Squash
Egyptian Open · Toronto 25–30 OctSquash is playing in the shadow of the Great Pyramids this week. At the Egyptian Open in Giza, women's top seed Hania El Hammamy beat Amanda Sobhy in round three on Monday, and Nouran Gohar and Nour ElSherbini also reached the quarter-finals. On Sunday there was an upset when qualifier Ruqayya Salem beat ninth seed Tinne Gilis 17–15 in the first game, 4–11, 11–5, 11–9.
Men's seeds Mostafa Asal, Paul Coll and Diego Elias all won on Sunday, but ninth seed Aly Abou Eleinen lost in four games to Kareem El Torkey. Meanwhile 39,000 players took part in the World's Biggest Squash Match for World Squash Day on Monday.
Toronto is next. The fifth Canadian Women's Open runs 25 to 30 October at the Allen Lambert Galleria in Brookfield Place, with the final on Friday 30 October, on the see-through Jonathon Power court. Round two on Monday 26 October is Women & Girls Night. Defending champion Amina Orfi won last year without dropping a game.
- Egyptian Open (Giza): El Hammamy beat Sobhy in round 3 (Mon 12 Oct)
- Canadian Women's Open: 25–30 Oct, Brookfield Place, Toronto; finals Fri 30 Oct
- Women's world No 1 (Squash Info, 12 Oct): Amina Orfi; men's: Mostafa Asal
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If you're new to this
Squash is played by two players in a four-walled court, taking turns to hit a small rubber ball against the front wall above a line. The ball may hit other walls first but must not bounce twice before being returned.
Games go to 11 points with a point scored on every rally (point-a-rally), and a match is usually the best of five. A player must win by two clear points, which is why the game won 17–15 above went on so long.
The professional circuit is run by the Professional Squash Association (PSA). Events are graded, with a Silver event like Toronto sitting below the biggest Platinum events. Egypt dominates the rankings, which is why a tournament at the pyramids has most of the world's top players.
Squash joined the Olympic programme for Los Angeles 2028.