Iván Pérez Reaches BH Open Final

UNSQUASHABLE player Iván Pérez continued his impressive run of form on the PSA World Tour with a runner-up finish at the 2026 BH Squash Open, producing a series of high-quality performances at Academia BH Squash in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Fresh from his title success at the ECP Squash Open the previous week, the Spaniard once again demonstrated the resilience, tactical awareness and fighting spirit that have become hallmarks of his game, progressing to the final as the tournament’s No.2 seed before eventually falling to top seed Toufik Mekhalfi in a thrilling five-game championship match.

The final proved a fitting conclusion to an outstanding week of squash. Iván pushed the Frenchman all the way in a fiercely contested 99-minute battle, twice recovering from a game down to level the contest. Mekhalfi edged the opening game 11-6 before Iván responded strongly to claim the second 11-8. The pair continued to exchange momentum, with Mekhalfi taking the third 11-9 and Iván again drawing level with an 11-8 success in the fourth.

With the title on the line, the physical demands of the week appeared to favour the top seed. Mekhalfi produced a strong finish in the deciding game, pulling away to secure an 11-4 victory and deny Iván a second successive PSA World Squash Tour title in Brazil.

Despite the defeat, Iván’s route to the final highlighted the quality of his performances throughout the event.

His campaign began with a stern examination against Brazil No.1 and fellow UNSQUASHABLE player Diego Gobbi in the second round. After racing through the opening game, IvánP found himself under pressure as the home favourite claimed the next two games. The Spaniard responded with impressive composure, regaining control of the rallies and dominating the closing stages to complete an 11-4 6-11 9-11 11-8 11-2 comeback victory.

The quarter-finals saw Iván overcome France’s Edwin Clain in straight games, although the scoreline failed to reflect the competitiveness of the encounter. The Spaniard displayed excellent control in the crucial moments, edging all three games to secure an 11-8 11-9 13-11 victory in 55 minutes.

Iván then produced arguably his most complete performance of the tournament in the semi-finals. Facing fellow Frenchman Macéo Lévy, the second seed dictated proceedings from start to finish, combining accurate length with intelligent shot selection to record a commanding 11-5 11-4 11-6 victory in just 37 minutes.

Across the week, Iván once again showcased the qualities that have driven his rise on the PSA World Squash Tour. His ability to absorb pressure, adapt tactically and compete relentlessly in difficult situations was evident throughout the tournament.

While the title ultimately slipped away in the final, a runner-up finish in Belo Horizonte represents another significant achievement for the Spaniard and further underlines his growing stature on the international professional circuit. With a title and a final from consecutive events in Brazil, Iván leaves South America with considerable momentum as he continues one of the most productive periods of his career.

has reached the final of the 2026 BH Squash Open being staged at Academia BH Squash, Belo Horizonte in Brazil.

2026 PSA BH Squash Open, Academia BH Squash, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Final:
[1] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt [2] Iván Pérez (ESP) 11-6, 8-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4 (99m)

Semi-Finals:
[1] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt [9/16] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) 11-6, 11-6, 11-4 (38m)
[2] Iván Pérez (ESP) bt [5] Macéo Lévy (FRA) 11-5, 11-4, 11-6 (37m)
 
Quarter-Finals:
[1] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt [9/16] Seif Tamer (EGY) 5-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (38m)
[9/16] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) bt [6] Nicholas Spizzirri (USA) 11-4, 5-11, 11-3, 11-5 (54m)
[5] Macéo Lévy (FRA) bt [4] Rowan Damming (NED) 11-9, 3-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-1 (57m)
[2] Iván Pérez (ESP) bt [9/16] Edwin Clain (FRA) 11-8, 11-9, 13-11 (55m)

2nd Round:
[1] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt [9/16] Dillon Huang (USA) 10-12, 11-5, 11-2, 11-8 (50m)
[9/16] Seif Tamer (EGY) bt [8] Rhys Evans (WAL) 8-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3, 11-9 (51m)
[6] Nicholas Spizzirri (USA) bt [9/16] Sebastian Salazar (MEX) 11-3, 11-8, 11-5 (39m)
[9/16] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) bt [3] Ronald Palomino (COL) 14-12, 11-7, 5-11, 11-3 (62m)
[4] Rowan Damming (NED) bt [9/16] Francesco Marcantonio (PAR) 5-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-5 (58m)
[5] Macéo Lévy (FRA) bt [9/16] Marwan Mahmoud Assal (EGY) 16-18, 11-1, 15-17, 11-5, 11-8 (97m)
[9/16] Edwin Clain (FRA) bt [7] Juan Torres (COL) 6-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-9 (57m)
[2] Iván Pérez (ESP) bt [9/16] Diego Gobbi (BRA) 11-4, 6-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-2 (58m)

1st Round:
[1] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bye
[9/16] Dillon Huang (USA) bt Andrés Herrera (COL) 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-7 (68m)
[9/16] Seif Tamer (EGY) bt Manuel Paquemar (FRA) 11-2, 11-6, 11-1 (17m)
[8] Rhys Evans (WAL) bye
[6] Nicholas Spizzirri (USA) bye
[9/16] Sebastian Salazar (MEX) bt Shady El Sherbiny (EGY) 6-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-6, 11-6 (66m)
[9/16] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) bt Joeri Hapers (BEL) 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 (34m)
[3] Ronald Palomino (COL) bye
[4] Rowan Damming (NED) bye
[9/16] Francesco Marcantonio (PAR) bt [WC] João Victor (BRA) 11-2, 11-3, 11-6
[9/16] Marwan Mahmoud Assal (EGY) bt [WC] Pedro Mometto (BRA) 11-6, 11-4, 11-2 (29m)
[5] Macéo Lévy (FRA) bye
[7] Juan Torres (COL) bye
[9/16] Edwin Clain (FRA) bt [WC] Vinicius Berbel (BRA) 11-8, 11-9, 11-5 (27m)
[9/16] Diego Gobbi (BRA) bt Joshua Phinera (FRA) 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6 (43m)
[2] Iván Pérez (ESP) bye