Hania El Hammamy crowned 2023 Women's QTerminals Qatar Classic Champion

Hania El Hammamy was crowned 2023 QTerminals Qatar Classic Champion with a remarkable 84-minute 9-11 11-9 9-11 11-9 11-6 victory over her Egyptian compatriot and the reigning World No.1 Nour El Sherbini in an electrifying final showdown held at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha.

The return of the women's event this year was eagerly awaited, as it marked a comeback after a hiatus since 2015. Both finalists, El Hammamy and El Sherbini, entered the final match well-acquainted with each other's formidable skills, having crossed paths four times within the last 12 months, including two finals, and sharing an even 2-2 record in their recent PSA World Tour encounters.

The initial game kicked off with cautious exchanges, gradually evolving into an intense battle as both players elevated their pace with El Sherbini eventually claiming the game 11-9.

The second game mirrored the intensity of the first, as El Hammamy responded with her own 11-9 victory to level the match.

A seesaw battle also unfolded in the third game with neither player managing to maintain consistent momentum. Nevertheless, the World No. 1 managed to regain the lead, claiming the game 11-9.

Remarkably, the fourth game concluded with the same 11-9 scoreline, as El Hammamy capitalised on several errors by El Sherbini to force a decisive fifth game.

In an astonishing finale, El Hammamy burst out of the gates, displaying unparalleled speed compared to any previous point in the match. The 23-year-old surged to a commanding 9-1 lead, leaving her illustrious opponent in a state of disbelief.

Despite a fleeting attempt by 'The Warrior Princess' to mount an extraordinary comeback, chipping away at the World No.3's lead, El Hammamy managed to maintain her grip on the match, collapsing to the ground in jubilation as she secured the title.

QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic 2023, Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar
Women’s Final:
[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 11-6 (84m)

World No.1 Ali Farag of Egypt will face World No.2 Diego Elias of Peru in the men’s final of the 2023 QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha, setting the stage for an exciting showdown between the two leading players on the PSA Men’s World Tour.

Diego Elias reached his second Qatar Classic final with a convincing straight-game victory over Mazen Hesham. The sixth-seeded Hesham entered the match with confidence, having caused a significant upset in the quarter-finals by defeating World No.4 Mohamed ElShorbagy, ending an 11-match losing streak against the Egyptian powerhouse. The second-seeded Elias secured his place in the semi-finals by defeating former World No.1 Karim Abdel Gawad in four games.

The opening game of the semi-final clash between Elias, often referred to as 'the Peruvian Puma,' and Hesham, known as 'the Falcon,' developed into an intriguing battle. Elias set out to restrict the free-flowing and unpredictable style of Hesham and his superior control of the rallies allowed him to clinch the first game 11-9.

In the second game, Hesham continued to pose challenges but struggled to convert crucial opportunities. Elias maintained his composure, capitalising on a series of unforced errors from Hesham to establish a 2-0 lead.

Hesham, the World No.7, continued to push Elias in the third game and managed to stay within a few points of the 2021 champion before the Peruvian was able to pull away and close-out the game and match.

Ali Farag, who admitted to a less than convincing performance in his quarter-final against Tarek Momen, once again showed his dominant form to close-out an impressive 11-7 11-8 11-8 semi-final victory over Joel Makin of Wales.

Farag dominated the opening game with precise line and length, winning 11-7, and in the second game, despite Makin initially taking a 5-2 lead, fought back to secure the game 11-8.

Entering the third game with confidence, the World No.1 maintained his aggressive approach, reading Makin's shots effectively and applying constant pressure. Makin, known for his relentless speed, continued to chase every ball, but Farag's relentless play proved too much as he won the game 11-8 to earn his place in the final against Diego Elias, the World No.2.

QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic 2023, Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar
Men’s Semi-Finals:
[2] Diego Elias (PER) bt [6] Mazen Hesham (EGY) 11-9, 11-7, 11-8 (49m)
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Joel Makin (WAL) 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (48m)

The sixth day of the 2023 QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic witnessed some thrilling men’s quarter-final matches with Joel Makin of Wales delivering a remarkable performance by defeating Scotland's Greg Lobban in the opening match to set the stage for an action-packed day of squash.

[9/16] Joel Makin (WAL) bt Greg Lobban (SCO) 11-2, 11-9, 11-5 (46m)
The last time Joel Makin and Greg Lobban faced each other was in the 2020 Manchester Squash Open, where the Welshman emerged victorious in three games. For Lobban, the match marked his first-ever PSA Word Tour Platinum quarter-final appearance.

The match kicked off with a series of extended rallies, aligning with Makin's trademark strategy of wearing down his adversaries. Although Lobban showcased a variety of shots early on, he made several unforced errors that allowed Makin to seize the first game convincingly, 11-2 in just 12 minutes.

Lobban displayed strong play in the beginning of the second game, tying the score at 4-4 and testing Makin's retrieval skills with accurate shots. The Scottish No.1 adopted a shorter game strategy and fiercely contested the lead, but Makin managed to respond to Lobban's corner shots effectively, ultimately securing the game at 11-9.

With the mental and physical battles of the first two games behind him, Makin entered the third game with heightened intensity. Although he initially took the lead, Lobban gradually found his rhythm and reduced the deficit to 8-5. Nevertheless, Makin's physical dominance remained evident, and his final push went unanswered by the Scot, resulting in an 11-5 victory in the final game.

Joel Makin will be making his second appearance in the semi-finals of the Qatar Squash Classic since defeating Mazen Hesham in the 2021 quarter-finals. The Welshman will face World No.1 Ali Farag in this year’s semi-finals.

[6] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt [3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) 8-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 (76m)
In the lower half of the draw, Mazen Hesham delivered a remarkable performance by upsetting the No.3 seed, Mohamed ElShorbagy, in a thrilling five-game contest that concluded with a contentious final moment.

ElShorbagy entered the match with an impeccable record against Hesham, having won all 11 of their previous encounters on the PSA World Tour, including their most recent clash in the Paris Squash 2023, where ElShorbagy had eliminated Hesham in the quarter-finals.

The first game saw Hesham off to a quick start, but a fired-up ElShorbagy controlled the later stages, overcoming a 5-2 deficit to claim the game 11-8. However, ElShorbagy began to display signs of trouble with his right leg in the second game. Despite his injury, ElShorbagy continued to pressure Hesham by utilising the front of the court to stretch his opponent, ultimately securing the second game.

As the match progressed, ElShorbagy’ s leg issue seemed to worsen, yet Hesham couldn't capitalise on the situation early in the rallies. In the end, Hesham claimed the third game 11-7 courtesy of several ElShorbagy unforced errors.

The fourth game witnessed a change in momentum as Hesham adopted a strategy of playing into the back corners to exploit ElShorbagy's tentative movements. Hesham claimed the game 11-9 to level the match.

The final game proved to be a closely contested battle, with both players trading points to reach 8-8. ElShorbagy surged ahead to earn a match point, but Hesham fought back to tie the score at 10-10. Hesham eventually secured his own match point with a brilliant shot into the back corner.

The pivotal moment of the match was marred by controversy when ElShorbagy claimed to be unprepared and played Hesham's serve into the side wall. Despite ElShorbagy's protest, it was ruled that he had accepted the serve, resulting in the point going to Hesham and securing his victory.

[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt [8] Tarek Momen (EGY) 11-9, 8-11, 15-13, 11-4 (69m)
In another intense match, Ali Farag managed to overcome a close encounter with Tarek Momen. Although Farag initially appeared to be less influential than usual, Momen controlled the tempo of the rallies and applied pressure on the Egyptian World No.1.

The players remained evenly matched before Farag, despite his accuracy falling below his usual standards, managed to pull ahead and secure the first game 11-9.

