Joel Makin & Georgina Kennedy Crowned 2024 Manchester Open Champions

Joel Makin and Georgina Kennedy were crowned 2024 Manchester Open champions with respective victories over Greg Lobban and Nour El Tayeb at the National Squash Centre in England.

Men’s 2nd seed Joel Makin of Wales claimed his first PSA World Tour title of the 2023/24 season with an impressive 11-5 13-11 12-10 victory over Scottish No.1 Greg Lobban, whilst England’s Georgina Kennedy overcame top seed and defending champion Nour El Tayeb of Egypt 11-9 5-11 11-7 11-1 to claim the women’s title.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Manchester Squash Open 2024, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
Men’s Final:
[2] Joel Makin (WAL) bt [7] Greg Lobban (SCO) 11-5 13-11 12-10 (56m)

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Manchester Squash Open 2024, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
Women’s Final:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v [2] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 11-9 5-11 11-7 11-1 (48m)

Top seeds Nour El Tayeb of Egypt will face Georgina Kennedy each other in the women’s final of the PSA Manchester Squash Open, whilst the men’s final at England’s National Squash Centre will be an all-British affair with Joel Makin of Wales set to play Greg Lobban of Scotland.

For more information about the Manchester Squash Open 2024, visit our definitive tournament guide which includes extensive event information, including ticketing, tournament updates and highlights, as well as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Manchester Squash Open 2024, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
Men’s Semi-Finals:
[2] Joel Makin (WAL) bt [4] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) 11-6, 12-10, 12-10 (59m)
[7] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [5] Fares Dessouky (EGY) 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 8-11, 11-8 (87m)

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Manchester Squash Open 2024, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
Women’s Semi-Finals:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [3] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) 11-7, 11-1, 11-1 (26m)
[2] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt [4] Salma Hany (EGY) 11-7, 9-11, 12-10, 11-7 (68m)

An action packed day at the PSA Manchester Squash Open saw Joel Makin, Youssef Ibrahim, Greg Lobban, Fares Dessouky, Nour El Tayeb, Rowan Elaraby, Georgina Kennedy and Salma Hany progress to the semi-finals of the PSA World Tour event.

UNSQUASHABLE player Iker Pajares Bernabeu took the opening game of his quarter-final against 2nd seed and 2022 champion Joel Makin of Wales before eventually being denied 6-11 11-2 11-3 11-4 in acloasely-contested 53 minutes.

Iker Pajares Bernabeu started the opening game quickly to dominate the Welsh No.1 by taking early volleys and testing his opponent’s movement with accurate attacking play. The Spanish No.1 built a commanding 6-1 lead and maintained his advantage to secure the game 11-6.

Facing the need for a tactical shift in the second game, the Joel Makin returned to his default strategy of targeting the back corners and exerting pressure on Iker Pajares Bernabeu. The tactical change proved effective as the No.2 seed claimed a hard-fought second game. However, the effort took a physical toll on the Spaniard, who managed to score fewer than 10 points across the remaining three games, allowing the Welshman to advance to the semi-finals.

For more information about the Manchester Squash Open 2024, visit our definitive tournament guide which includes extensive event information, including ticketing, tournament updates and highlights, as well as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Manchester Squash Open 2024, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
Men’s Quarter-Finals:
[2] Joel Makin (WAL) bt [6] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) 6-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4 (53m)
[4] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt [8] Nathan Lake (ENG) 13-11, 11-8, 11-9 (32m)
[5] Fares Dessouky (EGY) bt [3] Youssef Soliman (EGY) 11-8, 3-11, 11-8, 13-11 (73m)
[7] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [9/16] Grégoire Marche (FRA) 11-4, 13-11, 14-16, 11-5 (87m)

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Manchester Squash Open 2024, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
Women’s Quarter-Finals:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [6] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-3 (39m)
[3] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bt [9/16] Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) 12-10, 12-10, 11-2 (37m)
[4] Salma Hany (EGY) bt [WC] Saran Nghiem (ENG) 11-1, 11-5, 12-10 (36m)
[2] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt [5] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 (38m)

Spanish No.1 Iker Pajares Bernabeu will face Joel Makin in the quarter-finals of the PSA Manchester Open after overcoming fellow UNSQUASHABLE player Yannick Wilhelmi of Switzerland 9-11 11-6 9-11 11-9 11-5 in 81 minutes in the standout 2nd round match at the National Squash Centre.

Lucas Serme was denied a place in the quarter-finals by fith seed Fares Dessouky of Egypt who overcame the two-time French Champion 11-7 11-7 11-9 in 36 minutes.

