Marwan ElShorbagy & Farida Mohamed win PSA Open Squash Classic titles

Top seeds Marwan ElShorbagy and Farida Mohamed claimed the inaugural Open Squash Classic titles at Open Squash FiDi in New York. England’s Marwan ElShorbagy defeated French No.1 and World No.12 Victor Crouin 11-7 11-6 8-11 11-9 in the men’s final, while Farida Mohamed overcame Hong Kong’s Ka Yi Lee, the tournament's surprise package, 11-7 11-6 11-9 in the women’s final.

England's Marwan ElShorbagy claimed his first PSA World Tour title since 2022 by denying his French rival who had stormed through the tournament, winning all his matches 3-0 to reach the eagerly anticipated final.

The opening exchanges of the match were marked by lengthy, attritional rallies as both players jostled for dominance with the top seeded Englishman quickly finding his rhythm and executing accurate shots to all corners of the court to claim the opening game 11-7.

ElShorbagy continued to dominate in the second, dictating play and stifling his opponent’s attempts to stage a comeback. Though the Frenchman showed flashes of resistance, ElShorbagy secured the game 11-6, putting himself firmly in control of the match.

Crouin, buoyed by his late momentum in the second game, pushed ElShorbagy hard in the third, taking a 7-5 lead as the match intensified. Though the Englishman clawed his way back into the contest, it was Crouin who held his nerve to win 11-8, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

In a thrilling fourth game, the Frenchman, backed by a lively crowd, battled fiercely to stay in the match. ElShorbagy, though, remained composed under pressure, reaching match ball at 10-7. Despite Crouin saving two championship points, ElShorbagy clinched the title with a brilliant backhand drop, securing the match 11-9 and lifting his first title in two years.

In the women’s final, top-seeded Farida Mohamed cruised to victory over Hong Kong's Ka Yi Lee to secure her second career PSA World Tour title. Lee, who had delivered a string of giant-killing performances by knocking out No.7 seed Nadine Shahin, No.2 seed Nada Abbas, and No.3 seed Hollie Naughton, found herself outmatched by Mohamed’s consistency and flawless performance.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Open Squash Classic 2024, Open Squash FiDi, New York, USA.
Men's Final:
[1] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bt [2] Victor Crouin (FRA) 11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9 (50m)

Women's Final:
[1] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bt [9/16] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) 11-7, 11-6, 11-9 (23m)

Men's Semi-Finals:
[1] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bt [4] Greg Lobban (SCO) 14-16, 11-3, 11-9, 11-7 (55m)
[2] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt [3] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) 11-9, 11-8, 11-5 (36m)

Women's Semi-finals:
[1] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bt [6] Katie Malliff (ENG) 11-9, 11-6, 11-8 (27m)
[9/16] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) bt [3] Hollie Naughton (CAN) 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 (38m)

Men's Quarter-Finals:
[1] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Abhay Singh (IND) 14-12, 11-8, 10-12, 11-7 (42m)
[4] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [7] Nathan Lake (ENG) 11-6, 11-9, 11-9 (37m)
[3] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) bt Mohamed Zakaria (EGY) 11-8, 11-7, 16-14 (75m)
[2] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt [9/16] Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) 11-9, 11-5, 11-8 (44m)

Women's Quarter-finals:
[1] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bt [8] Kenzy Ayman (EGY) 11-8, 12-10, 11-6 (25m)
[6] Katie Malliff (ENG) bt [4] Rachel Arnold (MAS) 11-9, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8 (46m)
[3] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt [5] Mariam Metwally (EGY) 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8 (50m)
[9/16] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) bt [2] Nada Abbas (EGY) 11-9, 6-11, 13-11, 11-8 (38m)

Men's 2nd Round:
[1] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bt [9/16] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 9-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-6, 11-7 (57m)
Abhay Singh (IND) bt [5] Adrian Waller (ENG) 4-11, 11-9, 11-9, 2-11, 12-11 ret. (63m)
[7] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY) 11-6, 12-10, 11-1 (29m)
[4] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [9/16] Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) 11-5, 11-7, 1-11, 13-11 (59m)
[3] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) bt [9/16] Shahjahan Khan (USA) 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 (53m)
Mohamed Zakaria (EGY) bt [6] Grégoire Marche (FRA) 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 (53m)
[9/16] Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) bt [8] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 11-8, 11-9, 11-8 (51m)
[2] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt Aly Hussein (EGY) 11-4, 11-7, 11-5 (38m)

