DOHA - Egyptian world No. 1 Mostafa Asal advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 QTerminals Qatar Classic Squash Championship after defeating compatriot and world No. 8 Aly Abou Eleinen three games to one on Tuesday.Asal overcame Abou Eleinen in the quarterfinals 11-5, 11-4, 12-14, 12-10 in a grueling 91-minute encounter on the main glass court at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.The world No. 1 will face England's world No. 7 Marwan ElShorbagy in the semifinals on Thursday. ElShorbagy secured his place after defeating France's Gregoire Marche three games to two, 11-5, 11-9, 1-11, 3-11, 11-7, in 52 minutes.In the women's competition, Egyptian world No. 1 Hania El Hammamy continued her title defense in Qatar, advancing to the semifinals without taking to the court after compatriot Nouran Gohar withdrew due to injury.El Hammamy will face a difficult test in Thursday's semifinal against in-form Malaysian world No. 4 Sivasangari Subramaniam, who also advanced without playing after her Belgian opponent Tinne Gilis withdrew due to injury.The Malaysian has produced strong performances in recent years, winning the gold medal at the most recent Asian Games. She also claimed the 2024 London Classic title after defeating several of Egypt's leading players and won the Australian Open in 2026.The remaining quarterfinal matches will conclude on Wednesday, with New Zealand's world No. 2 and defending champion Paul Coll facing France's world No. 5 Victor Crouin, while Egyptian world No. 4 Karim Abdel Gawad will take on compatriot Youssef Soliman.In the women's draw, Egyptian world No. 2 Amina Orfi will face compatriot and world No. 6 Fayrouz Aboelkheir, while Malaysia's world No. 25 Rachel Arnold will take on England's Jasmine Hutton.Arnold had eliminated world No. 3 Nour El Sherbini, an eight-time world champion and the 2024 Qatar Classic champion, in the second round in one of the tournament's biggest upsets.Following his victory and qualification for the semifinals, world No. 1 Mostafa Asal told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that his match against Aly Abou Eleinen had been difficult, describing his compatriot as a highly skilled player. He said he had nevertheless managed to take control of the match and secure the victory, and expressed hope that he would be able to claim the Qatar Classic title this year.Regarding the Qatari PSA Squash Tour Platinum event, Asal noted that the Qatar Classic represented an ideal and strong start for him as he seeks to defend his position at the top of the world rankings, adding that winning the tournament would give him significant momentum for the remainder of the World Tour.The world No. 1 also expressed his great satisfaction at playing at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, describing the competitive atmosphere at the Qatar Classic as particularly close to his heart and saying it made him feel as though he was playing at home, given the exceptional organization provided by the association in cooperation with the Qatar Squash Federation.For his part, England's Marwan ElShorbagy expressed his delight at winning and advancing to the semifinals. Speaking to reporters, he said his match against France's Marche had been extremely difficult and competitive, noting that the Frenchman was one of the best and most experienced players in the world.ElShorbagy also expressed his great appreciation for the opportunity to be and play in Qatar. He praised the continued support and warm welcome extended to players at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex and highlighted the passion for the sport shown by both spectators and organizers.Concluding his remarks, ElShorbagy particularly praised the exceptional organization of the Qatar Classic, describing it as one of the best tournaments in the world. He also commended the hospitality and facilities provided to the players, including accommodation at top hotels, transportation and outstanding services, which he said helped players focus and perform at their highest level on court.Meanwhile, world No. 1 and defending champion Hania El Hammamy expressed hope of retaining the title for a second consecutive year. However, she noted that entering the tournament at the top of the women's world rankings placed additional responsibility on her and presented a significant challenge, adding that competition this season had been intense, with very little separating the players in the world's top 30.El Hammamy described playing in Doha as particularly special and close to her heart following her triumph in last year's edition. She said the atmosphere, warm welcome and support from the fans in Doha gave her additional motivation to produce her best performance and progress deep into the tournament. 

DOHA – Defending champion and World No. 2 Paul Coll continued his title defence at the QTerminals Qatar Classic 2026 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Switzerland’s Dimitri Steinmann, booking his place in the quarterfinals with a clinical 11-2, 11-4, 11-3 triumph.Coll, who produced a composed and authoritative display throughout, will face France’s Victor Crouin in the last eight. Egypt’s Karim Abdel Gawad also progressed to the quarterfinals after securing a straight-games victory.In the women’s draw, World No. 2 Amina Orfi produced another impressive performance, sweeping aside compatriot Nardine Garas to set up an all-Egyptian quarterfinal clash with Fayrouz Abo El Kheir. Britain’s Jasmine Hutton also advanced to the last eight.The day’s biggest upset came in the women’s competition, where Malaysia’s Rachel Arnold ended the title defence of 2024 champion Nour El Sherbini with a 3-1 victory.Speaking after his match, Coll highlighted his movement and concentration as key factors behind his performance, while Orfi reiterated her ambition of reaching the world No. 1 ranking after recently claiming the London Classic title. 

