pictures of Gbenga Adeyi & his wonderful family today during child's dedication

They look so adorable....
Gbenga Adeyi is among Nigeria's top ten squash player. Today is his 3rd born naming ceremony. Wish you all the best in life bro.

David Beats Blatchford in Ciudad de Floridablanca to Win First Title since 2015

Malaysia’s eight-time World Champion Nicol David lifted her first PSA World Tour title since December 2015 after a dominant display against World No.27 Olivia Blatchford in the final of the inaugural Ciudad de Floridablanca, PSA W70 tournament held at the Parque el Santisimo, Colombia.

Playing in the shadow of the stunning El Santisimo statue, World No.7 David - who topped the World Rankings for nine years between 2006-2015 - stormed out of the blocks to take a two-game lead amidst a nervy start from Blatchford, who was appearing in her biggest ever final.

Play was then suspended for 40-minutes at 6-6 in the third game after a sudden period of rainfall plunged the completion of the final into doubt, but the sky cleared and David returned to court in a determined mood as she closed out the win to wrap up an 11-3, 11-4, 11-8 victory in 70 minutes.

David’s win sees her take a share of the $70,000 prize fund, the most lucrative purse ever to be offered at a women’s squash tournament in South America, in addition to claiming the 81st Tour title of her glittering career - and her first since the 2015 Hong Kong Open.

"It feels great to win a tournament again," admitted David.

"It’s been quite a while and I think this is really special to have my first title here in Floridablanca. It's going to have a special place in my heart.

"Thank you so much to the people in Floridablanca for hosting us here at the El Santisimo, it's been such a special week for all of us girls here.

"There was so much support from the mayor and everyone here, who put so much effort into making this happen.

"It's such a team effort, and everyone has worked so hard to make this happen for women's squash."

Blatchford paid tribute to the experience of playing one of the sport’s greatest ever players, saying: "This whole trip has been crazy. It's amazing to be here and get the experience, I don't really get to spend too much time on glass courts, especially glass courts like this.

"To play Nicol, who is an idol in the game, is incredible."

Result - Final: 2017 Ciudad de Floridablanca
[2] Nicol David (MAS) bt Olivia Blatchford (USA) 3-0: 11-3, 11-4, 11-8 (70m)

Notes

Free-to-use imagery of both players in action and Nicol David with the 2017 Ciudad de Floridablanca title is attached. Please credit Squash Colombia.

Nick Matthew Claims Record Sixth Canary Wharf Classic Crown

England's Nick Matthew proved age is no barrier to success as he felled Egypt's 22-year-old Fares Dessouky, 14-years his junior, 3-1 to win the 2017 Canary Wharf Classic and lift the trophy for a record sixth time inside London's East Wintergarden.


On the banks of the river Thames Matthew completed the victory courtesy of an 11-9, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8 scoreline that sees him collect the 35th title of his PSA World Tour career - with Dessouky, World No.11, the only man this week to even take a game from the 36-year-old World No.4.


The Egyptian had come through a mammoth 124 minute semi-final with Spaniard Borja Golan to reach the title-decider and Matthew took advantage of weary legs to open up an early first game lead. The Sheffield-based man continued to dominate and double his advantage but Dessouky rose to the challenge, putting together a purple patch to take the third game against the run of play. But ultimately he couldn't do enough to stop the Matthew charge.


"He had a long, hard match last night and it's so hard mentally to recover from a match like that, but he showed just how tough is his the way he came back in that third game," said Matthew.


"I know what it's like to back up a tough semi-final, it's so hard, so it's credit to him for the way he pushed me. I never really felt settled on there, I was never that far in front of him so it was a bit of a concentration battle - but I'm happy to come through and get the win and I'm very proud of the achievement.


"For me it's also just such a pleasure to play here - I truly missed this tournament last year. The Friday Night crowd at Canary Wharf is the best on Tour," added Matthew, who donated all of his prize winnings to Sumner Malik, a promising 10-year-old squash player who has been diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma – a rare form of brain tumour.


"I know the the Malik family and they live and breathe squash. We're fortunate to do what we do for a living and we take it for granted at times. I don't want any thanks or personal gain for doing it - it's about raising awareness for him and it's the least that I can do. I'm a parent myself and hopefully he can have a great life ahead of him and I'm glad that I've been able to give them a good fund."


After the match Dessouky said: "I had a great week and played my best ever squash here. The crowd were supporting me from first the first day and getting to the final was very pleasing. Maybe next time I can win the title - I feel like I am pretty close."


Result - Final: 2017 Canary Wharf Classic

[1] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [4] Fares Dessouky (EGY) 3-1: 11-9, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8 (70m)

Free to use imagery of Matthew is attached.


Nathan Clarke | PR & Communications Manager

Windy City Win Sends Gaultier Up To No.3 In Road To Dubai

Victory at last week's Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners & EquiTrust Life Insurance Company saw Frenchman Gregory Gaultier take a major step towards securing his place at the season-ending PSA Dubai World Series Finals, rising up to number three on the Road To Dubai Standings with just two Men's qualification events left to play.


Gaultier, who won the prestigious title at the foot of the Burj Khalifa last year, picked up the maximum 100 points courtesy of his 3-1 victory over Marwan ElShorbagy in the title-decider to get one foot into the Finals - which will this year take place in the stunning Dubai Opera House.


Comprising seven of the sport’s biggest tournaments, the PSA Road to Dubai Standings brings the world’s top players to some of the most stunning sporting locations in the world, with points on offer at all PSA World Series tournaments throughout the 2016/17 season.


Only the top eight players on the PSA Road to Dubai Standings will qualify for the lucrative, season-ending PSA Dubai World Series Finals, which brings the curtain down on the 2016/17 season from June 6-10.


"I'm really happy to have won in Chicago and got some points towards Dubai," said Gaultier.


"I didn't do well in the first part of the season so my motivation since January has been to come back and get the victories to ensure I qualify for Dubai.


"It's the top eight players all competing against each other from day one so winning it is big. I was surprised I won it last year as I was coming back from injury.


"It's a really big event, the kind of one you want to peak for and I'm sure everyone will be putting on a great show for it again this year and hopefully I'll be there to defend my title."


Gaultier now finds himself just 40 points - a semi-final finish at a World Series event - behind World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy, while World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad tops the Men's standings with 330 points.


Marwan ElShorbagy, who reached his first World Series tournament final in Chicago, rises up three places to claim the number four position ahead of James Willstrop and Nick Matthew, with Simon Rösner and Ramy Ashour rounding out the top eight, with just the British Open and El Gouna International remaining in order for them to secure a ticket to Dubai.


The likes of Ali Farag, Ryan Cuskelly, Cameron Pilley and Max Lee sit just outside of the top eight, so Ashour, Rösner and Matthew will all have to come up with strong performances at the next two tournaments to seal their places in the showpiece event.


In the Women's Road To Dubai Standings, World No.2 Camille Serme stays top with 265 points - securing her place in Dubai alongside World No.1 Nour El Sherbini, Nouran Gohar and Windy City Open winner Raneem El Welily.


Amanda Sobhy, Laura Massaro and Nicol David are all but assured of their Dubai presence with just one event - the British Open - remaining in the Women's race, while Sarah-Jane Perry faces serious competition from Alison Waters and Nour El Tayeb to claim the number eight spot and a place in Dubai.

Serme Spoils British Sweep To Complete Canary Wharf Main Draw

Frenchman Lucas Serme prevented a British sweep during the final round of qualification at the 2017 Canary Wharf Classic to down England's Nathan Lake in a five-game battle and secure his place in the main draw of the PSA M70 tournament which begins tomorrow in London's East Wintergarden.


Serme twice saw one game leads eroded by the tenacious Lake but had enough to see out the match in a tense fifth to join Welshman Joel Makin, conquerer of number six seed Ben Coleman, and English duo Charles Sharpes and Declan James in the main draw - with James coming through an epic 15-13 fourth game to defeat Egypt's Mohamed Reda.


"I think my wife’s match was on my mind and I was finding it hard to focus," said Serme, who's wife was competing in the final of the Czech national squash championships.


"It’s a shame because it’s a match I could have won easier today if I played the right tactic. It wasn't my best match, but my shots still went in ok and I think we both performed well."


Serme will now face recent Windy City Open runner-up Marwan ElShorbagy in the first round, where he will look to knock the number two seed out of the event, while James will be eying up his first round encounter with the in-form Borja Golan - a semi-finalist in Chicago.


Makin will go up against hard-hitting Australian Cameron Pilley with Sharpes taking on fellow Englishman Daryl Selby.


The first round action gets underway from 5:00pm Monday March 6 from the East Wintergarden, London.


Results - Qualification Final: 2017 Canary Wharf Classic

[7] Charles Sharpes (ENG) bt Richie Fallows (ENG) 3-2: 11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-5 (76m)

[4] Lucas Serme (FRA) bt Nathan Lake (ENG) 3-2: 11-4, 7-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-7 (74m)

[3] Declan James (ENG) bt [5] Mohamed Reda (EGY) 3-1: 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 15-13 (74m)

Joel Makin (WAL) bt [6] Ben Coleman (ENG) 3-1: 11-6, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6 (69m)


Draw - First Round

[1] Nick Matthew (ENG) v Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)

[Q] Joel Makin (WAL) v [8] Cameron Pilley (AUS)

[6] Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Q] Charles Sharpes (ENG)

Paul Coll (NZL) v [3] Simon Rösner (GER)

[4] Fares Dessouky (EGY) v Tom Richards (ENG)

[WC] Lyell Fuller (ENG) v [5] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)

[7] Borja Golan (ESP) v [Q] Declan James (ENG)

[Q] Lucas Serme (FRA) v [2] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)

Teams confirmed for 2017 Women’s World Junior Championship in NZ

Hosts New Zealand will lead a select group of six nations that have competed in eachWSF Women’s World Junior Team Squash Championship since the inaugural event in 1985 when they do so again in the 2017 championship on home soil in July.

The 17th biennial WSF championship will take place at Devoy Squash & Fitness Centre in Tauranga, the fifth largest city in New Zealand, from 25-29 July – following the Men’s & Women’s World Junior Individual Championships, which will be held from 19-24 July.

