Cardenas Conquers Crouin To Reach El Gouna Quarters

World No.14 Leonel Cardenas delivered the first major seeding upset of the 2026 El Gouna International Open, rallying from 2/0 down to defeat world No.6 Victor Crouin and reach the quarter-finals of the Platinum-level event in Egypt.

The Mexican, who had lost to Crouin in the pair's last three PSA Squash Tour meetings, overturned the form books with a hard-fought 8-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-1 victory after 70 minutes of play at the El Gouna Squash Complex.

After dropping the opening two games, Mexican No.1 Cardenas steadily seized control of the contest, asserting his physical dominance as the match wore on and closing out the comeback with commanding performances in the fourth and fifth games.

"I'm so happy for the way I fought today," Cardenas said after the match. "I was waiting for a good result, so I'm happy.

"I was just trying to play fluid squash [going into the third game]. I think the difference was that in the second game, I was playing well, but he was playing some good shots and great rallies. I felt I was there, though. I felt like I was close.

"Physically, I'm in a great spot. I've been trying to get better with my squash. I've been making some changes and finally they worked."

Cardenas will be tasked with attempting to end the 26-match winning streak of world No.1 Mostafa Asal, who overtook Nick Matthew in the record books to hold the fourth-longest unbeaten run for a male squash player on the PSA Squash Tour following his three game win over Yahya Elnawasany.

Elsewhere, world No.3 Amina Orfi and world No.6 Satomi Watanabe set up a blockbuster quarter-final showdown after each claiming comprehensive three-game victories over Rowan Elaraby and Hana Moataz at the El Gouna Conference & Culture Center.

Four-time World Junior Champion Orfi sent down a statement of intent as she goes in search of her first Platinum title this week after a dominant 11-6, 11-2, 11-6 win over the returning Rowan Elaraby.

The other winners on day two of action were world No.1 Hania El Hammamy, world No.8 Fayrouz Aboelkheir, world No.9 Marwan ElShorbagy and 2024 World Champion Diego Elias, who claimed respective victories over Kenzy Ayman, Jasmine Hutton, Auguste Dussourd and Mohamed Abouelghar - the latter of which came following an injury withdrawal from Abouelghar.