ToC Squash 2025: Old rivals set up title finales in New York

World No.3 Hania El Hammamy progressed to the final of the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions for the first time in her career after a fine performance saw her topple five-time champion Nour El Sherbini.

El Hammamy, who had lost her last seven encounters against El Sherbini on the PSA Squash Tour, ripped up the form book with a stunning 11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9 victory under the iconic chandeliers inside Grand Central Terminal in New York. 

Despite a third-game scare, which saw El Sherbini fight back from 8-3 down to force a fourth game, El Hammamy recovered admirably to reach her first major final since the Hong Kong Open in December 2023. 

“I’m out of words,” El Hammamy said after the match. “I always know that I’m capable of beating Nour [El Sherbini], and for some reason, she has always given me lessons over the last year-and-a-half, especially on this court last year. 

“I had to really accept those losses, and it was really hard to do that at the beginning. But now, here I am, getting my first win over her since Qatar [Classic] 2023. So yeah, I’m just so pleased.

El Hammamy will face fierce rival and World No.1 Nouran Gohar in the final of the Platinum-level event after she held off a stern challenge from U.S. No.1 Olivia Weaver to advance in four games. 

In a nip-and-tuck match which was ultimately decided by fine margins and a few crucial points, World Champion Gohar – who suffered a worrying knee injury in the latter stages of the match – saved game balls in both the third and fourth games to clinch the match by an 11-5, 7-11, 12-10, 12-10 scoreline. 

Meanwhile, in the men’s event, World No.3 Diego Elias delivered a scintillating performance to defeat World No.2 Mostafa Asal in four games and progress to his fourth consecutive final at the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions. 

Elias, who will now face World No.1 Ali Farag for the Platinum-level title, backed up his quarter-final victory over Joel Makin with an equally impressive display, overcoming ‘The Raging Bull’ by an 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9 scoreline.

“I’m just so happy,” Elias said after the match. “Mostafa [Asal] has been playing some of the best squash over the last few months. It’s a great win for me – I didn’t think I was playing that well this week, but I managed to win this really important match. 

“I’m just so happy to be in the final here again. I love playing here, I love being in New York, so I’m just super happy.”

Elias will face top seed and defending champion Ali Farag in the final after the Egyptian delivered a flawless performance to defeat World No.4 Paul Coll in straight games. 

Farag, who has lifted the title at the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions in 2019, 2022, and 2024, delivered a performance worthy of his World No.1 ranking, sealing his spot in the title decider with an 11-8, 11-7, 11-7 victory. 

Results: Men’s Semi-Finals 

[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt [4] Paul Coll (NZL) 3-0: 11-8, 11-7, 11-7 (46m)

[3] Diego Elias (PER) bt [2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) 3-1: 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9 (66m)

Results: Women’s Semi-Finals 

[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [4] Olivia Weaver (USA) 3-1: 11-5, 7-11, 12-10, 12-10 (61m)

[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [2] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 3-1: 11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9 (55m)

Draw: Men’s Final (To Be Played January 30)

[1] Ali Farag (EGY) v [3] Diego Elias (PER)

Draw: Women’s Final (To Be Played January 30)

[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v [3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY)