Follow LIVE: London Classic Round Two Under way
Overview
- Round two (top half) is under way at Alexandra Palace
- Watch LIVE on SQUASHTV. Live scores available here
22:05 (GMT+1)
Yow Ng Causes First Big upset
Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng has closed out the day’s action with the biggest upset of the tournament so far.
The World No.18 suffered a disappointing quarter-final exit in Budapest last week, but he has bounced back impressively here in Alexandra Palace, coming back from a game down to beat No.4 seed Aly Abou Eleinen.
Yow Ng had this to say afterwards:
“I think I bounced back really well, Aly was firing it in so quickly and it took me some time to get used to it.
“I thought I played really well in the second game and towards the tail end of the third. There is obviously still stuff I’m trying to work on and get better with, but I’m getting there.
“He [Soliman] is such a tough player and we’ve trained a lot so we know each other’s games really well. I think it will come down to who is the better player on the day.”
Result
Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bt [4] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) 2-1: 7-11, 11-4, 11-9 (56m)
20:40 (GMT+1)
Sobhy Completes the comeback
What a match.
Sobhy was up against it, but has just fought back from two match balls down to get a huge win. At 10-8 behind, Sobhy came up clutch, hitting for sumptuous forehand volley drop winners to seal her berth in the last eight.
Serious mental fortitude on show from the American, who progresses to face World No.1 Hania El Hammamy in a mouthwatering quarter-final match.
Here’s what Sobhy had to say:
“I had to establish my length into the back corners and try to be a bit more aggressive.
“When I was 9-2 up I became afraid to lose and I have to be mindful of that moving forward.
“I have to take my punches [against El Hammamy], I can’t be passive at all. She’s World No.1 for a reason, it’s ridiculous. I know we’re going to have a good battle and I want to see how I fare against the best in the world.”
Result
[7] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Salma Hany (EGY) 2-1: 11-13, 12-10, 12-10 (40m)
20:20 (GMT+1)
Sobhy and Hany go to three
We have a gripping battle on our hands here – Amanda Sobhy and Salma Hany are going to three.
Hany fought back from a 9-2 deficit to take the opener. Sobhy won’t have been happy to squander that lead, but the American bounced back superbly to draw level with a tie-break win.
All eyes on the third game now…
19:30 (GMT+1)
Coll takes the win
No mistake from ‘Superman’ as the second game soon follows by an 11-4 scoreline.
A mouthwatering match up against home star Mohamed ElShorbagy awaits for the Kiwi next.
Here’s what Coll had to say:
“Starting the season with the best of three, you have a few more nerves and you have to start well.
“There are a few things to work on, but overall I was feeling good out there today.
“I’ve got a great record in best of three and I’m confident this week. I love playing in London, it’s one of my favourite places to play. I have a tonne of support here, and it’s only going to get rowdier this weekend.
“I’m feeling good, I had a good off season and we worked on things from last season that we thought we needed to work on. I’m ticking those boxes and I’m ready to go.”
Result
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bt Sam Todd (ENG) 2-0: 11-2, 11-4 (32m)
19:05 (GMT+1)
Defending champ Coll Takes to Court
Reigning men’s champion Paul Coll is here and so far is taking no prisoners, with a convincing 11-2 victory over Sam Todd in game one.
The Englishman dug in and went toe-to-toe with the World No.2 for most of the rallies, but Coll keeps forcing him to play that extra shot every time, which means it’s the Kiwi who walks off court with a 1-0 lead.
18:30 (GMT+1)
Quarter-Finals Await for El Hammamy
A pair of 11-6 victories see El Hammamy safely through to the quarter-finals – a belated birthday present for the Egyptian, who turned 26 yesterday.
Next up for El Hammamy will be either Amanda Sobhy or Salma Hany, who play later tonight.
Result
[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Aira Azman (MAS) 2-0: 11-6, 11-6 (20m)
18:15 (GMT+1)
El Hammamy Storms Out of the Traps
World No.1 Hania El Hammamy is on court and wastes no time in establishing a one-game lead against Aira Azman for the loss of six points.
El Hammamy is looking spritely out there on court and Azman has a lot to do here if she is to unsettle the top seed.