For more information about the Manchester Squash Open 2024, visit our definitive tournament guide which includes extensive event information, including ticketing, tournament updates and highlights, as well as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Manchester Squash Open 2024, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
Men’s 2nd Round:
[2] Joel Makin (WAL) bt [9/16] George Parker (ENG) 12-10, 11-3, 11-4 (49m)
[6] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bt [9/16] Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) 9-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5 (81m)
[8] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt Emyr Evans (WAL) 11-5, 14-12, 7-11, 11-6 (48m)
[4] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt [9/16] Declan James (ENG) 7-11, 11-8, 7-11, 12-10, 11-6 (83m)
[3] Youssef Soliman (EGY) bt Mohamed Zakaria (EGY) 11-9, 11-3, 11-6 (50m)
[5] Fares Dessouky (EGY) bt [9/16] Lucas Serme (FRA) 11-7, 11-7, 11-9 (36m)
[7] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt Jonah Bryant (ENG) 11-6, 11-9, 11-5 (58m)
[9/16] Grégoire Marche (FRA) bt [1] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) 11-13, 10-12, 11-9, 11-5, 11-2 (60m)

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Manchester Squash Open 2024, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
Women’s 2nd Round:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [9/16] Aifa Azman (MAS) 11-2, 11-5, 11-5 (21m)
[6] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bt [9/16] Katie Malliff (ENG) 11-9, 11-6, 11-8 (38m)
[9/16] Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) bt [7] Farida Mohamed (EGY) 11-8, 4-11, 13-11, 8-11, 11-8 (56m)
[3] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bt [9/16] Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) 11-5, 11-5, 11-3 (24m)
[4] Salma Hany (EGY) bt [9/16] Tesni Murphy (WAL) 11-7, 11-2, 11-6 (34m)
[WC] Saran Nghiem (ENG) bt [8] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 11-9, 11-6, 4-11, 4-11, 11-5 (46m)
[5] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt Torrie Malik (ENG) 11-8, 11-6, 11-4 (26m)
[2] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt [9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) 11-6, 11-4, 11-2 (24m)

The 2024 PSA Manchester Open got underway yesterday with sixteen 1st round matches split across two all-glass show squash courts at the at the National Squash Centre in the UK’s sporting capital.

UNSQUASHABLE players Iker Pajares Bernabeu, Yannick Wilhelmi and Lucas Serme will all feature in today’s 2nd round.

Yannick Wilhelmi will face fellow UNSQUASHABLE player Iker Pajares Bernabeu for a place in the quarter-finals of the PSA Silver World Tour event following a clinical 7-11 11-5 11-4 11-7 win over Edwin Clain of France, whilst two-time French Champion Lucas Serme will play 5th seed Fares Dessouky of Egypt in the 2nd round after coming back from two games down to beat Ben Smith of England 9-11 9-11 11-1 11-8 11-6 in 63 minutes in the standout 1st round match.

Nick Wall made his return to the PSA World Tour, just four weeks after being forced to retire from the Irish Open. Despite being denied a place in the 2nd round by fellow Englishman Jonah Bryant in a closely contested five-game contest, Nick Wall showed encouraging signs of a full recovery ahead of the British Open at the beginning of June.

For more information about the Manchester Squash Open 2024, visit our definitive tournament guide which includes extensive event information, including ticketing, tournament updates and highlights, as well as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Manchester Squash Open 2024, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
Men’s 1st Round:
[2] Joel Makin (WAL) bye
[9/16] George Parker (ENG) bt Finnlay Withington (ENG) 11-2, 3-11, 11-1, 11-5 (34m)
[9/16] Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) bt Edwin Clain (FRA) 7-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-7 (45m)
[6] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bye
[8] Nathan Lake (ENG) bye
Emyr Evans (WAL) bt [9/16] Rui Soares (POR) 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 (42m)
[9/16] Declan James (ENG) bt Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) 13-11, 11-4, 11-4 (41m)
[4] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bye
[3] Youssef Soliman (EGY) bye
Mohamed Zakaria (EGY) bt [9/16] Simon Herbert (ENG) 11-8, 11-1, 9-11, 10-12, 11-4 (64m)
[9/16] Lucas Serme (FRA) bt Ben Smith (ENG) 9-11, 9-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-6 (63m)
[5] Fares Dessouky (EGY) bye
[7] Greg Lobban (SCO) bye
Jonah Bryant (ENG) bt [9/16] Nick Wall (ENG) 11-6, 9-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5 (49m)
[9/16] Grégoire Marche (FRA) bt Martin Svec (CZE) 11-2, 9-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-3 (60m)
[1] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bye

