Amina Orfi and Hania El Hammamy (Photo PSA)
The Qatar Classic, the first Platinum event of the new PSA Squash Tour season later next week is more than just a major title is on the line for Hania El Hammamy and Amina Orfi as the World No.1 spot hangs in the balance for the top two seeds in the women’s draw.
After becoming the youngest female player to win the World Championships and British Open, Orfi had the chance to take the World No.1 spot away from El Hammamy at the season-ending PSA Squash Tour Finals. Orfi lost out to Sivasangari Subramaniam in the semi-finals whilst El Hammamy went on to win the event.
No doubt Orfi has been thinking about that missed opportunity all summer, but she hasn’t had to wait long for another chance. Orfi’s successful defence of her London Squash Classic title means she can become World No.1 in the September 21st rankings. It might even come down to a final showdown in Doha between Orfi and El Hammamy.
Orfi lost out in the semi-finals in Doha last season, meaning that she has points to gain if she reaches the final. Whereas El Hammamy is defending champion points after her 2025 triumph. Therefore, El Hammamy cannot create any distance from Orfi in the points unless Orfi fails to reach the semi-finals.
So, for Orfi to become the youngest female World No.1 in history, she needs to match or better the result of El Hammamy.
If she were to lose in the first two rounds, she would need El Hammamy to lose before the semi-finals.
For El Hammamy to continue her reign at the top of the rankings, she needs to either win the event or better Orfi’s finishing position.
El Hammamy is set to face the returning Nouran Gohar in the quarter finals, and potentially Sivasangari Subramaniam in the semis. Whereas Orfi is due to take on long-time junior rival Faryouz Aboelkheir in the last eight, followed by 8x World Champion Nour ElSherbini in the semi-finals.
