Elias Ends Farag's Title Defence As Qatar Classic Finalists Confirmed

World Champion Diego Elias reached the final of the QTerminals Qatar Classic for the third time after a sensational performance saw the Peruvian upset world No.1 Ali Farag in straight games at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha.

Elias has often come unstuck against Farag and had only won five of their previous 29 matches, with the Egyptian prevailing in battles at the Egyptian Open and Paris Squash already this season.

That match in Paris was an epic battle totalling 95 minutes, but Elias was sublime in today's clash at the Platinum-level tournament as he stormed to an 11-7, 11-3, 11-6 victory after just 40 minutes of action.

"I had my game plan ready and I was feeling good, but it doesn't happen often that you beat Ali in 40 minutes," said Elias.

"I really enjoy playing here and I really enjoy this court. When I'm here I think I play my best squash.

"I'm very excited to play another final here in Doha. I love it here and it's my first final of the season too because I lost to Ali in the last two tournaments."

Elias's opponent in the final will be world No.2 Mostafa Asal in a repeat of last season's World Championship final. They will meet for the 14th time on the PSA Squash Tour, with Asal winning nine of their previous matches.

Asal came from behind to beat Welshman Joel Makin, triumphing by a 5-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-4 scoreline to extend his winning streak to 14 matches. The Egyptian is looking to win three PSA Squash Tour titles in a row for the first time in his career.

"He was playing elite squash and was forcing me to make errors," said Asal.

"I wasn't finding a way, but thanks to the crowd, they pushed me all the way, it feels like home here. I wasn't giving it 100 per cent in the beginning, but then I looked at the crowd and it pushed me all the way through. It was an amazing match, Joel is just an unbelievable player and I'm really happy with the win."

A new name will be etched on the women's trophy after world No.1 Nour El Sherbini and world No.2 Nouran Gohar booked their spots in the climax. It will be the ninth major final the pair have contested in 2024, with four wins apiece so far.

El Sherbini booked her spot in the final of this tournament for the third time after she ended world No.3 Hania El Hammamy's title defence. El Sherbini lost out to El Hammamy in five games in the 2023 final, but avenged that defeat today with a 10-12, 12-10, 4-11, 11-5, 11-9 victory after 83 enthralling minutes. She has now become just the second woman after Malaysian legend Nicol David to reach three successive Qatar Classic finals.

"I lost to her in the final last year, so I'm really happy with the way I fought back and pushed her every point," said El Sherbini.

"Hania is amazing, she's been through a lot and she's always coming back stronger. It was tough but fair, and I'm really happy. I'm happy it was a good match for the crowd to watch and I'm happy to be through. I will try not to have any pressure or stress on me tomorrow. I will recover, relax and do my best tomorrow, I hope I can grab that title."

World No.2 Gohar has reached the Qatar Classic final for the first time after overcoming USA's No.1 Olivia Weaver, coming back from 8-2 down in the third game in the process. Weaver looked on the verge of leading by two games to one, but her rhythm was halted after she caught Gohar on the bridge of the nose with her racket, meaning the Egyptian left the court to get some treatment.

Upon her return to court, the world No.2 promptly won nine of the next 10 points to stop Weaver's comeback in its tracks. From there, Gohar was never relinquishing her lead again and she pressed on in the fourth game to seal the win.

Gohar will play El Sherbini for the 37th time on the PSA Squash Tour. El Sherbini currently has the better of their head-to-head record, with 24 wins to Gohar's 12.

"It can't get much better than that [playing El Sherbini in the final]," Gohar said.

"It's been the final of the World Championship for the past four years. We've both been so consistent and I'm very proud to share these moments with Nour. We bring the best out of each other and we keep on trying to level up the game. I'm very excited for a final on this court, so to be through to the final here in Qatar means so much."