2023 PSA Grasshopper Cup to take place at Zurich in October
June 17 2023
Reigning champions Mostafa Asal and Nour El Sherbini are gearing up to return to Zurich, where they will vigorously defend their titles at the 2023 PSA Grasshopper Cup, the prestigious PSA World Tour Gold event that is marking its 10th edition at Halle 622 in the heart of the Swiss city.
Scheduled to span from 17th to 22nd October, the 2023 PSA Grasshopper Cup will commence with the first-round showdowns at the Squash Arena Uster, only to transition to the gleaming confines of an all-glass court at Halle 622 from the second round onward.
A key subplot of this year's Grasshopper Cup is the return of World No.4 Mostafa Asal to competitive play. It marks his inaugural tournament of the 2023-24 season following a 12-week suspension. The 22-year-old dazzled spectators last year by clinching the title in commanding fashion, outclassing Marwan ElShorbagy in straight games to notch his ninth PSA World Tour career title. This time around, Asal steps into the tournament as the No.3 seed, embroiled in a competitive quarter of the draw. Among his adversaries are No.6 seed Joel Makin, with whom Asal has waged fierce battles, and the formidable Egyptian duo of Mohamed Abouelghar and Youssef Ibrahim. Adding to the mix are the English pair of Patrick Rooney and Adrian Waller, both capable of orchestrating upsets.
Top seed Ali Farag, who was hampered by injury at last year's event where he succumbed to local favourite Nicolas Mueller, returns with a determined resolve to lay claim to the title for the first time. His aim extends beyond just securing the Grasshopper Cup; Farag also seeks to extend his lead atop the PSA World Rankings. He awaits the victor of the all-European clash between France's Auguste Dussourd and England's Charlie Lee in the second round, having been granted an opening-round bye.
Mohamed ElShorbagy, England's No.1, eyes a significant milestone in Zurich. Sitting at 49 career PSA World Tour titles, he yearns to notch his 50th. The 2019 Grasshopper Cup champion faces the prospect of a quarter-final duel with compatriot and former World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad should both emerge victorious in their respective round two matches. Gawad has emerged victorious in their last two encounters, at the PSA World Championship and British Open in Birmingham, England.
In the women’s draw, defending champion Nour El Sherbini is set to build upon her success from last year when she overcame a 2-1 deficit in the final to conquer World No.3 Hania El Hammamy. Fresh off a triumph at the Paris Squash 2023 event, Nour El Sherbini has reclaimed her World No.1 status, dethroning the previous incumbent, Nouran Gohar. Her quest is to secure a second Grasshopper Cup title and etch her name in history as the first woman to achieve this feat. Her journey begins against either Emilia Soini or Lucy Turmel in the opening match.
Last year's runner-up, Hania El Hammamy, is seeded second in the women's draw. Her recent exit in Paris, falling to Sabrina Sobhy in the third round, has fuelled her determination to excel in Zurich.
Completing the quartet of top seeds for the women's event are Belgium's Nele Gilis and England's Georgina Kennedy. Both have demonstrated their mettle with recent appearances in PSA World Tour Platinum semi-finals at the El Gouna International and Paris Squash respectively. Their standout performances serve as a testament to their capabilities as they aim to challenge the world's elite players.
Adding a touch of homegrown intrigue to the proceedings, Swiss talents Yannick Wilhelmi and Cindy Merlo have earned wildcards for the men's and women's competitions respectively. Yannick Wilhelmi faces a formidable task in his compatriot and hometown favourite, Nicolas Mueller in the first round. World No.28 Dimitri Steinmann represents another Swiss entry in the men’s draw.
The stage is set for an exhilarating 10th edition of the Grasshopper Cup, where squash's finest will converge in Zurich, and fans can expect nothing short of thrilling, world-class action on the court.
2023 Grasshopper Cup:
Men’s Draw:
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bye
Charlie Lee (ENG) v [9/16] Auguste Dussourd (FRA)
[9/16] Greg Lobban (SCO) v Nick Wall (ENG)
[8] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) bye
[6] Joel Makin (WAL) bye
Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v [9/16] Patrick Rooney (ENG)
[9/16] Adrian Waller (ENG) v Youssef Ibrahim (EGY)
[3] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bye
[4] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bye
Ramit Tandon (IND) v [9/16] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT)
[9/16] Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) v George Parker (ENG)
[5] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bye
[7] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bye
[WC] Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) v [9/16] Nicolas Mueller (SUI)
[9/16] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) v Raphael Kandra (GER)
[2] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) bye
2023 Grasshopper Cup:
Women’s Draw:
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bye
Emilia Soini (FIN) v [9/16] Lucy Turmel (ENG)
[9/16] Emily Whitlock (WAL) v Aira Azman (MAS)
[7] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bye
[6] Tesni Evans (WAL) bye
[WC] Cindy Merlo (SUI) v [9/16] Jasmine Hutton (ENG)
[9/16] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) v Enora Villard (FRA)
[4] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bye
[3] Nele Gilis (BEL) bye
Kenzy Ayman (EGY) v [9/16] Hana Moataz (EGY)
[9/16] Mariam Metwally (EGY) v Nicole Bunyan (CAN)
[8] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bye
[5] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bye
Georgia Adderley (SCO) v [9/16] Katie Malliff (ENG)
[9/16] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) v Marie Stephan (FRA)
[2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bye
The highly anticipated 2023 PSA Grasshopper Cup is set to take place at Zurich's esteemed Halle 622 from the 17th to the 22nd of October. Regarded as one of the most prestigious events in European squash, this Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour Gold tournament promises an exhilarating showdown. Last year, the tournament expanded to include a women's event, and it was Nour El Sherbini, the reigning World No.1 and World Champion, who emerged victorious, claiming the coveted trophy. On the men's side, it was the formidable Mostafa Asal, a former World No.1, who seized the honours.
Anticipated to grace Switzerland's courts once again are numerous world-class players, all vying for the illustrious trophy and an equal share of the substantial $221,000 prize purse, which is distributed evenly between the men's and women's draws.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to witness this extraordinary sporting spectacle. Tickets for the event are now available for purchase at