Asal reaches Qatar Classic semi-finals as El Hammamy advances by walkover
DOHA : World number one Mostafa Asal reached the semi-finals of the 2026 QTerminals Qatar Classic on Tuesday after defeating compatriot Aly Abou Eleinen 11-5, 11-4, 12-14, 12-10 in Doha.
Asal, who won the 91-minute quarter-final against the world number eight on the glass court at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, will face England’s world number seven Marwan ElShorbagy in Thursday’s semi-final.
ElShorbagy advanced after beating France’s Gregoire Marche 11-5, 11-9, 1-11, 3-11, 11-7 in 52 minutes.
In the women’s draw, defending champion and world number one Hania El Hammamy reached the semi-finals without playing after compatriot Nouran Gohar withdrew because of injury.
El Hammamy will face Malaysia’s world number four Sivasangari Subramaniam, who also advanced by walkover after Belgium’s Tinne Gilis withdrew because of injury.
Subramaniam won the women’s singles gold medal at the most recent Asian Games, the 2024 London Classic and the 2026 Australian Open.
The remaining men’s quarter-finals will be completed on Wednesday, with defending champion Paul Coll of New Zealand facing France’s Victor Crouin and Egypt’s Karim Abdel Gawad meeting compatriot Youssef Soliman.
In the women’s quarter-finals, Egypt’s Amina Orfi will play compatriot Fayrouz Aboelkheir, while Malaysia’s Rachel Arnold faces England’s Jasmine Hutton. Arnold defeated eight-time world champion and 2024 Qatar Classic winner Nour El Sherbini in the second round.
Asal told the Qatar News Agency (QNA) that his quarter-final against Abou Eleinen was difficult but said he was able to control the match and secure the win. He added that he hoped to win the Qatar Classic title.
Asal also said the tournament was an important start to his campaign as he seeks to maintain the world number one ranking, adding that winning in Doha would provide momentum for the remainder of the World Tour.
He praised the atmosphere at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex and the organisation of the tournament, saying the environment made him feel at home.
ElShorbagy said his quarter-final against Marche had been difficult and competitive and praised his opponent’s experience.
The Englishman also thanked the organisers and spectators for their support and praised the tournament’s facilities, accommodation, transportation and other services.
El Hammamy, meanwhile, said she hoped to retain the title for a second consecutive year. She acknowledged the responsibility of entering the tournament as world number one and said competition among the world’s top 30 players was closely contested.
She also highlighted the support from spectators in Doha and said her experience of winning last year’s edition had made the tournament particularly significant to her.
With the quarter-finals concluding on Wednesday, the Qatar Classic will enter its decisive stage on Thursday, when Asal faces ElShorbagy and El Hammamy takes on Subramaniam for places in the finals.
