Doha: The 2026 QTerminals Qatar Classic squash tournament for men and women commenced at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, with the Qatar Squash Federation hosting an event featuring all of the world's top-ranked men and women. The tournament is set to run through September 18.
According to Qatar News Agency, the opening round of the main draws was marked by intense competition, excitement, and several surprises. Egypt's Mostafa Asal, the world No. 1, began his campaign with a 3-0 victory over Switzerland's Nicolas Mueller, winning 11-6, 11-6, 11-4. Asal is set to face another Swiss player, Yannick Wilhelmi, in the second round. Wilhelmi advanced after rallying from two games down to defeat Scotland's Greg Lobban, 3-2, with scores of 9-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-8.
New Zealand's Paul Coll, the world No. 2 and defending champion, also advanced to the second round with a comfortable 3-0 victory over India's Veer Chotrani, scoring 11-2, 11-3, 11-1. Coll will next face Switzerland's Dimitri Steinmann, who defeated India's Abhay Singh, 3-0, with scores of 11-7, 11-9, 14-12.
The biggest upset of the opening day saw Peru's Diego Elias, the world No. 3 and a two-time Qatar champion, eliminated after losing to American Timothy Brownell, 3-2. Brownell secured the win with scores of 5-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-7.
Egypt's Karim Abdel Gawad, the world No. 4 and 2014 Qatar champion, advanced by defeating Qatar's Abdulla Al Tamimi, who was returning from injury, 3-1, with scores of 11-7, 15-13, 5-11, 11-8. Speaking to the Qatar News Agency, Al Tamimi expressed his pleasure in competing after receiving a wild card from the tournament's organizing committee following his lengthy absence due to injury. Al Tamimi highlighted the value of competing against Karim Abdel Gawad as preparation for his participation with the national team at the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, in Japan from September 19 to October 4.
Also speaking to QNA, Karim Abdel Gawad thanked the tournament's organizing committee for an ideal event and conveyed his wishes for success and medals for Qatar's squash players at the Asian Games in Japan. He noted the Qatar Classic as a major tournament in squash and expressed his intention to advance deep into the competition, hoping to win the title for a second time.
In the women's competition, Egypt's Hania El Hammamy, the world No. 1, began her title defense with a 3-1 victory over compatriot Hana Moataz. The No. 2 seed, Amina Orfi, defeated fellow Egyptian Hana Ramadan, 3-0. No. 3 seed Nour El Sherbini, the 2024 champion, also advanced to the second round with a 3-1 victory over compatriot Nada Abbas.
Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam, the No. 4 seed, defeated Egypt's Sana Ibrahim, 3-1. The opening day also featured a strong return by Egypt's Nouran Gohar, the No. 5 seed, who advanced to the second round with a 3-0 victory over compatriot Kenzy Ayman. Rising Indian player Anahat Singh, the world junior champion, produced an upset in the women's draw by defeating Egypt's Farida Mohamed, the world No. 16, 3-2.