbini were crowned Windy City Open champions in Chicago after overcoming Paul Coll and Amina Orfi respectively in two markedly different finals at the sixth major stop of the 2025/26 PSA World Squash Tour season.

The men’s showpiece marked the 23rd career meeting between Mostafa Asal and Paul Coll, with the pair now well accustomed to contesting silverware. Asal, who had prevailed in 15 of their previous encounters, imposed himself early, surging into a 4-1 lead in the opening game. Although Coll responded to level at 4-4, the Egyptian swiftly reasserted control, reeling off seven of the next eight points to close out the first 11-5 after 21 minutes.

A similar pattern emerged in the second game as Asal edged ahead once more, but this time Coll mounted a more sustained resistance. The New Zealander moved 8-5 in front, appearing poised to draw level, before a lengthy 15-minute interruption following a collision between the players disrupted the momentum. When play resumed, Asal returned with renewed intensity, overturning the deficit to snatch the game 12-10 and move two games clear.

Coll attempted to reset in the third, carving out a 3-1 advantage, yet Asal’s dominance of the middle of the court proved decisive. The World No.1 tightened his grip on proceedings, driving through the latter stages to reach 10-7 and sealing victory at the first opportunity. The 11-5 12-10 11-7 triumph secured a 20th consecutive straight-games win for Asal and his fifth title of the campaign, underlining his authority at the summit of the men’s game.

The women’s final delivered high drama as Nour ElSherbini faced rising star Amina Orfi for the fifth time. The teenager struck first, edging a fiercely contested opening game 11-9 before producing another assured display in the second. Despite ElSherbini’s attempts to wrestle back control, Orfi held firm, taking the tie-break 12-10 to establish a commanding two-game lead - a position she had rarely relinquished in her young career.

The momentum appeared to swing again in a tense third game. With the score locked at 9-9, Orfi earned championship ball but was unable to convert. ElSherbini, drawing on her vast experience, saved multiple opportunities and claimed the game 13-11, even after being struck by the ball during a bruising rally. That escape proved pivotal.

Re-energised, the two-time Windy City Open champion surged through the fourth 11-5 to force a decider. In the fifth, ElSherbini’s composure and tactical precision came to the fore. She raced into a 6-1 lead and, though Orfi battled gamely to close the gap late on, the World No.2 held her nerve to complete an 11-8 victory.

The comeback secured ElSherbini’s 20th major crown and the 46th title of her illustrious career, reinforcing her reputation as one of the sport’s great competitors. In contrast to Asal’s clinical efficiency, her triumph was forged through resilience and resolve - a reminder that champions find different ways to win.

The 2026 Windy City Squash Open presented by the Walter Family was staged at the University Club of Chicago from the 5th to 11th February.

For the latest match highlights, visit: psasquashtour.com

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Windy City Squash Open Presented by the Walter Family 2026, University Club of Chicago, Chicago, USA
Men's Final:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [2] Paul Coll (NZL) 11-5, 12-10, 11-7 (84m)

Women's Final:
[3] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt [2] Amina Orfi (EGY) 9-11, 10-12, 13-11, 11-5, 11-8 (86m)

Men's Semi-Finals:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Grégoire Marche (FRA) 11-7, 11-6, 11-2 (36m)
[2] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [4] Karim Gawad (EGY) 11-1, 11-7, 11-5 (38m)

Women's Semi-Finals:
[3] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt [1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 11-6, 11-6, 5-11, 9-11, 11-7 (69m)
[2] Amina Orfi (EGY) bt [4] Olivia Weaver (USA) 14-12, 5-11, 7-11, 11-3, 15-13 (95m)

Men's Quarter-Finals:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Jonah Bryant (ENG) 11-2, 11-3, 11-7 (42m)
Grégoire Marche (FRA) bt [6] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) 11-9, 12-14, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10 (82m)
[4] Karim Gawad (EGY) bt [7] Victor Crouin (FRA) 13-11, 12-10, 2-11, 11-7 (63m)
[2] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [8] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) 11-8, 4-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-1 (62m)

Women's Quarter-Finals:
[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [7] Tinne Gilis (BEL) 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 (37m)
[3] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt [6] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) 11-6, 6-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8 (52m)
[4] Olivia Weaver (USA) bt [8] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) 11-6, 11-4, 11-2 (26m)
[2] Amina Orfi (EGY) bt Amanda Sobhy (USA) 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 (36m)

Men's 2nd Round:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Abhay Singh (IND) 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 (43m)
Jonah Bryant (ENG) bt [5] Joel Makin (WAL) 8-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-5 (101m)
[6] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Youssef Soliman (EGY) 11-3, 7-11, 11-6, 11-6 (52m)
Grégoire Marche (FRA) bt [WC] Matias Knudsen (COL) 11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 11-4 (51m)
[4] Karim Gawad (EGY) bt Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 14-12, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8 (66m)
[7] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt Kareem El Torkey (EGY) 11-4, 11-8, 11-1 (30m)
[8] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 11-5, 11-5, 11-9 (39m)
[2] Paul Coll (NZL) bt Eain Yow Ng (MAS) 11-8, 11-4, 11-7 (49m)

