Paul Coll & Sivasangari Subramaniam crowned champions at the 2024 GillenMarkets London Squash Classic

Paul Coll and Sivasangari Subramaniam were crowned champions at the 2024 GillenMarkets London Squash Classic following wins over Mostafa Asal and Hania El Hammamy respectively.

Sivasangari Subramaniam of Malaysia emerged victorious in the women’s final whilst Egypt's Mostafa Asal was forced to retire against top seed Paul Coll of New Zealand in the men’s final.

Sivasangari Subramaniam of Malaysia emerged victorious in a thrilling women’s final at the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic, securing the PSA World Tour Gold-level title after a week of stunning performances, culminating in a hard-fought 81-minure 11-9 5-11 13-11 12-14 11-8 victory over the formidable World No.2 Hania El Hammamy of Egypt.

The young Malaysian recorded a succession of impressive victories over top-ranked players at the iconic Alexandra Palace venue, including a surprising win over World No.1 Nour El Sherbini in the quarter-finals and a commanding victory against World No.4 Nele Gilis in the semi-finals.

Against the in-form 2nd seed Hania El Hammamy, the World No.16 started strongly, capitalising on her attacking intent to claim the first game 11-9.

However, Hania El Hammamy responded fiercely in the second game, reducing her errors and intensifying her aggression to level the match by taking the game convincing 11-5. The momentum swung back and forth in a tightly contested third game, with Sivasangari Subramaniam holding multiple game balls at 10-7, only to see Hania El Hammamy force a tiebreak. Despite the pressure, the Malaysian remained resilient, securing a crucial 13-11 win to regain the lead.

As the match progressed, the relentless attacking play of Sivasangari Subramaniam wore down her Egyptian rival, however the fighting spirit of the 2nd seed proved decisive as World No.2 forced the match into a decisive fifth game, against edging a tense tie-break.

However, Sivasangari Subramaniam was not to be denied and claimed her maiden PSA World Tour Gold title by closing-out the fifth game 11-8.

Paul Coll emerged victorious in the men’s final of the 2024 GillenMarkets London Squash Classic following an injury-shortened clash against Egypt's Mostafa Asal.

The top seed from New Zealand dominated the opening exchanges to claim the first game 11-8, showing superior court coverage and capitalising on numerous errors  from the Egyptian.

An improved performance in the second game, saw the Asal push the New Zealander onto the defensive to level the match despite trailing for much of the game.

Undeterred, Paul Coll swiftly regrouped in the third game, surging to a commanding 4-0 lead with a blistering start. Despite the best efforts of the Egyptian to stage a comeback, the top seed clinched the game 11-7 to reclaiming the lead.

The match however concluded in disappointment as Paul Coll established a commanding lead in the fourth game and a collision between the two players saw Asal visibly struggling to move to the front of the court. Despite initial attempts to carry on, the Egyptian was ultimately forced to retire due to injury, with Paul Coll leading 8-1, thereby conceding the title to the top seed.

GillenMarkets PSA London Squash Classic 2024, Alexandra Palace Theatre, London, England
Men’s Final:
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) 11-8, 11-13, 11-7, 8-1 retired (66m)

GillenMarkets PSA London Squash Classic 2024, Alexandra Palace Theatre, London, England
Women’s Final:
[7] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt [2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 11-9, 5-11, 13-11, 12-14, 11-8 (81m)

The men’s final of the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic will be contested by top seeds Paul Coll of New Zealand and Mostafa Asal of Egypt, whilst Sivasangari Subramaniam of Malaysian continued her giant-killing run to reach the final at the Alexandra Palace where she will face Hania El Hammamy of Egypt.

[7] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt [4] Nele Gilis (BEL) 10-12, 11-7, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9 (94m)
Sivasangari Subramaniam of Malaysia clinched an historic spot in her first ever PSA World Tour Gold-level final, staging a remarkable comeback to upset Belgium's Nele Gilis in the first women’s semi-final of the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic.

Despite entering the match with a 3-0 deficit in head-to-head encounters against the World No. 4 seed from Belgium, Sivasangari Subramaniam hinted at a potential upset after her recent upset victory over World No. 1 Nour El Sherbini.

Nele Gilis initially dominated proceedings, particularly with her aggressive play at the front court, seizing control and building momentum in the opening game. However, Sivasangari Subramaniam displayed resilience, rallying back to gain a game ball at 10-9. Despite the valiant efforts of the Malaysian, a spirited exchange culminated in a dramatic 54-shot rally, ultimately clinched by Nele Gilis in a nail-biting tie-break.

Undeterred, Sivasangari Subramaniam surged back in the second game to take the game 11-7.

The Malaysian's assertive approach continued in the third game, where she outclassed Nele Gilis with eight winners to her opponent's four, securing the game 11-8.

Although Nele Gilis requested a new ball between games, hoping to shift the momentum, Sivasangari Subramaniam maintained her attacking stance, establishing a 7-4 advantage as she neared victory.

Despite Nele Gilis mounting a late resurgence, Sivasangari Subramaniam maintained her composure, edging closer to victory at 10-8. Yet, Nele Gilis refused to capitulate, capitalising on her opponent’s errors to stage a remarkable comeback, snatching the fourth game 12-10 and forcing a decisive fifth game.

