PSA World Champs Day One: Reigning Champion Farag Makes Perfect Start To Title Defence

Defending World Champion Ali Farag got his title defence off to a perfect start after defeating Ramit Tandon 3-0.

The three-time World Champion edged a tough battle in the first game, winning 14-12 in the tie break.

Farag, who recently lifted the British Open crown a few weeks ago, then clinched the second and third games 11-4 and 11-3 to prevail and reach the second round.

“I’m very happy to be through. Ramit and I played so many times in our college career and we played once on the PSA World Tour and he got the better of me. He was ahead in the head-to-head, I was happy to get one today and it was close in the first, I won that one and I think I was on top for the rest of the match.

“In all respects the movement after my injury and my squash, and my mental capabilities, it’s been perfect timing to gear up for this one and I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.”

World No.1 Nouran Gohar produced a comprehensive display to seal her spot in the second round, overcoming her Egyptian compatriot Nour Aboulmakarim.

Gohar was relentless throughout, as she wrapped the match up in just 21 minutes to set up another all-Egyptian clash in the second round against Fayrouz Aboelkheir, who saw off Marta Dominguez Fernandez by the same scoreline.

“I’m happy with the way I played today and the way I dealt with the match. Obviously there’s a lot of nerves going into the first round of the World Championships – the biggest event of the year – but happy with the way I was relaxed and I enjoyed myself on court today,” Gohar said afterwards.

“Every day is different so I’m not taking it for granted as some days can be more difficult than others. It’s in the match of the day and how you feel to work around it.

“I’m very excited to be on the glass court. The venue we played at, about four or five years ago, so it’s very exciting to be back a great venue.

“I’m not really thinking about it (winning the World Championships) but it’s a lifetime dream. I think I’ve achieved all the titles except the World Championships so it would mean a lot. I’m not really thinking about it – I’m just thinking about winning every match I’m playing.”

Gohar’s compatriot Amina Orfi marked her maiden appearance at the World Championships with a 3-0 win against Ineta Mackevica.

“I feel really happy. This is my first World Championships and I wanted to make it into the main, luckily I got an invite from the PSA. I’m really happy and I’m just going to play with no pressure,” said Orfi.

“I didn’t expect it. I thought I was going to be playing on the Challenger Tour for a while until I made it, but when I had the opportunity to play Squash on Fire as a wildcard I went and took the risk.

‘I played with no pressure because I’m still still and enjoy it as much as I can before I become one of the top and get pressured by the rest.”

Elsewhere, Mostafa Asal returned from suspension with a straight sets victory against Leandro Romiglio.

“Coming back from a suspension is never easy but I’m feeling good,” said Asal.

“Leandro is from Argentina, my first tournament was in Argentina and I have a lot of supporters there. When you’re World No.1 and you get a six-week suspension, you focus on your training 100 per cent. It was a good period of training and all the other players were fatiguing from playing tournaments, maybe I will be fitter at this tournament.

“Congrats to Diego for being World No.1 but there will be another fight here. It’s amazing to see so many World No.1s in the draw.”

New Zealand No.1 Paul Coll cruised into the second round after dispatching USA’s Faraz Khan in straight games.

Coll, who was a semi-finalist at last season’s event, comfortably went two games up but it was a close contest in the third as Khan looked to find a way back in the match. However it was Coll who came out on top to book his place in the second round.

“First round is getting used to the court, which was a bit bouncy and it was hard to kill off the ball,” Coll said.

“I was happy with the way I was stroking the ball and I’m very excited to get going this week. It’s the biggest week of the year and I’m feeling in a good space and I’m excited to play.

“We’re good mates and he seems to have improved quite a bit since we last trained and I’m looking forward to the challenge in a couple of days’ time. I don’t think we’ve hit in a few years but we know each other well and I’m looking forward to it.

“I hear it’s one of my favourite courts on tour that they’d brought over. It’s always been a dream to play on that court. I’m super excited to hopefully get to the glass court.”

There was also straight games triumphs for Rory Stewart, Patrick Rooney, Omar Mosaad, Joel Makin and Colombian duo Miguel Rodriguez and Juan Camilo Vargas.

Meanwhile, American pair Amanda Sobhy and Olivia Clyne chalked up 3-0 wins to advance to the next round, beating Tomato Ho and Joshna Chinappa, respectively.

The PSA World Championships continue tomorrow when defending women’s champion Nour El Sherbini begins her tournament, while men’s World No.1 Diego Elias will also be in action. Play begins at 11:00 (GMT-5) and matches will be streamed live on the tournament website.

For updates on the tournament, follow the event on Twitter and Facebook or visit our live scoring page.

Results – Men’s First Round (Evening Session): 2022-23 PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family

[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Leandro Romiglio (ARG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-5, 12-10 (41m)

Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Balazs Farkas (HUN) 3-0: 11-6, 11-5, 11-9 (39m)

Rory Stewart (SCO) bt Edwin Clain (FRA) 3-0: 11-7, 11-7, 12-10 (40m)

[11] Joel Makin (WAL) bt Cesar Salazar (MEX) 3-0: 11-3, 4-2 retired (13m)

[5] Paul Coll (NZL) bt Faraz Khan (USA) 3-0: 11-7, 11-2, 11-9 (37m)

Juan Camilo Vargas (COL) bt Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) 3-0: 12-10, 11-8, 11-5 (39m)

Patrick Rooney (ENG) bt Ivan Yuen (MAS) 3-0: 11-9, 11-5, 11-8 (32m)

[13] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) bt Todd Harrity (USA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-7, 11-6 (39m)

Adrian Waller (ENG) bt Rowan Damming (NED) 3-0: 11-3, 11-4, 11-5 (30m)

[4] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Ramit Tandon (IND) 3-0: 14-12, 11-4, 11-3 (26m)

Results – Women’s First Round (Evening Session): 2022-23 PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family

[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) 3-0: 11-4, 11-4, 11-3 (21m)

[5] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Tomato Ho (HKG) 3-0: 11-2, 11-3, 11-5 (23m)

Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt Jana Shiha (EGY) 3-2: 5-11, 11-7, 11-5, 10-12, 11-6 (42m)

[13] Olivia Clyne (USA) bt Joshna Chinappa (IND) 3-0: 12-10, 11-7, 11-5 (27m)

Amina Orfi (EGY) bt Ineta Mackevica (LAT) 3-0: 11-6, 11-6, 11-3 (23m)