Egyptian Players Advance to Finals After Defeating Indian Seeds

Egyptian squash stars dominated the semi‑final stage of the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour in Kolkata, securing both spots in the championship match. Mohammad Gohar, the top seed from Egypt, dispatched India’s fourth‑seed Suraj Kumar Chand with a decisive 11‑8, 11‑2, 11‑7 victory. In the women’s bracket, third‑seed Sohaila Hazem overcame top‑seeded Tanvi Khanna in a four‑game contest, winning 11‑6, 2‑11, 7‑11, 7‑11.

The Egyptian triumphs set up an all‑Egyptian final, with Hazem slated to face fellow countrywoman Mena Walid for the women’s title, while Gohar will meet third‑seed Saf Refe for the men’s crown. Both finals promise high‑quality squash and will determine the distribution of the US$9,000 prize money allocated to each gender.

The PSA Challenger Tour, the second tier of professional squash, provides a platform for emerging talent to earn ranking points and compete internationally. The Kolkata event highlighted the depth of Egyptian squash, reinforcing the nation’s reputation as a powerhouse in the sport.