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Manchester Squash Open 2024, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
Women’s 1st Round:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bye
[9/16] Aifa Azman (MAS) bt Saskia Beinhard (GER) 11-6, 11-6, 11-4 (26m)
[9/16] Katie Malliff (ENG) bt Marta Dominguez (ESP) 11-6, 11-5, 11-4 (28m)
[6] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bye
[7] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bye
[9/16] Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) bt Haya Ali (EGY) 11-6, 11-3, 11-4 (25m)
[9/16] Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) bt Ainaa Amani (MAS) 11-5, 11-5, 11-2 (20m)
[3] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bye
[4] Salma Hany (EGY) bye
[9/16] Tesni Murphy (WAL) bt Millie Tomlinson (ENG) 11-5, 11-6, 11-4 (27m)
[WC] Saran Nghiem (ENG) bt [9/16] Alicia Mead (ENG) 11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 11-0 (34m)
[8] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bye
[5] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bye
Torrie Malik (ENG) bt [9/16] Grace Gear (ENG) 11-7, 13-11, 11-8 (32m)
[9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt Cindy Merlo (SUI) 11-3, 7-11, 11-9, 11-5 (30m)
[2] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bye

The Manchester Squash Open 2024 starts today at the National Squash Centre with an impressive roster of players and 1st round matches.

World No.9 Marwan ElShorbagy returns as the top seed, following a last 16 exit in Cairo at the recent CIB PSA World Squash Championships to his brother, World No.7 Mohamed ElShorbagy. The 30-year-old Marwan ElShorbagy aims to clinch his first PSA World Tour title since December 2022 and will face either Martin Svec or Gregoire Marche in the second round.

Men’s second seed Joel Makin of Wales and No.4 seed Youssef Ibrahim of Egypt are set for a potential rematch after their clash in the Black Ball Squash Open 2024, where Youssef Ibrahim triumphed in four games. Joel Makin will be eager for revenge and a chance to advance further in the tournament.

Defending women’s champion Nour El Tayeb, who triumphed at the Manchester Squash Open last year alongside her husband, World No.1 Ali Farag, is back to defend her title. The 31-year-old World No.6 Nour El Tayeb reached the quarter-finals of the CIB PSA World Squash Championships, where she was defeated by eventual champion Nouran Gohar.

England's Georgina Kennedy, the No.2 seed and World No.7, is another strong contender. Despite an early exit in the CIB PSA World Squash Championships, Georgina Kennedy has shown impressive form recently, reaching the semi-finals of the El Gouna Squash International and winning the German Squash Open in April. Her path to the final could see her face Canada’s Hollie Naughton, Japan’s Satomi Watanabe, and Egypt’s Salma Hany if the seedings hold.

No.3 seed Rowan Elaraby, ranked World No.9, also has much to prove having recently defeated Georgina Kennedy in a thrilling five-set match at the CIB PSA World Squash Championships. Rowan Elaraby, 23, is in search of her first PSA World Tour title of the season and hopes to build on her recent successes.

British wildcards Saran Nghiem and Finnlay Withington add local interest. Saran Nghiem, 20, has the advantage of playing on her home courts at the National Squash Centre, while Finnlay Withington, also 20, is eager to gain experience against more seasoned competitors.

For more information about the Manchester Squash Open 2024, visit our definitive tournament guide which includes extensive event information, including ticketing, tournament updates and highlights, as well as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

PSA Manchester Squash Open 2024, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
Men’s 1st Round:
[2] Joel Makin (WAL) bye
[9/16] George Parker (ENG) v Finnlay Withington (ENG)
[9/16] Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) v Edwin Clain (FRA)
[6] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bye
[8] Nathan Lake (ENG) bye
[9/16] Rui Soares (POR) v Emyr Evans (WAL)
[9/16] Declan James (ENG) v Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR)
[4] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bye
[3] Youssef Soliman (EGY) bye
[9/16] Simon Herbert (ENG) v Mohamed Zakaria (EGY)
[9/16] Lucas Serme (FRA) v Ben Smith (ENG)
[5] Fares Dessouky (EGY) bye
[7] Greg Lobban (SCO) bye
[9/16] Nick Wall (ENG) v Jonah Bryant (ENG)
[9/16] Grégoire Marche (FRA) v Martin Svec (CZE)
[1] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bye

PSA Manchester Squash Open 2024, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
Women’s 1st Round:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bye
[9/16] Aifa Azman (MAS) v Saskia Beinhard (GER)
[9/16] Katie Malliff (ENG) v Marta Dominguez (ESP)
[6] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bye
[7] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bye
[9/16] Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) v Haya Ali (EGY)
[9/16] Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) v Ainaa Amani (MAS)
[3] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bye
[4] Salma Hany (EGY) bye
[9/16] Tesni Murphy (WAL) v Millie Tomlinson (ENG)
[9/16] Alicia Mead (ENG) v [WC] Saran Nghiem (ENG)
[8] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bye
[5] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bye
[9/16] Grace Gear (ENG) v Torrie Malik (ENG)
[9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) v Cindy Merlo (SUI)
[2] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bye

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have announced the player draws for the 2024 Manchester Squash Open which will be staged at the National Squash Centre, Sportcity in Manchester from the 22nd to 26th May.

