Published: April 9, 2026 at 2:09 pm
Unseeded 18-year-old World Junior champion Mohamad Zakaria advanced to his first Platinum semifinal on the PSA Squash Tour after overcoming No.3 seed Karim Gawad at the El Gouna International Squash Open 2026 in Egypt.
Following his statement three-game win over No.5 seed Joel Makin in the previous round, Zakaria made it back-to-back upsets on the stunning all-glass court at the El Gouna Conference and Culture Center, as he took down the World No.4 by a 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-5 scoreline.
Zakaria will face fellow Egyptian Youssef Ibrahim in the semifinals after the World No.7 put aside an ongoing shoulder injury to take down World No.2 Paul Coll with an inspired four-game display.
Zakaria manages to overturn a one-game deficit
In a scrappy match which saw regular stoppages due to traffic in the middle of the court and constant dialogue with the match referee, it was Zakaria who managed to overturn a one-game deficit to clinch his second successive win over Gawad after 81 minutes of play.
Ibrahim entered the contest with uncertainty about the condition of his left shoulder, which he has dislocated on court on three separate occasions this season and almost forced his withdrawal before the El Gouna International started this week.
But the No.6 seed showed few signs of weakness throughout his 65 minutes on court, delivering a scintillating display of attacking squash to defeat No.2 seed Coll 11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8 and advance to his third Platinum semifinal of the season.
Asal will renew rivalry with Elias
Mostafa Asal and Diego Elias will renew their gripping rivalry in the semifinals after the pair defeated Leonel Cardenas and Marwan ElShorbagy in three games apiece.
Defending champion Mostafa Asal’s 11–5, 11–6, 11–9 victory over the Mexican No.1 extended his unbeaten run on the PSA Squash Tour to 27 matches. Pics: PSA Squash Tour
Defending champion Asal’s 11–5, 11–6, 11–9 victory over the Mexican No.1 extended his unbeaten run on the PSA Squash Tour to 27 matches. This achievement brings him level with Greg Gaultier on the all-time men’s winning streak list, with only Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan, Ramy Ashour and Peter Nicol ahead of the 24-year-old in the record books.
In the last match of the night, Elias eased into the semi-finals after his opponent, England’s Marwan ElShorbagy, withdrew from their contest due to an injury at the end of the second game.
Despite the injury-curtailed clash, Elias will take plenty of confidence heading into his upcoming battle with Asal after oozing quality throughout his 21 minutes on court, dropping just four points across the two games played.
ElSherbini vs Weaver; Orfi vs El Hammamy in women’s semis
In the women’s draw, World No.2 Nour ElSherbini and World No.4 Olivia Weaver set up a blockbuster semifinal tie after impressing in straight-game victories over Sivasangari Subramaniam and Georgina Kennedy.
Former El Gouna International champion ElSherbini held off the attacking threats of World No.6 Sivasangari with some accurate squash in the pressure moments of their contest. The eight-time World Champion moved away in the backend of all three games to record a hard-fought 12-10, 11-8, 11-9 victory after 35 minutes of play.
Meanwhile, Weaver had to fend off a strong start from No.8 seed Kennedy before eventually advancing to her 13th consecutive major semifinal on the PSA Squash Tour.
World No.3 Amina Orfi set up a tantalising semifinal showdown with World No.1 Hania El Hammamy
The American No.1 overturned an early deficit in the first game to take a crucial 1-0 lead, before upping the ante and stepping up the court as the match progressed. Despite Kennedy having periods of strong squash, it was Weaver who maintained a consistent level throughout to advance by an 11-8, 11-8, 11-5 scoreline.
Weaver will look to overturn a torrid 0-17 head-to-head record against ElSherbini when the pair face off in the semifinals by the Red Sea.
World No.3 Amina Orfi set up a tantalising semifinal showdown with World No.1 Hania El Hammamy.
Twelve months on from reaching her first Platinum final at the El Gouna International, 18-year-old Orfi continued her hunt to go one better and lift her maiden major title on the PSA Squash Tour with an impressive 11-8, 11-6, 13-11 win over No.6 seed Satomi Watanabe.
Olivia Weaver (right) had a tough time in overcoming Georgina Kennedy in the quarterfinals
Orfi, who hadn’t played an event for seven weeks coming into the El Gouna International, looked sharp and highly motivated as she powered through to her fifth major semifinal of the 2025-26 PSA Squash Tour after 57 minutes of play.
The four-time World Junior Champion will take on Hania El Hammamy in the semifinals after the top seed claimed an imposing three-game victory over No.7 seed Fayrouz Aboelkheir.
El Hammamy, who lifted the El Gouna title in 2022, delivered a clinical performance to defeat the rising Egyptian star by an 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 scoreline and extend her record this season to 35 wins from 38 matches.
El Hammamy will look to extend her three-match winning streak against compatriot Orfi, with the former having claimed respective wins at the Egyptian Open, Qatar Classic and U.S. Open this campaign.
Results: Men’s quarterfinals: Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) beat 3-Karim Gawad (EGY) 3-1 (9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-5), 6-Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) beat 2-Paul Coll (NZL) 3-1 (11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8), 1-Mostafa Asal (EGY) beat Leonel Cardenas (MEX) 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 11-9), 4 Diego Elias (PER) beat 8-Marwan ElShorbagy (ENG) 3-0 (11-1, 11-3 retd).
Women’s quarterfinals: 4-Olivia Weaver (USA) beat 8-Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-5), 2-Nour ElSherbini (EGY) beat 5-Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) 3-0 (12-10, 11-8, 11-9), 1-Hania El Hammamy (EGY) beat 7-Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-6), 3-Amina Orfi (EGY) beat 6-Satomi Watanabe (JPN) 3-0 (11-8, 11-6, 13-11).
