Karim Abdel Gawad & Nour El Tayeb crowned 2023 Ace Malaysia Squash Cup Champions

Karim Abdel Gawad and Nour El Tayeb emerged victorious at the 2023 Ace Malaysia Squash Cup staged at the S2 Sports Complex in Seremban.

Former World Champion and World No.1 Karim Abdel Gawad secured his 27th PSA Word Tour title, and the second of the 2023-24 season, as he produced a mesmerising performance to defeat the men's top seed, Mostafa Asal 11-8 12-10 11-5.

In the women's final, top seed Nour El Tayeb claimed her 15th PSA World Tour title with an emphatic 11-2 11-4 11-4 victory over the fifth-seeded Rachel Arnold of Malaysia.

[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [5] Rachel Arnold (MAS) 11-2, 11-4, 11-4 (19m)
Nour El Tayeb secured the women's 2023 Ace Malaysia Squash Cup title with a convincing 11-2 11-4 11-4 victory over Malaysia's Rachel Arnold. This triumph marked Nour El Tayeb's third win over Rachel Arnold, as they had previously clashed twice in February 2019, with the Egyptian emerging victorious on both occasions in straight games.

The physical condition of Rachel Arnold raised concerns as the Malaysian took the court with significant strapping supporting her right thigh, hinting at potential physical discomfort.

Top seed Nour El Tayeb wasted no time in asserting her dominance during the first game which she secured 11-2 in empathic style.

The second game mirrored the first, with Nour El Tayeb maintaining her tempo as she conceded just four points to extend her lead. Despite her best efforts, Rachel Arnold was unable to match the physicality of Nour El Tayeb, as the Egyptian continued to apply relentless pressure to secure her first Malaysian title and the 15th PSA World Tour title of her illustrious career.

[2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 12-10, 11-5 (51m)
Karim Abdel Gawad emerged as the men's 2023 Ace Malaysia Squash Cup champion with a commanding 11-8 12-10 11-5 victory over fellow Egyptian Mostafa Asal.

The top-seeded Mostafa Asal took an early lead in the first game, capitalising on several errors from his inform compatriot, before his 32-year-old rival showed his flair to close-out the game 11-8.

The second game saw Asal display greater composure to surge to an 8-5 lead, but the 'Baby-Faced Assassin' turned the tide with three rapid points, forcing the game into a tie-break before taking a decisive two-game advantage following errors from his opponent.

Gawad seized a 5-2 lead in the third game against a visibly frustrated Asal, and the former World No.1 maintained his focus to win the game 11-5 and secure the prestigious title.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023, S2 Sports Complex, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Men’s Final:
[2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) 11-8, 12-10, 11-5 (50m)

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023, S2 Sports Complex, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Women’s Final:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [5] Rachel Arnold (MAS) 11-2, 11-4, 11-4 (18m)

The Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023 finals will be staged today at the S2 Sports Complex in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Malaysia’s premier Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour event will see local favourite and the 5th seed Rachel Arnold face No.1 seed Nour El Tayeb in the women’s final which will be followed by the men's final which promises to be a blockbuster affair featuring Egyptian contenders Mostafa Asal and Karim Abdel Gawad.

Nour El Tayeb vs. Rachel Arnold
Rachel Arnold and Nour El Tayeb have taken contrasting paths to reach the title match. Rachel Arnold has showed her tenacity by enduring three gruelling five-game battles, overcoming challenges from Aira Azman, No. 2 seed Farida Mohamed, and Malak Khafagy en route to the final.

On the other hand, Nour El Tayeb has dropped just one game in her three matches, dispatching opponents Tsz-Wing Tong, Amina Orfi in the quarter-finals, and No. 7 seed Sivasangari Subramaniam in a high-quality semi-final. The Egyptian is on a quest for her second PSA World Tour title of the 2023-24 squash season, having previously triumphed at the Women’s South Western Squash Open. However, she must contend with the resilience of Rachel Arnold and the support of an undoubtedly partisan crowd.

Mostafa Asal vs. Karim Abdel Gawad
From the outset of the tournament, it was evident that both Mostafa Asal and Karim Abdel Gawad were destined for the final, and they have only grown stronger with each match.

'The Raging Bull,' Mostafa Asal, showed his remarkable power and precision in the semi-final against Ramit Tandon, conceding only 12 points on his path to victory. He appears to have left behind the disappointment of his recent exit from the Grasshopper Cup 20223 and is determined to secure his 13th title on the PSA World Tour.

Meanwhile, Karim Abdel Gawad has continued his winning streak, extending it to seven games from his success at the Grasshopper Cup. He has breezed through the draw this week, besting opponents like Tsz Kwan Lau, Saurav Ghosal and Eain Yow Ng to reach the final. The World No.6 has yet to drop a game in Seremban, but his clash with Mostafa Asal promises to be a nail-biting encounter that could go down to the wire.

