Squash World Championship draws released

ElShorbagy and Ashour seeded for a third round clash at PSA World Championships.

The World Squash Championship draws have been released, which could see three-time World Champion Ramy Shour and current World No.3 Mohamed ElShorbagy clash in the third round. ElShorbagy beat Ashour to win the 2012 and 2014 World titles in what are being called two of the greatest squash matches of all time. The players on course to meet each other at the 2017 AJ Bell PSA World Championships.

The World Championships bring together almost 200 of the world’s top male and female players, representing over 30 nations. Men and women will compete for an equal prize purse for the first time in hostory – with the winners taking home in excess of $45,000 each.

The 2017 AJ Bell PSA World Championships will get underway at the National Squash Centre in Manchester from the 8 -13 December 2017, moving to Manchester Central between 14 – 17 December for the quarter final-stages onwards, including both the men’s and women’s final.

Men’s draw

ElShorbagy arrives in Manchester as the firm favourite for the title, following back-to-back wins at the Qatar Classic and Hong Kong Open PSA World Series earlier this month. His first round sees him take on Mazen Hesham, before a seeded third round clash with Ashour. ElShorbagy’s journey to the title could see him face England’s hometown hero Nick Matthew, competing in his final World Championship, and the World No.1 Gregory Gaultier in the semi-finals.

The opposite side of the draw welcomes defending champion Karim Abdel Gawad, who begins his tournament against Nicolas Mueller.

US Open winner Ali Farag, a rival of ElShorbagy’s, begins his event against England’s Adrian Waller.

Women’s draw

Defending champion Nour El Sherbini will be aiming to become the fourth player of all-time to win three consecutive Women’s World Championship titles, beginning against Australian Donna Urquhart.

The 22 year old youngest world champion in history, is seeded to face Nouran Gohar in the quarter-final, with a likely semi-final match against Nour El Tayeb – the US Open winner – or England’s Laura Massaro – the 2013 champion.