Australia, the first champions, together with Canada, England, Germany, USA and New Zealand have battled in all 16 previous events – sharing eight titles between them.

A total of 14 nations will take part in the 2017 championship – with seven-time champions Egypt, who began their women’s world junior team campaign in 1993, bidding to defend their 2015 title.

Competing Nations are:

Australia, Canada, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong China, India, Ireland, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa and USA.

Further nations are expected to be represented by their top male and female juniors for the Individual events by the entry deadline of 1st June.

Golan Eliminates World Champion As World No1's Windy City Open Title Defence Ends At Hands Of Younger Brother


World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy saw his hopes of winning the 2017 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners & EquiTrust Life Insurance Company for the second consecutive year dashed at the hands of younger brother, and World No.6, Marwan ElShorbagy in Chicago today (Feb 27) - while World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad also suffered a shock defeat to 34-year-old Borja Golan.


On seven previous attempts 23-year-old Marwan had failed to take more than a solitary game from 26-year-old Mohamed but, under the chandeliers of the University Club of Chicago, he fought through the mental barrier to come through a compelling five-game battle 1-11, 11-8, 13-11, 5-11, 11-8.


It was Mohamed who started stronger, taking the first game 11-1 as he set a blistering pace. But Marwan responded, mixing up the pace and using deception in the front court to level before going on to seal the match, ushering an outpouring of emotion from both.


"It's tough - we both new it was going to happen at some point," said Marwan.


"Every time we play it's a battle on court - but we are best friends off court. I'm grateful for the sport - it has allowed me to have my brother as my best friend. We share the same life, have the same dreams and we support each other.


"We're there for each other. It's a tough day today for us. But I have a big match tomorrow to look forward to and a chance to reach a first World Series Final."


Mohamed ElShorbagy's main contender for the number one spot atop the World Rankings, Gawad, came into Chicago bidding to win a third straight PSA World Series title but found himself up against an inspired Golan - who will compete in a major semi-final for the first time since the 2014 Hong Kong Open after winning 8-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9.


Prior to the tournament the Spanish former World No.5, and current World No.21, hadn't won a match for six months following a back injury but produced a tactically superb display to take Gawad out of his comfort zone and seal the match after 73 minutes.


"I had a back injury and a few months ago I didn't know if I'd be able to play again - I was 34 and my back wasn't responding well," said Golan.


"I kept doing the work and I was so happy to get back on court last year. But I hadn't won a match until this week and I think that match winning confidence is so important to help you increase your level.


"And today I had nothing to lose. I knew I'd have to be at my best and I took the opportunities. I defended well and tried to be very aggressive as well and change the pace, and it worked.


"Tomorrow is another match. I want to enjoy this one - eat well and sleep well and then I'll worry about the next one. There's no point playing if you can't take some time to enjoy the win."


In the Women's draw an Egyptian finalist is guaranteed after the trio of Nour El Sherbini, Raneem El Welily and Nouran Gohar came through to join the in-form Frenchwoman Camille Serme in the last four.


After stuttering early in the tournament Gohar secured an eye-catching 3-0 win over former World No.1 Laura Massaro courtesy of a dominant performance that saw her control proceedings from the start and leave Massaro powerless to halt the charge.


"In the first round I didn't think my shots were going well and I didn't feel like I was moving very well," said 19-year-old Gohar. "But I've stuck to the plan and been improving with each match.


"I tried to make sure I stayed positive. My mum was with me reminding me that I've trained very hard in the past few weeks.


"But even at 2-0 today I knew I had to stay fully focused because she can come back. She's so strong mentally, so I'm very happy to have come through."


Gohar will face defending champion El Welily while El Sherbini will face Serme, who extended her unbeaten run to 12 matches, after recording a seventh straight victory over eight-time World Champion Nicol David.


"I've watched Nicol since I was six years old and I've learnt a lot from her," said El Sherbini.


"She's always difficult to play against - she fights for everything and never gives up. It is always very tough and she brings the best out of me but I am happy that I am through."


Results - Quarter Finals: 2017 Men's Windy City Open

[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt [1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) 3-2: 1-11, 11-8, 13-11, 5-11, 11-8 (69m)

[6] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Simon Rösner (GER) 3-1: 8-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-5 (52m)

[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt James Willstrop (ENG) 3-0: 11-6, 12-10, 11-5 (41m)

Borja Golan (ESP) bt [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 3-1: 8-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9 (73m)


Draw - Semi-finals:

[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) v [6] Ali Farag (EGY)

[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Borja Golan (ESP)


Results - Quarter Finals: 2017 Women's Windy City Open

[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [7] Nicol David (MAS) 3-1: 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 11-4 (45m)

[4] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [8] Alison Waters (ENG) 3-1: 10-12, 11-6, 12-10, 11-4 (51m)

[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [6] Amanda Sobhy (USA) 3-1: 11-6, 11-7, 5-11, 11-5 (30m)

[2] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [5] Laura Massaro (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-3, 11-5 (37m)


Draw - Semi-finals:

[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [4] Camille Serme (FRA)

[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [2] Nouran Gohar (EGY)

Mosaad Withdraws from Canary Wharf Classic

Egypt’s former World No.3 Omar Mosaad has pulled out of next week’s Eventis Canary Wharf Classic due to illness.

