Panel Predictions: J.P Morgan Tournament of Champions

17 January 2024

The opening Platinum event of 2024 gets underway today as the prestigious J.P Morgan Tournament of Champions commences from four venues across New York City. This is an event that every squash player hopes of winning one day to follow in the footsteps of the greats that have already done so.

The Tournament of Champions never disappoints and always seems t throw up some shocks and surprises along the way at Grand Central Terminal. Our panel have given their opinions on who they think will lift the titles this year as well as a One to Watch in each draw.

Daryl Selby

Men’s Winner: Mostafa Asal
Women’s Winner: Nouran Gohar

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

I’m going to stick my neck on the line and say Asal wins this one. A great start to the year last week and he loves the big crowds and big occasions.

Youssef Ibrahim is my men’s One to Watch. He’s another who loves the big crowds and tends to play well in the US. If the crowd get behind him and his shots are going in, he will be a tough man to beat!

Nouran Gohar will be hungry for a big win after being out for a few months, will come into TOC ready to go.

It’s no surprise but keep an eye out for Amina Orfi – still a junior which is mind-blowing when watching her play, but an absolute danger and will thrive playing on the TOC court I believe.

Cameron Pilley

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

Men’s One to Watch: Nathan Lake
Women’s One to Watch: Rowan Elaraby

The court conditions in NYC reward really good squash so I like Diego Elias to bounce back here from his early exit last week in Florida. He is seeded to meet Asal in the semis which will be a huge test but he likes playing in Grand Central and he’ll be up to the challenge.

Nathan Lake is playing solid squash of late, had a strong showing last week in Florida and is playing close to ‘home’, so he is my One to Watch.

I can’t go past Nour ‘best backhand in the world’ El Sherbini here. I also like El Hammamy in this event but they are both in the same half and both have tough match ups to get there. Nevertheless, I’m predicting ElSherbini will come through in a brutal event.

Rowan Elaraby has shown some nice form recently and will be looking to build on that and put in a big performance here in NYC. Possibly a breakthrough event if she plays well.

Aisling Blake

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

Men’s One to Watch: Mazen Hesham
Women’s One to Watch: Sivasangari Subramaniam

Jenny Duncalf

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

Men’s One to Watch: Mohamed Elshorbagy
Women’s One to Watch: Hania El Hammamy

Paul Johnson

Mens winner: Paul Coll
Women’s winner: Nour El Sherbini

Men’s One to Watch: Mostafa Asal
Women’s One to Watch: Amina Orfi

As we hit the halfway mark for the 2023-24 season players should be nicely rested over the festive break. A few played last week in Florida so I’m sure TOC will once again throw up some cracking matches as it never disappoints.

For the women’s winner, I have to go with Nour ElSherbini. She came through pretty unscathed last week in Florida and will hope to retain her title here in NYC.

Surprise player is Amina Orfi. She could cause more problems here this week. It’s the tournament that put her on the map 12 months ago and we’ve seen her go from strength to strength since.

So hard to call the men’s event. Coll now has a favourable draw after Makin withdrew and will fancy his chances again if he should get through to the semis and have another opportunity to play Ali. Confidence will be high after their previous meetings. He’s been putting in some good work over recent weeks and if the technical changes have continued then he’ll be tough to beat.

My One to Watch is Mostafa Asal. After the win in Florida Mostafa is finally gaining momentum, fitness and confidence coming to New York this week. I think he has a good chance of reaching the final.

Jonny Williams