QTerminals Qatar Classic 2026 Gets Off to Exciting Start in Doha

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September 12, 2026
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12-September-2026

QTerminals Qatar Classic 2026 Gets Off to Exciting Start in Doha

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.