In a tense finale, Nele Gilis initially seized an 8-5 lead, only for Sivasangari Subramaniam to claw her way back, levelling the score before securing a match point at 10-9. This time, the Malaysian held her nerve to claim a memorable 10-12 11-7 11-8 10-12 11-9 victory in 94 minutes.

[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [4] Joel Makin (WAL) 5-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7 (86m)
Paul Coll secured his spot in the men’s final of the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic after mounting a remarkable comeback to defeat Joel Makin at Alexandra Palace.

Joel Makin asserted his dominance early, claiming the first game 11-5 through his trademark intensity.

However, the tide turned in the second game as Paul Coll found his rhythm, displaying greater mobility and effectively countering his opponent’s drop shots to take the game 11-7.

Undeterred, Joel Makin responded fiercely in the third game, swiftly taking the first five points to regain the lead, ultimately clinching the game 11-8 in a 20-minute hard-fought battle.

Yet again, Paul Coll demonstrated his resilience, rallying to equalise the match score and force the match into a decisive fifth game.

This time, the former World No.1 maintained his momentum, unleashing a relentless onslaught to secure an 86-minute 5-11 11-7 8-11 11-7 11-7 victory.

[2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [3] Nouran Gohar (EGY) 11-4, 12-10, 7-11, 11-6 (62m)
Hania El Hammamy earned her place in the women's final of the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic after a compelling clash with Nouran Gohar, adding another chapter to their enduring rivalry.

The contest opened with Hania El Hammamy asserting her dominance, capitalising on her opponent’s more cautious positioning to clinch the opening game convincingly 11-4.

However, Nouran Gohar, displaying renewed vigour and aggression, surged forward in game two, but despite pressing higher up the court was unable to convert the game in a tie-break.

The intensity of game two seemed to fuel the resolve of Nouran Gohar as she mounted a late resurgence in the third game, outmatching her compatriot to claim the game 11-7.

However, Hania El Hammamy swiftly regrouped, recalibrating her accuracy and control to commandingly seal the final game 11-6 and progress to the final where she will meet Sivasangari Subramaniam.

[2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [WC] Declan James (ENG) 11-6, 11-3, 12-10 (55m)
Egypt's Mostafa Asal dashed the hopes of the Alexandra Palace crowd for a homegrown champion with a commanding 11-6 11-3 12-10 victory over English wildcard Declan James in the last semi-final of the day to reach the men’s final of the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic.

Declan James, ranked World No. 76, made a remarkable return to the PSA World Tour after more than a year sidelined by an Achilles injury. His journey to the semi-finals included stunning victories over Mohamed ElSherbini, No. 6 seed Baptiste Masotti, and No. 3 seed Karim Abdel Gawad. However, facing the formidable former World No. 1 proved to be a formidable challenge.

Mostafa Asal, coached by UNSQUASHABLE player James Willstrop, asserted his dominance early, securing the opening game 11-6 before extending his lead with a dominant 11-3 victory in the second.

The Egyptian No. 2 seed continued to his domination in the third game to swiftly take a commanding 7-0 lead. However. despite facing a significant deficit, Declan James mounted a spirited comeback, thrilling the crowd with a series of quick points to narrow the margin to 8-7.

Mostafa Asal appeared to regain control when he earned two match balls at 10-8, but Declan James again electrified the audience by saving both, forcing the game into a tense tiebreak.

However, Mostafa Asal remained composed under pressure, seizing the opportunity to close out the match by taking the game 12-10 in the tiebreak to secure his place in the men’s final against Paul Coll.

GillenMarkets PSA London Squash Classic 2024, Alexandra Palace Theatre, London, England
Men’s Semi-Finals:
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [4] Joel Makin (WAL) 5-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7 (86m)
[2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [WC] Declan James (ENG) 11-6, 11-3, 12-10 (55m)

GillenMarkets PSA London Squash Classic 2024, Alexandra Palace Theatre, London, England
Women’s Semi-Finals:
[7] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt [4] Nele Gilis (BEL) 10-12, 11-7, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9 (94m)
[2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [3] Nouran Gohar (EGY) 11-4, 12-10, 7-11, 11-6 (62m)

England’s Decland James and Malaysian Sivasangari Subramaniam produced the biggest quarter-final upsets at the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic and will be joined in the semi-finals by Paul Coll, Mostafa Asal, Joel Makin, Nele Gilis, Nouran Gohar and Hania El Hammamy.

[4] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt [5] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 6-11, 11-6, 11-3 (46m)
Fourth seed Nele Gilis of Belgium defeated fifth seed Georgina Kennedy of England 6-11 11-6 11-3 in 46 minutes to secure her spot in the semi-finals of the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic with a remarkable comeback victory over an opponent buoyed by her recent triumph at the Windy City Squash Open in Chicago.

Georgina Kennedy began the match with a confident demeanour, swiftly gaining the upper hand in the initial game. The English No.1’s utilisation of all four corners of the court coupled with her ability to seize the ball early deprived the fourth-seeded Nele Gilis of crucial time, resulting in her seizing the game 11-6.

