Panel Predictions: Hong Kong Open

28 November 2023

The fourth Platinum event is well underway in Hong Kong as 96 players headed to the Hong Kong Squash Centre earlier in the week to begin play, all looking for valuable world ranking points in the TTI Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open 2023.

Ahead of the event, we asked our panel of experts, who they thought would be capturing the titles and who are the ones to watch in this event.

Daryl Selby

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

Men’s One to Watch: Eain Yow Ng
Women’s One to Watch: Satomi Watanabe

“You can’t look past the World No.1 Farag at the moment, on top form and looks unbeatable currently.

“Eain Yow Ng has been steadily improving all season and after a strong showing last week in Hong Kong FC Open I fancy him to possibly cause some upsets again this week.

“With the unfortunate absence of Gohar, I think Hania El Hammamy has a great chance this week being in the top two seeds and not having to face ElSherbini or Gohar in the semis.

Satomi Watanabe is a very strong player, having played her recently in league and very impressed with her ball striking and accuracy. Feel like she will go deep in a tournament soon as her top level is capable of troubling a lot of players ranked above her.”

Vanessa Atkinson

Men’s Winner: Ali Farag
Women’s Winner: Nour ElSherbini

Men’s One to Watch: Greg Lobban
Women’s One to Watch: Sivasangari Subramaniam

It’s hard to bet against Farag at the moment and with the bottom half looking like the tougher run through I’m sticking with him for one more big win this week. For the one to watch I’m going with Greg Lobban. He’s in a very open section where any one of the 4 could make third round and I think he will do the job.

In the women’s event it’s got to be ElSherbini for the win particularly with Gohar still out. Subramanium is always one to watch and is getting better with each event. She has a good draw for a last 16 at the very least.

Cameron Pilley

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

Men’s One to Watch: Adrian Waller
Women’s One to Watch: Sivasangari Subramaniam

“I just can’t go past the man of the hour and world No.1 Ali Farag. He’s in a purple patch of form this season and will be looking to continue his winning ways in HK.

“The men’s one to watch was a tough one. It’s a great opportunity for someone in this section to make the last 16 of a major and any of the four players in that section could do it but I’m going for Adrian Waller.

“It’s so hard to not back the World No.1 Nour ElSherbini. I’m predicting a Sherbini/Hammamy final and I just like the look of Sherbini out there Hong Kong.

“Siva is hitting form at the right time and will be full of confidence after winning the Hong Kong Football Club title last week.”

Aisling Blake

Men’s Winner: Ali Farag
Women’s Winner: Nour ElSherbini

Men’s One to Watch: Aly Abou Eleinen
Women’s One to Watch: Amina Orfi

Borja Golan

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

Men’s One to Watch: Fares Dessouky
Women’s One to Watch: Sivasangari Subramaniam

I think Ali has a decent draw and he is probably hungry to win the last tournament of the season. For ElSherbini, it’s the same as Ali. She has a decent draw and is the easy choise to let me go a bit up the table and try to get closer to Mr. Pilley.

Tough to say for the Men’s one to watch, but if Dessouky can play well he can win a few hard matches in this tournament if he is injury free. I hope his is getting back to the Fares from 2 years ago. It can be in this tournament.

Siva is in great form and probably is capable to produce more upsets in this tournament! She deserves it after a great comeback after her accident last year. I’m happy for her.

Jenny Duncalf

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

Men’s One to Watch: Paul Coll
Women’s One to Watch: Tinne Gilis

Paul Johnson

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

Men’s One to Watch: Youssef Ibrahim
Women’s One to Watch: Amina Orfi

“As the tour gains momentum heading into the heart of this first part of the season players have started to hit their stride.
Both draws in the men’s and women’s events are stacked with quality players so should provide us with yet another enticing event.

“After another good performance in Singapore I can see Ali continuing his dominance at the top end of the game & ElSherbini doing the same after resting for Singapore.

“Mostafa Asal hasn’t quite settled back into life on tour yet and has look vulnerable at times in his last two events so it’s a good a time as any for Youssef to get a win here.

“Orfi has already caused issues for many of the top players and she doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. This could be a major breakthrough tournament for her and will see her potential clash with Amanda Sobhy as an opportunity for revenge from the US open and a place in the semi finals.”

Jonny Williams

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

Men’s One to Watch: Mostafa Asal
Women’s One to Watch: Nele Gilis

“So hard to look past best 2 players of 2023 – so I’ll be staying with Farag and ElSherbini to take titles.
Mostafa Asal is due to start playing his best soon & his dismantling of Farag at WTF in the semi-finals poses a threat if they meet again.
Nele Gilis is buzzing at new highest World Ranking of No.44, she has deep reserves & I expect a big finish to the year from her!”

Joey Barrington