Women’s 2nd Round:
[1] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bt [9/16] Emilia Soini (FIN) 11-2, 11-6, 11-4 (21m)
[8] Kenzy Ayman (EGY) bt Haya Ali (EGY) 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 (19m)
[6] Katie Malliff (ENG) bt Marina Stefanoni (USA) 7-11, 11-13, 11-4, 11-6, 11-7 (59m)
[4] Rachel Arnold (MAS) bt [9/16] Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) 9-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-6, 11-6 (47m)
[3] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt Saskia Beinhard (GER) 11-7, 11-4, 11-2 (21m)
[5] Mariam Metwally (EGY) bt Ainaa Amani (MAS) 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 (33m)
[9/16] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) bt [7] Nadine Shahin (EGY)    8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 (32m)
[2] Nada Abbas (EGY) bt [9/16] Alicia Mead (ENG) 12-10, 7-11, 11-4, 11-6 (40m)

Men’s 1st Round:
[1] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bye
[9/16] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) bt Peter Creed (WAL) 11-6, 11-3, 11-6 (24m)
Abhay Singh (IND) bt [9/16] Juan Camilo Vargas (COL) 11-5, 7-11, 11-9, 11-3 (45m)
[5] Adrian Waller (ENG) bye
[7] Nathan Lake (ENG) bye
Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY) bt [9/16] Tsz Kwan Lau (HKG) 11-7, 9-11, 13-11, 11-4 (60m)
[9/16] Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) bt Jonah Bryant (ENG) 7-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 (54m)
[4] Greg Lobban (SCO) bye
[3] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) bye
[9/16] Shahjahan Khan (USA) bt Addeen Idrakie (MAS) 11-7, 13-11, 8-11, 13-11 (73m)
Mohamed Zakaria (EGY) bt [9/16] Leung Chi Hin Henry (HKG) 11-8, 11-7, 11-5 (43m)
[6] Grégoire Marche (FRA) bye
[8] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bye
[9/16] Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) bt Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) 11-5, 12-14, 11-4, 11-6 (63m)
Aly Hussein (EGY) bt [9/16] Andrew Douglas (USA) 11-5, 13-11, 11-4 (31m)
[2] Victor Crouin (FRA) bye

Women’s 1st Round:
[1] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bye
[9/16] Emilia Soini (FIN) bt Ineta Hopton (LAT) 11-5, 11-8, 11-6 (22m)
Haya Ali (EGY) bt [9/16] Marie Stéphan (FRA) 11-6, 11-6, 11-9 (24m)
[8] Kenzy Ayman (EGY) bye
[6] Katie Malliff (ENG) bye
Marina Stefanoni (USA) bt [9/16] Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) 11-7, 11-7, 11-7 (28m)
[9/16] Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) bt Caroline Fouts (USA) 11-8, 11-6, 11-5 (24m)
[4] Rachel Arnold (MAS) bye
[3] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bye
Saskia Beinhard (GER) bt [9/16] Cindy Merlo (SUI) 11-4, 11-13, 11-5, 11-8 (35m)
Ainaa Amani (MAS) bt [9/16] Nicole Bunyan (CAN) 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-3 (40m)
[5] Mariam Metwally (EGY) bye
[7] Nadine Shahin (EGY) bye
[9/16] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) bt Hannah Craig (IRL) 11-3, 14-12, 11-9 (30m)
[9/16] Alicia Mead (ENG) bt Audrey Berling (USA) 11-3, 11-4, 11-4 (20m)
[2] Nada Abbas (EGY) bye

The Open Squash Classic 2024 will be staged from the 6th to 10th October at Open Squash FiDi in New York, USA.

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour Bronze-level event will feature an exciting field of top-ranked players, including UNSQUASHABLE players Miguel Rodriguez of Colombia, Indian No.1 Velavan Senthilkumar and Yannick Wilhelmi of Switzerland.

