Nouran Gohar beats Malak Khafagy (Photo by PSA)
Former World No.1 Nouran Gohar set up a quarter-final showdown with arch-rival Hania El Hammamy after surviving a heated five-game duel with Egyptian compatriot Malak Khafagy at the 2026 Qatar Classic.
Gohar, playing her first event since giving birth to her first child in April, had to dig deep to overcome Khafagy in an acrimonious affair that included more than 50 refereeing decisions over 91 minutes of chaotic play in Doha.
The match descended into a scrappy, physical battle, with neither player able to find any sustained rhythm or accuracy. This was punctuated when Gohar required significant physio treatment after a heavy blow to the nose midway through the third game – an echo of the broken nose she sustained on this very court two years ago.
After the players traded games deep into a dramatic decider, it was No.5 seed Gohar who eventually prevailed, clinching victory by an 11-7, 9-11, 13-11, 12-14, 11-9 scoreline.
“This is the part of being back that I didn’t miss.” Gohar said after the match. “I don’t know what it is with my nose in Qatar; every time I come here, something happens to it. I love the tournament, I love the people here, but my nose doesn’t.”
“I didn’t enjoy my squash today, but I did enjoy my resilience and mental toughness. I need to go through matches like these.
On her upcoming quarter-final with El Hammamy, she added: “I’m really looking forward to that match. It’s going to be competitive out there, but no pressure whatsoever. I’m looking forward to the match.”
Gohar will face off against El Hammamy for the 34th time on the PSA Squash Tour in Tuesday’s quarter-finals, after the World No.1 defeated England’s Lucy Turmel by an 11-4, 11-8, 11-7 scoreline.
Elsewhere, World No.9 Tinne Gilis fended off India’s teenage sensation Anahat Singh in five games to advance to her first Platinum quarter-final since the Windy City Open in February. The No.8 seed was forced to battle back from 2-1 down to set up a quarter-final tie with World No.5 Sivasangari Subramaniam, after the Malaysian proved too strong for Salma Hany.
In the men’s event, World No.1 Mostafa Asal overcame a superb showing from Yannick Wilhelmi, while World No.13 Aly Abou Eleinen claimed a clinical three-game victory over Baptiste Masotti.
World No.9 Marwan ElShorbagy and World No.19 Gregoire Marche were the final two players to secure wins on day two of action at the Khalifa International Squash Complex after defeating Curtis Malik and Timothy Brownell, respectively.
Results
Men’s Round Two
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) 3-0: 11-5, 11-4, 11-3 (48m)
[8] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) bt Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 3-0: 11-5, 11-9, 11-2 (41m)
[7] Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Curtis Malik (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-9, 11-7 (35m)
Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt Timothy Brownell (USA) 3-1: 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 (46m)
Women’s Round Two
[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Lucy Turmel (ENG) 3-0: 11-4, 11-8, 11-7 (39m)
[5] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt Malak Khafagy (EGY) 3-2: 11-7, 9-11, 13-11, 12-14, 11-9 (91m)
[8] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt Anahat Singh (IND) 3-2: 11-4, 8-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-3 (58m)
[4] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt Salma Hany (EGY) 3-0: 12-10, 11-6, 11-5 (26m)
