Unseeded Scianimanico Topples Gawad To Extend Dream Texas Open Run

Unseeded Frenchman Melvil Scianimanico claimed his second former world No.1 scalp in as many days after stunning Karim Gawad with a sublime performance in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Texas Open at Houston Squash Club in Houston.

Just 24 hours on from his career-best victory over former World Champion Mohamed ElShorbagy, the world No.47 delivered yet another tireless performance to overcome No.2 seed Gawad by an 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 scoreline.

The 20-year-old, who will face close friend and compatriot Victor Crouin in the semi-finals of the Gold-level event, delivered a high-tempo performance full of superb stroke-making into the front two corners.

World No.3 Gawad struggled to find any consistent momentum throughout the 38-minute contest, with Scianimanico holding his nerve late on in a tight third game to continue his dream run in the Texas city.

After the match, Scianimanico said: "Like yesterday, I'm over the moon. It's amazing to produce this level of squash. I just don't believe it, to be honest.

"[Yesterday's win over ElShorbagy] gave me so much confidence in the way I play. I just wanted to play simple squash and play my game."

On the prospect of an all-French semi-final with close friend Victor Crouin, who defeated Aly Abou Eleinen earlier in the day, he added: "It's brilliant for French squash. It's amazing. One Frenchman will be in the final - I hope it will be me!"

Elsewhere on quarter-finals day, British No.1 Georgina Kennedy survived a shock upset as she held off an aggressive showing from tournament surprise package Nadien Elhammamy in five games.

In a back-and-forth match in which Kennedy struggled for consistent accuracy, it was the No.3 seed who managed to get ahead on the scoreboard in the crucial fifth game and hold on to clinch an 8-11, 11-8, 11-3, 8-11, 11-8 win.

After the match, Kennedy said: "I'm relieved. Credit to Nadien. These younger players are just so hungry, and they fight for every single point. They make it so uncomfortable. Nadien made it difficult for me, but I wasn't hitting my targets, I wasn't finding my pace, and she took advantage.

"I feel like I wasn't reacting well, but I feel that match is good after having a bit of a break to get myself sharp."

Kennedy will face Olivia Weaver in the semi-finals, after the US No.1 overcame a sluggish start to see off the dangerous Zeina Mickawy in four games.

Despite falling to a quick-fire one-game deficit, world No.3 Weaver found her stride in time to record a 4-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-4 victory over the No.8 seed.

Elsewhere, there were commanding wins for top seeds Nour ElSherbini and Diego Elias over Georgia Adderley and Muhammad Ashab Irfan, while Marina Stefanoni breezed past an injury-hampered Salma Hany in just 17 minutes.

No.3 seed Marwan ElShorbagy was the last player confirmed in the semi-finals, after he closed out a hard-fought four-game encounter against Dimitri Steinmann.