Battle for World No.1: Elias v ElShorbagy

Next Sunday will see the conclusion of the British Open in Birmingham, and it could also bring about two new World No.1s for the following Monday morning.

Due to Mostafa Asal missing the sport’s oldest tournament, we are guaranteed to see a new World No.1 in the men’s game on Monday, April 17, but who will it be?

There are two contenders to reach the summit of the world rankings, and one man who has already spent more than four years at the top. England’s Mohamed ElShorbagy is currently the World No.3, but if it falls into place for him in Birmingham this week, he would become the first English No.1 since Nick Matthew, over nine years ago.

It would also see the Englishman become only the fourth man to occupy the World No.1 spot on six separate occasions. He would follow in the footsteps of Jansher Khan, Peter Nicol and Gregory Gaultier in achieving that feat.

His contender for the World No.1 spot in Birmingham this week is Peruvian Diego Elias. ‘The Puma’ currently sits at World No.2, his highest ever position in the rankings, and he is aiming to become the first South American to reach the summit of the world rankings, in either the men’s or women’s game.

Here is what both men need to reach the summit of the rankings this week at the British Open…

For Diego Elias to become World No.1:
– Elias wins the British Open OR
– ElShorbagy fails to make the final

For Mohamed ElShorbagy to return to World No.1:
– ElShorbagy wins the British Open OR
– ElShorbagy finishes runner-up AND Elias fails to reach the final

With the way the draw is set for this week’s British Open, ElShorbagy and Elias could meet in the final. That would mean that not only the coveted British Open trophy was on the line, but the World No.1 spot as well.

After struggling in the 2021-2022 campaign, and with people saying he was finished, ElShorbagy has bounced back brilliantly. He is one of just two men to have won five titles this season, and that run started with a major title at the QTerminals Qatar Classic.

Further wins have followed at the Oracle NetSuite Open, Robertson Lodges New Zealand Open, MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open and the Black Ball Squash Open. He also tasted success in his first outing for England, when he and Sarah-Jane Perry won the Nations Cup in November.

Last year, ElShorbagy only made the second round, with a shock defeat to Raphael Kandra in the last 32. That prompted the now-Englishman to doubt himself, but he has responded well, and will be looking to claim a fourth British Open crown this week.

Meanwhile, Diego Elias has been in sublime form throughout this campaign. With four titles to his name, and a run of 11 tournaments in a row where he reached at least the quarter finals, it has been the Peruvian’s best season to date on Tour.

Two major titles have been collected, with Elias winning at the U.S. Open and the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions. He also won silverware at two other American events, winning the PSA World Tour Silver level Sturbridge Capital Motor City Open and Pittsburgh Open in back to back outings.

He has struggled in recent weeks, losing out in the second round of both the GillenMarkets Canary Wharf Classic and the Optasia Championships, the latter seeing him retire through injury. However, some time off, and ready to go again in Birmingham, Elias could well finally reach the summit this week.

This year’s British Open will take place between April 9-16 at both the Edgbaston Priory Club and the Rep Theatre in Birmingham. Matches held on the glass court at the Rep will be streamed LIVE on SQUASHTV, while the semi-finals and finals will be shown live on broadcast channels around the world.

Visit the tournament website for information and tickets at www.allambritishopen.com, and you can also follow the event on Twitter: @BritOpenSquash.