Farag Foils Home Hopes At Grasshopper Cup

Top men's seed Ali Farag ended hopes for home favourite Nicolas Mueller after defeating the 14-times Swiss champion 2/0 in round two of the 2025 Grasshopper Cup, the PSA Squash Tour Gold event at Zurich Hauptbahnhof.

It's Farag's first appearance at the Grasshopper Cup in nearly three years, where Mueller stunned the four-time world champion by knocking him out in round two back in 2022.

However, Farag was in determined mood this time out despite a partisan crowd backing Mueller. The world No.2 was in full control over the course of the best-of-three games match, claiming two 11-5 victories for a quarter-final match-up with Greg Lobban on Friday.

"I'm very happy to be back healthy and I've been unlucky in this tournament for the last few years," said the Egyptian favourite.

"I've always loved coming back, it just hasn't worked out draw-wise or health-wise. I'm happy to be back, and I couldn't ask for a better return.

"If you ask me how I want to play Nicky, it's not in a best of three format, it's not on a tall court and it's definitely not in Zurich! Everything was working against me in terms of conditions today, but I said let's adapt and take them to my advantage."

The women's top seed Nouran Gohar marked her Grasshopper Cup debut in style with a comprehensive 2/0 victory against Scot Georgia Adderley.

The 27-year-old showed no sign of nerves stepping onto the Zurich court for the first time as she sealed a quarter-final place with a dominant display, winning 11-4, 11-1.

"I've been dying to come to this tournament every single time but with our calendar it doesn't really work sometimes," she said.

"This year I was very happy I was able to manage the schedule well and be able to come.

"It's an amazing city and an amazing crowd and I wanted to be a part of it before I retire! Georgia is a tough opponent and it was far from easy. Even when there can be a winning shot against another player, she can get it back.

"I'm pleased with the way I adapted but I think I can manage a few things better."