Diego Gobbi Wins 2025 PSA Helsinki Challenger

UNSQUASHABLE player Diego Gobbi produced the finest form of his career to win the 2025 PSA Helsinki Squash Challenger title at Talihalli, Finland, securing a string of impressive victories that culminated in a four-game triumph over France’s Toufik Mekhalfi in the final.

The Brazilian No.1 overturned the odds throughout the week, saving his best performance for the latter stages of the tournament. In the final, the seventh seed edged a tense opening game 12-10 before Mekhalfi, the No.2 seed, hit back to level the contest. Refusing to let the momentum slip, the 30-year-old regained control with disciplined attacking play to claim the third game 11-6, before holding his nerve in the fourth to close out the match 11-9 and secure a thrilling 47-minute victory.

Diego’s route to the title was far from straightforward. In the semi-finals, he stunned top seed and fellow UNSQUASHABLE player Rory Stewart of Scotland in a gripping five-game battle, prevailing 11-2 5-11 11-8 4-11 11-7 in 49 minutes after both players traded periods of dominance. His quarter-final against Ireland’s Conor Moran followed a similar pattern, with Diego powering through the deciding game after a fiercely contested 50-minute encounter to complete a hard-fought 11-7 5-11 11-6 7-11 11-1 win,

After receiving a first-round bye, Diego began his campaign with a comfortable 32-minute victory over England’s Robert Downer in the second round, winning 11-5 11-4 11-1.

This title represents a significant milestone for the three-time Brazilian Champion, underlining his emergence as a genuine force on the PSA Challenger Tour. His resilience under pressure and ability to overcome higher-seeded opponents will provide a major confidence boost as he looks to climb further up the world rankings in the coming months.

2025 PSA Helsinki Men's Squash Challenger, Talihalli, Helsinki, Finland
Final:
[7] Diego Gobbi (BRA) bt [2] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) 12-10, 2-11, 11-6, 11-9 (47m)

Semi-Finals:
[7] Diego Gobbi (BRA) bt [1] Rory Stewart (SCO) 11-2, 5-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-7 (49m)
[2] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt [3] Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) 10-12, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8

Quarter-Finals:
[1] Rory Stewart (SCO) bt [6] Owain Taylor (WAL) 11-8, 11-3, 8-11, 11-6 (52m)
[7] Diego Gobbi (BRA) bt [9/16] Conor Moran (IRL) 11-7, 5-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-1 (50m)
[3] Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) bt [8] Sam Buckley (IRL) 12-14, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 (56m)
[2] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt [5] Ben Smith (ENG) 11-8, 11-4, 13-11 (38m)

2nd Round:
[1] Rory Stewart (SCO) bt [9/16] Mohamed Gohar (EGY) 7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10 (60m)
[6] Owain Taylor (WAL) bt [9/16] Dylan Molinaro (AUS) 11-5, 11-4, 11-9 (36m)
[7] Diego Gobbi (BRA) bt [9/16] Robert Downer (ENG) 11-5, 11-4, 11-1 (32m)
[9/16] Conor Moran (IRL) bt [4] Edwin Clain (FRA) 11-8, 13-11, 5-11, 11-9 (53m)
[3] Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) bt [9/16] Abdallah Amr (EGY) 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 (31m)
[8] Sam Buckley (IRL) bt [9/16] Noah Meredith (ENG) 11-6, 11-3, 8-11, 11-4 (45m)
[5] Ben Smith (ENG) bt Jared Carter (ENG) 11-9, 14-12, 11-6 (41m)
[2] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt [9/16] Baptiste Bouin (FRA) 11-9, 11-4, 11-1 (30m)

1st Round:
[1] Rory Stewart (SCO) bye
[9/16] Mohamed Gohar (EGY) bt Joeri Hapers (BEL) 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 12-10
[9/16] Dylan Molinaro (AUS) bt Connor Hayes (AUS) 11-5, 11-5, 5-11, 11-8
[6] Owain Taylor (WAL) bye
[7] Diego Gobbi (BRA) bye
[9/16] Robert Downer (ENG) bt [WC] Joel Pennanen (FIN) 11-6, 12-10, 11-6
[9/16] Conor Moran (IRL) bt Christopher Gordon (USA) 11-9, 12-10, 11-2
[4] Edwin Clain (FRA) bye
[3] Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) bye
[9/16] Abdallah Amr (EGY) bt Olli Soini (FIN) 11-2, 11-4, 11-6
[9/16] Noah Meredith (ENG) bt Yehia Essam (EGY) 11-4, 11-4, 12-10
[8] Sam Buckley (IRL) bye
[5] Ben Smith (ENG) bye
Jared Carter (ENG) bt [9/16] Henrik Mustonen (FIN) 10-12, 11-4, 11-9, 11-6
[9/16] Baptiste Bouin (FRA) bt Ville Eskola (FIN) 11-1, 11-3, 11-3
[2] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bye