The current World No.13 - who was a beaten finalist at the PSA M70 tournament last year - will be replaced as the tournament’s number three seed by German No.1 Simon Rösner.

Mosaad’s compatriot, World No.11 Fares Dessouky, moves up to the number four seed position and he will now take on England’s Tom Richards, while Australian World No.18 Cameron Pilley, who had been due to play Mosaad in round one, will instead face a qualifier.

The 2017 Canary Wharf Classic takes place from March 6-10 at London’s East Wintergarden. For more details visit: http://www.cwsquash.com/

Revised Main Draw - 2017 Eventis Canary Wharf Classic
[1] Nick Matthew (ENG) v Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
[Qualifier] v [8] Cameron Pilley (AUS)
[6] Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Qualifier]
Paul Coll (NZL) v [3] Simon Rösner (GER)
[4] Fares Dessouky (EGY) v Tom Richards (ENG)
[WC] Lyell Fuller (ENG) v [5] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
[7] Borja Golan (ESP) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [2] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)

Gaultier And El Welily Claim 2017 Windy City Open Titles

No.3 Gregory Gaultier picked up the 36th title of his PSA World Tour career by defeating Marwan ElShorbagy 3-1 to win the 2017 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners & EquiTrust Life Insurance Company - while Egyptian Women's World No.3 Raneem El Welily added the 2017 title to her 2015 and 2016 crowns with a 3-1 win over Nour Sl Sherbini.


Gaultier, competing in a 75th PSA career final, has been in scintillating form so far in 2017. After finishing as runner-up at January's Tournament of Champions and winning the Swedish Open in February he proved too much for ElShorbagy, the 23-year-old appearing in a World Series tournament final for the first time in his career.


The Frenchman started slowly, looking nervous as he struggled to settle in an opener which went the way of a composed looking ElShorbagy. But Gaultier's big game experience came to the fore as he pushed on to secure the honours and his 13th PSA World Series title 5-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-4.


"I am really happy - it's amazing to win these kind of major titles so it will be nice to see my name on this beautiful trophy once again," said Gaultier, who also won here in 2014.


"It is a lovely place to play and I have been coming here for a long time. I have a lot of friends here and have always enjoyed coming back.


"Today he caused me a lot of trouble in the first game. He has got a lot of confidence from this week winning some big matches, especially from beating his brother the World No.1. He proved this week that he is a top player - he came through five tough matches to reach this stage which, was a tougher week than me.


"I had to find a solution and to put more pace into it and get in control because when I was playing at his rhythm he was just a better player than me."


El Welily meanwhile, in a repeat of the 2016 final, put in the best performance of her year so far to stop World No.1 El Sherbini 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7.


The World No.3 played superb squash from the off, using her backhand drop with devastation to punish any lose play from El Sherbini. Despite losing a close first game 10-12 it looked comfortable for El Welily as she returned to the form that took her to World No.1 in 2015.


“I’m very, very happy, it’s fantastic to win here again for the third time,” said El Welily.


“I’m glad with how I performed after a tough match yesterday and I didn’t really expect to play that well. She played really well in the first game and I wasn't sharp enough.



“But half way through the first I started to find my spots and my angles. Even though I lost it I knew that I was on my way to finding the right plan.


"Chicago feels like my lucky city - I'm always happy to be here.”


During the trophy presentation it was announced the the 2018 Windy City Open will become the most lucrative PSA World Tournament ever, boasting a $500,000 prize fund that will be split equally between Men and Women.


Results - Final: 2017 Men's Windy City Open

[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) 3-1: 5-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-4 (51m)


Results - Final: 2017 Women's Windy City Open

[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 3-1: 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7 (42m)

WIN TICKETS AND HOTEL FOR THE FINAL OF THE CANARY WHARF SQUASH CLASSIC

The glass court on location in London's East Wintergarden

News

Tickets sold out months ago for the Canary Wharf Squash Classic, one of the major events on the sport’s UK calendar.

But the Express are giving their readers the chance to be there to soak up the drama on court in this ever-popular PSA World Tour M70 tournament.

Former world champion Nick Matthew is top seed for the event, which runs from March 6-10 at the spectacular East Wintergarden venue and is sponsored by Canary Wharf Group.

With Marwan ElShorbagy seeded No.2, fans could be treated to a thrilling final between England and Egypt, squash’s two powerhouse nations.

World No.4 Matthew, still playing top-class squash at the ripe old age of 36, is looking forward to bidding for a sixth title at Canary Wharf after missing last year’s event.

He said: “I was trying to manage my schedule because of an ankle injury and decided to miss Canary Wharf to concentrate on qualifying for the World Series Finals in Dubai.

“But I didn’t realise how much I missed it after not playing. I was injured anyway, with ankle issues and rehab, and would not have been able to compete. But I just missed so many things that make the tournament so special.

“It’s a brilliant venue and it’s packed out every day with full-house crowds. My family always comes down from Sheffield and we all love the crowd there. They always get behind the home players, they appreciate their squash and create such a special atmosphere.”

For the fifth year running, the tournament was sold out in November within a fortnight of tickets going on sale.

