By Sports Reporter/Doha
Three-time world squash champion Ramy Ashour (pic above) is set to return to the scene of his latest and greatest title triumph when the PSA World Series makes its second stop of the 2015-16 season in Doha later this month for the 2015 Qatar Classic.
Ashour defied all logic and belief as he completed his hat-trick of World Championship crowns following a mesmerising encounter with World No. 1 Mohamed Elshorbagy in front of a capacity crowd at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex last year and the duo will be looking to recapture the form of that event when they set foot in Qatar again on October 31, for what will be the 14th consecutive year of PSA World Tour action in Doha.
With all of the world’s top players, including Nick Matthew, Gregory Gaultier and Miguel Angel Rodriguez, in the draw, the 2015 Qatar Classic has the potential to deliver the same drama and excitement witnessed in the venue 12 months ago.
This year will also see the return of top level women’s squash to Doha — with the women’s PSA World Series returning to the Khalifa Stadium for the first time since 2011.
2011 champion Nicol David will be aiming to continue her dominant form, having taken six of the previous seven titles available in Qatar, but will be up against new world No. 1 Raneem El Welily in what looks to be a compelling women’s draw.
The joint event will bring over 100 of the world’s finest squash practitioners to Doha for a jam-packed week that will see over 100 matches played out over six days.
“We’re very pleased to welcome the best squash players in the world to Doha once again for what promises to be a fantastic tournament, building on the success of last year’s astounding World Championship, and to welcome the best female players back to Doha for the first time since 2011,” said Qatar Squash Federation president Nabeel bin Ali.
“Qatar continues to grow as a squash nation year-on-year and we are delighted to continue our support of the PSA World Tour for another year in what is a new era of joint-governance for the sport,” the QSF chief added.
Men’s Draw: [1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v [WC] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT); James Willstrop (ENG) v [Qualifier]; Max Lee (HKG) v [Qualifier]; Stephen Coppinger (RSA) v [7] Simon R?sner (GER); [5] Ramy Ashour (EGY) v [Qualifier]; Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) v Chris Simpson (ENG); Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) v Tarek Momen (EGY); Cameron Pilley (AUS) v [4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL); [3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [Qualifier]; Mazen Hesham (EGY) v [Qualifier]; Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Qualifier]; [Qualifier] v [8] Peter Barker (ENG); [6] Omar Mosaad (EGY) v Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY); Tom Richards (ENG) v [Qualifier]; Fares Dessouki (EGY) v Saurav Ghosal (IND); Borja Golan (ESP) v [2] Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women’s Draw: [1] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v Joshana Chinappa (IND); Amanda Sobhy (USA) v [15] Dipika Pallikal (IND); [13] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) v Habiba Mohamed (EGY); Line Hansen (DEN)v [6] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY); [5] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [Qualifier]; [Qualifier] v [16] Emily Whitlock (ENG); [10] Emma Beddoes (ENG) v [Qualifier]; [Qualifier] v [4] Alison Waters (ENG); [3] Camille Serme (FRA) v [Qualifier]; [Qualifier] v [9] Annie Au (HKG); [12] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Heba El Torky (EGY); [Qualifier] v [7] Nour El Sherbini (EGY); [8] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v Victoria Lust (ENG); [Qualifier] v [14] Jenny Duncalf (ENG); [11] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY); Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) v [2] Nicol David (MAS)
(*Seedings in prefix)