Undeterred, Nele Gilis gradually found her rhythm as the match progressed, capitalising on her opponent’s occasional struggles with her short play. As errors crept into Georgina Kennedy's game, Nele Gilis seized the opportunity to assert herself, edging ahead 7-6. Displaying an increasingly confident performance, the Belgium World No.4 rallied to level the match, taking the second game 11-6.

With momentum firmly on her side, Nele Gilis surged ahead in the decisive third game, establishing a commanding 5-1 lead. Despite the valiant efforts of Georgina Kennedy to regain control, Nele Gilis remained resolute, capitalising on her opponent's errors and clinching the match by taking the third game 11-3 in resounding fashion.

[4] Joel Makin (WAL) bt [5] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) 8-11, 12-10, 12-10 (64m)
Joel Makin of Wales displayed remarkable resilience as he fought back from the brink of defeat to secure a thrilling 8-11 12-10 12-10 victory over England's Marwan ElShorbagy, earning himself a coveted spot in the semi-finals of the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic.

Marwan ElShorbagy, seeded fifth and fuelled by his previous triumph over Joel Makin in the New Zealand Squash Open, launched a relentless offensive in the opening game, demonstrating impeccable shot selection to claim the first game 11-8 with a flawless display.

Undeterred by the initial Marwan ElShorbagy dominance, Joel Makin emerged with renewed determination in the second game, repeatedly edging ahead only to be reeled in by his opponent. Despite the tense battle, Joel Makin capitalised on his second game ball at 11-10, executing a precision drop shot to level the match score.

The intensity of the quarter-final reached its peak in the final game, with both players delivering a display of high-quality squash. Despite persistent efforts from Joel Makin to build a lead, Marwan ElShorbagy demonstrated resilience, rallying back from a deficit to surge ahead 9-6.

A dramatic turn of events eventually saw Joel Makin claw his way back, levelling the score at 9-9 before facing match point at 9-10. Refusing to concede defeat, Joel Makin saved the match point, forcing yet another tiebreak and setting the stage for a nail-biting conclusion.

With the tension palpable, Joel Makin seized the opportunity to claim match point, ultimately clinching victory with a decisive stroke decision following a video review. The jubilant Welshman celebrated his hard-fought triumph, leaving his opponent frustrated and disappointed.

[7] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt [1] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) 11-9, 11-9 (24m)
Malaysian contender Sivasangari Subramaniam, ranked World No.16, has sent shockwaves through the squash community by triumphing over World No.1 Nour El Sherbini 11-9 11-9 In a stunning upset at the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic. The quarter-final clash, held at Alexandra Palace, witnessed Sivasangari Subramaniam make a remarkable ascent to the semi-finals, marking her first-ever victory over the seven-time World Champion.

A relentless Sivasangari Subramaniam performance left Nour El Sherbini and her supporters visibly rattled from the onset. Demonstrating sheer determination and skill, the Malaysian athlete seized control of the match with a razor-thin 11-9 win in the opening game, setting the tone for an electrifying showdown.

In a mesmerising display of athleticism, Sivasangari Subramaniam continued to dominate proceedings in the second game, effectively neutralising any offensive play from Nour ElSherbini. With another impressive 11-9 victory, Sivasangari Subramaniam clinched the match, securing her berth in the semi-finals amidst a chorus of disbelief and admiration.

This historic triumph for Sivasangari Subramaniam signifies a monumental feat, as it marks the first instance since 2015, when Annie Au accomplished a similar victory, that a player outside the World’s top 10 has overcome the formidable Nour El Sherbini.

[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt George Parker (ENG) 8-11, 11-6, 11-3 (42m)
New Zealand's top seed Paul Coll managed to avoid a setback in his quarter-final match with England’s George Parker. Despite trailing early on against the Englishman, Paul Coll displayed his resilience and skill to secure an : 8-11 11-6 11-3 comeback victory.

The home crowd erupted in cheers as George Parker claimed the opening game 11-8, capitalising on a series of impeccably executed rallies to edge ahead from an 8-8 deadlock.

However, Paul Coll swiftly regrouped in the second game, demonstrating superior precision and composure to level the match with an 11-6 triumph.

The momentum firmly in his grasp, Paul Coll surged ahead in the third game, asserting his dominance with a barrage of winning shots. Commanding the court, he stormed to a commanding 6-0 lead before ultimately sealing the game 11-3 to close-out an impressive 42 minute victory.

[3] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [6] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 11-7, 11-2 (19m)
In the opening match of the evening session, Egypt's Nouran Gohar secured her spot in the semi-finals of the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic by defeating England's Sarah-Jane Perry 11-7 11-2 in 19 minutes.

Despite her lofty ranking as World No.3, Nouran Gohar faced a rocky start, particularly struggling in the shorter rallies against her opponent.

A pivotal moment arose during the first game when Sarah-Jane Perry, leading 6-5, encountered an unfortunate incident as her opponent’s racket inadvertently collided with Perry's hand, necessitating a brief interruption for treatment. While Sarah-Jane Perry managed to resume play, the disruption appeared to disrupt her rhythm, allowing Nouran Gohar to capitalise and seize the first game 11-7.

The second game unfolded as a one-sided affair, with Nouran Gohar dominating proceedings enroute to a commanding 11-2 win to safely secure her passage to the semi-finals.