World No.10 Marwan ElShorbagy and World No.15 Farida Mohamed have been confirmed as the top seeds of the respective men’s and women’s draws.

Marwan ElShorbagy, 31, enters the tournament in fine form, having reached the semi-finals of the Egyptian Squash Open, defeating high-calibre opponents such as World No.6 Karim Abdel Gawad and World No.2 Paul Coll. After receiving a first-round bye, the Englishman will face either Aly Hussein or Yahya Elnawasany. Also in his half of the draw are No.4 seed Greg Lobban, No.5 seed Adrian Waller, and No.6 seed Gregoire Marche.

French No.1 Victor Crouin, the World No.11, is the second seed and will be aiming for his first PSA World Tour title since February 2023. He will open his campaign against either Henry Leung or Abhay Singh. Other notable names in the men’s draw include former British Open champion and No.3 seed Miguel Rodriguez, as well as No.7 seed Nathan Lake and No.8 seed Omar Mosaad. Promising talents Mohamad Zakaria and Jonah Bryant are also expected to attract attention, following a string of impressive performances in the 2023-24 squash season.

In the women’s event, Egypt’s Farida Mohamed will be chasing her fourth PSA World Tour title of 2024, having already triumphed three times on American soil. Based in New York, the 22-year-old will face a challenging path to the title, potentially clashing with fellow Egyptian and No.7 seed Hana Moataz in the quarter-finals and No.3 seed Hollie Naughton in the semis if the draw progresses according to seedings.

The bottom half of the women’s draw is equally competitive, with World No.14 Nada Abbas seeded second. Abbas is coming off a strong showing at the Egyptian Open, where she reached the semi-finals. She begins her campaign against Tsz-Wing Tong or Cindy Merlo, and could face French No.1 Melissa Alves, the No.6 seed, in the quarter-finals. World No.20 Lucy Beecroft and World No.24 Rachel Arnold, seeded fourth and fifth respectively, will also be aiming for deep runs in New York.

The event will feature four home players representing the United States. On the men’s side, Shahjahan Khan, Hollis Robertson, and Andrew Douglas will compete, with Robertson and Douglas facing off in Round 1. Audrey Berling will be the sole American in the women’s draw.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Open Squash Classic 2024, Open Squash FiDi, New York, USA.
Men’s Draw:
[1] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) [bye]
Aly Hussein (EGY) v Yahya Elnawasany (EGY)
Shahjahan Khan (USA) v Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY)
[6] Gregoire Marche (FRA) [bye]
[5] Adrian Waller (ENG) [bye]
Peter Creed (WAL) v Velavan Senthilkumar (IND)
Tsz Kwan Lau (HKG) v Mohamad Zakaria (EGY)
[4] Greg Lobban (SCO) [bye]
[3] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) [bye]
Hollis Robertson (USA) v Andrew Douglas (USA)
Juan Camilo Vargas (COL) v Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI)
[8] Omar Mosaad (EGY) [bye]
[7] Nathan Lake (ENG) [bye]
Jonah Bryant (ENG) v Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
Henry Leung (HKG) v Abhay Singh (IND)
[2] Victor Crouin (FRA) [bye]

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Open Squash Classic 2024, Open Squash FiDi, New York, USA.
Women’s Draw:
[1] Farida Mohamed (EGY) [bye]
Sin Yuk Chan (HKG) v Katie Malliff (ENG)
Nicole Bunyan (CAN) v Ineta Hopton (LAT)
[7] Hana Moataz (EGY) [bye]
[8] Mariam Metwally (EGY) [bye]
Hannah Craig (IRE) v Marie Stephan (FRA)
Nadine Shahin (EGY) v Audrey Berling (USA)
[3] Hollie Naughton (CAN) [bye]
[4] Lucy Beecroft (ENG) [bye]
Haya Ali (EGY) v Alicia Mead (ENG)
Kenzy Ayman (EGY) v Emilia Soini (FIN)
[5] Rachel Arnold (MAS) [bye]
[6] Melissa Alves (FRA) [bye]
Ainaa Amani (MAS) v Ka Yi Lee (HKG)
Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) v Cindy Merlo (SUI)
[2] Nada Abbas (EGY) [bye]