In the opening round of the 2026 Qatar Classic held in Doha, exciting matchups unfolded as both men’s and women’s draws showcased fierce competition. Notably, Karim Abdel Gawad faced off against Qatar’s Abdulla Al Tamimi, highlighting the thrilling atmosphere of the tournament.
Karam Abdel Gawad vs. Abdulla Al Tamimi
Former champion Karim Abdel Gawad of Egypt, the fourth seed, encountered a formidable challenge from wildcard Abdulla Al Tamimi, who was making a comeback from an injury. After a gripping 48-minute battle, Gawad triumphed with scores of 11-7, 15-13, 5-11, 11-8. Al Tamimi’s resilience was evident as he pushed Gawad to his limits at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. Unfortunately for Qatar’s other representative, Salem Al-Malki, his tournament ended after experiencing a decisive loss to France’s Melvil Scianimanico, who claimed victory with a score of 11-5, 11-5, 11-4.
Strong Performances from the Top Seeds
This year’s Qatar Classic saw dominant performances from several top seeds. World No.1 Mostafa Asal started his title run with authority, defeating Switzerland’s Nicolas Mueller in just 26 minutes with scores of 11-6, 11-6, 11-4. Asal, who has previously finished as runner-up in Doha, is clearly determined to capture the title this time around. Defending champion Paul Coll also showed his strength, launching his title defense with an overwhelming 11-2, 11-3, 11-1 victory over India’s Veer Chotrani.
In a standout match that grabbed attention, American Timothy Brownell produced a stunning upset by overcoming the third seed, Diego Elias, in a thrilling five-game encounter. Though Elias initially secured the first two games, Brownell made a remarkable comeback, ultimately winning 11-6, 11-5, 11-7 in a 57-minute showdown. Post-match, Brownell reflected on the competitive landscape of squash, emphasizing how closely matched many players are, which contributes to the excitement of the sport.
Impressive Debuts and Returns in the Women’s Draw
The women’s side of the tournament also unfolded with captivating storylines. Former World No.1 Nouran Gohar made a significant return to the Qatar Classic after a year-long hiatus following the birth of her first child. In her opening match, she dominated fellow Egyptian Kenzy Ayman, winning convincingly in just 22 minutes with scores of 11-7, 11-1, 11-3. Meanwhile, defending champion and top seed Hania El Hammamy progressed with a hard-fought victory over Hana Moataz, closing the match at 11-8, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8.
In another noteworthy match, three-time champion Nour ElSherbini faced a stiff challenge from Nada Abbas, winning in a tightly contested four-game battle with scores of 11-8, 11-3, 11-13, 11-9. The tournament continued to showcase remarkable talent, with reigning World Champion Amina Orfi, second seed, and other seeded players like Fayrouz Aboelkheir, Tinne Gilis, and Georgina Kennedy advancing in their matches.
As the Qatar Classic progresses, the competition heats up, promising a thrilling showcase of elite squash talent, both in the men’s and women’s events. With numerous upsets and standout performances, this tournament is set to captivate fans and players alike.