Momen continued to challenge the top seed in the second game, playing with minimal errors and maintaining the pressure on Farag. Farag trailed throughout the game which Momen claimed 11-8.

Farag managed to reduce his error count after the loss of the second, gradually regaining the form that had secured his victory in the previous season's PSA World Championships. The third game remained a closely contested affair, with both players entering a tie-break at 10-10. The game and match hung in the balance as both players had opportunities to clinch victory. Ultimately, Farag emerged triumphant, taking the game 15-13 and seizing the lead in the match.

Farag then shifted into a higher gear in the fourth game, asserting control in his typical fashion. Momen struggled to keep up with Farag's intensity, and the World No.1 secured the game at 11-4 to earn his place in the semi-finals where he will face Welsh No.1 Joel Makin.

[2] Diego Elias (PER) bt [9/16] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5 (56m)
In the final men's quarter-final, Diego Elias claimed the last semi-final spot with a victory over Karim Abdel Gawad. Despite Elias' higher seeding, Gawad had an impressive track record against the Peruvian, having won seven out of their eleven previous encounters.

Elias, nicknamed 'The Peruvian Puma,' strategically kept the ball away from Gawad's favoured front left corner right from the start. He controlled the middle of the court, dictated the pace of play, and comfortably won the first game with a seven-point advantage.

Elias continued his dominance in the second game, forcing Gawad to play from deeper positions on the court and committing few errors in the rallies to convincingly secure the second game 11-5.

While Elias came close to closing out the match in three games, Gawad displayed an increased tempo and managed to win the third game 11-9. However, Elias regained control in the fourth game, dictating the play, which proved too much for the 32-year-old Gawad. Elias clinched the fourth game 11-5 to earn a well-deserved place in the semi-finals.

QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic 2023, Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar
Men’s Quarter-Finals:
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt [8] Tarek Momen (EGY) 11-9, 8-11, 15-13, 11-4 (69m)
[9/16] Joel Makin (WAL) bt Greg Lobban (SCO) 11-2, 11-9, 11-5 (46m)
[6] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt [3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) 8-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 (76m)
[2] Diego Elias (PER) bt [9/16] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5 (56m)

The sixth day of the 2023 QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic also witnessed two thrilling women’s semi-final matches with Hania El Hammamy taking on Amanda Sobhy and Nour El Sherbini playing Tinne Gilis.

[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [7] Amanda Sobhy (USA) 11-4, 11-6, 12-10 (34m)
Egypt's Hania El Hammamy secured her place in the final of the prestigious QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic with a commanding victory over the USA's Amanda Sobhy.

Heading into this match, the two players had a history of closely contested battles, with a 2-2 head-to-head record in their last four meetings. However, Hania El Hammamy had the psychological advantage, boasting a superior overall record of 6-4 against Sobhy, including a convincing 3-0 win in the quarter-finals of this year's PSA World Championships.

Sobhy, on the other hand, arrived at the match in excellent form, grabbing headlines with her impressive 3-0 victory over top-seeded Nouran Gohar in the quarter-finals.

The first game of the match was a one-sided affair, dominated by El Hammamy with the 23-year-old Egyptian displaying exceptional skills at the front of the court, to clinch the game 11-4.

El Hammamy continued her impressive performance in the second game, with only a brief period where Sobhy managed to assert some control in the middle of the court. Despite Sobhy's efforts, El Hammamy comfortably doubled her lead by taking the game 11-6.

In the third game, Sobhy showed improved resistance and managed to save one match point, forcing a tiebreak at 10-10. However, El Hammamy remained composed, resetting herself and regaining a match point. She maintained her composure as Sobhy made an error, securing her victory.

[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [9/16] Tinne Gilis (BEL) 11-5, 11-6, 11-2 (25m)
A commanding performance from World No.1 Nour El Sherbini secured her place in the final of this year’s QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic with a comfortable victory over World No.10 Tinne Gilis.

From the very first rally, the Egyptian powerhouse took control of the match, surging ahead to claim the opening game 11-5 in emphatic style. El Sherbini, often referred to as 'The Warrior Princess,' had maintained an unblemished record of 5-0 against Gilis prior to this encounter.

The World No.1 continued her dominance in the second game, doubling her advantage by taking the game 11-6. Despite Tinne Gilis's remarkable comebacks in her previous rounds, it became clear from the outset of the third game that El Sherbini had no intention of easing off the gas pedal.

The 27-year-old Egyptian maestro relentlessly applied pressure throughout the final game, consistently hitting her targets and exhibiting superb court movement to calm the game 11-2 to sealing her victory in resounding fashion.

QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic 2023, Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar
Women's Semi-Finals:
[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [7] Amanda Sobhy (USA) 11-4, 11-6, 12-10 (34m)
[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [9/16] Tinne Gilis (BEL) 11-5, 11-6, 11-2 (25m)

In the opening men's match on the fifth day of the QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic, England's Mohamed ElShorbagy displayed a remarkable comeback against Youssef Ibrahim of Egypt, securing his place in the semi-finals in an intense 81-minute battle.

The Mohamed ElShorbagy vs. Youssef Ibrahim clash held particular significance as they had crossed paths twice before at the Qatar Squash Classic, with Ibrahim emerging victorious on both occasions in 2020 and 2021. However, this year, 'The Beast' managed to turn the tide, beating Ibrahim in the third round of the PSA World Championships to set-up an intriguing match in Doha.

The initial game saw both players evenly matched, engaging in back-and-forth rallies to a nail-biting 7-6 finish, favouring Ibrahim. He capitalised on his creative shot-making skills, leaving ElShorbagy struggling to respond, resulting in Ibrahim confidently securing the first game.

ElShorbagy altered his approach in the second game, slowing down the pace and thwarting Ibrahim's aggressive strategy, controlling the tempo to win the game 11-6.

The third game harkened back to the initial equilibrium, with ElShorbagy covering every inch of the court to counter Ibrahim's relentless attacks. A fiercely contested tie-break ensued, with both players saving game points. Ultimately, the 32-year-old ElShorbagy persevered, winning the battle of attrition with a 16-14 score.

Game four witnessed Ibrahim looking to seize the initiative, but his early errors granted ElShorbagy a 7-5 advantage. The match continued to captivate with both players recovering splendidly, although ElShorbagy's superior consistency allowed him to clinch the game and force a decider.

In the final game, despite trailing 5-3, the defending champion made a remarkable comeback, securing an 11-7 win and booking his place in the quarter-finals. Speaking after the gruelling match, ElShorbagy acknowledged the challenge posed by Ibrahim and praised his unique on-court talent.

Mohamed ElShorbagy is now set to face World No.7 Mazen Hesham in the quarter-finals, who dispatched fellow Egyptian Aly Abou Eleinen in their third-round encounter. Hesham took an early 7-2 lead, demonstrating exceptional shot variety, and secured the first game 11-7. His dominance continued into the second game, with a display of impressive boasts and drops, ultimately winning 11-2.

Despite Eleinen's late push, Hesham maintained control to secure a 3-0 victory with a focus on front-court action.

In the evening session, World No.2 Diego Elias triumphed over Youssef Soliman in just 38 minutes, securing his place in the quarter-finals. Elias capitalised on his ability to force errors from Soliman and controlled the rallies to win the first two games comfortably.

Despite Soliman's efforts, Elias prevented him from gaining control in the third game to secure an impressive and decisive victory.

Deigo Elias is now poised to face either Egypt's Karim Abdel Gawad who earned his quarter-final berth by defeating Switzerland's Nicholas Mueller. The match started with fast-paced squash as Gawad, known as the 'Baby-Faced Assassin,' looked to apply pressure to close-out the first game.

Mueller made a strong comeback in the second game, capitalising on his height and skilful shot disguises to win the game. Gawad, however, battled back, securing the third game with a series of well-executed attacking plays and carried his momentum into the fourth game, controlling the tempo to clinch a 11-9 7-11 11-8 11-9 win in 43 minutes.

In the first women's quarter-final match, World No.3 Hania El Hammamy triumphed over England's Georgina Kennedy, earning a spot in the semi-finals. El Hammamy dominated the first game, winning it comfortably in just seven minutes. Although Kennedy showed competitiveness in the second game, El Hammamy's speed and ability to capitalise on mistakes secured helped to secure a crucial 2-0 game lead. Kennedy did manage to take the third game by exposing some vulnerabilities in El Hammamy's performance, however the Egyptian bounced back to seize an early lead in the fourth game and ultimately close-out an 11-1 11-7 7-11 12-10 victory in 49 minutes.

Hania El Hammamy is set to face Amanda Sobhy in the semi-finals after the American No.1 delivered a sensational performance to dispatch top seed and World No.2 Nouran Gohar in straight games to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

Nouran Gohar initially appeared poised to seize the lead, starting the match with conviction and holding four game balls at 10-6. However, Sobhy, who had suffered defeat in her last nine encounters against the Egyptian, responded with unwavering determination and in a remarkable turn of events, scored six consecutive points to leave Gohar stunned.

Building on her newfound momentum, the World No.5 continued her aggressive approach in the second game, confidently attacking her opponent. She clinched the game 11-9, doubling her lead in the process. Sobhy's dominance reached its zenith in the third game, as she delivered a resounding 11-1 victory, sealing a truly remarkable and unexpected triumph.

The other semi-final will feature the unseeded Belgian Tinne Gilis, who once again displayed her remarkable resilience by coming back from a game down to defeat Egypt's Salma Hany. This victory marked Gilis's first PSA World Tour Platinum semi-final appearance, adding to her remarkable tournament run.

On the flip side, World No.1 Nour El Sherbini of Egypt showcased her dominance as she comfortably overcame Tinne's sister, Nele Gilis, with an 11-0 11-4 8-11 11-6 victory in 46 minutes with the tone for the match set with an emphatic first game.

QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic 2023, Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar
Men’s 3rd Round:
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt [9/16] Fares Dessouky (EGY) 11-7, 11-7, 12-10 (40m)
[8] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT) 11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 11-8 (53m)
Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [7] Victor Crouin (FRA) 5-11, 12-10, 9-11, 12-10, 11-7 (74m)
[9/16] Joel Makin (WAL) bt Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) 11-8, 11-3, 11-7 (41m)
[3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) 6-11, 11-6, 16-14, 8-11, 11-7 (81m)
[6] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) 11-7, 11-2, 11-6 (33m)
[9/16] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [9/16] Nicolas Müller (SUI) 11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9 (43m)
[2] Diego Elias (PER) bt [9/16] Youssef Soliman (EGY) 11-3, 11-2, 11-5 (38m)

Women’s Quarter-Finals:
[7] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt [1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) 12-10, 11-9, 11-1 (32m)
[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [8] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 11-1, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10 (49m)
[9/16] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt [9/16] Salma Hany (EGY) 6-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 (57m)
[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [6] Nele Gilis (BEL) 11-0, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6 (46m)

Day four of the QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic witnessed surprising upsets as Belgium's Tinne Gilis staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the World No.4, Joelle King, while Scotland's Greg Lobban battled past last year's runner-up Victor Crouin in a thrilling five-game showdown.

In the early stages of their match, Joelle King and Tinnie Gilis were evenly matched, however a series of pivotal errors from Gilis allowed the New Zealander to secure a two-game lead by winning tie breaks.

In the third game, Gilis showed improved physicality, capitalising on King's apparent dip in confidence. Gilis eliminated the mistakes from the first two games, excelling in several lengthy rallies. Despite a late resurgence from King, the 25-year-old Belgian managed to avoid another tie break and secured her first game of the match 11-9.

Gilis took an early lead in the fourth game, and while King showed her resilience, the New Ze3alander couldn't prevent Gilis from maintaining her consistency and forcing errors to push the match into a fifth game.

In the fifth game, after a conversation with men's World No.4 Mohamed ElShorbagy in her corner, King disrupted Gilis's tempo early on, fighting her way to a 4-5 score. However, Gilis, ranked 10th in the world, continued to press her advantage and completed her remarkable comeback from a 2-game deficit.

Gilis is now set to face World No.12 Salma Hany in the quarter-finals, after the Egyptian dispatched Canadian No.1 Hollie Naughton in straight games in just 28 minutes.

In the first men's match of the day, last year's men’s finalist, Victor Crouin took on Scottish No.1 Greg Lobban. These two players had previously clashed on the PSA World Tour in 2019, where Lobban emerged victorious in four games at the Cleveland Skating Club Open.

The match began with a scrappy exchange of points, but Crouin, the French No.1, gained momentum after a 5-5 tie, ultimately winning the opening game 11-5.

Lobban, ranked 25th in the world, adjusted his strategy in the second game, pushing up the court and making it challenging for Crouin to execute volleys. This tactical shift paid off as the Scotsman clinched the second game in a tie break to level the match.

The No.7 seed, Crouin, started strongly in the third game, maintaining a slight lead. However, Lobban fought back, and although he consistently trailed by only one point, the Frenchman managed to secure the game, taking the advantage in another tie-break.

Lobban seemed sharp entering the fourth game, and despite Crouin holding two match balls, the Scottish player denied him the victory, winning the game 12-10 and forcing a fifth game.

In the fifth game, the match experienced some stop-and-start moments, but after being tied at 6-6, the 31-year-old Lobban intensified his tempo, making it difficult for Crouin to execute his game plan. In the end, Lobban triumphed convincingly with a score of 11-7 to secure his place in the quarter-finals.

Lobban will now face Joel Makin in his first PSA World Tour Platinum quarter-final. The Welsh No.1 demonstrated his strength by defeating Egyptian Mohamed ElSherbini in straight games, despite coming off a gruelling 93-minute battle with World No.5 Paul Coll.

In the evening session, Tarek Momen dashed the hopes of the home crowd with an exciting 3-1 victory over Doha-born Abdulla Al Tamimi. World No.1’s Ali Farag and Nour El Sherbini also advanced to the quarter-finals, along with Belgium's Nele Gilis.

In a riveting contest, Tarek Momen and Abdulla Al Tamimi engaged in quick, attacking squash, resulting in fast-paced and energetic rallies. Momen found his rhythm early in the match, securing the first two games against his Qatari opponent. Although Al Tamimi fought back strongly in the third game, utilising the front court and playing at a faster pace, Momen maintained composure and consistency, eventually sealing a 3-1 victory.

Momen, a former World No.3 and the 2019 PSA World Championship winner will play World No.1 Ali Farag, a two-time Qatar Classic champion, in the quarter-finals.

Ali Farag, the top seed, demonstrated control throughout his third-round match against former World No.7 Fares Dessouky, defeating him in three games despite Dessouky's determined attacking efforts.

In the women's round three matches, World No.1 Nour El Sherbini rallied from behind to defeat fellow Egyptian Rowan Elaraby 3-1. El Sherbini, the No.2 seed, dropped the first game in a tiebreak, but quickly regained her exceptional form, securing the next three games in just 24 minutes to advance to the quarter-finals.

El Sherbini is now set to face World No.6 Nele Gilis, the top-ranked Belgian player, who earned her quarter-final spot with a convincing 3-0 victory over World No.29 Nada Abbas.

QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic 2023, Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar
Men’s 3rd Round:
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt [9/16] Fares Dessouky (EGY) 11-7, 11-7, 12-10 (40m)
[8] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT) 11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 11-8 (53m)
Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [7] Victor Crouin (FRA) 5-11, 12-10, 9-11, 12-10, 11-7 (74m)
[9/16] Joel Makin (WAL) bt Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) 11-8, 11-3, 11-7 (41m)
[3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) v Youssef Ibrahim (EGY)
[6] Mazen Hesham (EGY) v Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY)
[9/16] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [9/16] Nicolas Müller (SUI)
[2] Diego Elias (PER) v [9/16] Youssef Soliman (EGY)

Women’s 3rd Round:
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [9/16] Olivia Fiechter (USA) 11-5, 11-4, 11-4 (26m)
[7] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Amina Orfi (EGY) 11-3, 11-13, 11-9, 11-6 (50m)
[8] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt [9/16] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 11-7, 11-2, 11-5 (21m)
[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) 13-11, 11-6, 11-6
[9/16] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt [4] Joelle King (NZL) 10-12, 10-12, 11-9, 11-4, 11-5 (67m)
[9/16] Salma Hany (EGY) bt [9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) 11-8, 11-4, 11-4 (28m)
[6] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt Nada Abbas (EGY) 11-8, 11-9, 11-6 (40m)
[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [9/16] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) 10-12, 11-4, 11-4, 11-2 (41m)

In a thrilling and unexpected upset at the QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic, Welsh World No.10 Joel Makin stunned New Zealand's World No.5 Paul Coll in a gruelling 93-minute battle to secure his place in the tournament's third round. Despite Coll's strong 11-3 head-to-head record, Makin displayed his aggressive intent from the outset, choosing to take the game to his opponent.

Throughout the match, the 28-year-old Makin showed a willingness to attack whenever the opportunity arose, a strategy that paid off for the most part. He managed to claim a 2-1 lead after winning the first and third games 11-6 and 11-8 respectively, with Paul Coll winning the second game 11-7.

The fourth game unfolded into a tense, nerve-shredding affair, with Makin holding three match points at 10-7. However, a combination of errors from the Welshman and resilient defence from Coll pushed the game into a tie-break. Despite the mounting errors, Makin maintained his balance between relentless rallies and seizing the offensive, eventually prevailing with a hard-fought 14-12 victory to secure his place in the third round.

Meanwhile, on the same all-glass show court, defending champion Mohamed ElShorbagy faced a tough challenge from his fellow English teammate, Charlie Lee. ElShorbagy struggled initially, conceding the opening game 11-9 with Lee displaying impressive form. However, 'The Beast' gradually found his footing, capitalising on errors from Lee in the second game, which he won 11-9 to level the match.

ElShorbagy continued to apply pressure in the following games, winning the third game 11-9 and dominating to claim the fourth game 11-3 to clinch the match.

Joel Makin and Mohamed ElShorbagy now advance to the third round, joining last year's finalist Victor Crouin, World No.1 Ali Farag, Mohamed ElSherbini, and Fares Dessouky, who all secured their places with impressive victories.

In the women’s draw, the third round began with an all-England encounter, where England No.1 Georgina Kennedy convincingly defeated Sarah-Jane Perry in straight games. Kennedy's relentless pace proved too much for Perry, with the 26-year-old English No.1 claiming a swift victory.

In another women's third-round match, Egyptian No.3 seed Hania El Hammamy faced a tough challenge from Malaysia's World No.43 Sivasangari Subramaniam. Although Subramaniam initially fell behind with a 6-1 in the opening game, the Malaysian staged a comeback and even had a game point opportunity at 11-10. However, El Hammamy held on, winning the game 13-11 and eventually sealing the victory with two 11-6 game wins.

Hania El Hammamy is now set to face Georgina Kennedy in the quarter-finals.

In other notable results, former World No.1 Karim Abdel Gawad caused an upset by defeating World No.6 Marwan ElShorbagy and Amanda Sobhy overcame 16-year-old Amina Orfi to reach the quarter-finals, where she will face top seed Nouran Gohar.

Home favourite Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi triumphed over former World No.3 Omar Mosaad, setting up a third-round clash with No.8 seed Tarek Momen.

QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic 2023, Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar
Men’s 2nd Round:
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 11-1, 11-5, 13-11 (36m)
[9/16] Fares Dessouky (EGY) bt Karim El Hammamy (EGY) 7-11, 11-1, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4 (64m)
Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT) bt Omar Mosaad (EGY) 12-10, 11-4, 11-5 (32m)
[8] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Adrian Waller (ENG) 11-7, 5-11, 11-7, 11-9 (39m)
[7] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt Patrick Rooney (ENG)6-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 (61m)
Greg Lobban (SCO) bt Ramit Tandon (IND) 8-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-7 (52m)
Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) bt Rory Stewart (SCO) 11-2, 11-6, 11-3 (26m)
[9/16] Joel Makin (WAL) bt [4] Paul Coll (NZL) 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 14-12 (93m)
[3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Charlie Lee (ENG) 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-3 (50m)
Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt [9/16] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6 (40m)
Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) bt George Parker (ENG) 11-8, 11-13, 11-8, 11-6 (61m)
[6] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt [9/16] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) 15-13, 12-10, 11-9 (49m)
[9/16] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [5] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) 11-9, 11-8, 12-10 (34m)
[9/16] Nicolas Müller (SUI) bt [9/16] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) 12-10, 6-11, 11-7, 11-8 (53m)
[9/16] Youssef Soliman (EGY) bt Saurav Ghosal (IND) 11-3, 11-2, 11-6 (37m)
[2] Diego Elias (PER) bt Auguste Dussourd (FRA) 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 (31m)

Women’s 3rd Round:
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [9/16] Olivia Fiechter (USA) 11-5, 11-4, 11-4 (26m)
[7] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Amina Orfi (EGY) 11-3, 11-13, 11-9, 11-6 (50m)
[8] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt [9/16] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 11-7, 11-2, 11-5 (21m)
[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) 13-11, 11-6, 11-6
[4] Joelle King (NZL) v [9/16] Tinne Gilis (BEL)
[9/16] Salma Hany (EGY) v [9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN)
[6] Nele Gilis (BEL) v Nada Abbas (EGY)
[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [9/16] Rowan Elaraby (EGY)

In an electrifying start to the Men’s QTerminals Qatar Classic, World No.45 Charlie Lee of England displayed remarkable prowess, stunning French World No.25 Gregoire Marche in straight games to secure his spot in the second round of the PSA World Tour Platinum event. Malaysian World No.44 Sivasangari Subramaniam also left her mark, upsetting American World No.14 Olivia Clyne in round two of the women’s draw.

In their first encounter on the PSA World Tour, the 25-year-old Charlie Lee exhibited confidence right from the opening rallies. He showcased precision in his shots, claiming the first game against an out-of-sorts Marche. Despite a resurgence from the Frenchman in the second game, where he saved five game balls to force a tiebreak, Lee maintained his composure, clinching the second and third games with identical 12-10 scores to seal a memorable upset. Lee's reward is a clash with England No.1 and defending champion, Mohamed ElShorbagy, in the men’s 2nd round.

On the all-glass show court, Hania El Hammamy fought back from a game down to triumph over Egyptian compatriot Hana Ramadan, while Egyptian top seed Nouran Gohar beat Emily Whitlock of Wales in straight games. Egypt’s Mohamed Abouelghar secured victory against Hong Kong’s Henry Leung.

Over on the traditional courts, Malaysia’s Subramaniam delivered a dominant performance against Clyne. The World No.44, who had endured a setback due to a serious traffic accident last season, displayed a return to her best form. She relentlessly pressured the American, ultimately prevailing with an 11-7 11-5 11-8 victory in just 24 minutes. In another traditional court clash, Scotland’s Rory Stewart mounted a comeback to upset Iker Pajares Bernabeu, while 16-year-old Amina Orfi rallied from a two-game deficit to defeat fellow Egyptian Fayrouz Aboelkheir.