However, Express Sport has a pair of tickets for the final on Friday March 10 to give away to one lucky reader, including a luxury overnight stay for two at the DoubleTree by Hilton, London Docklands Riverside, the official tournament hotel.

They also have three runners-up prizes of a pair of tickets to see Matthew and a host of international stars in first round action on Monday March 6 as the tournament kicks off in dramatic style.

Matthew, renowned throughout his career for his phenomenal fitness, meets Australian world No.15 Ryan Cuskelly.

Also in action during the evening will be New Zealand ace Paul Coll, who is renowned for training even harder than Matthew and has been rewarded with a massive rise up the rankings into the world top 20.

Kiwi Coll, who won the Channel VASChampionship in Weybridge in December, wowed Canary Wharf fans last year when he dived across court three times to win one sensational rally against England’s James Willstrop.

This time he will be looking to take down No.4 seed Simon Rosner, from Germany, who was runner-up to Matthew in 2015.

Also in action on day one are No.5 seed Fares Dessouky and England’s No.7 seed Daryl Selby. Both face winners from the qualifying competition at Wimbledon Racquets Club.

In the bottom half of the draw, which kicks off on Tuesday March 7, the match of the night features a battle between two of the hardest hitters in the game, Egypt’s No.3 seed Omar Mosaad and Australia’s Cameron Pilley.

Mosaad is known as the Hammer of Thor, but it’s Pilley who holds the world record of 178mph for the fastest strike of a squash ball.

Reigning champion Mathieu Castagnet, who beat Mosaad in last year’s final, faces London-based wild card Lyell Fuller.

Second seed Elshorbagy and Spain’s volatile No.8 seed Borja Golan both meet qualifiers.

To enter the competition, please answer the following question:

How many Canary Wharf squash titles has Nick Matthew won?

Please email your answers, with a daytime telephone number, to alan@squashmad.com

Entries close at 12 noon (GMT) on Wednesday March 1st. Winners will be notified by telephone.

Note: Prizes are not transferable. No travel expenses will be paid. Express Newspapers Terms and Conditions apply.

SHOCKING!! Rösner Routs Ramy To Book Windy City Last 8 Berth

An inspired Simon Rösner put together one of the best performances of his career to date to secure a huge win over World No.5 Ramy Ashour and move into the last eight of the 2017 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and Equitrust Life Insurance Company.


Despite trailing 0-6 in their head-to-head coming into today's encounter Rösner was unfazed by the maverick three-time World Champion and came out with all cylinders firing as he attacked with abandon from the off.


The 29-year-old German hit winner after winner as he took the opening game and could do no wrong as he stormed into a 9-0 lead in the second. Ashour, in his typically flamboyant style, roared back into contention and, after narrowly losing the second 11-8, took the third to give himself hope. But it was Rösner, who's forehand drop in particular proved to be a valuable weapon, who kept calm to claim the fourth and set up a quarter-final encounter with Ali Farag.


"That's one of, if not the, biggest wins of my career," said Rösner.


"You never know what to expect from Ramy - he's such a unique player. I think he played well today but I managed to keep him away from the centre of the court and it was one of those days where you step on court and have a good feeling.


"My front corner game was working very well and everything was clicking. I knew I had to be aggressive and go for it and I think every aspect of my game together today - and that's what you need to do to beat a player like him.


"I'm very happy with the match and I think that's one of the best performances of my season. I'm very proud to be back in the quarter-finals here."


The winner of Rösner's encounter with Farag will face one of the ElShorbagy brothers in the last four after World No.1 Mohamed gained revenge on Cesar Salazar - after losing out to the Mexican in the first round of last month's Motor City Open - winning 3-0 with World No.6 Marwan caming through a bruising five-game encounter with South African Stephen Coppinger.


After taking the first Marwan found himself embroiled in a battle of attrition with Coppinger and had to save three game balls in the third to regain the upper hand, before gritting his teeth to squeeze through in five.


"To be honest I don't know how I won that one today," said Marwan, who is yet to beat elder brother Mohamed on the PSA World Tour in seven attempts.


"In the third game he was 10-7 up and I just started to go for it. I think he started slowly in the first game but in the second he was controlling the pace.


"I was just digging in there. It was very tough. I'm just very happy to have won and got through and to have a day off to recover."


In the Women's draw in-form Camille Serme also scraped through her second round match against Tesni Evans, winning 3-1 to keep up her unbeaten start to 2017.


Serme won both January's Tournament of Champions and the recent Cleveland Classic and recorded an 11th straight victory when she came from behind to defeat World No.21 Evans, after the Welshwoman had put together one of the most impressive performances of her season so far.


Evans looked like a top five contender as she took the match to Serme from the off, at times exposing Serme's traditionally strong backhand, but the 27-year-old showed the qualities of a champion as she fought back to save two game balls in the fourth and prevail 8-11, 11-8, 11-6, 13-11.


"It's a big relief to get that win," said Serme.


"She had a big win in the first round against Nour El Tayeb and we always have big battles on court. I'm just really happy to get through it in four.


"I felt like I would have been the fresher of us if it went to five but I knew I had to try and not give her anything at 8-10 in the fourth. Anything can happen in the fifth game so I tried to make her earn it.