Following an exciting semi-finals day at the Ace Malaysia Squash Cup, Rachel Arnold will face top seed Nour El Tayeb in tomorrow’s women’s final, whilst the men’s final at the S2 Sports Complex in Seremban will see top seed Mostafa Asal face fellow Egyptian and 2nd seed Karim Abdel Gawad.

[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [8] Ramit Tandon (IND) 11-6, 11-1, 11-5 (42m)
A dominant display from top-seeded Mostafa Asal saw the Egyptian clinch a resounding straight-game victory over Ramit Tandon propelling him to his first final of the season at the Ace Malaysia Squash Cup in Seremban. Mostafa Asal, known as 'The Raging Bull,' showed his trademark power right from the start, capitalising on any loose balls from his opponent and skilfully incorporating his volley drop to add variety to his gameplay.

Establishing an early 4-1 lead in the first game, Mostafa Asal maintained control, ultimately claiming it with 11-6. The Egyptian powerhouse shifted into an even higher gear in the second game, asserting dominance with a combination of devastating power and precision in ball striking. Despite attempts to slow down the pace of the rallies, Ramit Tandon found himself largely stifled, managing to tally just one point in the second game.

Mostafa Asal continued his relentless onslaught in the third game, surging to a commanding 9-2 lead before his Indian opponent sought to stage a comeback. However, despite the brief resistance, Mostafa Asal sealed his spot in the final by taking the third game 11-5, exiting the court after 42 minutes of electrifying action.

[2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [4] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) 11-8, 12-10, 11-5 (39m)
Karim Abdel Gawad of Egypt produced a commanding performance to secure a decisive 39-minute 11-8 12-10 11-5 victory over the spirited Malaysian Eain Yow Ng to sets the stage for a highly anticipated title decider against fellow Egyptian Mostafa Asal.

The encounter between Karim Abdel Gawad and Eain Yow Ng hinted at a continuation of their previous lengthy battles, with all three prior meetings exceeding 60 minutes. The match's outset suggested a similar narrative, as both players engaged in protracted rallies down the backhand wall.

Karim Abdel Gawad, however, swiftly found his rhythm in the first game, exhibiting finesse at the front of the court to establish an 8-3 lead. Despite a spirited rally from the Malaysian, Karim Abdel Gawad maintained his composure, securing the first game in just 14 minutes.

The second game mirrored the pattern of the first with the Egyptian racing to a 10-5 lead, before Eain Yow Ng, buoyed by home support, orchestrated a remarkable comeback to force a tiebreak. Subtle deception from Karim Abdel Gawad saw the Egyptian move to game ball with a forehand crosscourt before ultimately closing out the game on his first attempt.

Elevating his game further in the third, Karim Abdel Gawad imposed relentless pressure on his opponent. A highlight of his performance was a memorable volley back wall boast, earning applause from a capacity crowd at the S2 Sports Complex. The outcome however was never in doubt for the Egyptian, who, after establishing an 8-4 lead in the third game, sealed victory after 39 minutes of intense action on the all-glass show court.

[5] Rachel Arnold (MAS) bt Malak Khafagy (EGY) 8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 6-11, 11-4 (52m)
A gripping display of resilience on her home turf saw the fifth-seeded Rachel Arnold secure her place in the women’s final of the 2023 Ace Malaysia Squash Cup after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Egypt's Malak Khafagy at the S2 Sports Complex in Seremban.

Rachel Arnold, facing a stern test from the unseeded Egyptian in her first PSA World Tour Bronze semi-final, navigated through a back-and-forth contest. Despite the Egyptian challenger giving the defending champion a rigorous challenge, the Malaysian triumphed 8-11 11-7 11-4 6-11, 11-4 to earn the opportunity to face top-seeded Nour El Tayeb in the title decider.

[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [7] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) 10-12, 11-3, 11-9, 11-6 (45m)
In a compelling display of resilience, top-seeded Nour El Tayeb overcame an early setback to secure a hard-fought victory against Sivasangari Subramaniam to earn her place in the women’s final of the Ace Malaysia Squash Cup against Rachel Arnold.

In the face of a partisan home crowd, Sivasangari Subramaniam exhibited no signs of nerves, storming to an early 4-1 lead with a repertoire of smart plays. Despite this initial burst, Nour El Tayeb methodically worked her way into the match, finding herself with two game balls in the first game. However, Subramaniam responded with a determined effort, scoring four consecutive points, including a contentious shot that appeared to hit the tin to snatch the first game.

Undeterred by the referee's decision, Nour El Tayeb let her racket do the talking in the second game, taking an early lead and surging ahead to level the match at one game apiece. As the contest progressed to the third, costly mistakes crept into the game of Sivasangari Subramaniam, with the World No.32 committing errors that allowed Nour El Tayeb to take a decisive 2-1 lead.