In a surprising turn of events, Nour El Tayeb, the No.5 seed, became the first seeded player to exit the 2023 QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic. She fell to fellow Egyptian Salma Hany in a closely contested match on the traditional courts. Hany secured a narrow 12-10 win in the first game but faced a setback, losing 7-11 in the second. The World No.13 regained the lead in the third game, only for World No.6 Tayeb to stage a comeback in the fourth. However, in the decisive fifth game, Salma Hany emerged victorious, taking the game 11-4 to register a notable upset.

On the main glass court, Egypt’s World No.1 Nour El Sherbini made a commanding start to her Qatar campaign, delivering a dominant performance against South Africa’s Alexandra Fuller, winning in straight games in just 23 minutes.

The concluding match of the day witnessed local favourite Abdulla Al Tamimi delighting the home crowd with a 3-0 victory over Lucas Serme. The Qatari No.1 showcased a balanced approach, combining his natural attacking flair with patient rallying to progress past the Frenchman.

The QTerminals Qatar Classic has already seen its fair share of surprises and stellar performances, setting the stage for an enthralling continuation of this world-class squash event.

QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic 2023, Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar
Men’s 1st Round:
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bye
Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) bt Henry Leung (HKG) 11-2, 11-6, 11-5 (27m)
Karim El Hammamy (EGY) bt Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) 12-10, 7-11, 12-10, 3-11, 11-7 (90m)
[9/16] Fares Dessouky (EGY) bye
Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Tsz Kwan Lau (HKG) 12-10, 11-8, 13-11 (44m)
Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT) bt Lucas Serme (FRA) 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 (34m)
Adrian Waller (ENG) bt Timothy Brownell (USA) 11-1, 11-8, 11-2 (24m)
[8] Tarek Momen (EGY) bye
[7] Victor Crouin (FRA) bye
Patrick Rooney (ENG) bt [WC] Salem Al-Malki (QAT) 11-1, 11-1, 11-4 (22m)
Ramit Tandon (IND) bt David Baillargeon (CAN) 11-5, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5 (41m)
Greg Lobban (SCO) bt Todd Harrity (USA) 9-11, 11-4, 9-11, 14-12, 11-6 (72m)
Rory Stewart (SCO) bt Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) 10-12, 11-13, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4 (71m)
Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) bt Faraz Khan (USA) 11-7, 5-11, 11-2, 11-1 (35m)
[9/16] Joel Makin (WAL) bye
[4] Paul Coll (NZL) bye
[3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) bye
Charlie Lee (ENG) bt Grégoire Marche (FRA) 11-3, 12-10, 12-10 (42m)
[9/16] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) bye
Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt Leandro Romiglio (ARG) 3-11, 11-7, 11-6, 10-12, 11-6 (51m)
George Parker (ENG) bt Shahjahan Khan (USA) 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 (45m)
Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) bt Curtis Malik (ENG) 11-4, 11-4, 17-15 (44m)
[9/16] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) bye
[6] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bye
[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bye
[9/16] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bye
[9/16] Nicolas Müller (SUI) bye
[9/16] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bye
[9/16] Youssef Soliman (EGY) bye
Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt Balázs Farkas (HUN) 11-6, 11-8, 13-11 (39m)
Auguste Dussourd (FRA) bt [WC] Syed Azlan Amjad (QAT) 11-5, 11-7, 11-3 (28m)
[2] Diego Elias (PER) bye

Women’s 2nd Round:
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt Emily Whitlock (WAL) 11-4, 11-5, 11-6 (26m)
[9/16] Olivia Fiechter (USA) bt Ka Yi Lee (HKG) 11-1, 11-9, 11-3 (21m)
Amina Orfi (EGY) bt Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) 10-12, 11-13, 12-10, 13-11, 14-12 (75m)
[7] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Salma Eltayeb (EGY) 11-9, 11-7, 11-3 (24m)
[8] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt Lucy Turmel (ENG) 11-3, 11-7, 11-4 (30m)
[9/16] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) 11-7, 11-5, 11-6 (25m)
Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt [9/16] Olivia Clyne (USA) 11-7, 11-5, 11-8 (24m)
[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Hana Ramadan (EGY) 8-11, 11-1, 11-5, 11-4 (36m)
[4] Joelle King (NZL) bt Jasmine Hutton (ENG) 11-5, 11-7, 9-11, 11-2 (43m)
[9/16] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (28m)
[9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt Katie Malliff (ENG) 11-5, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7 (35m)
[9/16] Salma Hany (EGY) bt [5] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) 12-10, 7-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-4 (45m)
[6] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt Lucy Beecroft (ENG) 11-5, 8-11, 11-3, 11-8 (35m)
Nada Abbas (EGY) bt Mariam Metwally (EGY) 11-6, 8-2 ret. (14m)
[9/16] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bt [9/16] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) 11-2, 11-9, 12-10 (29m)
[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt Alexandra Fuller (RSA) 11-4, 11-8, 11-4

The QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic welcomed the return of women's squash matches after an eight-year hiatus, with the action commencing at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha.

In the day's opening match, England's World No.30 Lucy Turmel faced off against 61st-ranked Malak Khafagy from Egypt. Turmel needed time to adjust to the unfamiliar cold court conditions before eventually prevailing 6-11 11-8 11-7 11-5 in 43 minutes. Her next challenge will be against compatriot Georgina Kennedy.

Meanwhile, on the glass court, Hong Kong's Ka Yi Lee also mounted a comeback, winning an exciting 3-2 match against Egypt's Hana Moataz. Emily Whitlock of Wales and Egyptian Hana Ramadan achieved straightforward victories over Latvia's Ineta Mackevica and Scotland's Georgia Adderley, respectively.

On the traditional courts, 16-year-old Amina Orfi continued to impress by defeating Egyptian compatriot and World No.28 Nadine Shahin in four games. Ofri, ranked World No.39, showed resilience by coming from behind to win the second game after trailing 2-7. Despite losing the third game 10-12, Orfi rebounded and secured the match with an 11-8 win in the fourth. Orfi's next opponent will be another Egyptian player, Fayrouz Aboelkheir, who beat Nicole Bunyan 3-0.

In other traditional court action, Hong Kong's Tse-Wing Tong triumphed over France's Enora Villard, and Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam defeated Sana Ibrahim.

In the evening session, Nour Aboulmakarim faced an epic five-game battle against fellow Egyptian Menna Hamed on the traditional court. Aboulmakarim, a 20-year-old who has struggled with recent ankle injuries, managed to take a 2-0 lead but faced a challenging moment when she collapsed in pain during the match. Hamed capitalised to level the match with dominant 11-4 and 11-3 wins. However, Aboulmakarim fought back in the fifth game, securing a gritty 11-9 win to conclude a tense 69-minute match.

In another nail-biting match, England's Katie Malliff narrowly escaped defeat against Finland's Emilia Soini on the all-glass show court. Malliff, ranked 40th in the world, dropped the first game but ultimately triumphed with a 9-11 11-5 11-8 6-11 11-9 victory in 52 minutes.

On the same court, Nada Abbas faced a formidable challenge from wildcard Low Wee Wern, while Alexandra Fuller and Jasmine Hutton secured their spots in round two with wins over Zeina Zein and Kenzy Ayman.

Completing the day's results on the traditional courts, Salma Eltayeb survived a comeback attempt from Egyptian compatriot Zeina Mickawy, Lucy Beecroft defeated Grace Gear in an all-England clash, and Mariam Metwally breezed past Millie Tomlinson.

QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic 2023, Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar
Women’s 1st Round:
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bye
Emily Whitlock (WAL) bt Ineta Mackevica (LAT) 11-9, 11-4, 12-10 (27m)
Ka Yi Lee (HKG) bt Hana Moataz (EGY) 8-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7 (48m)
[9/16] Olivia Fiechter (USA) bye
Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) bt Nicole Bunyan (CAN) 11-2, 11-0, 11-6 (18m)
Amina Orfi (EGY) bt Nadine Shahin (EGY) 11-7, 11-9, 10-12, 11-8 (44m)
Salma Eltayeb (EGY) bt Zeina Mickawy (EGY) 11-6, 12-10, 5-11, 6-11, 11-5 (42m)
[7] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bye
[8] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bye
Lucy Turmel (ENG) bt Malak Khafagy (EGY) 6-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-5 (43m)
Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) bt Énora Villard (FRA) 11-8, 11-2, 11-7 (25m)
[9/16] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bye
Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt Sana Ibrahim (EGY) 11-6, 12-10, 11-7 (34m)
[9/16] Olivia Clyne (USA) bye
Hana Ramadan (EGY) bt Georgia Adderley (SCO) 11-9, 11-5, 11-3 (25m)
[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bye
[4] Joelle King (NZL) bye
Jasmine Hutton (ENG) bt Kenzy Ayman (EGY) 11-6, 11-9, 11-1 (26m)
Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) bt Menna Hamed (EGY) 13-11, 13-11, 4-11, 3-11, 11-9 (69m)
[9/16] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bye
[9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bye
Katie Malliff (ENG) bt Emilia Soini (FIN) 9-11, 11-5, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9 (52m)
[9/16] Salma Hany (EGY) bye
[5] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bye
[6] Nele Gilis (BEL) bye
Lucy Beecroft (ENG) bt Grace Gear (ENG) 12-10, 11-3, 11-4 (31m)
Mariam Metwally (EGY) bt Millie Tomlinson (ENG) 11-7, 11-7, 11-3 (26m)
Nada Abbas (EGY) bt [WC] Low Wee Wern (MAS) 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5 (39m)
[9/16] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bye
[9/16] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bye
Alexandra Fuller (RSA) bt Zeina Zein (EGY) 11-9, 10-12, 11-8, 11-4 (34m)
[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bye

The 2023-24 PSA World Tour season continues its exciting journey with the commencement of the QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic, marking the second PSA World Tour PSA Platinum event of this season, hot on the heels of the Paris Squash 2023 tournament that finished just last week.

This year's QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic marks the 19th instalment of the event since its resurrection in 2001, attracting the world's elite squash players to the prestigious Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.

Men’s World No.1 Ali Farag, who recently clinched his first tournament victory of the season at the Paris Squash 2023 event, is the frontrunner in Doha. In a thrilling showdown in Paris, Ali Farag overcame Peruvian sensation Diego Elias in the final to secure the coveted title at the inaugural PSA World Tour Platinum event of the season. Notably, Farag has a storied history in Doha, with previous victories in 2018 and 2020.

However, it's worth noting that Farag faced an unexpected setback last year, succumbing to a surprising third-round defeat at the hands of Colombia's Miguel Rodriguez during the 2022 staging of the Qatar Squash Classic. Nevertheless, the Egyptian remains the favourite this time around. His journey to the title is fraught with challenges, with formidable fellow Egyptians Mohamed Abouelghar, Fares Dessouky, and Tarek Momen in his side of the draw. Of particular interest is Tarek Momen, who will be gracing the same court where he clinched the 2019-20 PSA World Championships.

Should Farag advance past Momen, a highly anticipated semi-final clash with World No.5 Paul Coll could be on the horizon. This prospect promises to rekindle memories of their epic 96-minute duel at last week’s Paris Squash 2023.

World No.2 Diego Elias returns to the scene of his first major tournament triumph and enters the competition in fine form, having reached the final of the Paris Squash 2023. While Elias claimed the first game in the title showdown against Farag, he eventually yielded to the Egyptian maestro in four gripping games. The 2nd seed enjoys fond memories of Doha, where he clinched his maiden PSA World Tour Platinum title by defeating New Zealand's Paul Coll in 2021. Elias embarks on his campaign against either Auguste Dussourd or Qatari wildcard Syed Azlan Amjad.

As the tournament progresses, Elias may potentially face challenges from Youssef Soliman and Marwan ElShorbagy before setting the stage for an electrifying encounter with the No.3 seed, Mohamed ElShorbagy, in the semi-finals.

Defending champion Mohamed ElShorbagy returns to Doha, aiming to secure his fifth Qatar Squash Classic title. In his previous outing, the former World No.1 triumphed over Victor Crouin in a four-game battle, clinching his fourth Qatar Squash Classic trophy and his first since changing his sporting allegiance from Egypt to England in the summer of 2022.

ElShorbagy's quest in Qatar holds particular significance as it offers him the opportunity to claim his 50th PSA World Tour title. His journey commences with a second-round clash against either Charlie Lee or Gregoire Marche, setting the stage for a potential encounter with Frenchman Baptiste Masotti. The road ahead features formidable opponents, including Mazen Hesham and Diego Elias, if the matches align with the seedings.

World No.5 Paul Coll, despite reaching back-to-back finals in 2020 and 2021, has yet to secure a title in Doha. Coll's journey in the Paris Squash 2023 was marked by a narrow five-game battle against Ali Farag in the semi-finals. His campaign in Qatar commences with a challenging match against World No.9 Joel Makin, aiming to erase the memory of last year's surprising second-round exit at the hands of Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi.

Notably, Paul Coll faced a fierce contest with the Qatari No.1 in the last Qatar Squash Classic, resulting in a thrilling 94-minute encounter that showcased Al Tamimi's prowess. The local favourite launches his campaign against Lucas Serme on the glass court, and the seeding anticipates his progression to a third-round encounter with former World Squash Champion Tarek Momen.

QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic 2023, Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar
Men’s 1st Round:
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bye
Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v Henry Leung (HKG)
Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) v Karim El Hammamy (EGY)
[9/16] Fares Dessouky (EGY) bye
Omar Mosaad (EGY) v Tsz Kwan Lau (HKG)
Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT) v Lucas Serme (FRA)
Adrian Waller (ENG) v Timothy Brownell (USA)
[8] Tarek Momen (EGY) bye
[7] Victor Crouin (FRA) bye
Patrick Rooney (ENG) v [WC] Salem Al-Malki (QAT)
Ramit Tandon (IND) v David Baillargeon (CAN)
Greg Lobban (SCO) v Todd Harrity (USA)
Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) v Rory Stewart (SCO)
Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) v Faraz Khan (USA)
[9/16] Joel Makin (WAL) bye
[4] Paul Coll (NZL) bye
[3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) bye
Grégoire Marche (FRA) v Charlie Lee (ENG)
[9/16] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) bye
Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) v Leandro Romiglio (ARG)
Shahjahan Khan (USA) v George Parker (ENG)
Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) v Curtis Malik (ENG)
[9/16] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) bye
[6] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bye
[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bye
[9/16] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bye
[9/16] Nicolas Müller (SUI) bye
[9/16] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bye
[9/16] Youssef Soliman (EGY) bye
Saurav Ghosal (IND) v Balázs Farkas (HUN)
Auguste Dussourd (FRA) v [WC] Syed Azlan Amjad (QAT)
[2] Diego Elias (PER) bye

In the women's draw, top seed Nouran Gohar embarked on her season by reaching the final of the Paris Squash 2023. Despite an impressive run without dropping a game until the final, Gohar fell short, succumbing to fellow Egyptian Nour El Sherbini to relinquish her status as the World No.1.

Gohar's history in the Qatar Squash Classic includes a quarter-final appearance, where she was eliminated by Laura Massaro eight years ago. Her campaign in Qatar this year commences with a round-two match against either Ineta Mackevica or Emily Whitlock. Notably, American duo Olivia Fiechter and Amanda Sobhy could prove formidable obstacles on Gohar's path to the final, with a potential showdown against World No.3 Hania El Hammamy in the semi-finals.

Nouran Gohar's aspirations encompass a return to the World No.1 ranking, a feat she can achieve by winning the event or by reaching the final while Nour El Sherbini exits in the semi-finals or earlier.

Freshly crowned World No.1 Nour El Sherbini enters Qatar after clinching the Paris Squash 2023 title and ascending to the top spot, displacing Gohar in the process. El Sherbini previously finished as a runner-up in the 2015 Qatar Classic, losing to England's Laura Massaro.

El Sherbini's journey in Qatar kicks off with a round-two clash against the winner of Alexandra Fuller and Zeina Zein. Her path to the final projects intriguing battles against Rowan Elaraby, Nele Gilis, and Joelle King, as she vies for her first Qatar Squash Classic title in eight years.

After a disappointing exit in the third round to USA's Sabrina Sobhy in Paris, World No.3 Hania El Hammamy is determined to bounce back in Doha. The 22-year-old boasts 11 career PSA World Tour titles to her name and initiates her campaign against either Hana Ramadan or Georgia Adderley on the glass court in round two.

No.10 seed Olivia Clyne is a potential challenger in the last 16, followed by potential encounters with England's Georgina Kennedy and Nouran Gohar.

World No.4 Joelle King approaches the Qatar Squash Classic fresh from reaching the quarter-finals at the Paris Squash 2023. However, her performance in Paris left room for some disappointment as she surrendered a two-game lead to Amanda Sobhy in the last eight. King, with 16 PSA World Tour career titles under her belt, could mark her 500th PSA match if she advances to the quarter-finals.

King commences her campaign against the winner between Kenzy Ayman and Jasmine Hutton in the second round, with the possibility of facing Belgian Tinne Gilis in the last 16. A tantalising quarter-final matchup with Nour El Tayeb could set the stage for a semi-final showdown with El Sherbini.

USA's No.1 Amanda Sobhy launched her season with a promising semi-final appearance in Paris. Her triumph over New Zealand's Joelle King exceeded expectations, given her No.7 seeding. However, Sobhy faces the challenge of securing consistent wins against the Egyptian top three women, as her title bid in Paris faltered against Gohar.

Amanda Sobhy's Qatar Squash Classic journey includes a second-round match against either Zeina Mickawy or Salma Eltayeb, with a projected clash against Gohar in the quarter-finals.

QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic 2023, Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar
Women’s 1st Round:
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bye
Emily Whitlock (WAL) v Ineta Mackevica (LAT)
Hana Moataz (EGY) v Ka Yi Lee (HKG)
[9/16] Olivia Fiechter (USA) bye
Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) v Nicole Bunyan (CAN)
Nadine Shahin (EGY) v Amina Orfi (EGY)
Zeina Mickawy (EGY) v Salma Eltayeb (EGY)
[7] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bye
[8] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bye
Lucy Turmel (ENG) v Malak Khafagy (EGY)
Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) v Énora Villard (FRA)
[9/16] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bye
Sana Ibrahim (EGY) v Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS)
[9/16] Olivia Clyne (USA) bye
Hana Ramadan (EGY) v Georgia Adderley (SCO)
[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bye
[4] Joelle King (NZL) bye
Jasmine Hutton (ENG) v Kenzy Ayman (EGY)
Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) v Menna Hamed (EGY)
[9/16] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bye
[9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bye
Katie Malliff (ENG) v Emilia Soini (FIN)
[9/16] Salma Hany (EGY) bye
[5] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bye
[6] Nele Gilis (BEL) bye
Lucy Beecroft (ENG) v Grace Gear (ENG)
Mariam Metwally (EGY) v Millie Tomlinson (ENG)
Nada Abbas (EGY) v [WC] Low Wee Wern (MAS)
[9/16] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bye
[9/16] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bye
Alexandra Fuller (RSA) v Zeina Zein (EGY)
[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bye

The upcoming QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic in Doha is set to be the second PSA World Tour Platinum event of the 2023-24 season, promising a host of compelling storylines.

Men's World No.1, Ali Farag, arrives at the competition fresh off his victory at the Paris Squash 2023 event, while Women's World No.1, Nour El Sherbini, who also triumphed in France, seeks her first Qatar Classic title after losing in the final to Laura Massaro in 2015.

The QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic kicks off on 9th September, with the women's first round, followed by daily matches leading up to the men's & women’s final on 16th September.

As we build anticipation for the this year’s QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic, let's reflect on the standout moments from last year's championship.

On the tournament's opening day, former World No.6 Mathieu Castagnet turned back the clock with a stunning upset against the 20-year-old Moustafa El Sirty. The Frenchman rallied from an initial game deficit to win three consecutive games, eliminating the World No.27 in the first round.

Another significant upset on day one featured 39-year-old Borja Golan of Spain, then ranked at World No.41, as he dispatched Mohamed ElSherbini, who held a 13-place advantage in the rankings, without dropping a game.

One of the tournament's highlights was the epic 94-minute battle between hometown favourite Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi and World No.2 Paul Coll. The Qatari and the New Zealander engaged in a thrilling five-game contest, with the third game culminating in a dramatic 16-14 victory for Al Tamimi. The match concluded with a strong performance by the World No.44, ousting the previous year's runner-up.

Victor Crouin continued his impressive season after winning the CIB Zed Squash Open. Both Crouin and his opponent, Joel Makin, received byes in the first round. Despite losing the second game, Crouin maintained his excellent form with a 3-1 victory over the Welshman.

In another of the tournament's biggest surprises, World No.1 Ali Farag was ousted by World No.17 Miguel Angel Rodriguez. The Colombian took an early lead, winning the first game after a tiebreak. Although Farag secured the next two games confidently with scores of 11-5 and 11-6, the veteran Rodriguez made a remarkable comeback, winning both remaining games 11-8 to eliminate the tournament favourite.

On day three, Mohamed ElShorbagy, who had recently switched allegiances from Egypt to England, breezed through his third-round match against Youssef Soliman in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals.

Al Tamimi continued his impressive run with an 11-8 11-8, 11-9 straight-set victory over Englishman George Parker. This achievement marked a historic moment as Al Tamimi became the first Qatari to reach the quarter-finals of a Platinum tournament.

The quarter-finals witnessed another milestone as Victor Crouin defeated Patrick Rooney to reach the first PSA World Tour Platinum quarter-final of his career. After starting with one game apiece, Crouin gained momentum and comfortably overcame Rooney in the last two games, with scores of 11-4 and 11-6.

In a surprising turn of events, defending champion Diego Elias was defeated by World No.6 Tarek Momen. The Egyptian claimed the first game, but the Peruvian fought back, winning the next two games. However, Momen, playing on the same court where he had previously won the PSA World Championship title, rallied in the last two games, securing victories of 11-9 and 11-7.

The debutant quarterfinalists, Al Tamimi and Crouin, faced off in a thrilling match-up at the end of day five. Despite strong support from the Doha crowd, Al Tamimi narrowly lost the first game in a tiebreak. However, the 23-year-old Frenchman, Victor Crouin, displayed his prowess and style to defeat his Qatari opponent, earning his first semi-final berth.

Crouin maintained his momentum by defeating Tarek Momen, who had conquered the defending champion. Victor Crouin won the first two games, but Momen made a comeback in the third game with an 11-5 victory. In the final game, Crouin faced formidable resistance but ultimately prevailed with a score of 12-10, earning his first opportunity to compete for Platinum silverware.

In the other semi-final, Mohamed ElShorbagy faced World No.3 Mostafa Asal. After a slow start that saw ElShorbagy winning just three points in the opening game, the 31-year-old regained his form and clinched three consecutive games with scores of 11-7 11-4 and 11-7, securing his place in the final.

The final of the 2022 Qatar Squash Classic marked the culmination of an intense and captivating week of squash, featuring an encounter between England's Mohamed ElShorbagy and France's Victor Crouin. It was a duel of experience versus youth, with ElShorbagy participating in his 73rd PSA World Tour final, while Crouin made his debut in a Platinum title decider.

ElShorbagy dominated from the outset, winning the first game 11-4, followed by an equally emphatic 11-6 victory. Despite a spirited comeback attempt by Crouin in the third game, ElShorbagy regained control and surged ahead in the fourth game, holding a 10-6 lead. Crouin managed to save two championship points, but ElShorbagy sealed his fourth Qatar Classic triumph with a clinical drop shot.

ElShorbagy enters this year’s QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic as the No.3 seed, aiming for a fifth title in Doha. Furthermore, the women's draw has been reintroduced to the tournament for the first time since 2015, with Egypt's Nouran Gohar headlining the women's event.

The much-anticipated QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic is set to make history this year as it welcomes back a women's event for the first time since 2015. Scheduled to take place at the esteemed Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha from the 9th to 16th September, this PSA World Tour Platinum event promises an exhilarating showdown among the world's top squash players.

With the retirement of the legendary Laura Massaro, who clinched the title eight years ago, a new name is destined to grace the women's trophy. Leading the charge in the 48-women draw is none other than the reigning World No.1, Nouran Gohar. The Egyptian powerhouse receives a bye into the second round, where she will face a tough challenge from either Emily Whitlock of Wales or Latvia's Ineta Mackevica.

Nouran Gohar's path to the final is laden with formidable opponents, including World No.9 Olivia Fiechter and World No.7 Amanda Sobhy. However, all eyes are eagerly set on a potential semi-final clash with her arch-rival Hania El Hammamy, in what promises to be an enthralling encounter.

On the opposite side of the draw is World Champion and No.2 seed Nour El Sherbini. Her journey to the final is strewn with hurdles, with the likes of World No.10 Rowan Elaraby, World No.6 Nele Gilis, and World No.4 Joelle King standing in her way.

The wildcard places in the women's draw have been awarded to Malaysia's former World No.5, Low Wee Wern, and Egypt's World No.62, Malak Khafagy. They will face tough opening matches against World No.28 Nada Abbas and World No.31 Lucy Turmel, respectively.

In the men's draw, the spotlight falls on two-time champion Ali Farag, who aims to bounce back from a disappointing third-round exit last year. As the World No.1, Farag is seeded to face tough challenges from fellow Egyptians Mohamed Abouelghar, Fares Dessouky, and Tarek Momen in his early matches.

The semi-final showdown is anticipated to feature Ali Farag against the No.4 seed Paul Coll, who was a finalist in both 2020 and 2021, and promises an exhilarating battle for a spot in the final.

Seeded at No.2, Peruvian Diego Elias returns to the arena where he claimed his first PSA World Tour Platinum title in 2021, defeating Paul Coll to make history as the first South American to win this prestigious championship. His path to the semi-finals is projected to lead him to a highly-anticipated encounter against Mohamed ElShorbagy. With an impressive record of four Qatar Classic trophies, ElShorbagy is just one win away from his 50th PSA title, a feat accomplished by only three others in the sport's history.

Local sensation Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi, Qatar's No.1 player, kicks off his campaign against Frenchman Lucas Serme in the opening round. Meanwhile, wildcard places have been awarded to Qatari players Syed Azlan Amjad and Salem Al Malki, adding local flavor to the tournament.

The 2023 QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic promises to be a thrilling spectacle with a total player compensation of $375,000, distributed equally between both men's and women's events. The tournament will showcase not only top-tier squash action but also a strong commitment to gender parity and player welfare. Squash enthusiasts worldwide can look forward to witnessing history in the making as these world-class athletes battle it out for supremacy on the grand stage.

For full more information, visit: psaworldtour.com

2023 QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic Men’s Draw:
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) [bye]
Henry Leung (HKG) v [17/32] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
[17/32] Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) v Karim El Hammamy (EGY)
[9/16] Fares Dessouky (EGY) [bye]
[17/32] Omar Mosaad (EGY) v Tsz Kwan Lau (HKG)
Lucas Serme (FRA) v [17/32] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT)
[17/32] Adrian Waller (ENG) v Timothy Brownell (USA)
[8] Tarek Momen (EGY) [bye]
[7] Victor Crouin (FRA) [bye]
[WC] Salem Al Malki (QAT) v [17/32] Patrick Rooney (ENG)
[17/32] Ramit Tandon (IND) v David Baillargeon (CAN)
Todd Harrity (USA) v [17/32] Greg Lobban (SCO)
[17/32] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) v Rory Stewart (SCO)
Faraz Khan (USA) v [17/32] Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY)
[9/16] Joel Makin (WAL) [bye]
[4] Paul Coll (NZL) [bye]
[3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) [bye]
Charlie Lee (ENG) v [17/32] Gregoire Marche (FRA)
[9/16] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) [bye]
Leandro Romiglio (ARG) v [17/32] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY)
[17/32] Shahjahan Khan (USA) v George Parker (ENG)
Curtis Malik (ENG) v [17/32] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY)
[9/16] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) [bye]
[6] Mazen Hesham (EGY) [bye]
[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) [bye]
[9/16] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) [bye]
[9/16] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) [bye]
[9/16] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) [bye]
[9/16] Youssef Soliman (EGY) [bye]
Balazs Farkas (HUN) v [17/32] Saurav Ghosal (IND)
[17/32] Auguste Dussourd (FRA) v [WC] Syed Azlan Amjad (QAT)
[2] Diego Elias (PER) [bye]

2023 QTerminals Qatar Squash Classic Women’s Draw:
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) [bye]
Ineta Mackevica (LAT) v [17/32] Emily Whitlock (WAL)
[17/32] Hana Moataz (EGY) v Ka Yi Lee (HKG)
[9/16] Olivia Fiechter (USA) [bye]
[17/32] Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) v Nicole Bunyan (CAN)
Amina Orfi (EGY) v [17/32] Nadine Shahin (EGY)
[17/32] Hollie Naughton (CAN) v Salma Eltayeb (EGY)
[7] Amanda Sobhy (USA) [bye]
[8] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) [bye]
[WC] Malak Khafagy (EGY) v [17/32] Lucy Turmel (ENG)
[17/32] Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) v Enora Villard (FRA)
[9/16] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) [bye]
[17/32] Sana Ibrahim (EGY) v Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS)
[9/16] Olivia Clyne (USA) [bye]
[17/32] Hana Ramadan (EGY) v Georgia Adderley (SCO)
[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) [bye]
[4] Joelle King (NZL) [bye]
Kenzy Ayman (EGY) v [17/32] Jasmine Hutton (ENG)
[17/32] Tomato Ho (HKG) v Marie Stephan (FRA)
[9/16] Tinne Gilis (BEL) [bye]
[9/16] Tesni Evans (WAL) [bye]
Emilia Soini (FIN) v [17/32] Melissa Alves (FRA)
[916] Salma Hany (EGY) [bye]
[5] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) [bye]
[6] Nele Gilis (BEL) [bye]
Zeina Mickawy (EGY) v [17/32] Lucy Beecroft (ENG)
[17/32] Mariam Metwally (EGY) v Katie Malliff (ENG)
[WC] Low Wee Wern (MAS) v [17/32] Nada Abbas (EGY)
[916] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) [bye]
[9/16] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) [bye]
[17/32] Alexandra Fuller (RSA) v Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY)
[2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) [bye]