[2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [7] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) 11-9, 11-4 (39m)
Mostafa Asal of Egypt secured his spot in the semi-finals of this year’s GillenMarkets London Squash Classic following a hard-fought battle against compatriot Aly Abou Eleinen.

In an exhilarating first game, both players showed their strengths. Abou Eleinen delivered a measured and tactical approach to construct rallies contrasting sharply with Mostafa Asal who played with a direct approach and more aggressive style of play. Despite an unusually high number of errors from Mostafa Asal, the 22-year-old's sheer talent and ability to execute winning shots saw him edge ahead, clinching the opening game 11-9.

The second game proved to be a more dominant display from Mostafa Asal, as he found his rhythm and precision, hitting his targets with greater accuracy. With confidence and control, the World No.4 comfortably sealed his place in the semi-finals by winning the game 11-4.

[2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [8] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) 9-11, 11-8, 11-4 (41m)
In a gripping showdown marking the last women's quarter-final at the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic, Hania El Hammamy, the tournament's No.2 seed, faced a stern challenge from the talented 18-year-old Fayrouz Aboelkheir. Hania El Hammamy demonstrated her resilience to secure a spot in the semi-finals, where she is set to confront her fierce rival, Nouran Gohar.

Hania El Hammamy initially dictated the pace of the opening game, but Fayrouz Aboelkheir mounted a spirited comeback, showing her prowess particularly on the backhand side. With a display of superb skill, Fayrouz Aboelkheir clinched the first game 11-9, stunning the crowd with her determined performance.

Throughout the second game, Hanai El Hammamy appeared unsettled and struggled to anticipate her younger adversary's moves. Despite the challenges, the World No.2 displayed grit and determination, ultimately levelling the match by taking the second game 11-8.

As the match progressed into the decisive third game, both players exhibited strong starts. However, a lapse in concentration from Fayrouz Aboelkheir proved costly, allowing Hania El Hammamy to seize the momentum. With unwavering focus, the No.2 seed capitalised on this opportunity, surging ahead and ultimately clinching the match 9-11 11-8 11-4 inn 41 minutes.

[WC] Declan James (ENG) bt [3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 11-8, 14-12 (37m)
English wildcard Declan James continued his extraordinary journey at the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic by defeating Egyptian former World No.1 and 2016 World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad. This victory marks a significant milestone for the 30-year-old, as he advances to the semi-finals of a PSA World Tour Gold-level event for the first time.

Currently ranked World No.76, Declan James has defied expectations throughout the tournament, showing exceptional form despite returning to competitive play after a year-long hiatus due to a serious Achilles injury. His impressive victories over formidable opponents, including World No.19 Mohamed ElSherbini in the opening round and World No.14 Baptiste Masotti in the second, underscore his resurgence.

In his encounter against Karim Abdel Gawad, Decal James elevated his game to unprecedented heights. Fuelled by the energy of the enthusiastic crowd at Alexandra Palace, Decal James executed flawless attacks in the opening game, capitalising on uncharacteristic errors from his opponent to secure an unexpected 11-8 lead.

Despite the Egyptian’s best efforts to gain the upper hand, Declan James remained resilient, forcing a thrilling tiebreak as the scores reached an intense 11-11 deadlock.

With the atmosphere electrifying the arena, Declan James faced a crucial moment as Karim Abdel Gawad seized a game ball at 10-9. However, the wildcard refused to concede, rallying to level the score once more at 12-12. A breathtaking climax saw Declan James ultimately emerge victorious, with referee Pablo Del Rio's decisive "no let" call in his favour at 13-12, igniting jubilation among the crowd and leaving the Englishman overwhelmed with emotion as he knelt in disbelief.

GillenMarkets PSA London Squash Classic 2024, Alexandra Palace Theatre, London, England
Men’s Quarter-Finals:
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt George Parker (ENG) 8-11, 11-6, 11-3 (42m)
[4] Joel Makin (WAL) bt [5] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) 8-11, 12-10, 12-10 (64m
[WC] Declan James (ENG) bt [3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 11-8, 14-12 (37m)
[2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [7] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) 11-9, 11-4 (39m)

GillenMarkets PSA London Squash Classic 2024, Alexandra Palace Theatre, London, England
Women’s Quarter-Finals:
[7] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt [1] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) 11-9, 11-9 (24m)[4] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt [5] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 6-11, 11-6, 11-3 (46m)
[3] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [6] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 11-7, 11-2 (19m)
[2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [8] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) 9-11, 11-8, 11-4 (41m)

GillenMarkets PSA London Squash Classic 2024, Alexandra Palace Theatre, London, England
Men’s 2nd Round:
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt Timothy Brownell (USA) 11-6, 11-0 (20m)
George Parker (ENG) bt [8] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) 11-7, 11-7 (35m)
[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bt [9/16] Raphael Kandra (GER) 11-3, 5-11, 13-11 (41m)
[4] Joel Makin (WAL) bt [9/16] Adrian Waller (ENG) 11-7, 11-2 (23m)
[3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [9/16] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) 15-13, 11-9 (33m)
[WC] Declan James (ENG) bt [6] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 9-11, 11-7, 11-5 (37m)
[7] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) bt [9/16] Nathan Lake (ENG) 11-6, 11-5 (26m)
[2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Nick Wall (ENG) 11-6 11-9 (28m)

Another skilful and spirited performance from UNSQUASHABLE player Nick Wall saw the young Englishman extend 2nd seed Mostafa Asal in the 2nd round of the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic being staged at the Alexandra Palace Theatre in the UK capital. Only fine margins separated the two players before the Egyptian eventually progressed to the quarter-finals with a closely contested 11-6 11-9 victory in 28 minutes.