The frustration of Sivasangari Subramaniam simmered in the fourth, a mix of outstanding stroke play and occasional loose lengths characterising her game. Nour El Tayeb capitalised on this, racing to a 7-2 lead and masterfully turning defence into attack. Despite a brief comeback attempt from the No.7 seed, Nour El Tayeb closed out the match without complications, securing the final game 11-6 and advancing to her second final of the season.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023, S2 Sports Complex, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Men’s Semi-Finals:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [8] Ramit Tandon (IND) 11-6, 11-1, 11-5 (42m)
[2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [4] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) 11-8, 12-10, 11-5 (39m)

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023, S2 Sports Complex, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Women’s Semi-Finals:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [7] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) 10-12, 11-3, 11-9, 11-6 (45m)
[5] Rachel Arnold (MAS) bt Malak Khafagy (EGY) 3-2: 8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 6-11, 11-4 (52m)

A thrilling day of quarter-final matches at the Ace Malaysia Squash Cup saw Rachel Arnold and Ramit Tandon claim significant upsets to set the stage for a scintillating semi-final showdown on the all-glass show court at the S2 Sports Complex in Seremban.

Malaysia's Rachel Arnold and India's Ramit Tandon were the architects of headline-making upsets. Rachel Arnold stunned the crowd as she overcame the challenge of the No.2 seed Farida Mohamed to secure her spot in the semi-finals. The victory marks her second consecutive semi-final appearance at this event, demonstrating her consistency and prowess in front of the home crowd.

Rachel Arnold's victory was particularly impressive given her lower world ranking, but she maintained composure and kept her focus while her Egyptian opponent became increasingly frustrated with officiating decisions.

The path to the title decider will pit Rachel Arnold against unseeded Egyptian talent Malak Khafagy, who earned her place in her first PSA World Tour Bronze semi-final by defeating compatriot Kenzy Ayman.

The other women's semi-final will see top seed Nour El Tayeb facing the remaining Malaysian contender Sivasangari Subramaniam. Nour El Tayeb displayed her composure as she eliminated the 16-year-old Amina Orfi, while Subramaniam delivered a commanding performance against Hong Kong's Ka Yi Lee.

In the men’s draw, India's Ramit Tandon engineered a significant upset by defeating Victor Crouin of France in a remarkable comeback. Tandon's performance showed his resilience and skill, as he overturned a 2-1 deficit to secure a 12-10 4-11 6-11 11-9 11-6 victory, marking his most significant PSA semi-final appearance in over four years.

In the semi-finals, Ramit Tandon will be up against the top seed Mostafa Asal, who breezed past Indian veteran Saurav Ghosal in straight games. Meanwhile, Malaysia's last hope in the men's draw, No.4 seed Eain Yow Ng, dispatched Frenchman Sebastien Bonmalais to claim his spot in the semi-finals. In a dominant performance, the top-ranked Malaysian Eain Yow Ng secured his place in the men's semi-finals by defeating Frenchman Sebastien Bonmalais in a convincing 3-0 victory. Ng exhibited solid length and precise shot placement, asserting control early in the contest.

The semi-final lineup was completed by the No.2 seed, Karim Abdel Gawad, who emerged victorious in an entertaining battle against Switzerland's Dimitri Steinmann.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023, S2 Sports Complex, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Men’s Quarter-Finals:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [5] Saurav Ghosal (IND) 11-4, 11-2, 11-6 (43m)
[8] Ramit Tandon (IND) bt [3] Victor Crouin (FRA) 12-10, 4-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6 (76m)
[4] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bt [6] Sebastien Bonmalais (FRA) 11-6, 11-9, 11-2 (39m)
[2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [7] Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) 13-11, 11-9, 12-10 (51m)

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023, S2 Sports Complex, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Women’s Quarter-Finals:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [6] Amina Orfi (EGY) 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 (45m)
[7] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt Ka Yi Lee (HKG) 11-9, 11-9, 11-5 (27m)
Malak Khafagy (EGY) bt Kenzy Ayman (EGY) 10-12, 12-10, 11-4, 10-12, 11-7 (58m)
[5] Rachel Arnold (MAS) bt [2] Farida Mohamed (EGY) 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5 (46m)

No.5 seed and defending Malaysian Squash Open Champion Rachel Arnold found herself on the precipice of a shock defeat in the 2nd round of the Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023 before managing to claw back from four match balls in a thrilling showdown against her compatriot Aira Azman at the S2 Sports Complex in Seremban.

Rachel Arnold, ranked at World No.39, had previously dominated her two encounters with her compatriot Aira Azman on the PSA World Tour, swiftly winning both matches without dropping a game with an average match duration of just 20 minutes. However, this time, her lower-ranked domestic rival and runner-up at the 2023 WSF World Junior Squash Championships showed remarkable resilience, battling back from a 2-1 deficit to claim the fourth game. Fearless in her approach, she pushed her higher-ranked opponent through a nail-biting decider.

