Defending champions Ali Farag and Nele Coll set for Singapore Squash Open return

SINGAPORE – Egyptian world No. 1 Ali Farag and Belgium’s fifth-ranked Nele Coll will be returning to the Republic to defend their titles at the Nov 19-24 Vitagen Singapore Squash Open, organisers announced on Oct 10.

Four-time world champion Farag has yet to triumph on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Squash Tour in the 2024-25 season and will be hoping to get back to winning ways with back-to-back titles in Singapore.

“Singapore holds a special place for me after last year’s win, and I’m looking forward to defending my title in front of the fans,” said Farag, who has had two runner-up finishes this season.

“The competition will be fierce once again, but I’m ready for the challenge.”

The US$220,000 (S$287,900) PSA World Tour Gold event at the OCBC Arena will showcase 48 of the world’s top men and women’s squash players.

Other top 10 stars competing in the men’s draw are New Zealand’s world No. 3 Paul Coll, the 2022 Commonwealth Games champion, and Peru’s reigning world champion and world No. 4 Diego Elias, who finished second in the previous two editions of the Singapore event.

Nele, who tied the knot with Paul in July, will once again take to the court alongside her younger sister and last year’s finalist, seventh-ranked Tinne Gilis. The siblings delivered a thriller on court in 2023, when Nele edged out the latter in a final that went down to the wire.

Nele said: “Winning last year in Singapore was an incredible experience, and I’m excited to return and defend my title. The atmosphere here is always great, and I know the competition will be tough, but I’m ready to give it my all and hopefully lift the trophy once again.”

The women’s draw will also see Egyptian world No. 3 Hania El Hammamy, a three-time world championship bronze medallist, make her debut in Singapore.

The 24-year-old said: “I’ve heard great things about the atmosphere and competition in Singapore, and I’m thrilled to be making my debut at this prestigious event. I’m looking forward to some tough matches and giving my best performance on the court.”

Also making her first appearance at the OCBC Arena is El Hammamy’s 17-year-old compatriot and world No. 10 Amina Orfi, a three-time world junior champion who in September became the second-youngest female player to break into the top 10 in the world rankings.

The tournament will also feature four Singaporean wildcard entries – up from two in previous years. Among the local entrants are eight-time national champion Samuel Kang and seven-time national champion Au Yeong Wai Yhann, who have both competed in the tournament before.

They will be joined by Jerome Aw and Cassandra Ong, who are competing in the tournament for the first time.

Aw said: “It’s an honour to play in such a prestigious event, and I’m excited to face off against the world’s best in front of my family and friends. I hope this experience will inspire more local players to pursue squash at the highest level.”

Ong, who played in the Stanford women’s varsity team, is relishing the challenge. She said: “I’m excited and honoured to be competing at this top level in my home country, Singapore.

“While expecting challenges, I’m ready to give my best performance.”