Nick Wall matched Mostafa Asal point-for-point in the opening game, before the Egyptian, who played excellent controlled squash throughout under the tutelage of UNSQUASHABLE player James Willstrop, finished the stronger to claim the game 11-6.

The second game saw a similar pattern, with Nick Wall showing greater range and clever disguise to thwart the attaching instincts of the World No.3. However, with the game evenly poised at 8-8, it was Mostafa Asal, demonstrating his trademark athleticism and improvisation, who claimed his place in the quarter-finals by closing out the game 11-9.

UNSQUASHABLE player Iker Pajares Bernabeu was denied a place in the quarter-finals of the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic by George Parker of England.

The Spanish No.1, who defeated the Englishman at the recent Optasia Squash Championships, dominated the early stages of the match, but was unable to prevent George Parker, the World No.49, from winning seven consecutive rallies from 4-7 down to take the first 11-7. George Parker, who upset World No.30 Auguste Dussourd of France in the 1st round, maintained impressive intensity and consistency to close-out the best-of-three-game match by also taking the second game 11-7.

The unseeded Englishman will face top seed Paul Coll of New Zealand in the quarter-finals of the spectacular PSA World Tour event being staged at the Alexandra Palace Theatre.

GillenMarkets PSA London Squash Classic 2024, Alexandra Palace Theatre, London, England
Women’s 2nd Round:
[1] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt [9/16] Tesni Murphy (WAL) 11-5, 6-11, 11-6 (35m)
[7] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt [9/16] Katie Malliff (ENG) 11-6, 11-7 (21m)
[5] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt [9/16] Lucy Turmel (ENG) 11-8, 11-7 (24m)
[4] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt [9/16] Jasmine Hutton (ENG) 11-9, 6-11, 11-4 (40m)
[3] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) 11-4, 11-8 (22m)
[6] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Alicia Mead (ENG) 11-9, 11-5 (17m)
[8] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) bt [9/16] Emily Whitlock (WAL) 15-13, 12-10 (30m)
[2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [9/16] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) 11-5, 11-3 (24m)

UNSQUASHABLE player Nick Wall made a spectacular return to the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour, following an enforced break through injury, recovering from losing the first game of his match with Abdulla Al-Tamimi at the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic to overcome the Qatar No.1 3-11 11-8 11-8 in 31 minutes.

The young Englishman joins Spanish No.1 Iker Pajares Bernabeu in the 2nd round where he will face 2nd seed Mostafa Asal of Egypt on the spectacular all-glass show court at the iconic Alexandra Palace Theatre venue in London, England.

Iker Pajares Bernabeu, seeded 8th for the championships, will face George Parker of England in his 2nd round match.

GillenMarkets PSA London Squash Classic 2024, Alexandra Palace Theatre, London, England
Men’s 1st Round:
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bye
Timothy Brownell (USA) bt [9/16] Fares Dessouky (EGY) 12-10, 12-10 (28m)
George Parker (ENG) bt [9/16] Auguste Dussourd (FRA) 11-6, 11-8 (27m)
[8] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bye
[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bye
[9/16] Raphael Kandra (GER) bt Karim El Hammamy (EGY) 13-11, 3-11, 11-7 (53m)
[9/16] Adrian Waller (ENG) bt Juan Camilo Vargas (COL) 11-6, 11-6 (24m)
[4] Joel Makin (WAL) bye
[3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bye
[9/16] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bt Ramit Tandon (IND) 8-11, 11-7, 11-1 (40m)
[WC] Declan James (ENG) bt [9/16] Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) 11-9, 11-7 (33m)
[6] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) bye
[7] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) bye
[9/16] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt Simon Herbert (ENG) 11-5, 11-9 (20m)
Nick Wall (ENG) bt [9/16] Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT) 3-11, 11-8, 11-8 (31m)
[2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bye

GillenMarkets PSA London Squash Classic 2024, Alexandra Palace Theatre, London, England
Women’s 1st Round:
[1] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bye
[9/16] Tesni Murphy (WAL) bt Emilia Soini (FIN) 11-1, 11-6 (14m)
[9/16] Katie Malliff (ENG) bt Grace Gear (ENG) 11-2, 11-5 (15m)
[7] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bye
[5] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bye
[9/16] Lucy Turmel (ENG) bt Nicole Bunyan (CAN) 11-5, 11-4 (21m)
[9/16] Jasmine Hutton (ENG) bt Millie Tomlinson (ENG) 11-6, 11-7 (20m)
[4] Nele Gilis (BEL) bye
[3] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bye
[9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt Cindy Merlo (SUI) 12-10, 11-3 (14m)
Alicia Mead (ENG) bt [9/16] Mariam Metwally (EGY) 11-5, 11-4 (13m)
[6] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bye
[8] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) bye
[9/16] Emily Whitlock (WAL) bt Malak Khafagy (EGY) 13-11, 11-5 (26m)
[9/16] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt Énora Villard (FRA) 14-12, 11-4 (27m)
[2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bye

The inaugural GillenMarkets London Squash Classic 2024 will feature the 48 of the world's top players. Formerly known as the Canary Wharf Squash Classic, this edition of the tournament will be staged at the iconic Alexandra Palace in London from the 27th March to 1st April 2024. Notably, this year marks a significant milestone with the introduction of a women's draw, expanding the event's reach and inclusivity.

