The US Open Squash Championships in Philadelphia is a landmark edition of one of the game’s most prestigious tournaments.
World No.2s Diego Elias and Nouran Gohar are defending champions, although the latter pulled out of the competition on Thursday after a “hard and tough decision”. Ali Farag (a two-time former champion) and Nour El Sherbini (for whom this is the only major title she has never won) will be major contenders this year.
MILESTONES
This is officially recognised as the 50th edition of the event, with the US Open starting in 1954 as a hardball tournament, then merging with the Canadian Open to become the North American Open between 1966-1984. It has been a ‘softball’ event since 1985. A women’s draw was first added in 1993.
This year also marks the 10th anniversary since the US Open blazed a trail by becoming the first major squash tournament to offer equal prize money for men and women.
That moment, in 2013, saw squash make global headlines with the likes of tennis legend Billie Jean King praising squash for its approach to gender equality. The British Open and World Championships followed suit in 2017.
HISTORY
As with many of squash’s most coveted titles, the name Khan is indelibly linked with the history of this event.
At least one member of the famous Pakistani Khan dynasty featured in the US Open’s first 13 finals – starting with the patriarch Hashim in 1954. Overall, Khan family members won 16 North American Open titles. The legendary Jahangir (pictured above) won the final hardball title in 1984, then two softball trophies (1985 and 1988). Jansher Khan, although unrelated, won three – making it 29 Pakistani men’s champions overall.
Nouran Gohar was seeking an unprecedented fourth straight women’s title this year. If she had achieved it, she was set to equal the overall collection of England’s Cassie Jackman, who won the first ever US Open women’s title in 1993.
WHO TO WATCH THIS YEAR
Ali Farag is strong men’s title favourite, having utterly dominated the PSA World Tour since his return from a four-month lay-off due to a knee injury in February.
After his comeback, he won the British Open, the World Championships, the Manchester Open and El Gouna International and has started this season by winning the Paris Squash Open and Qatar Classic. The only tournament in the last six months in which he has tasted defeat was the short-format PSA World Tour Finals.
With Mostafa Asal still serving his last suspension, Farag’s rivals will be led by defending champion Elias (who won the title last year thanks to Farag’s knee injury forcing him to pull out).
Paul Coll’s recent lull in form means that Mohamed ElShorbagy goes in as a dangerous third seed. He will bid to sit alongside another naturalised Englishman, Peter Nicol, as a four-time US Open champion.
In the women’s draw, Nour El Sherbini will be fired up to claim the only Platinum level title that has eluded her.
The biggest threat to their dominance will come from fellow Egyptian Hania El Hamammy – a brilliant winner at the recent Qatar Classic. And, of course, there’s home favourite Amanda Sobhy, who landed a big psychological blow by beating Gohar in straight games in Qatar and last week reached the final at the South Western Open in Houston.
DRAW
Having both received a first-round bye, Ali Farag and the resurgent Karim Abdel Gawad will meet in the pick of the second round men’s matches. Former world champion Tarek Momen vs the explosive Fares Dessouky will be another cracker. Full men’s draw here.
Arguably the most intriguing tie of the early rounds will be for the home crowd as USA No.1 Amanda Sobhy faces international team-mate Olivia Clyne. A potential match-up for USA’s Olivia Fiechter with world junior champion Amina Orfi will also be fascinating. Full women’s draw here.
VENUE
The incredible Arlen Specter Center, which opened in 2021, once again hosts the event. The headquarters of US Squash and the national team, the facility contains 18 singles courts – including two all-glass courts – plus two blue North American hardball doubles courts.
DETAILS
The 2023 US Open Championship first round begins on Saturday 7 October with the finals on Saturday 14 October. Tickets here.