Yet, despite her valiant efforts, Aira Azman couldn't capitalise on her match point opportunities, with Rachel Arnold's experience ultimately proved to be the deciding factor as she maintained her composure to secure an 11-6 10-12 11-8 5-11 15-13 victory after a gruelling 57-minute contest.

The reward for Rachel Arnold is a quarter-final clash with the No.2 seed Farida Mohamed, who dispatched 2019 Malaysian Squash Open runner-up Low Wee Wern in straight games.

Meanwhile, World No.48 Kenzy Ayman staged a remarkable comeback from a two-game deficit to upset the No.8 seed, Sana Ibrahim. Her reward is a quarter-final face-off with Malak Khafagy, who caused an upset of her own by defeating the No.4 seed Nadine Shahin.

In the men's draw, top seed Mostafa Asal initiated his title challenge with a convincing 3-0 victory over Japan's Ryunosuke Tsukue who was marking his 100th appearance on the PSA World Tour. Although Ryunosuke Tsukue displayed his prowess in the opening game with speed and retrieval skills, the power and dominance of Mostafa Asal soon came to the fore as he secured an 11-8 11-5 11-4 victory and will now square off against India's Saurav Ghosal for a spot in the semi-finals.

Saurav Ghosal secured his place in the quarter-finals by defeating Malaysia's Addeen Idrakie with a commanding 11-7 11-6 11-4 victory.

No.3 seed Victor Crouin, comfortably progressed to the quarter-finals after a straightforward victory over Hong Kong's Henry Leung. His opponent in the quarter-finals will be India's Ramit Tandon who overcame Spaniard Bernat Jaume to secure his spot in the next round.

In an evening filled with remarkable squash action at the Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023, Hong Kong's Ka Yi Lee sprung a surprising upset by defeating Malaysian No.3 seed Aifa Azman and securing her first-ever quarter-final place in a PSA World Tour Bronze level event. Aifa Azman, who hadn't lost to Ka Yi Lee since 2015, struggled to find her form, and the Malaysia capitalised on the opportunity to win 11-8 11-7 7-11 11-4.

Ka Yi Lee will continue her impressive run when she faces another local hopeful, Sivasangari Subramaniam, in the quarter-finals, after Sivasangari Subramaniam, the World No.32, displayed fine form by defeating England's Alicia Mead.

Top seed Nour El Tayeb of Egypt advanced to the quarter-finals with a dominant performance against Hong Kong's Tse-Wing Tong, winning in straight games.

In the men's championships, No.7 seed Dimitri Steinmann staged a thrilling comeback against Malaysia's Ivan Yuen, winning a dramatic fifth-game tie-break. Steinmann's determination and resilience were on full display as he claimed seven consecutive points to secure victory.

Dimitri Steinmann is now set to face No.2 seed Karim Abdel Gawad in the quarter-finals who faced a tough challenge from Tsz Kwan Lau but managed to prevail in three closely contested games.

Malaysian No.4 seed Eain Yow Ng booked his place in the quarter-finals with a hard-fought straight-game win over the in-form Egyptian Ibrahim Elkabbani. Eain Yow Ng will square off against Frenchman Sebastien Bonmalais in the quarter-finals after the Frenchman defeated England's Ben Smith in straight games.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023, S2 Sports Complex, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Men’s 2nd Round:
Professional Squash Association (PSA) Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023, S2 Sports Complex, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Men’s 2nd Round:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [9/16] Ryunosuke Tsukue (JPN) 11-8, 11-5, 11-4 (32m)
[5] Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt [9/16] Addeen Idrakie (MAS) 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 (36m)
[8] Ramit Tandon (IND) bt [9/16] Bernat Jaume (ESP) 11-7, 13-11, 9-11, 12-10 (53m)
[3] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt [9/16] Henry Leung (HKG) 11-3, 11-2, 11-5 (30m)
[4] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bt [9/16] Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY) 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 (46m)
[6] Sébastien Bonmalais (FRA) bt Ben Smith (ENG) 11-6, 11-4, 11-4 (26m)
[7] Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) bt [9/16] Ivan Yuen (MAS) 12-14, 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 13-11 (80m)
[2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [9/16] Tsz Kwan Lau (HKG) 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 (30m)

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023, S2 Sports Complex, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Women’s 2nd Round:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [9/16] Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 (26m)
[6] Amina Orfi (EGY) bt [9/16] Marta Dominguez Fernandez (ESP) 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 (36m)
[7] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt Alicia Mead (ENG) 11-4, 11-3, 12-10 (23m)
[9/16] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) bt [3] Aifa Azman (MAS) 11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 11-4 (33m)
[9/16] Malak Khafagy (EGY) bt [4] Nadine Shahin (EGY) 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 11-8 (34m)
[9/16] Kenzy Ayman (EGY) bt [8] Sana Ibrahim (EGY) 11-13, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6 (73m)
[5] Rachel Arnold (MAS) bt [9/16] Aira Azman (MAS) 11-6, 10-12, 11-8, 5-11, 15-13 (57m)
[2] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bt [9/16] Low Wee Wern (MAS) 11-3, 11-0, 11-4 (18m)

The Ace Malaysia Squash Cup, a Bronze level event on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour, commenced today at the S2 Sports Complex in Seremban and witnessed victories by Malaysian players Low Wee Wern, Aira Azman and Addeen Idrakie.