DOHA -  The 2026 QTerminals Qatar Classic Squash Championship continued successfully on Sunday, with the tournament featuring some of the world's leading players and organised by the Qatar Squash Federation.Seven second-round matches were played on Sunday, with the remaining matches scheduled for Monday on the main glass court at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.Egypt's Mostafa Asal, the world No. 1, advanced to the quarter-finals with a commanding 3-0 victory over Switzerland's Yannick Wilhelmi, winning 11-5, 11-4, 11-3. Asal's victory underlined his strong form and kept him firmly in contention for the title. He will contest his quarter-final on Tuesday.England's Marwan ElShorbagy also booked his place in the last eight after defeating compatriot Curtis Malik 3-0, winning 11-5, 11-9, 11-7.France's Gregoire Marche secured another quarter-final berth after overcoming American Timothy Brownell 3-1 in a closely contested encounter. Marche lost the opening game 5-11 before responding strongly to win the next three 11-6, 11-7, 11-9.Brownell had produced one of the tournament's biggest upsets in the opening round on Saturday, defeating third-seeded Peruvian Diego Elias, a two-time Qatar Classic champion in 2021 and 2024, 3-2.In the women's competition, defending champion and world No. 1 Hania El Hammamy of Egypt reached the quarter-finals with a convincing 3-0 victory over England's Lucy Turmel.El Hammamy controlled the contest from the outset, winning 11-4, 11-9, 11-7 to continue her title defence in impressive fashion. Fellow Egyptian Nouran Gohar also progressed to the quarter-finals after overcoming compatriot Malak Khafagy in a marathon 91-minute battle.Gohar prevailed 3-2 in a fiercely contested match, winning 11-7, 9-11, 13-11, 12-14, 11-9.Malaysia's world No. 4 Sivasangari Subramaniam also advanced after defeating Egypt's Salma Hany 3-0. The Malaysian won 12-10, 11-6, 11-5.Belgium's Tinne Gilis completed the list of women's quarter-finalists from Sunday's matches after overcoming rising Indian star Anahat Singh in a five-game battle.Gilis won 11-4, 8-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-3 to progress to the next round. Singh, the reigning world junior champion, had caused a major upset in the opening round on Saturday by defeating Egypt's Farida Mohamed, the world No. 16, 3-2.  

Doha: The QTerminals Qatar Classic 2026 got underway at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on Saturday, with the opening day producing several impressive performances and a major upset in the men’s draw.The tournament, featuring many of the world’s leading men’s and women’s players, runs until September 18.Men’s world No. 1 Mostafa Asal of Egypt made a commanding start to his campaign with a 3–0 victory over Switzerland’s Nicolas Mueller, winning 11–6, 11–6, 11–4.Asal will face another Swiss player, Yannick Wilhelmi, in Sunday’s second round. Wilhelmi recovered from two games down to defeat Scotland’s Greg Lobban 3–2 (9–11, 7–11, 11–3, 11–7, 11–8).Defending champion Paul Coll of New Zealand also advanced in straight games, defeating India’s Veer Chotrani 11–2, 11–3, 11–1. Coll will next meet Switzerland’s Dimitri Steinmann, who overcame India’s Abhay Singh 3–0 (11–7, 11–9, 14–12).The biggest upset of the opening day came when American Timothy Brownell knocked out world No. 3 and two-time Qatar champion Diego Elias of Peru. Brownell recovered from two games down to claim a 3–2 victory (5–11, 9–11, 11–6, 11–5, 11–7).Qatar’s Abdulla Al Tamimi, making his return to competition following an injury layoff, was beaten 3–1 by Egypt’s Karim Abdel Gawad (11–7, 15–13, 5–11, 11–8).Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA) after the match, Al Tamimi said he was pleased to return to competition at the Qatar Classic after receiving a wild card from the Organizing Committee.He said facing a player of Abdel Gawad’s calibre provided valuable preparation ahead of his participation with Team Qatar at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, which will be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4.Al Tamimi added that his focus will now turn to the Asian Games, where he hopes to win a medal for Qatar. He will continue training in Doha with his national team teammates before travelling to Japan.Abdel Gawad, meanwhile, praised the organization of the Qatar Classic and wished Qatar’s squash players success at the Asian Games. He described the Doha tournament as one of the major events on the international squash calendar and said he hopes to make a deep run and challenge for another title.Elsewhere in the men’s draw, France’s Victor Crouin, the fifth seed, defeated Egypt’s Fares Dessouky 3–0 (11–8, 11–8, 11–7), while three-time world junior champion Mohamed Zakaria of Egypt overcame Germany’s Raphael Kandra 3–1 (11–4, 11–3, 5–11, 11–5).England’s Marwan ElShorbagy, the seventh seed, recorded a 3–0 victory over Spain’s Bernat Jaume (11–5, 11–7, 11–7). France’s Baptiste Masotti edged Colombia’s Juan Vargas 3–2, while Egypt’s Mohamed Abouelghar defeated England’s Declan James 3–0.In the women’s draw, world No. 1 and defending champion Hania El Hammamy began her title defence with a 3–1 victory over fellow Egyptian Hana Moataz.Second seed Amina Orfi defeated compatriot Hana Ramadan 3–0, while third seed and 2024 champion Nour El Sherbini advanced with a 3–1 victory over Egypt’s Nada Abbas.Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam, the fourth seed, beat Egypt’s Sana Ibrahim 3–1, while Egypt’s Nouran Gohar made a successful return to competition following a five-month absence, defeating compatriot Kenzy Ayman 3–0.One of the standout results in the women’s draw came from India’s rising star Anahat Singh, who defeated Egypt’s Farida Mohamed 3–2. Egypt’s Malak Khafagy also secured a five-game victory over Malaysia’s Aira Azman.In other matches, Egypt’s Fayrouz Aboelkheir defeated compatriot Nadine El Hammamy 3–0, while Malaysia’s Aifa Azman recorded a 3–1 victory over American Marina Stefanoni.