"I'm happy with how I stuck at it and came back and I'm excited to be in the quarters now."


Serme will face England's Alison Waters for a place in the semi-finals while former World No.1 Nicol David and current No.1 Nour El Sherbini are set to lock horns in a repeat of last year's quarter-final - when it was El Sherbini who triumphed in one of six consecutive victories over David stretching back to 2015.


Results (Top Half) - Men's Second Round: 2017 Windy City Open

[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Cesar Salazar (MEX) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 11-8 (42m)

[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 3-2: 11-4, 9-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-6 (63m)

[6] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Diego Elias (PER) 3-2: 6-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-6, 11-6 (69m)

Simon Rösner (GER) bt [4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) 3-1: 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 11-3 (47m)


Draw (Bottom Half) - To Be Played Feb 26

[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Daryl Selby (ENG)

Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v James Willstrop (ENG)

[Q] Leo Au (HKG) v Borja Golan (ESP)

Fares Dessouky (EGY) v [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)


Results (Top Half) - Women's Second Round: 2017 Windy City Open

[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [15] Victoria Lust (ENG) 3-0: 11-2, 11-7, 11-8 (25m)

[7] Nicol David (MAS) bt [13] Emily Whitlock (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 (34m)

[8] Alison Waters (ENG) bt [16] Joey Chan (HKG) 3-1: 11-9, 11-7, 11-13, 11-6 (46m)

[4] Camille Serme (FRA) bt Tesni Evans (WAL) 3-1: 8-11, 11-8, 11-6, 13-11 (56m)


Draw (Bottom Half) - To Be Played Feb 26

[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [11] Annie Au (HKG)

[WC] Olivia Blatchford (USA) v [6] Amanda Sobhy (USA)

[5] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [Q] Samantha Cornett (CAN)

[10] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) v [2] Nouran Gohar (EGY)

World No.1 ElShorbagy Wins 94-Minute Windy City Open Thriller

Defending champion Mohamed ElShorbagy began his 2017 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and EquiTrust Life Insurance Company campaign with a winning start, coming through an epic 94 minute battle with New Zealand's Paul Coll in one of the best matches ever seen inside the University Club of Chicago today (Feb 23). 

The duo engaged in rally after rally of attritional, high quality squash from the off but it was the World No.1, after saving two game balls in the opener, who looked to be on his way to a routine straight games win after going 2-0 up.

Coll though showed the skills, determination and physical strength that has catapulted him into the Top Twenty as he fought back in style, taking the third and fourth games to force a decider. Coll then raced into a 3-0 lead in the fifth but ElShorbagy mounted one more charge, managing to squeeze the decider 11-7 to set up a second round encounter with Mexican Cesar Salazar - the man who knocked him out of last month's Motor City Open in a shock first round defeat.

"It was a very tough match today - Paul is a great player," said ElShorbagy. 

"I thought it was a very fair but very hard match. I think we both played it in the right spirit and maybe it was a bit of experience that got me through in the end.

"It was very tough mentally today. My season has been very up and down and it's been hard to understand what exactly is going on. I was fighting myself today as well as him. 

"I lost in the first round of my last tournament and today, having been 2-0 up and then going 2-2 and 0-3 down in the fifth, I was thinking it's time to go home. But I told myself to push so to win that fifth game is something I'm very proud of."

ElShorbagy was joined in the second round by domestic rival Ramy Ashour, the mercurial three-time World Champion making his first competitive appearance since injury saw him limp off court during the 2016 World Championship final.

Ashour failed to take to court in December 2016 or January 2017 but played with free flowing abandon as he hit audacious winners for fun, dominating 37-year-old Olli Tuominen to complete an emphatic 3-0 win in just 23 minutes.

"It's good to be back - it's not easy, there have been a lot of ups and downs," said Ashour.

"It's hard to find the words to describe what I've been trough. Last night I didn't think I would get up and get on court today to play - the more you get injured, the more mental scars you get.

"Sometimes its not about winning - now for me it's just about not quitting. I just keep on trying."

Ashour will face German Simon Rösner in the second round after he stopped Wildcard Chris Hanson while Stephen Coppinger, Marwan ElShorbagy, Diego Elias and Ali Farag also won their opening encounters.

In the Women's draw eight-time World Champion Nicol David, who has won almost every title going bar the Windy City Open, booked her place in the second round after successfully negotiating a potentially tricky encounter with rising Egyptian star Hania El Hammamy.

16-year-old El Hammamy came through qualification to reach the main draw but David's class and ability to withstand repeated attacks were too good and she came through in just under 40 minutes.

"I really enjoyed the match," said David - who will now face England's Emily Whitlock for a place in the quarter-finals. 

"She kept coming back and I just had to keep putting the pressure on her. It was very close so I am pleased to come through 3-0.

"When I was leading she relaxed and she hit some great winners and I maybe eased off a little as well. I had to step forward again so I'm pleased to be through and into the next round."

David was joined by World No.1 Nour El Sherbini, who easily dispatched Nadine Shahin, and the in-form Camille Serme who extended her unbeaten streak to 10 matches in 2017 with a straight forward 3-1 defeat of Heba El Torky.