The action-packed event will kick off at Coolhurst Tennis & Squash Club on day one before transitioning to the renowned all-glass court at Alexandra Palace. Notably, matches leading up to the semi-finals will follow a best-of-three format before reverting to the traditional best-of-five games for the semi-finals and finals.

In the women's draw, reigning World No.1 Nour El Sherbini assumes the role of top seed, heading into the tournament with an impressive track record, including six PSA World Tour titles this season. She begins her campaign against either Emilia Soini of Finland or Tesni Murphy of Wales.

Meanwhile, World No.3 Nouran Gohar seeks to regain her winning form following a return from a plantar fascia injury in January. Positioned alongside No.6 seed Sarah-Jane Perry, Nouran Gohar eyes a potential clash with compatriot Hania El Hammamy in the semi-finals.

The men's draw is equally competitive, with New Zealand's Paul Coll leading the pack as the No.1 seed. Fresh off a victory at the Optasia Squash Championships, Paul Coll aims for his fifth title of the 2023-24 squash season, facing tough contenders including 'The Raging Bull' Mostafa Asal, seeded second.

Egyptian stalwart Karim Abdel Gawad, seeded third, and Welshman Joel Makin, seeded fourth, add further depth to the men's competition. Noteworthy English players such as Marwan ElShorbagy, Nathan Lake, and tournament wildcard Declan James also look to make their mark in front of the home crowd.

With an exciting lineup of top-tier talent and the allure of Alexandra Palace as the backdrop, the stage is set for an unforgettable week of world-class squash action at the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic 2024.

Former Men’s World Squash Champion Mohamed Elshorbagy and current Women’s World No.10 Rowan Elaraby have pulled out of the highly anticipated GillenMarkets London Squash Classic due to injury.

Mohamed Elshorbagy, a dominant force with eight victories on English soil, including three British Squash Open titles, has been sidelined by injury and will be replaced as the No.4 seed by Joel Makin of Wales, who after earning a bye in the initial round, now anticipates a challenging opening match against either Adrian Waller of England or Juan Camilo Vargas of Colombia.

UNSQUASHABLE player Iker Pajares Bernabeu has ascended to a top-eight seeding position following the reshuffle. Iker Pajares Bernabeu, benefiting from an opening round bye, awaits the winner between George Parker and Auguste Dussourd. The 2024 GillenMarkets London Squash Classic sees England's Simon Herbert filling the void left by compatriot Mohamed Elshorbagy and squaring off against fellow Englishman Nathan Lake in the 1st round.

In the women's draw, the withdrawal of No.6 seed Rowan Elaraby necessitates a reshuffle, with compatriot Fayrouz Aboelkheir claiming a top-eight seed position. Fayrouz Aboelkheir secures a bye in the first round and gears up to face the winner of Malak Khafagy and Emily Whitlock in the 2nd round.

England's Katie Malliff now assumes a 9/16 seed status and will begin her campaign against Grace Gear, also from England, in the opening round, with the winner poised to challenge Malaysia's No.7 seed, Sivasangari Subramaniam.

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have unveiled the draws for the inaugural GillenMarkets London Squash Classic with New Zealand’s Paul Coll and Egypt’s Nour ElSherbini securing the top seeds for the prestigious PSA Word Tour Gold event scheduled from the 27th March to 1st April.

Replacing the venerable Canary Wharf Squash Classic, which concluded its final edition in March 2023, this new event on the PSA World Tour promises an exciting lineup of matches. Kicking off at Coolhurst Squash Club before transitioning to the iconic Alexandra Palace in London for the subsequent rounds.

Paul Coll, currently ranked World No.3, emerges as a formidable force, particularly on English soil, where he has clinched six of his PSA World Tour titles, half of his total tally. Fresh from his triumph at last year's GillenMarkets Canary Wharf Classic, Paul Coll eyes another successful campaign. His journey starts in round two, where he'll face either USA’s Timothy Brownell or Egypt’s former Canary Wharf Classic Champion, Fares Dessouky.

The men's No.2 seed, Mostafa Asal from Egypt also boasts an impressive track record, securing the first PSA World Tour title of 2024 at the Florida Squash Open and dominating the PSA World Tour Finals for the past three seasons. His pursuit for another title starts against the winner of Abdulla Al-Tamimi and UNSQUASHABLE player Nick Wall.