The eagerly anticipated return of the Manchester Squash Open to the PSA World Tour calendar, promising thrilling squash action at Manchester’s National Squash Centre with 48 of the world’s leading squash players poised to vie for the prestigious Silver-level title.

Set to unfold from the 22nd to 26th May, the 2024 Manchester Squash Open will feature two glass courts during the initial rounds, offering spectators a captivating view of the intense battles.

All eyes will be on the top seeds, Mostafa Asal and Nour El Tayeb from Egypt.

Men's World No.4, Mostafa Asal, enters the fray seeking to clinch his maiden victory on English soil, buoyed by his recent triumph at the Black Ball Squash Open. Under the guidance of UNSQUASHABLE player and ambassador James Willstrop, Mostafa Asal has honed his skills, making him a formidable contender. His campaign kicks off in the second round against either George Parker or Manchester's Finnlay Withington.

Meanwhile, England's Marwan ElShorbagy, seeded second, eyes his 14th PSA World Tour title and first since December 2022. With a knack for upsetting the odds, Marwan ElShorbagy is primed to take on the winner of Gregoire Marche and Simon Herbert in the second round.

Welsh No.1 Joel Makin, seeded third, aims to overcome his injury setbacks and harness the crowd's energy as he strives for a second Manchester Squash Open title. His journey starts against the victor of Juan Vargas and Daniel Poleshchuk in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

Egypt boasts a formidable presence in the men's draw, with Youssef Soliman, Youssef Ibrahim, Fares Dessouky and Mohamed ElSherbini all vying for glory alongside UNSQUASHABLE player Iker Pajares Bernabeu of Spain, rounding out the top eight seeds.

In the women's event, defending champion Nour El Tayeb sets her sights on a historic third Manchester Squash Open title. A paragon of skill and finesse, Nour El Tayeb aims to add another accolade to her impressive season tally. Her journey begins in the second round against either Saskia Beinhard or Aifa Azman.

England's Georgina Kennedy, seeded second, enters the competition fresh off her triumph at the German Squash Open, poised to navigate a challenging draw. Her quest for glory starts with a second-round clash against either Hollie Naughton or Cindy Merlo, setting the stage for a potential showdown with Optasia Squash Championship winner Satomi Watanabe in the quarter-finals.

Egyptian duo Rowan Elaraby and Salma Hany occupy the third and fourth seeding spots, with Salma Hany seeking to build on her recent Australian Squash Open victory and Rowan Elaraby aiming to cement her place among the elite. Both players face formidable opponents in the opening rounds, setting the stage for gripping battles ahead.

Women’s wild card Manchester-native Saran Nghiem kicks off her campaign against compatriot Alicia Mead, eager to leverage the home crowd advantage in pursuit of her maiden PSA World Tour victory.

UNSQUASHABLE will have a significant presence at the 2024 Manchester Squash Open. Alongside Iker Pajares Bernabeu, the men’s draw will also feature Lucas Serme, Yannick Wilhelmi and Nick Wall.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Manchester Squash Open 2024, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
Men’s Draw:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bye
[WC] Finnlay Withington (ENG) v [9/16] George Parker (ENG)
[9/16] Adrian Waller (ENG) v Lucas Serme (FRA)
[7] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bye
[5] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bye
Declan James (ENG) v [9/16] Nathan Lake (ENG)
[9/16] Juan Camilo Vargas (COL) v Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR)
[3] Joel Makin (WAL) bye
[4] Youssef Soliman (EGY) bye
Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) v [9/16] Greg Lobban (SCO)
[9/16] Patrick Rooney (ENG) v Ben Smith (ENG)
[6] Fares Dessouky (EGY) bye
[8] Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) bye
Rui Soares (POR) v [9/16] Nick Wall (ENG)
[9/16] Gregoire Marche (FRA) v Simon Herbert (ENG)
[2] Marwan Elshorbagy (ENG) bye

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Manchester Squash Open 2024, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
Women’s Draw:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bye
Saskia Beinhard (GER) v [9/16] Aifa Azman (MAS)
[9/16] Katie Malliff (ENG) v Marta Dominguez (ESP)
[6] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bye
[7] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bye
Haya Ali (EGY) v [9/16] Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY)
[9/16] Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) v Ainaa Amani (MAS)
[3] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bye
[4] Salma Hany (EGY) bye
Millie Tomlinson (ENG) v [9/16] Tesni Murphy (WAL)
[9/16] Alicia Mead (ENG) v [WC] Saran Nghiem (ENG)
[8] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bye
[5] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bye
Torrie Malik (ENG) v [9/16] Grace Gear (ENG)
[9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) v Cindy Merlo (SUI)
[2] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bye