Diego Elias (Photo PSA)
Diego Elias leads the men’s draw at the Silicon Valley Squash Open after his Egyptian Open triumph, arriving in California with confidence and another title in his sights.
Defending champion Karim Gawad knows what it takes to win here and will be determined to repeat last year’s success. Victor Crouin returns after finishing runner-up in 2025, looking to turn another deep run into a title, while newly crowned World No.5 Mohamad Zakaria will be eager to prove he belongs among the Tour’s leading contenders.
Danger lurks elsewhere in the men’s draw with 2017 World Champion Mohamed Elshorbagy and four-time French National Champion Greg Marche looking to use all their experience to gatecrash the semis. Whilst up-and-coming Egyptians Kareem ElTorkey and Yahya Elnawasny will certainly prove to be tricky customers to the top four seeds.
Eight-time World Champion Nour ElSherbini tops the women’s draw, with the Egyptian looking to close the gap on World No.1 Amina Orfi and World No.2 Hania El Hammamy by claiming a second Gold title of 2026. Home favourite Olivia Weaver returns from injury as the No.2 seed, aiming to rediscover her best form and defend her title in front of the American crowd.
Asian Games champion Sivasangari Subramaniam arrives with momentum and will be keen to convert her recent performances into more silverware, while fourth seed Satomi Watanabe continues her search for a first Gold-level title.
More home interest features in the top eight seeds in the women’s draw as Marina Stefanoni and Amanda Sobhy will be looking to harness the support of the home crowd to cause upsets. Whilst Egyptian duo Salma Hany and Farida Mohamed will be looking to make thier mark in the Gold level event.
