Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam and Egypt’s Karim Gawad were crowned Grasshopper Cup 2026 champions in Zurich on Sunday after defeating Satomi Watanabe and Victor Crouin, respectively, at the Gold-level event.
Sivasangari produced a herculean effort to lift the Grasshopper Cup for the first time, recovering from 2-1 down against Watanabe to win 3-2.
The Malaysian, who produced a sensational comeback yesterday in the semi finals against top seed Amina Orfi, dug deep once again to win 15-13, 5-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-8 after 62 minutes.
Sivasangari will rise to World No.5 in the PSA World Rankings on Monday after scooping her second title of the season – her 17th on Tour – becoming the first Asian player in eight and a half years to break into the top five since her fellow countrywoman Nicol David.
“Yesterday I had a long match and a big win. Satomi and I have been playing since I was nine years old, we grew up together, we’re good friends off court and it’s always tough playing each other,” she said.
“We grew up playing every category together and now in the senior events. I’m happy with how we’ve grown up together on the Tour and for me I’m just relieved and happy. I’m very tired but I’m happy to be winning this title.”
Meanwhile Gawad clinched the Grasshopper Cup for the second time in his trophy-laden career after downing Crouin 3-0.
Gawad, who last triumphed in Zurich in 2023, only dropped one game all week to claim his 32nd piece of silverware on the PSA Squash Tour.
The World No.4, who’s been in sensational form in Zurich, produced another masterclass today in the final as he dispatched the Frenchman 11-8, 11-4, 11-5 in just 30 minutes.
“I’m really happy to win another title here in Zurich, my second title,” he said afterwards.
“I’m really happy with how I’ve performed all week, how I’ve pushed and it’s always special to win a title more than once.
“I watched his [Victor Crouin] match against Diego [Elias] and he played some amazing squash so I knew I had to be mentally, physically and tactically ready from the very first point.
“I had different plans to win today’s match and after an amazing match yesterday, I was looking for a good final and I’m happy with how I managed to win today.”
Result – Men’s Final: Grasshopper Cup 2026
[2] Karim Gawad (EGY) bt. [3] Victor Crouin (FRA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-4, 11-5 (30m)
Result – Women’s Final: Grasshopper Cup 2026
[3] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt. [2] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) 3-2: 15-13, 5-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-8 (62m)