Youssef Ibrahim claimed his fourth straight win over Paul Coll to reach the World Championship semi-finals for the first time.
World No.7 Ibrahim, playing through a shoulder injury which has plagued the entirety of his 2025-26 season, delivered yet another incredible attacking performance to down the second seed 3-11, 11-5, 11-2, 11-8. world
Disaster almost struck for the Egyptian in the fourth as he collided into the back of Coll when chasing down a drop shot with three match balls to his name. After physio treatment, Ibrahim returned to court and closed out the match in scintillating style, thumping a forehand straight into the nick to the delight of the packed-out home crowd.
“This year, I started to work with a sports psychologist for the first time, as I usually get really animated, but I’ve been trying to stay more composed and calmer,” Ibrahim said afterwards.
“Starting from November, I think I just started to be calmer on court. It’s definitely helped a lot. In the first game, the ball was bouncy and it was super hot. Starting at the end of the second, I felt the ball starting to drop off, and I tried to take my chances. I think I caught him a bit off-guard in that period and in the third.
“I felt really dizzy for a little bit [after the collision], and then I started to calm down a little bit once off court. It wasn’t too serious, these things happen on court. On match ball, as soon as I saw an opening on my forehand, I went for it, and luckily I pulled it off.”
2016 World Champion Karim Gawad will be Ibrahim’s opponent in the last four after he came back from a game down to defeat fellow Egyptian Youssef Soliman, winning 9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5 in the final match of the night.
At the age of 34, Gawad will become squash’s oldest World Championship finalist since the legendary Australian Heather McKay in 1979 if he can get the better of Ibrahim in their last four clash.
“Youssef [Ibrahim] is a huge fighter,” Gawad said.
“He is a great talent and a great character on tour. I’m glad we have someone like him playing the tour. I’m also in good form, though, and I’m looking forward to a good battle with a good friend.”
Eight-time World Champion Nour ElSherbini survived a slow start to reach the semi-finals, defeating No.12 seed Salma Hany – who was appearing in her first World Championship quarter-final since 2021 – in four games.
ElSherbini, who is looking to win a record-breaking ninth World Championship title this week, battled her way from a game behind to her Egyptian compatriot by a 9-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6 scoreline.
“Salma is a fighter and such a good player,” ElSherbini said.
“This season she has been struggling with injuries from the start of the season, and to be honest, a month ago she was way back compared to how she’s playing now. I was happy that I found a way today. It wasn’t exactly the way I wanted to play, but winning is the main part.”
World No.4 Olivia Weaver has set up a repeat of both the 2024 and 2025 semi-finals with ElSherbini after defeating England’s Georgina Kennedy in four games.
Weaver, who battled back from 2-1 down to defeat Nele Gilis in the previous round, delivered a much-improved performance to advance to the last four by an 11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2 scoreline. The US No.1 will now look to improve on last year’s defeat to ElSherbini at this tournament, where she was just three points from victory after going 8-3 up in the fourth game.
“I think the previous match [against Nele Gilis] was a huge wake-up call in terms of the squash that I have to produce to beat these girls,” Weaver said.
“I just tried to keep things simple, not overcomplicate my game plan and I think I did a much better job of that tonight. I can’t wait [ElSherbini]. Obviously, it was a heartbreaker last year. I was in a great position in that match, but she’s a great champion and one of the best to play. I think everyone just walks away from that match wishing they could play it again and get another shot at it, so I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
Results – Men’s Quarter-Finals (Bottom Half): 2026 CIB Palm Hills PSA World Championships
[7] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt [2] Paul Coll (NZL) 3-1: 3-11, 11-5, 11-2, 11-8 (67m)
[4] Karim Gawad (EGY) bt [11] Youssef Soliman (EGY) 3-1: 9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5 (67m)
Draw – Men’s Semi-Finals: To Be Played May 15th
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) v [3] Diego Elias (PER)
[7] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) v [4] Karim Gawad (EGY)
Results – Women’s Quarter-Finals (Bottom Half): 2026 CIB Palm Hills PSA World Championships
[4] Olivia Weaver (USA) bt [8] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 3-1: 11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2 (48m)
[2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt [12] Salma Hany (EGY) 3-1: 9-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6 (52m)
Draw – Men’s Semi-Finals: To Be Played May 15th
[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) v [3] Amina Orfi (EGY)
[4] Olivia Weaver (USA) v [2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY)