Panel Predictions: PSA World Championships

10 May 2024

The biggest tournament on the PSA calendar is finally here as players get their campaigns underway today in Cairo at the 2023/24 CIB PSA World Championships. 128 players will battle out for a chance to take their place in squash’s history books by becoming a World Champion.

We’ve consulted our panel of experts to get their opinions on who they think will take the titles home and who they think will overachieve in the biggest event on the PSA calendar.

Daryl Selby

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

Men’s One to Watch: Fares Dessouky
Women’s One to Watch: Fayrouz Aboelkheir

It’s very hard to look past the current World No.1 Ali Farag on current form and how well he has performed in the high pressure events. He will be very tough to beat this week. Fares Dessouky is my one to watch as when he puts it all together he is a formidable opponent and can challenge any of the top 8.

Nour El Sherbini loves the big occasion and I feel like when she plays her A game, she is almost unbeatable. Although had a few shaky results recently, I’m backing her to turn it around this week. Fayrouz Aboelkhier is my one to watch. I was extremely impressed with her at the London Classic and with it being on home soil, she is a very dangerous unseeded player.

Cameron Pilley

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

Men’s One to Watch: Karim Abdel Gawad
Women’s One to Watch: Rowan Elaraby

I just can’t go past Ali Farag and Nour El Sherbini for the men’s and women’s titles. Regardless of past or current form this season it has to be these two as heavy title favourites. They have both proven themselves to peak for world championships, and I feel they will be tough to beat this time around again.

With Gawad being the No.5 seed for this event, and starting to find some form recently, he is a player that can beat anyone on his day. If he can string it all together for the duration of the event then he will surprise a few people.

Elaraby is a player who I wouldn’t be surprised if she made a run deep into this event. She has it all and has some good wins under her belt over the past couple of seasons, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see her name towards the business end of the tournament here in Egypt.

Aisling Blake

Men’s Winner: Mostafa Asal
Women’s Winner: Noue ElSherbini

Men’s One to Watch: Leandro Romiglio
Women’s One to Watch: Olivia Weaver

Borja Golan

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

Men’s One to Watch: Mohamed Abouelghar
Women’s One to Watch: Satomi Watanabe

Jenny Duncalf

Mens winner: Ali Farag
Women’s winner: Nour ElSherbini

Men’s One to Watch: Karim Abdel Gawad
Women’s One to Watch: Rowan Elaraby

Jonny Williams

Men’s winner: Ali Farag
Women’s winner: Nouran Gohar

Men’s One to Watch: Eain Yow Ng
Women’s One to Watch: Olivia Weaver

Farag is on the verge of greatness with a 5th World Title. The web weaver will have to produce something special I feel, because the ‘chasers’ (Coll, Elias, Asal) are all former World No.1s. I anticipate this year’s final being one to remember.

I think the moment has arrived for Nouran Gohar. Confined to being Sherbini’s ‘brides maid’ so often – I feel the win in El Gouna will give her the impetus to claim her destiny also.
The American Olivia Weaver is steadily adding quality to all parts of her game – backed by great ball striking all over the court..a semi-final spot is there for the taking.

Joey Barrington