Low Wee Wern, a former World No.5, kicked off the day with an enthralling match against Egypt's Menna Hamed. Low Wee Wern displayed her skill and experience to secure a hard-fought 11-9 11-2 7-11 13-11 victory.

Aira Azman, the World Junior Championship runner-up, earned her spot in the second round with a 3-0 win over compatriot Yasshmita Jadishkumar. The 25-minute match was fiercely contested with Aira Azman clinching vital points to secure the win and earn a place in the 2nd round where she will faces 2019 Malaysian Squash Open Champion Rachel Arnold.

Egyptian players Kenzy Ayman and Malak Khafagy secured respective wins over Jessica Turnbull and Nardine Garas. Kenzy Ayman is set to face the No.8 seed Sana Ibrahim, while Malak Khafagy will challenge the No.4 seed, Nadine Shahin, for a quarter-final berth.

In the men's event, Addeen Idrakie advanced to the second round after defeating Germany's Yannik Omlor 16-14 11-3 11-13 14-12. Remarkably, this victory came less than a week after becoming a father. Addeen Idrakie showed his resilience, particularly in the first game, which extended into a tie-break. Although Yannik Omlor pushed back in the third game, Addeen Idrakie ultimately secured the win. Addeen Idrakie's upcoming opponent will be Indian veteran Saurav Ghosal.

Hong Kong's Henry Leung secured his place in the last 16 by making a comeback from a game down to defeat wildcard Mohammad Syafiq Kamal. The French No.3 seed, Victor Crouin, awaits Henry Leung in the next round.

The afternoon session saw wins for Spain's Bernat Jaume and Japan's Ryunosuke Tsukue. Bernat Jaume is scheduled to play against the No.8 seed Ramit Tandon for a place in the quarter-finals, while Ryunosuke Tsukue will face the top seed Mostafa Asal.

The evening session of the Ace Malaysia Squash Cup saw Malaysian player Ivan Yuen among the winners advancing to round 2. The S2 Sports Complex in Seremban witnessed Marta Dominguez Fernandez becoming the second Spanish winner of the day, securing her place in the 2nd round with a victory over local favourite Ainaa Amani.

Tsz Kwan Lau from Hong Kong also secured a place in the second round after a remarkable turnaround from being two games down against Egypt's Yassin ElShafei.

Hong Kong's Tsz-Wing Tong and Malaysian No.2 Ivan Yuen further solidified their positions in the tournament with compelling performances. The fastest match of the opening day of the tournament was witnessed when Hong Kong's Ka Yi Lee dispatched Switzerland's Nadia Pfister in just 17 minutes, whilst the day's final match on the all-glass show court featured Ibrahim Elkabbani who clinched a victory over Malaysian Wildcard Ameeshenraj Chandaran.

The evening session concluded with two English players, Alicia Mead and Ben Smith, securing wins on the traditional court 1, setting the stage for their upcoming matches against Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramanian and France's Sebastien Bonmalais respectively.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023, S2 Sports Complex, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Men’s 1st Round:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bye
Ryunosuke Tsukue (JPN) bt Christopher Gordon (USA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-4 (27m)
Addeen Idrakie (MAS) bt Yannik Omlor (GER) 16-14, 11-3, 11-13, 14-12 (80m)
[5] Saurav Ghosal (IND) bye
[8] Ramit Tandon (IND) bye
[9/16] Bernat Jaume (ESP) bt Seif Shenawy (EGY) 11-9, 11-9, 11-6 (35m)
[9/16] Henry Leung (HKG) bt [WC] Mohd Syafiq Kamal (MAS) 6-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-7 (46m)
[3] Victor Crouin (FRA) bye
[4] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bye
Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY) bt [WC] Ameeshenraj Chandaran (MAS) 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 (42m)
Ben Smith (ENG) bt Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) 11-8, 13-11, 11-6 (44m)
[6] Sébastien Bonmalais (FRA) bye
[7] Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) bye
Ivan Yuen (MAS) bt Aly Hussein (EGY) 11-6, 11-13, 3-11, 11-7, 11-5 (67m)
Tsz Kwan Lau (HKG) bt Yassin Elshafei (EGY) 10-12, 3-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-8 (47m)
[2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bye

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023, S2 Sports Complex, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Women’s’ 1st Round:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bye
Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) bt Saskia Beinhard (GER) 11-7, 11-3, 11-5 (29m)
Marta Dominguez Fernandez (ESP) bt Ainaa Amani (MAS) 5-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 (34m)
[6] Amina Orfi (EGY) bye
[7] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bye
Alicia Mead (ENG) bt Marie Stephan (FRA) 11-4, 5-11, 14-12, 6-11, 11-7 (47m)
Ka Yi Lee (HKG) bt Nadia Pfister (SUI) 11-5, 11-2, 11-3 (17m)
[3] Aifa Azman (MAS) bye
[4] Nadine Shahin (EGY) bye
Malak Khafagy (EGY) bt Nardine Garas (EGY) 11-5, 5-11, 11-7, 11-9 (33m)
[9/16] Kenzy Ayman (EGY) bt Jessica Turnbull (AUS) 11-7, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8 (31m)
[8] Sana Ibrahim (EGY) bye
[5] Rachel Arnold (MAS) bye
[9/16] Aira Azman (MAS) bt [WC] Yasshmita Jadishkumar (MAS) 11-9, 14-12, 12-10 (25m)
[9/16] Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt Menna Hamed (EGY) 11-9, 11-2, 7-11, 13-11 (46m)
[2] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bye

The eagerly anticipated Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023 will be staged at the S2 Sports Complex in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia with top seeds in the men's and women's draws both hailing from Egypt.

Mostafa Asal and Nour El Tayeb are the top seeds for Professional Squash Association (PSA) Bronze Level World Tour event to be held from the 6th to 10th November.

In the men's draw, World No.4 Mostafa Asal will be looking to rebound from his recent Grasshopper Squash Cup quarter-final disappointment at the hands of Baptiste Masotti. Mostafa Asal will start his campaign at the 2024 Ace Malaysian Squash Cup against the winner of the bout between Christopher Gordon and Japan's Ryunosuke Tsukue. In the quarter-finals, he is projected to lock horns with India's Saurav Ghosal, and a potential semi-final clash awaits against the No.3 seed Victor Crouin.

Meanwhile, Karim Abdel Gawad, the World No.6, aims to continue his impressive form in Malaysia, fresh from a triumphant performance in Zurich. Karim Abdel Gawad conquered both Mohamed and Marwan ElShorbagy on his path to the final at the Grasshopper Squash Cup, ultimately defeating Joel Makin to clinch the title. In his quest for glory in Malaysia, Karim Abdel Gawad will face either Tsz Kwan Lau or Egypt's Yassin Elshafei in the second round, with a potential quarter-final showdown against the No.7 seed Dimitri Steinmann should the event follow the seedings. The Egyptian’s path to the last four may see him face Malaysia's Eain Yow Ng.

In the women's championship, the No.1 seed Nour El Tayeb sets her sights on securing her second PSA World Tour title of the season having already triumphed at the Women’s South Western Squash Open. The World No.6 is scheduled to open her campaign against the winner of the match between Saskia Beinhard and Tsz-Wing Tong, with a potential quarter-final encounter against Egypt’s rising star Amina Orfi.

Elsewhere in the women’s draw, Malaysian sensation Aifa Azman, who impressed with a quarter-final run in the 2022 Malaysian Squash Open, embarks on her journey against the 9/16-seeded Ka Yi Lee or Nadia Pfister. Notably, Aifa Azman finds herself in the same quarter as Sivasangari Subramaniam.

The lower half of the women's draw features a trio of Egyptian seeds eyeing a deep run in this PSA Bronze-level PSA World Tour event. Farida Mohamed occupies the No.2 seed position, Nadine Shahin is the 4th seed, and Sana Ibrahim is the 8th seed. Adding to the excitement, the 2019 Malaysian Squash Open Champion, Rachel Arnold returns as the No.5 seed and her second-round opponent will emerge from the clash between Yasshmita Jadishkumar and Aira Azman.

As the stage is set for the Ace Malaysia Squash Cup, squash enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the thrilling battles and remarkable displays of skill that this prestigious event promises to deliver.

Egypt's rising squash star Amina Orfi exudes confidence as she gears up for her appearance at the Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023. The teenage sensation has already made history in her brief stint as a full-time PSA World Tour player. At the age of just 16 years and three months, Amina Orfi achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the youngest player to reach the quarter-finals of a PSA World Tour Platinum event. Her remarkable journey to the last eight of the U.S. Squash Open presented by TRUIST included a victory over the World No.4, Joelle King which catapulted her into the top 20 of the PSA Women’s World Rankings for the first time.

Amina Orfi is sixth seed at this year’s Ace Malaysia Squash Cup and her opening match will be against the Spanish player Marta Dominguez Fernandez. If the tournament follows the seeding, she might face World No.6 Nour El Tayeb in the quarter-finals.

It's important to remember that Amina Orfi is still a teenager, despite her extraordinary performance against the world's best players over the past 18 months. In addition to her professional career, she has had to balance her daily schoolwork, often working on it while traveling or during events.

Last season, Amina Orfi reached the last sixteen stage of the PSA World Squash Championships where she nearly staged a remarkable comeback from a 2-0 deficit before ultimately falling to Hania El Hammamy.

This season, the teenager came close to another major upset, narrowly losing to Amanda Sobhy in the U.S. Squash Open quarter-finals in a decisive fifth game, despite holding a 2-1 lead earlier in the match.

Having already faced high-pressure situations in the early stages of her career, Amina Orfi has been reflecting on her game, seeking ways to mature and improve. She has emphasised her efforts to maintain a calm demeanour during the U.S. Open last month, a strategy that was especially evident in her four-game victory over New Zealand's top player, Joelle King.

As well as compete in the Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023, Amina Orfi will also play at the Hong Kong Football Club Squash Open 2023 before the next PSA World Tour Platinum-level event, the Hong Kong Squash Open.

The 2023 Ace Malaysia Squash Cup promises to be an exhilarating addition to the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour with top-class squash action featuring some of the world’s leading squash players.

Egyptian stars Mostafa Asal and Nour El Tayeb are set to headline the 2023 Ace Malaysia Squash Cup in Seremban this November. The PSA World Tour Bronze event, scheduled for the 6th to 20th November at the S2 Sports Complex, will feature 24 top men's and women's players battling for the title.

Mostafa Asal, the former World No.1 who reached the pinnacle of men's squash in January 2023, enjoys a bye in the first round and is poised to face either World No.80 Christopher Gordon or Japan's Ryunosuke Tsukue in his tournament opener. A potential quarter-final clash with Indian No.5 seed Saurav Ghosal looms if the event follows the seedings.

In the upper half of the draw, French No.1 Victor Crouin is set to take on either Henry Leung or Wildcard Mohammad Syafiq Kamal in the second round, with a potential encounter against No.8 seed Ramit Tandon in the quarter-finals.

The lower half of the draw is led by former World No.1 Karim Abdel Gawad, who is expected to face either 9/16 seeded Tsz Kwan Lau or Egypt's Yassin Elshafei in the second round. The No.2 seed is then likely to square off against Swiss No.2 Dimitri Steinmann in the quarter-finals.

Malaysia's Eain Yow Ng, seeded No.4 for his home event, will aim to delight local fans as he takes on either Ibrahim Elkabbani or Malaysian compatriot Ameeshenraj Chandaran in the second round. No.6 seed Sebastien Bonmalais could potentially await in the quarter-finals if he advances past England's Ben Smith or Muhammad Asim Khan in the second round.

In the women's draw, World No.6 Nour El Tayeb and her Egyptian compatriot Farida Mohamed have been seeded as the top two contenders.

Nour El Tayeb, fresh from her recent victory at the Women’s South Western Squash Open 2023, is set to face the winner of Saskia Beinhard or Hong Kong's Tsz-Wing Tong in the second round. A potential quarter-final showdown against Egyptian prodigy and No.6 seed Amina Orfi awaits if the tournament unfolds as per the seedings.

In the upper half of the draw, Malaysia's No.3 seed Aifa Azman will seek to capitalise on home advantage as she begins her campaign against Switzerland's Nadia Pfister or Ka Yi Lee.

In the lower half of the draw, Farida Mohamed will face either Menna Hamed or 9/16 seed Low Wee Wern in the second round. A potential quarter-final clash against Malaysia's Rachel Arnold looms.

The semi-finals could see either of Egypt's Nadine Shahin or Sana Ibrahim, seeded at No.4 and No.8, respectively, as potential opponents for Mohamed if she progresses.

Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023 Men’s Draw:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) [bye]
Christopher Gordon (USA) v [9/16] Ryunosuke Tsukue (JPN)
[9/16] Addeen Idrakie (MAS) v Yannik Omlor (GER)
[5] Saurav Ghosal (IND) [bye]
[8] Ramit Tandon (IND) [bye]
Zahed Salem (EGY) v [9/16] Bernat Jaume (ESP)
[9/16] Henry Leung (HKG) v [WC] Mohammad Syafiq Kamal (MAS)
[3] Victor Crouin (FRA) [bye]
[4] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) [bye]
[WC] Ameeshenraj Chandaran (MAS) v [9/16] Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY)
[9/16] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) v Ben Smith (ENG)
[6] Sebastien Bonmalais (FRA) [bye]
[7] Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) [bye]
Aly Hussein (EGY) v [9/16] Ivan Yuen (MAS)
[9/16] Tsz Kwan Lau (HKG) v Yassin Elshafei (EGY)
[2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) [bye]

Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023 Women’s Draw:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) [bye]
Saskia Beinhard (GER) v [9/16] Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG)
[9/16] Marta Dominguez Fernandez (ESP) v Ainaa Amani (MAS)
[6] Amina Orfi (EGY) [bye]
[7] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) [bye]
Alicia Mead (ENG) v [9/16] Marie Stephan (FRA)
[9/16] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) v Nadia Pfister (SUI)
[3] Aifa Azman (MAS [bye]
[4] Nadine Shahin (EGY) [bye]
Nardine Garas (EGY) v [9/16] Malak Khafagy (EGY)
[9/16] Kenzy Ayman (EGY) v Jessica Turnbull (AUS)
[8] Sana Ibrahim (EGY) [bye]
[5] Rachel Arnold (MAS) [bye]
[WC] Yasshmita Jadishkumar (MAS) v [9/16] Aira Azman (MAS)
[9/16] Low Wee Wern (MAS) v Menna Hamed (EGY)
[2] Farida Mohamed (EGY) [bye]

Egypt’s Mostafa Asal and Nour El Tayeb top the respective men’s and women's draws at this Ace Malaysia Squash Cup 2023 which takes place from the 6th to 10th November, however it was Mazen Hesham and Nele Gilis who captured the headlines and collected titles last year.