Women's 2nd Round:
[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Lucy Beecroft (ENG) 11-9, 11-7, 11-2 (29m)
[7] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt Anahat Singh (IND) 6-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-4 (49m)
[6] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt Kenzy Ayman (EGY) 11-5, 11-4, 10-12, 11-6 (36m)
[3] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt Hana Ramadan (EGY) 11-3, 11-5, 11-7 (25m)
[4] Olivia Weaver (USA) bt Aira Azman (MAS) 11-3, 11-8, 11-8 (24m)
[8] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) bt Salma Hany (EGY) 11-5, 11-7, 11-6 (27m)
Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt [5] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) 11-6, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8 (42m)
[2] Amina Orfi (EGY) bt Marina Stefanoni (USA) 6-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-8 (58m)

Men's 1st Round:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) 11-9, 11-2, 11-4 (33m)
Abhay Singh (IND) bt Fares Dessouky (EGY) 12-10, 9-11, 11-9, 11-2 (43m)
Jonah Bryant (ENG) bt Curtis Malik (ENG) 12-10, 3-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6 (25m)
[5] Joel Makin (WAL) bt Declan James (ENG) 11-6, 7-11, 11-3, 11-4 (61m)
[6] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) 11-7, 11-6, 12-10 (36m)
Youssef Soliman (EGY) bt Noor Zaman (PAK) 11-1, 3-11, 13-11, 4-11, 11-4 (62m)
[WC] Matias Knudsen (COL) bt Juan Vargas (COL) 11-2, 11-3, 11-9 (40m)
Grégoire Marche (FRA) bt [3] Diego Elias (PER) 11-7, 11-1, 11-13, 9-11, 11-6 (73m)
[4] Karim Gawad (EGY) bt Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) 5-11, 12-10, 11-6, 5-11, 12-10 (68m)
Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) bt [WC] Nathan Lake (ENG) 11-7, 11-8, 12-14, 13-11 (53m)
Kareem El Torkey (EGY) bt Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) 11-6, 11-6, 3-11, 9-11, 11-9 (76m)
[7] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt Bernat Jaume (ESP) 11-5, 11-2, 11-7 (33m)
[8] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Auguste Dussourd (FRA) 11-7, 3-11, 11-8, 11-7 (47m)
Baptiste Masotti (FRA) bt Timothy Brownell (USA) 11-7, 11-9, 11-4 (37m)
Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 11-6, 11-5, 11-9 (35m)
[2] Paul Coll (NZL) bt Leonel Cardenas (MEX) 11-6, 11-9, 11-5 (61m)

Women's 1st Round:
[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Sabrina Sobhy (USA) 11-3, 13-11, 11-9 (40m)
Lucy Beecroft (ENG) bt [WC] Caroline Fouts (USA) 11-5, 11-2, 5-11, 11-3 (38m)
Anahat Singh (IND) bt Zeina Mickawy (EGY) 11-13, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 (33m)
[7] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt Mariam Metwally (EGY) 16-14, 11-5, 11-7 (33m)
[6] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt Nele Gilis (BEL) 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (41m)
Kenzy Ayman (EGY) bt Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) 11-7, 11-7, 11-9 (23m)
Hana Ramadan (EGY) bt Hana Moataz (EGY) 11-9, 7-11, 11-4, 12-10 (38m)
[3] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt Hollie Naughton (CAN) 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-3 (34m)
[4] Olivia Weaver (USA) bt Grace Gear (ENG) 11-6, 11-9, 11-3 (30m)
Aira Azman (MAS) bt Torrie Malik (ENG) 11-9, 11-3, 8-11, 14-12 (45m)
Salma Hany (EGY) bt Ka Yi Lee (HKG) 5-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-4, 11-9 (43m)
[8] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) bt Nardine Garas (EGY) 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 (26m)
[5] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt Rachel Arnold (MAS) 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4 (36m)
Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Sana Ibrahim (EGY) 12-10, 11-4, 11-3 (31m)
Marina Stefanoni (USA) bt Tesni Murphy (WAL) 5-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-9 (36m)
[2] Amina Orfi (EGY) bt Lucy Turmel (ENG) 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 (32m)

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have unveiled the draws for the 2026 Windy City Squash Open presented by the Walter Family, with World No.1s Mostafa Asal and Hania El Hammamy leading two compelling fields as they chase their first titles at one of the PSA World Squash Tour’s most prestigious Platinum events. The tournament returns to the University Club of Chicago from the 5th to 11th February.

World No.1 and reigning World Champion Mostafa Asal arrives with formidable momentum. Despite featuring only twice previously at the Windy City Squash Open, the Egyptian has established himself as the tour’s dominant force, reaching 21 finals from 26 appearances since his semi-final exit here in 2024. Asal opens his campaign against World No.14 Aly Abou Eleinen, one of the very few players to have beaten him in the past two years, setting up an intriguing first-round test.

