Panel Predictions: U.S. Open 2023

6 October 2023

The third Platinum event of the season starts tomorrow as 96 players head to Philadelphia for the U.S Open 2023. Defending Champion Diego Elias is back to try and claim a third Platinum event on US soil in the men’s event but the man in form Ali Farag will be determined to seek his revenge after being forced to withdraw in last years final.

World No.2 and defending women’s champion Nouran Gohar has been forced out of the event with an ongoing plantar fascia issue therefore the top two seeds are now Nour El Sherbini and Hania El Hammamy. The later will be looking to pick up where she left off in Qatar after claiming the last Platinum event. El Sherbini is yet to win the U.S. Open and with the exclusion of Gohar will be eyeing this up as a huge opportunity to extend her lead at the top of the world rankings.

Our panel of experts have had their say on the who they think will claim the titles and who they think can do well in the event:

Daryl Selby

Men’s Winner: Ali Farag
Women’s Winner: Nour El Sherbini

Men’s One to Watch: Youssef Ibrahim
Women’s One to Watch: Sivasangari Subramaniam

“After an imperious start to the season I’ve got to pick Ali this week, after not picking him previously!

“It’s great to see him [Youssef Ibrahim] back playing well and looking injury free in Qatar. He’s an extremely dangerous player who can beat any of the top guys on his day.

“I can see Nour El Sherbini bouncing back this week in Philly to win her first U.S Open.

“It’s great to see her [Sivasangari Subramaniam] back and playing well so far this season. She feels at home playing in the US and has the potential to do really well this week.”

Vanessa Atkinson

Men’s Winner: Ali Farag
Women’s Winner: Hania El Hammamy

Men’s One to Watch: Fares Dessouky
Women’s One to Watch: Nour El Tayeb

“It’s hard to bet against Ali for the mens winner ..all runs come to an end at some point but I think it might continue for another big win considering his record at the US Open.

“For the one to watch I’m going for Fares Dessouky. He has a decent record against Momen and a win there could open up the draw for him to make quarters at least.

“For the women’s winner, I’m going for Hania El Hammammy to back up the Qatar win especially after the withdrawal of Gohar.

“One to watch has to be Nour El Tayeb. After the win in Houston she could be a banana skin in a potential semi final against El Sherbini.”

Cameron Pilley

Men’s Winner: Diego Elias
Women’s Winner: Nour El Sherbini

Men’s One to Watch: Mohamed Abouelghar
Women’s One to Watch: Amina Orfi

“The defending champ clearly enjoys playing at the impressive Arlen Specter Center so I’m backing Diego to repeat his performance from last year. On current form, I should be picking Farag but he has a mouthwatering matchup with Gawad early on which will be the match of the round.

“Abouelghar is showing some form and I think it is only a matter of time before he starts hitting his stride and creating some headaches for a few players. One to watch.

“I just can’t look past Sherbini. She’s in form and will be eager to return to the winners circle after finishing 2^nd in Qatar.

“Amina is playing well and hitting some nice form. She will create some headaches as the season progresses. Definitely one to watch.”

Aisling Blake

Men’s Winner: Ali Farag
Women’s Winner: Hania El Hammamy

Men’s One to Watch: Karim Abdel Gawad
Women’s One to Watch: Olivia Fiechter

“I think after the win in Qatar, Hania will be flying high in Philadelphia and determined to claim a first U.S. Open.

“I’ve gone for Olivia Fiechter as my one to watch. After a poor-ish start to the season by her standards and I’ve seen her play recently and it looks like the physical work that she’s done over the summer can pay off in a big event like this on home soil.

“In the men’s event, I’ll cover both bases with Ali Farag and Karim Abdel Gawad. I know that they play each other in RD2 and I genuinely think that whoever comes through that match will win the event.”

Borja Golan

Men’s winner: Ali Farag
Women’s winner: Nour El Sherbini

Men’s One to Watch: Iker Pajares Bernabeu
Women’s One to Watch: Amanda Sobhy

“I’ll go for Ali for this one. He is probably playing the best squash of his career after the injury and playing in America is probably very special for him after studying for some years in the US.

“My player to watch is Iker. Because he is knocking on the door all the time. He didn’t play his best in the last event so he is bound to be really hungry to put in a good performance in this event. And I know he is happy in this tournament because he stays with the Schneider family that is like being at home for him.

“I have to give my vote to Nour because is showing good consistency in the last two tournaments and she has an good draw until semis and I’ll back her to win the whole event.

“My player to watch in the women’s is also a big candidate to win. The draw for Amanda is not easy but on home soil if she have a good week she can beat everyone. Let’s see what’s happens!”

Jenny Duncalf

Mens winner: Ali Farag
Women’s winner: Nour El Sherbini

Men’s One to Watch: Miguel Rodriguez
Women’s One to Watch: Amina Orfi

Paul Johnson

Mens winner: Ali Farag
Women’s winner: Nour El Sherbini

Men’s One to Watch: Fares Dessouky
Women’s One to Watch: Amina Orfi

“It’s the second major event of the season and players have had time to rest and reset after Qatar a few weeks ago. It’s hard to see past Farag winning again this week after another impressive performance in Doha. He also enjoys playing in the US (his second home) and will have the added advantage of Mike Way his mentor in his corner. He’ll also be looking to put the unfortunate withdrawal in last years final behind him.

“Nour El Sherbini wasn’t at her very best in Qatar but hopefully some quality time spent with Greg [Gaultier] in between will hold her in good stead to finally get the monkey off her back as this is the one major that has eluded her so far”

Laura Massaro

Men’s Winner: Diego Elias

Men’s One to Watch: Mohamed Abouelghar

“I’m going to go for a Diego win this week. I feel like I’m setting myself up for a fall because Ali is in fine form and my head says go with Ali like I did in Qatar. However, I’m going to go a different direction and go with a Diego win as I think he’s getting closer and closer and I hope he’s hungrier than ever too! Let’s see if my head or my gut is right!”

Jonny Williams