Serme, winner of the Tournament of Champions and Cleveland Classic so far in 2017, will face Tesni Evans in a compelling second round match while Victoria Lust, Alison Waters and Joey Chan completed the winners on day one.

Results - Men's First Round Draw: 2017 Windy City Open

[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Paul Coll (NZL) 3-2: 14-12, 11-6, 8-11, 9-11, 11-7 (94m)

Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt [Q] Campbell Grayson (NZL) 3-1: 11-4, 7-11, 11-8, 11-4 (57m)

Stephen Coppinger (RSA) bt Cameron Pilley (AUS) 3-2: 9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 (119m)

[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt [Q] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) 3-0: 11-9, 13-11, 11-9 (41m)

[6] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 3-2: 6-11, 11-4, 11-7, 4-11, 11-7 (65m)

Diego Elias (PER) bt Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-6 (66m)

Simon Rösner (GER) bt [WC] Chris Hanson (USA) 3-1: 11-13, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8 (54m)

[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [Q] Olli Tuominen (FIN) 3-0: 11-2, 11-8, 11-3 (23m)

Draw - Men's First Round (Bottom Half): Played Feb 24

[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [Q] Joe Lee (ENG)

Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Q] Lucas Serme (FRA)

Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)

James Willstrop (ENG) v [8] Omar Mosaad (EGY)

[7] Tarek Momen (EGY) v [Q] Leo Au (HKG)

Borja Golan (ESP) v Max Lee (HKG)

Fares Dessouky (EGY) v [Q] Nicolas Mueller (SUI)

[Q] Alan Clyne (SCO) v [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)

Results - Women's First Round Draw: 2017 Windy City Open

[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [Q] Nadine Shahin (EGY) 3-0: 11-7, 11-8, 11-4 (23m)

[15] Victoria Lust (ENG) bt [Q] Samantha Teran (MEX) 3-1: 12-10, 13-15, 11-7, 11-8 (46m)

[13] Emily Whitlock (ENG) bt Line Hansen (DEN) 3-0: 11-3, 11-6, 11-8 (27m)

[7] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-9 (38m)

[8] Alison Waters (ENG) bt Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-7, 11-3 (25m)

[16] Joey Chan (HKG) bt [Q] Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY) 3-1: 11-9, 4-11, 11-3, 11-8 (38m)

Tesni Evans (WAL) bt [14] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) 3-2: 6-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9 (66m)

[4] Camille Serme (FRA) bt Heba El Torky (EGY) 3-1: 11-7, 11-6, 7-11, 11-4 (45m)

Draw - Women's First Round (Bottom Half): Played Feb 24

[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v Jenny Duncalf (ENG)

[Q] Mayar Hany (EGY) v [11] Annie Au (HKG)

[12] Joshna Chinappa (IND) v [WC] Olivia Blatchford (USA)

[Q] Nele Gillis (BEL) v [6] Amanda Sobhy (USA)

[5] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Mariam Metwally (EGY)

[Q] Samantha Cornett (CAN) v [9] Joelle King (NZL)

[10] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) v Donna Urquhart (AUS)

[Q] Fiona Moverley (ENG) v [2] Nouran Gohar (EGY)

Serme Sees Off Waters in Five to Clinch Cleveland Classic Title

French World No.2 Camille Serme continued her unbeaten start to 2017 after she mounted a superb comeback from two games down to retain her Cleveland Classic title at the expense of England’s former World No.3 Alison Waters in Pepper Pike.

Serme, the 27-year-old from Créteil, has been in scintillating form over the past few months, with victories at the Delaware Investments U.S. Open and J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions cementing her status as the form player on the Women’s Tour.

Serme surged through to the final without dropping a solitary game, with Egyptian qualifier Nadine Shahin, number eight seed Tesni Evans and World No.8 Sarah-Jane Perry all falling by the wayside as the rampant Frenchwoman went on to set up a repeat of the 2016 final with Waters, who was the only player to have beaten Serme in the latter’s 16 previous matches coming into the final.

Waters looked to be set to get the better of her opponent once more after going two games ahead courtesy of some disciplined length hitting, putting the current World No.10 on the cusp of a first PSA World Tour title since the 2014 Carol Weymuller Open.

But Serme responded in the third by attacking at the front of the court on the backhand side and, after winning it by an 11-7 margin, she ground out a victory in the fourth to level the scores and set up a dramatic fifth-game showdown.

With the match edging towards its conclusion, both players played an attritional brand of squash with neither competitor giving many loose shots away as they sought to gain the upper hand. But it was Serme who changed up her game intelligently, incorporating the lob to great effect as she closed out a 10-12, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 victory to lift her third PSA World Tour title in her last four tournaments.

Serme and Waters will be in action at the upcoming Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, which will be shown live on SQUASHTV and Eurosport Player between February 23 - March 1.