Karim Abdel Gawad, seeded third in the men's event, has overcome injury hurdles to clinch three PSA World Tour titles in the 2023-24 squash season, affirming his resurgence. The 2016 World Squash Champion looks to maintain his winning streak as he faces the victor of Ramit Tandon and Eain Yow Ng after receiving a bye in the opening round.

Completing the top four seeds is former World Champion and World No.1, Mohamed Elshorbagy. Despite encountering setbacks in recent tournaments, Mohamed Elshorbagy remains determined to reclaim his winning form. With a formidable career spanning 710 matches, he embarks on his campaign in round two against either England’s Adrian Waller or Youssef Ibrahim.

In a historic turn of events, London hosts a major women's tournament for the first time in over a decade. Leading the pack is World No.1 and reigning World Champion Nour ElSherbini. The Egyptian powerhouse aims to extend her dominant season by adding another title to her impressive collection.

Hania El Hammamy, the second seed in the women's event, looks to kickstart her 2024 campaign with a victory, while Nouran Gohar, seeded third, eyes redemption following her return from a four-month injury hiatus. Belgium’s Nele Gilis rounds off the top four seeds, eager to bounce back from early exits in recent tournaments.

Former World No.15 Declan James, staging a comeback after battling injuries, and World No.54 Alicia Mead have been awarded the respective men’s and women’s wild cards.

GillenMarkets London Squash Classic 2024 Men’s Draw:
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bye
Timothy Brownell (USA) v [9/16] Fares Dessouky (EGY)
[9/16] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) v Auguste Dussourd (FRA)
[6] Joel Makin (WAL) bye
[7] Marwan Elshorbagy (ENG) bye
Karim El Hammamy (EGY) v [9/16] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP)
[9/16] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) v Adrian Waller (ENG)
[4] Mohamed Elshorbagy (ENG) bye
[3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bye
Ramit Tandon (IND) v [9/16] Eain Yow Ng (MAS)
[9/16] Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) v [WC] Declan James (ENG)
[8] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) bye
[5] Tarek Momen (EGY) bye
Raphael Kandra (GER) v [9/16] Nathan Lake (ENG)
[9/16] Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT) v Nick Wall (ENG)
[2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bye

GillenMarkets London Squash Classic 2024 Women’s Draw:
[1] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bye
Emilia Soini (FIN) v [9/16] Tesni Murphy (WAL)
[9/16] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) v Grace Gear (ENG)
[8] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bye
[5] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bye
Nicole Bunyan (CAN) v [9/16] Lucy Turmel (ENG)
[9/16] Jasmine Hutton (ENG) v Katie Malliff (ENG)
[4] Nele Gilis (BEL) bye
[3] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bye
Mariam Metwally (EGY) v [9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN)
[9/16] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) v [WC] Alicia Mead (ENG)
[7] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bye
[6] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bye
Malak Khafagy (EGY) v [9/16] Emily Whitlock (WAL)
[9/16] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) v Enora Villard (FRA)
[2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bye

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have announced the player entries for the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic 2024, the prestigious PSA World Tour Gold event which will be staged from the 27th March to 1st April at the iconic Alexandra Palace venue.

Paul Coll of New Zealand and Nour ElSherbini of Egypt have been confirmed as the respective men’s and women’s top seeds.

The men’s top seed and World No.3 boasts an impressive track record of six PSA World Tour title triumphs on English soil, including last year's GillenMarkets Canary Wharf Squash Classic.

The men’s draw will also include Mostafa Asal of Egypt, the three-time PSA World Tour Platinum winner, and the men's event's second seed. A stalwart in the best-of-three format, the Egyptian sensation has clinched the last three PSA World Tour Finals titles, establishing himself as a formidable contender.

Karim Abdel Gawad and Mohamed Elshorbagy, occupying the third and fourth seeding respectively, bring a wealth of experience to the fray. With a combined tally exceeding 1,200 matches on the PSA World Tour, the duo's seasoned court craft presents a formidable challenge, as they aim to upset the hierarchy in this esteemed seventh PSA World Tour Gold event of the 2023-24 squash season.

In a historic turn, London plays host to a major women's event for the first time in over a decade, with none other than World No.1 and reigning World Champion, Nour ElSherbini, spearheading the line-up. Boasting five titles already this season, the 28-year-old Egyptian aims to consolidate her reign atop the PSA Women’s World Rankings with yet another triumph on the illustrious stage.

Nevertheless, Nour ElSherbini faces stern opposition from her contemporaries, notably World No.2 Hania El Hammamy and No.3 Nouran Gohar, both confirmed contenders in the event. Renowned for their fiercely competitive spirit, both players continue to push each other to new heights, having engaging in many recent captivating battles on the PSA World Tour. Hania El Hammamy notably clinched victories over Nour ElSherbini in two PSA World Tour Platinum finals this season, while Nouran Gohar, though falling short in their encounter at the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions, remains a potent threat on the international squash circuit.

