Doha, Qatar: Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) Secretary General Tariq Zainal has affirmed that Doha is ready to stage an exceptional edition of the QTerminals Qatar Classic Squash Championship, starting today.

The prestigious PSA World Tour Platinum event, taking place at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, will see 64 of the world’s top-ranked men and women in action over six days.

With reigning champions Ali Farag and Hania El Hammamy returning to defend their titles in Doha, Zainal hoped fans in Qatar will have the opportunity to enjoy the highest level of play during the tournament.

“The tournament committee has completed all preparations to host the competition,” Zainal said, praising the efforts made to ensure the highest levels of success that characterize all international tournaments organized in Qatar.

“This further solidifies the country’s position as a host of major international sporting events,” Zainal said, adding that hosting the championship annually with such enthusiasm and success is a testament to the QTSBF’s commitment to promoting squash both in Qatar and the region.

According to the order of play released by the QTSBF yesterday, Egypt’s World No.1 Farag, the men’s top seed and three-time winner of the Qatar Classic, will start his campaign against compatriot Youssef Ibrahim at 2:15 pm today. Apart from Farag, all of the top 10 players of the world, including PSA event winners last season, Paul Coll, Mostafa Asal and Diego Elias, will also begin their title hunts today.

A number of marquee first-round clashes are on the cards, with World No.3 Coll facing World No.9 Joel Makin, and World No.7 Tarek Momen taking on World No.10 Marwan ElShorbagy.

Representing Qatar, star player Abdullah Al Tamimi, ranked 20th globally, will make his 10th appearance in the tournament when he takes on Englishman Adrian Waller in the day’s final match in the glass court at the famed venue at 6:15 pm.

Another Qatari player, wildcard Salem Al Malki takes on Sebastian Bonmalais at 12:45 pm.

On the women’s side, World No.1 Nour El Sherbini will be out to challenge El Hammamy’s title bid, as she aims to avenge last year’s defeat in the Doha final.

El Sherbini begins her tournament against Sarah-Jane Perry, while El Hammamy will get her campaign underway against Japanese No.1 Satomi Watanabe.

Since its inception in 2001, Egypt-born players have dominated the men’s Qatar Classic tournaments, winning a total of 12 titles, with Mohamed El Shorbagy leading the way with four wins. El Shorbagy has claimed three titles (2013, 2015, and 2017) under the Egyptian flag, before winning the top prize playing for Britain in 2022. Ali Farag has won three titles (2018, 2020, and 2023), while Karim Darwish has two titles (2008 and 2010).

In the women’s championship, launched in 2001, Malaysia’s Nicol David holds the record with five titles, while Dutch player Vanessa Atkinson won twice (2004 and 2005).