16:15 (GMT+1)
ElShorbagy Holds Off tandon
The battle between two veterans of the game saw former World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy take out India’s Ramit Tandon in an entertaining clash at Ally Pally.
It was a back and forth encounter and either World No.1 Paul Coll or England teammate Sam Todd will await ‘The Beast’ in the quarter-finals.
Result
[8] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) bt Ramit Tandon (IND) 2-0: 12-10, 11-9 (29m)
15:40 (GMT+1)
Kennedy Pulls Through
Kennedy rattles off five points in a row to earn her place in the next round.
The England No.1 had this to say afterwards:
“It’s always hard going 1-0 down, particularly in a best of three.
“I felt quite clear in my head with what I was trying to do. I tried not to panic and I found my targets a bit better and settled down.
“It’s always fun playing Satomi. We’ve been training together for years and she’s gotten the better of me the last few times. The squash she produced last season was incredible and she’s a great player to watch as well.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’ll be the underdog in this one.”
Result
[5] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt Sana Ibrahim (EGY) 2-1: 6-11, 11-8, 11-2 (38m)
15:20 (GMT+1)
Kennedy up against it
For the second women’s match in a row, the favourite has had to battle back from a game down.
This time it’s local star Georgina Kennedy, but she looks good in game three at the moment, with a commanding 6-2 lead.
Just five points left for Kennedy to book her spot in the quarters, but Ibrahim isn’t going down without a fight.
14:30 (GMT+1)
No Mistake from Soliman
A strong start from Youssef Soliman sees him storm into the last eight.
Contrasting matches so far to start the day – Zaman tested Soliman in some lengthy rallies, but the man from Egypt held his nerve to complete the win in straight games.
Result
[5] Youssef Soliman (EGY) bt Noor Zaman (PAK) 2-0: 11-6, 11-5 (30m)
14:00 (GMT+1)
Reaction from Watanabe
“I was trying to get into the season again, after I lost the first one I tried to focus on what I was doing on in the summer training rather than worrying about being 1-0 down in a best of three.
“I played a couple of best of three tournaments last season, so I know the feeling. I had a bit of a panic in the first game, but I knew I could come back from the second game onwards, and I had that self belief today.
“Winning the Asian Games is a goal [this season]. It’s a good thing I have that early in the season and it’s back home in Japan. PSA-wise, I want to get into the top five.
“That was my goal last season and I couldn’t quite get there, I want to challenge the top three girls as well.”
13:45 (GMT+1)
Watanabe Comes Back
The comeback is complete from Watanabe.
A great way to start the day’s action here at Ally Pally – Mohamed came out firing on all cylinders in game one, but a composed Watanabe steadied the ship and won two games without reply to book her spot in the last eight.
Result
[4] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt Farida Mohamed (EGY) 2-1: 6-11, 11-8, 11-2 (26m)
13:30 (GMT+1)
Watanabe Levels
Watanabe isn’t one to panic though and she’s now back level after taking the second game 11-8.
We have a decider on our hands at Alexandra Palace!
13:20 (GMT+1)
Watanabe in Trouble
A quick-fire start from Farida Mohamed has the No.4 seed under serious pressure here.
Mohamed won 11-6 to leave Watanabe just one game away from an untimely exit – a reminder that the best-of-three games format is being used in the early rounds this week.
13:20 (GMT+1)
Watanabe in Trouble
A quick-fire start from Farida Mohamed has the No.4 seed under serious pressure here.
Mohamed won 11-6 to leave Watanabe just one game away from an untimely exit – a reminder that the best-of-three games format is being used in the early rounds this week.
12:55 (GMT+1)
Order of Play
A reminder of what’s coming your way from Alexandra Palace today.
12:45 (GMT+1)
Welcome
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of day two at the 2026 London Squash Classic!
Top seeds Paul Coll and Hania El Hammamy are in action as play moves to Alexandra Palace after an exciting opening day at Coolhurst Squash Club yesterday.
Keep track of all the action, including results, reaction and footage from London here.
For more information on the PSA Squash Tour, visit the PSA website or follow the PSA on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.