GillenMarkets London Squash Classic - Men's Entry List:
1. Paul Coll (NZL)
2. Mostafa Asal (EGY)
3. Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
4. Mohamed Elshorbagy (ENG)
5. Tarek Momen (EGY)
6. Joel Makin (WAL)
7. Marwan Elshorbagy (ENG)
8. Baptiste Masotti (FRA)
9. Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY)
10. Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP)
11. Fares Dessouky (EGY)
12. Youssef Ibrahim (EGY)
13. Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY)
14. Eain Yow Ng (MAS)
15. Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT)
16. Nathan Lake (ENG)
17. Adrian Waller (ENG)
18. Auguste Dussourd (FRA)
19. Raphael Kandra (GER)
20. Nick Wall (ENG)
21. Karim El Hammamy (EGY)
22. Ramit Tandon (IND)
23. Timothy Brownell (USA)
24. [WC] Declan James (ENG)

GillenMarkets London Squash Classic - Women's Entry List:
1. Nour ElSherbini (EGY)
2. Hania El Hammamy (EGY)
3. Nouran Gohar (EGY)
4. Nele Gilis (BEL)
5. Georgina Kennedy (ENG)
6. Rowan Elaraby (EGY)
7. Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
8. Sabrina Sobhy (USA)
9. Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS)
10. Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY)
11. Hollie Naughton (CAN)
12. Satomi Watanabe (JAP)
13. Emily Whitlock (WAL)
14. Jasmine Hutton (ENG)
15. Lucy Turmel (ENG)
16. Tesni Murphy (WAL)
17. Mariam Metwally (EGY)
18. Katie Malliff (ENG)
19. Malak Khafagy (EGY)
20. Nicole Bunyan (CAN)
21. Grace Gear (ENG)
22. Enora Villard (FRA)
23. Emilia Soini (FIN)
24. [WC] Alicia Mead (ENG)

Dublin-based wealth management firm GillenMarkets has proudly stepped into the spotlight as the title sponsor for the inaugural London Squash Classic, scheduled to be staged at the magnificent Alexandra Palace from the 27th March to 1st April.

Replacing the iconic Canary Wharf Squash Classic on the PSA World Tour calendar, the GillenMarkets London Squash Classic marks a significant addition to the capital's sporting landscape. GillenMarkets, having previously sponsored the Canary Wharf Squash Classic in both 2022 and 2023, now takes centre stage as the headline sponsor for London's newest premier squash tournament.

The 2024 GillenMarkets London Squash Classic, a PSA World Tour Gold tournament, promises high-stakes competition with 48 of the world's top male and female players vying for the coveted trophy. The tournament's early rounds are set to take place at the Coolhurst Lawn Tennis & Squash Club, with subsequent matches moving to the grandeur of Alexandra Palace.

This sponsorship underscores GillenMarkets' commitment to the sport of squash and aligns with the company's continued support for premier squash event.

The inaugural London Squash Classic, scheduled for March 2023, will kick off its initial matches at the esteemed Coolhurst Lawn Tennis & Squash Club. This state-of-the-art complex boasts seven top-tier squash courts and will serve as the venue for all sixteen opening round matches, eight men’s matches and eight women’s matches.

Replacing the iconic Canary Wharf Squash Classic on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour, the London Squash Classic will feature a best-of-three games scoring system up to and including the quarter-finals, with the semi-finals and finals reverting to the traditional best-of-five game scoring scheme.

Tickets for the highly anticipated 2024 London Squash Classic are now on sale, visit www.londonsquashclassic.com to purchase tickets for the prestigious squash event set to take place at the renowned Alexandra Palace in London from the 27th March to 1st April 2024.

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) Gold-level World Tour event will replace the iconic Canary Wharf Squash Classic on the 2023-24 PSA World Tour calendar and will include both men's and women's competitions for the first time.

Over the past two decades, the Canary Wharf Squash Classic has witnessed some of the sport's greatest players achieving glory with last season, New Zealand's Paul Coll leaving an indelible mark on the tournament's storied history with victory over Welshman Joel Makin.

The PSA London Squash Classic is poised to host a star-studded lineup of the world's best squash players.

For further details and updates on the 2024 London Squash Classic, visit the tournament's official website www.londonsquashclassic.com.

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have announced that the London Squash Classic 2024 is set to grace the prestigious Alexandra Palace, marking a momentous occasion by including both men's and women's competitions for the very first time.

Scheduled for the 27th March to 1st April 1, the London Squash Classic 2024 will be a PSA World Tour Gold-level event assumes the prominent slot previously occupied by the iconic Canary Wharf Squash Classic on the 2023-24 PSA World Tour calendar. The relocation comes in light of proposed renovations to the East Wintergarden venue at Canary Wharf in London, the historical home of the Canary Wharf Squash Classic over the past two decades, which can no longer accommodate a squash court and seating.

In lieu of the traditional setting, the 2024 London Squash Classic will now unfold at the illustrious Alexandra Palace, a renowned hub for entertainment and sports, having previously hosted prestigious events such as the PDC World Darts Championships.

Since its inception in 2004, the Canary Wharf Squash Classic had risen to prominence, emerging as one of the most eagerly anticipated tournaments on the PSA World Tour calendar. The tournament has witnessed illustrious champions, including World Champions such as Mohamed ElShorbagy, Nick Matthew and former World No.1 James Willstrop. Last year, the honour belonged to New Zealand's Paul Coll, who clinched victory by defeating Welshman Joel Makin in a thrilling final.

The London Squash Classic 2024 promises to captivate audiences and further solidify its status on the global squash stage with tickets set to go on sale on Monday 6th November.