Squash
Egyptian Open quarter-finals · Toronto 25–30 OctThe Egyptian Open in Giza is down to its last eight,, with the pyramids as backdrop. Women's top seed Hania El Hammamy survived a five-game battle with Satomi Watanabe, and fourth seed Sivasangari Subramaniam edged Fayrouz Aboelkheir 3–2. On Wednesday, Nour ElSherbini plays Nouran Gohar and world No 1 Amina Orfi meets Georgina Kennedy, with the semi-finals on Thursday 15 October and the finals on Friday 16 October.
In the men's draw, top seed Mostafa Asal beat Mohamad Zakaria 3–0 and Karim Gawad beat Marwan ElShorbagy 3–0, so they meet in the semi-finals. Diego Elias is through after Joel Makin withdrew injured, and Paul Coll plays Victor Crouin on Wednesday for the other semi-final place.
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, 6–16 Oct): semi-finals Thu 15 Oct, finals Fri 16 Oct
- Women's semi: El Hammamy (1) v Subramaniam (4); men's semi: Asal (1) v Gawad (4)
- 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.