Zakaria & Makin Set To Renew Rivalry In Swedish Open Final

Mohamad Zakaria and Joel Makin will renew their rivalry for a fourth time this year when they battle it out for the Champion Fiberglass Swedish Open 2026 presented by Boka Bord title in Stockholm.

Zakaria and Makin, the top two seeds for the Silver-level event at Gymnastik & Idrottshögskolan, defeated Marwan ElShorbagy and Leonel Cardenas, respectively, to set up their latest meeting of the year.

The duo have played three blockbuster battles already this year, with two of those clashes at the New Zealand Open and Australian Open both clocking up over 100 minutes.

Egyptian starlet Zakaria, who was facing ElShorbagy for the first time on the PSA Squash Tour, claimed an impressive 11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 11-4 victory over the former world No.3.

"Very tough match, I'm still very mad about the second game. It just shows how tricky Marwan is and how it's always never over. After that second I just felt that this was going to be a very tough match and I'm happy I was able to close it out," said the 19-year-old Egyptian.

"Marwan is actually a very close friend of mine, probably my closest friend on Tour for me. I learned a lot from him even when I was coming up on the Tour, I definitely learned a lot from him.

"To play an important match against him today is a full circle moment, and I'm happy we have this kind of relationship and I was able to get a tough match with him in such a great event like this."

Meanwhile Makin, who was defeated by Zakaria last time out at the El Gouna International in April, downed Cardenas in straight games as he continues his quest for silverware.

Makin, who was victorious last time he stepped on court with Cardenas at the Tournament of Champions 2025, controlled proceedings throughout his 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 triumph.

"I just wanted to show the level gap there, hit my spots and even if it gets messy just still be able to hit my spots, separate myself and get across the middle," said the Welshman.

"I was happy with my performance today, given the amount of time away, to keep coming and a clinical performance, I'm happy going into the final.

"The only pressure in this game is self-imposed. It's your expectation, that's where the pressure comes from. I've been on Tour for years, seven years in the top ten now so hopefully I can keep pushing into that next bracket and challenge the top guys again, that's what all this is for."

In the women's event, it will also be the top two seeds who square off for the title after Fayrouz Aboelkheir and Gina Kennedy won their semi-final showdowns against Nele Gilis and Amanda Sobhy.

Aboelkheir, who has yet to drop a game in Stockholm, swept aside Gilis in straight games to book her place in the final.

The world No.7 was tactically immaculate against the Belgian, with her precise ball striking into the back corners throughout helping her win 11-7,11-3, 11-0 in less than half an hour.

"Nele is a great player, we've played a lot and the last time it was a 3/2 match so I just wanted to make sure I was sharp from the beginning and I was," said Aboelkheir.

"She came back so I knew I had to pull out all of my strengths and shots to just get a win against her. I'm so happy to be through and I can't wait for my match tomorrow.

"The credit definitely goes to my coaches back home. we worked hard a lot throughout the summer and I think I got better squash, but I didn't get a proper chance to actually show it off with the win that much, so I'm so happy and I'm looking forward to my next match tomorrow to get one more."

Kennedy, playing her 300th match on Tour, built on yesterday's terrific comeback victory in the quarter finals against Rowan Elaraby, moving Sobhy well around the court and taking her opportunities in the front to close out a 11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 11-2 win.

"I'm really happy with that. Amanda is honestly class, the amount of time I watch her play and text her afterwards being like, 'Mate, you are a joy to watch!'" said the English No.1.

"She's a fellow Harvard alumni so I've been looking up to her for years. Her story is inspiring, I feel people don't even know half of what she's been through, so honestly the amount she's achieved is just incredible and always a joy to play against.

"It's so hard to play her; she's got all the variation in the book and in my opinion one of the best ball strikers in the game. You have to play your absolute best to beat Amanda."