El Gouna International Squash Open seventh edition top-class draw has been released for the PSA World Series tournament and it is expecting heated matches from April 20th-27th in Egypt’s Red Sea resort, El Gouna.
This year’s tournament features a women’s World Series tournament alongside the men’s event for the first time in history, with a total prize fund of $330,000 split equally between both draws. The qualifying rounds take place between April 18-19 at the El Gouna Squash Complex, while the main draw will be staged between April 20-27, with matches split between the glass court situated at El Gouna Marina and the qualification venue.
Commenting on the draw announcement, Orascom Development Egypt Holding Chairman Eng. Samih Sawiris said: “What a joy to be hosting one of the leading tournaments of the Squash world. The growth of our small competition to a world event proves that solid long-term commitment pays. Hopefully our champions will seal this with winning.”
For the men’s draw, world number one Mohamed El Shorbagy heads up the men’s draw opposite number two seed and defending champion Gregory Gaultier, who faces Egyptian maverick Mazen Hesham in the opening round, while El Shorbagy will line up against a qualifier and wildcard Moustafa Assal is set to meet Tarek Momen in the first rounds.
As for the women’s draw, world number one Nour El Sherbini gets her tournament under way against England’s Emily Whitlock in round one, while World Champion Raneem El Welily, El Tayeb, King, Massaro and David all face qualifiers and wildcard Rowan El Araby to meet India’s Joshana Chinappa in round one.
Hassan Abdalla, CEO of Arab African International Bank said: “Over the course of seven successive rounds of El Gouna International Squash Open, we have joined forces with all the concerned stakeholders to become among the top seven tournaments worldwide. Today we witness seven Egyptian champions among the top ten internationally ranked contestants holding the Egyptian flag and dominating the game. Despite all the unmatched success, we still aspire to achieve more by further spreading squash among Egyptians and enabling our champions to maintain Egypt’s lead on an international level.”
The men’s seeding quarter final predictions expect Mohamed El Shorbagy set to meet Simon Rosner while Karim Abdel Gawad set to meet Marwan El Shorbagy, Aly Farag set to meet Tarek Momen and Gregory Gaultier set to meet Mohamed Abouelghar.
The women’s seeding quarter final predictions expect Nour EL Sherbini set to meet Camille Serme, Nicol David set to meet Laura Massaro, Nour El Tayeb set to meet Nouran Gohar and Joelle King set to meet Raneem El Welily.
Should the tournament go to seeding, El Sherbini will line up against Massaro in the semi-finals, while the other last four fixture will be contested between El Welily and El Tayeb.
