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Mostafa Asal returns to world squash No.1 with Optasia win

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Published in Squash
Sunday, 30 March 2025 10:51

World No.1-to-be Mostafa Asal and World No.3 Hania El Hammamy lifted the Optasia Championships after delivering one-way wins on Sunday.

Asal successfully ensured he would overtake current World No.1 Ali Farag to the summit of the world rankings following a controlled 11-4, 11-4, 11-8 victory over Paul Coll. 

READ MORE: Mostafa Asal timeline: The squash career of Egypt star

The Egyptian has now lost only twice this year, following defeats to Ali Farag and Diego Elias.

Im really happy and proud of myself to bounce back after all of the controversial things in the past, said Asal.

The Egyptian started the match where he left off from his semi-final comeback over No.3 seed Joel Makin, finding his lines and lengths on the all-glass court at the Wimbledon Club and controlling the pace of play on his terms. 

The opening two games both went in Asals favour by dominant 11-4 scorelines, before Coll stepped up the court and began to place more pressure on Asal early in the third. 

Asal, though, continued to cut a relaxed and confident figure, with the top seed pouncing with relentless power whenever Colls length was marginally off. 

Despite defending champion Coll saving two championship balls, Asal wasnt to be denied, sealing his 19th PSA Tour title with a backhand drop into the front left court.

Im really happy with myself, Asal said after the match. And to be World No.1 again, It just hits different.

Im really happy and proud of myself to bounce back after all of the controversial things in the past.

Paul [Coll] is such a legend of the game and for sure I knew that he had been touring in New Zealand and Australia and he had had some tough matches here. But still, Paul is so fit and I knew it would be a tough battle.

Meanwhile, in the womens final, World No.3 Hania El Hammamy stormed through to her second title of the 2024/25 season following a flawless three-game victory over England No.1 Georgina Kennedy. 

El Hammamy, the top seed at the Gold-level final this week, played with incredible control throughout her 35 minutes on court, moving through to her 15th PSA Tour title by an 11-9, 11-2, 11-3 scoreline. 

After overturning an early 9-6 deficit in the first game, El Hammamy continually pinned Kennedy deep in the court with some superb lines and lengths, only growing in confidence as the match progressed. 

The Egyptian took a one-sided second game to the loss of just two points, before cruising to seven championship balls after a third game filled with superbly-constructed rallies.

El Hammamy sealed victory in fitting style, hitting a perfect dying length beyond the reach of Kennedy in the back forehand corner. 

The first game was really, really tough today, El Hammamy said after the match. I had a few nerves, and I think after that first, I relaxed a bit and was able to play my best game.

I knew that if I got my tactics right, I got my length right, I would be able to get through in three. But obviously, the first could have gone her way and I had to battle hard.

I found better targets from there and I found the good performance that I was looking for.

Result: Mens Final Optasia Championships 2025

[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [2] Paul Coll (NZL) 3-0: 11-4, 11-4, 11-8 (54m)

Result: Womens Final Optasia Championships 2025 

[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [2] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-2, 11-3 (35m)

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