PHILADELPHIA – Women’s World No.1 Nouran Gohar of Egypt and Men’s World No.4 Diego Elias of Peru have captured the 2022 US Squash Open titles after beating World No.3 Nour el-Sherbini and World No.2 Ali Farag respectively, at Philadelphia’s US Squash Center.
Gohar has become only the second player – after the legendary Nicol David – to win three US Open titles on the bounce after she retained her title courtesy of an 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6 victory over El-Sherbini, who is now a four-time runner-up at this tournament after final appearances in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
The 25-year-old had already defeated Egyptian opposition when she won the 2019 and 2021 US Opens – beating Nour el-Tayeb and Hania el-Hammamy, respectively – and she added El-Sherbini to that list to capture her 19th PSA title.
The US Open is Gohar’s second title of the season – following last month’s South Western Women’s Open triumph – and her sixth of 2022.
“It’s so hard against Nour [El-Sherbini],” said Gohar according to the PSA World Tour.
“She is the one who knows how to win titles even if she’s not playing her best. It’s more mental than anything with her and I was really happy with the way I played. It’s a joy to play against her,
“I actually missed our battles last year because it brings the best out of us both, she’s a great player and it was very enjoyable out there.
“Honestly, I don’t want to lose my No.1 spot under any circumstances, but when I think about the rankings too much, it’s extra pressure that I don’t need.
“I feel like I go into a tournament wanting to win because then I know I will get the maximum points, so I’m just focused on what’s in my hands and that’s all I think about.”
Elias has become the first Peruvian to win the prestigious US Open after his fixture with two-time champion Farag was cut short after just two minutes due to an injury to the Egyptian.
Farag, a winner in 2017 and 2019, was carrying a knee problem sustained during his semi-final match with World No.8 Marwan el-Shorbagy and couldn’t move properly during the first couple of rallies, resulting in him shaking hands with his opponent.
It’s Elias’s 12th PSA title and his second Platinum title, whilst it’s his third tournament win of 2022.
“I’m happy but I just don’t know how to feel,” Elias said.
“I feel very bad for him, I was ready for a big battle. I’m super happy; I just didn’t want it to be this way.
“I’m going to have a beer for sure, but I have a match on Wednesday at the Grasshopper Cup in Switzerland, so I can’t have too many.
“The South American games are happening right now in Paraguay and I just spoke to my family, they’re all super happy that I made history.
“I still don’t know what happened to him [Ali Farag]. I’m usually very happy after I win matches and tournaments, but I don’t know how to feel, I still can’t believe what’s happened.”
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