Result - Final: 2017 Cleveland Classic
[1] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [2] Alison Waters (ENG) 3-2: 10-12, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7

Matthew Makes It A Record 10th Nationals Final

Yorkshireman Nick Matthew became the first player in the event's 43-year history to reach a 10th final when he defeated England Squash Academy opponent Declan James in straight games in the semi-finals of the Blowers Jewellers British National Championships in Manchester .
The 36-year-old from Sheffield proved too much for 23-year-old James, taking the match 11-6, 11-3, 11-5 in 44 minutes - and is now one win away from a record ninth title.
Matthew had special praise for his opponent. "I've seen the work Declan is putting in here with the England Squash Academy - day-in, day-out - and he has a big future; I just wanted to make sure it doesn't start tomorrow!"
Matthew will face surprise opponent Joe Lee, a 5/8 seed from Surrey. The 27-year-old from Weybridge overcame former junior rival and long-time friend Adrian Waller - also a 5/8 seed and aged 27 - 6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-9 in 68 minutes in the other semi to reach his maiden Nationals final.
"Everyone had been expecting another match between me and James [Willstrop]," added Matthew. "In some ways, this puts more pressure on me as I'm expected to win. Both Joe and Adrian had a huge opportunity today and it's going to be the match of Joe's life tomorrow."
Reigning champion Laura Massaro will face the in-form Sarah-Jane Perry to decide who takes home the women's trophy
Massaro, the world No.5 from Preston, fought back from a game down against first-time semi-finalist Emily Whitlock to win 7-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-4 in 44 minutes
Perry overcame a stern test from four-time champion Alison Waters , opening up a two-game lead before second seed Waters dragged herself back into the game. But Perry ultimately had too much for her England teammate, finishing the match 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7.
The men's Over-45 masters draw served up a treat with seven-time champion Nick Taylor facing former world No.2 Peter Marshall to complete Sunday's line-up on the all-glass show court at the National Squash Centre.
Second seed Marshall, from Nottinghamshire, brought an end to England Squash's Senior National Coach David Campion 's run - taking half an hour to win 13-11, 11-4, 11-2.
He will now face Taylor, who has four over-35 and three over-40 titles to his name, after the Jersey-based 45-year-old beat Jamie Goodrich 11-0, 11-7, 11-5 in 20 minutes.
Second seed Ben Ford was eliminated in the semi-finals of the Over-35 championship - beaten 12-10, 11-6, 7-11, 11-4 in 53 minutes by last year's runner-up Darren Lewis . The 37-year-old from Leicester will face top seed Andy Whipp for the title.
Both the O40 & O50 events have gone according to seeding, with Peter O'Hara and Daniel Massaro to contest the final of the over-40s, and Yawar Abbas and Stephen McLoughlin advancing to the other final.
Top seed Mark Woodliffe progressed to the final of the O55 with ease, with an 11-2, 11-5, 11-9 victory over Alan Thomson - and now faces second seed John Parkes in the final.
Neither of the top two seeds will play any part in the final of the O60 event after both were beaten in the semi-finals. Top seed Rustom Bativala lost to Simon Evenden 15-10, 15-11, 15-5, while
Stuart Hardy was beaten 15-8, 15-9, 15-8 by 3/4 seed Stephen Johnson.
O65 favourite John Rae was also knocked out in the last four in a match that went down to the wire. 3/4 seed Terry Belshaw won 12-15, 15-9, 15-5, 13-15, 15-7 in 38 minutes and now faces second seed Ian Graham in the final.
Top seeds Philip Ayton and Rodney Boswell will contest the O70 final, with Adrian Wright and
Geoff Coe in the final of the O75.
Patrick Kirton must beat Lance Kinder to win the inaugural O80 event, after Malcolm Gilham withdrew from the 4-man round robin draw.
Lauren Briggs [1] and Natalie Lawrence [2] will contest the women's over-35 final.
Rachel Calver, second seed in the O40 event, was defeated 8-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6, 11-6 by Keeley Johnson - who goes on to face top seed Shayne Baillie for the title.
Andrea Santamaria [1] will play Sam Mueller [2] in the final of the over-45s while Rose Bamber [1] and Fiona McLean [3/4] will contest the final of the over-50s.
Lesley Sturgess [3/4] will play Jill Campion [2] in the final of the over-55s, while the over-60s will be settled by the results of a round robin.
Matthew Makes It A Record 10th Nationals Final

India to host 2018 World Junior Championships

For the third time since 2002, India will host the WSF World Junior Squash Championships after winning the rights from the World Squash Federation to stage the 2018 event inChennai.

The Men’s & Women’s World Junior Individual Championships will take place at the Indian Squash Academy from 18-23 July, followed by the biennial Men’s World Junior Team Championship from 24- 29 July.

“Indian squash has had a history of conducting Mega squash events,” said Debendranath Sarangi, President of the Squash Rackets Federation of India . “I am delighted that we have won the bid to host the WSF World Junior Championships 2018. The Indian Squash Academy in Chennai is a fantastic venue and we look forward to welcoming global players to our Championships.”

India first staged the men’s individual and team events in 2002, then both individual events together with the women’s team championship in 2009 – in both years also in Chennai.

WSF President Jacques Fontaine added:“There have been World & Asian Championships regularly staged in Chennai – the Indian Federation provide excellent facilities as well as being great hosts. Taking this important WSF Championship to India will open another chapter that we look forward to.”

Pakistan will look to defend the title they won for the fifth time in the 2016 men’s team championship in Poland – where India finished in sixth place.