Second seed Paul Coll is a proven performer in Chicago, having reached the final in each of the last three editions and lifting the trophy in 2022 after a memorable comeback win over Youssef Ibrahim. The New Zealander, buoyed by recent successes in London and Qatar, will be keen to add a second Windy City Squash Open crown, though Ibrahim has had the upper hand in their most recent meetings in China and Hong Kong.

Peru’s Diego Elias, seeded third, returns to competition following injury with a point to prove. A consistent threat in North American events, where he has claimed over half of his career titles, the 2024 World Squash Champion has yet to progress beyond the quarter-finals in Chicago. Drawn in the same half as Asal, Elias will be eager to rewrite that particular narrative.

Beyond the top seeds, the men’s draw is packed with danger. Sixth seed Youssef Ibrahim arrives in fine form after reaching the final in his last three tournaments, including his breakthrough major final in Chicago. Karim Gawad, recently back inside the world’s top four, remains one of the tour’s most unpredictable match-winners, while Wales’ Joel Makin continues his pursuit of a maiden PSA Platinum title with growing belief.

On the women’s side, newly crowned World No.1 Hania El Hammamy headlines a formidable field as she looks to add another major trophy to her expanding collection. The Egyptian, runner-up here in 2022, has already claimed three of the four major titles this season and begins against USA’s Sabrina Sobhy, a player who has troubled her in the past.

Teenage sensation Amina Orfi returns to Chicago brimming with confidence. Competing in just her second Windy City Squash Open, the 18-year-old has already secured three titles this season and is set to rise to World No.2 early in the new year. With her relentless intensity and rapid progression, a first PSA Platinum triumph feels increasingly inevitable.

Third seed Nour ElSherbini is no stranger to success in Chicago. The eight-time World Squash Champion boasts an extraordinary record at the Windy City Squash Open and PSA World Squash Championships combined, suffering just one defeat in her last 38 matches in the city. Fresh from a strong finish to the year in Hong Kong, ElSherbini will once again be among the favourites.

Home interest will centre on Olivia Weaver, who reached her first PSA World Squash Tour Platinum final in Hong Kong earlier this month. Now seeded fourth, the American will be eager to build on that breakthrough on familiar territory, with the Windy City crowd firmly behind her as she seeks a statement win over one of the sport’s elite.

The Chicago faithful will also have plenty of domestic talent to support, including Timothy Brownell, the Sobhy sisters and Marina Stefanoni, alongside wildcards Mathias Knudsen, Ava Lin and Caroline Fouts, and local favourite Nathan Lake. With star power across both draws and no shortage of compelling storylines, the 2026 Windy City Squash Open promises another memorable week of world-class squash.

2026 Windy City Squash Open Men’s Draw:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) vs Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY)
Fares Dessouky (EGY) vs Abhay Singh (IND)
Curtis Malik (ENG) vs Jonah Bryant (ENG)
Declan James (ENG) vs [5] Joel Makin (WAL)
[7] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) vs Yahya Elnawasany (EGY)
Sebastien Bonmalais (FRA) vs Youssef Soliman (EGY)
Juan Vargas (COL) vs [WC] Matias Knudsen (COL)
Gregoire Marche (FRA) vs [3] Diego Elias (PER)
[4] Karim Gawad (EGY) vs Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG)
Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) vs [WC] Nathan Lake ENG)
Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) vs Kareem El Torkey (EGY)
Bernat Jaume (ESP) vs [8] Victor Crouin (FRA)
[6] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) vs Auguste Dussourd (FRA) 
Baptiste Masotti (FRA) vs Timothy Brownell (USA)
Nicolas Mueller (SUI) vs Eain Yow Ng (MAS)
Leonel Cardenas (MEX) vs [2] Paul Coll (NZL)

2026 Windy City Squash Open Women’s Draw:
[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) vs Sabrina Sobhy (USA)
[WC] Caroline Fouts (USA) vs Lucy Beecroft (ENG)
Anahat Singh (IND) vs Zeina Mickawy (EGY)
Mariam Metwally (EGY) vs [7] Tinne Gilis (BEL)
[6] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) vs Nele Gilis (BEL)
Kenzy Ayman (EGY) vs Rowan Elaraby (EGY) 
Hana Ramadan (EGY)  vs Hana Moataz (EGY)
Hollie Naughton (CAN) vs [3] Nour ElSherbini (EGY)
[4] Olivia Weaver (USA) vs Nada Abbas (EGY)
Aira Azman (MAS) vs Aifa Azman (MAS)
Ka Yi Lee (HKG) vs Salma Hany (EGY)
[WC] Ava Lin (USA) vs [8] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY)
[5] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) vs Rachel Arnold (MAS)
Amanda Sobhy (USA) vs Sana Ibrahim (EGY)
Marina Stefanoni (USA) vs Tesni Murphy (WAL)
Lucy Turmel (ENG) vs [2] Amina Orfi (EGY)

The 2026 (PSA) Windy City Squash Open presented by the Walter Family will be staged at the the University Club of Chicago from the 5th to 11th February.

For the latest match updates as they happen and details of how to watch live, visit: psasquashtour.com

2024 PSA Windy City Squash Open Results: InternationalSquashMagazine.com