2022 Malaysian Open Squash Championships 1st Round:
The opening day of the 2022 Malaysian Open Squash Championships was marked by homegrown triumphs, with Malaysia's Ainaa Amani pulling off a remarkable upset. Ainaa Amani overcame the odds by defeating Zeina Mickawy in a closely contested five-game encounter, setting the stage for a clash with defending champion Aifa Azman in the second round.

Another Malaysian, Adeen Idrakie, created waves as he triumphed over former World No.3 Omar Mosaad in four games, advancing to the second round for the first time. In the women's draw, Yathreb Adel, Julianne Courtice, and Nour Aboulmakarim, all seeded 9/16, secured straightforward wins.

Notably, Karim El Hammamy was the sole seeded player to fall in the men's draw, losing to Faraz Khan in a hard-fought four-game battle which earned the American a showdown with No.3 seed Mazen Hesham.

2022 Malaysian Open Squash Championships 2nd Round:
In the second round of the 2022 Malaysian Open Squash Championships saw all four top seeds in the men's draw, namely Tarek Momen, Joel Makin, Mazen Hesham, and Marwan ElShorbagy, navigated their way to the quarter-finals with confidence. England's Patrick Rooney orchestrated a remarkable comeback from two games down to topple Mohamed ElSherbini of Egypt. Fifth seed Miguel Rodriguez from Colombia engaged in a gruelling five-game contest against America's Shahjahan Khan, eventually emerging victorious after a fierce battle.

In the women's draw, South Africa's No.7 seed Alexandra Fuller became the only top eight seed to fall, succumbing to Egypt's Yathreb Adel. Meanwhile, the top three women's seeds, Olivia Fiechter, Nele Gilis and Tesni Evans all cruised to victory in straight games. Women’s fourth seed Nadine Shahin had to fight for her spot in the quarter-finals, prevailing in a five-game thriller against compatriot Nour Aboulmakarim.

2022 Malaysian Open Squash Championships Quarter-Finals:
The 2022 Malaysian Open Squash Championships quarter-finals witnessed two significant upsets, with No.6 seed Nicolas Mueller and No.8 seed Rachel Arnold defeating higher-ranked opponents, Marwan ElShorbagy and Nadine Shahin, respectively.

Malaysia's No.8 seed Arnold capitalised on home support to claim a topsy-turvy victory against Nadine Shahin in four games. The other quarter-final matches unfolded with Olivia Fiechter, Nele Gilis and Tesni Evans emerging victorious.

In the men's draw, Mazen Hesham achieved a straight-game victory over England's Patrick Rooney, setting up a semi-final clash with Joel Makin. No.1 seed Tarek Momen cruised to the semi-finals with a swift win over Addeen Idrakie.

2022 Malaysian Open Squash Championships Semi-Finals:
In the 2022 Malaysian Open Squash Championships semi-finals, No.3 seed Hesham secured his first tour victory over Welshman Joel Makin, earning a place in the final against compatriot Tarek Momen.

Top seed Tarek Momen ensured that the event would witness its first Egyptian winner since 2014 by dispatching Nicolas Mueller in three games.

In the women's draw, top seed Olivia Fiechter faced a tough challenge in her semi-final against third seed Tesni Evans. The Welshwoman claimed the first game, but Olivia Fiechter showed her composure to secure a 3-1 victory to reach the final.

Nele Gilis navigated her way through a demanding semi-final encounter to reach her third final of the season, defeating home hope Rachel Arnold in a thrilling 3-2 battle.

2022 Malaysian Open Squash Championships Finals:
Mazen Hesham staged an incredible comeback in the 2022 Malaysian Open Squash Championships men's final, rallying from two games down to defeat top seed Tarek Momen. Momen started the encounter strongly but couldn't maintain his momentum, allowing Mazen Hesham to turn the match in his favour and clinch his most significant PSA World title since 2015.

In the women's final of the 2022 Malaysian Open Squash Championships, Belgium's Nele Gilis secured her third PSA World Tour title in as many months by overcoming Olivia Fiechter for the second time in as many tournaments. Olivia Fiechter started the match impressively but couldn't maintain her lead, as Nele Gilis displayed resilience to seize the title after a gruelling 59-minute battle.