MSquash founder and teaching professional Katline Cauwels was recognized as the US Squash nominee for the 2024 USOPC Coach of the Year Award during a special presentation at the Comcast Business U.S. Open Squash Championships Saturday, October 19.
Since 1998, the USOPC National Coach of the Year nominee has honored the best coaches at the highest levels of the game.
Cauwels, a junior national champion in her native Belgium and former world No. 40 professionally, moved to the US in 2014 with her husband Shaun Moxham and children, Maddox and Savannah. Shortly after moving to the U.S. Cauwels and Moxham opened their first High Performance Academy MSquash in Port Chester, New York in 2018. Cauwels and Moxham developed MSquash into one of the leading squash programs in the country, producing numerous national champions and nationally-ranked players. Building on the program’s success, MSquash opened a second campus in South Norwalk, Connecticut in 2021.
“It’s special to receive this award,” Cauwels said. “It’s obviously for me my name is on there, but no athlete at MSquash has been coached by one coach, but rather ten coaches and a full team behind everyone. There are physical therapists and strength and conditioning coaches and eight squash coaches. This is not an award just for me, it’s for the entire MSquash team.”
Before receiving the award, Cauwels kicks off the 2024 U.S. Open Squash Championships with the ceremonial first hit.
The Comcast Business U.S Open Championships begin this weekend with best players in the world descending on the Arlen Specter US Squash Center to compete for the Platinum event titles.
The home favorite in the men’s event is World No. 30 Timothy Brownell. The 27-year-old lives in Philadelphia and trains at the Specter Center, so is in the best possible position to make his home advantage count. Brownell won his first match of the season at the recent Silicon Valley Open and will be determined to build on that this week.
The Harvard graduate has expressed his excitement for the U.S. Open to get underway and can’t wait to be competing in front of many friends and family on home soil.
“I’m super excited to be playing in front of a home crowd in Philly,” Brownell said. “It doesn’t get any easier than waking up in your own bed and playing on the courts you practice on every day. It makes a huge difference playing in front of a home crowd. It’s easy to play up to a great crowd and feed off their energy. It’s always rowdy when Americans step on court at the U.S. Open so I can’t wait to play some mega rallies and enjoy the atmosphere.”
Brownell recorded his best finish in a major event at the end of last season where he reached the quarterfinals of the prestigious British Open. The American knows that every win on the PSA Squash Tour is treasured and not to be taken for granted but that run in particular was a massive confidence booster.
“It certainly was a boosted my confidence, as I’ve said before people don’t realize how tough it is to win on tour. Making steady improvements doesn’t always translate to immediate wins, so getting through a few rounds in a major event was a great way to show myself and the team around me that the system is working. I’ve been on the flip side of some losing streaks before and believe me, I’ll never take a win for granted!”
Brownell hit a career milestone last season, becoming the highest-ranked American man, a position that he has held ever since. The national champion isn’t placing too much importance on the accolade and admits that he has his eyes on bigger goals.
“The important thing for me is showing up everyday and putting in the work to get better and get closer to my potential. A big target for me this year is to perform well at the World Team Championships in December, and when those jerseys come on nobody will care who’s ranked what. I’m at my best when I can crack a smile and can play freely, and I don’t plan on changing that.”
Seven Americans will harness the support of the home crowd as they take on the world’s best in the Comcast Business U.S. Open first round this weekend, October 19-20, at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.
Opening weekend will see both halves of first round matches take place simultaneously on four courts during Saturday’s evening session and Sunday’s afternoon session. The PSA Platinum thirty-two-player draws will see the top seeds in action right from the onset with the tournament taking on a new format this year.
Team USA Opening Weekend Schedule
Saturday, October 19:
5pm, Glass Court East: [WC] Spencer Lovejoy (USA) vs. Patrick Rooney (ENG)
6:45pm, Glass Court West: [4] Olivia Weaver (USA) vs. Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY)
7:15pm, Glass Court West: [WC] Salim Khan (USA) vs. [5] Mazen Hesham (EGY)
Sunday, October 20:
12pm, Glass Court East: [WC] Lucie Stefanoni (USA) vs. Georgia Adderly (SCO)
12:45pm, Glass Court West: [WC] Marina Stefanoni (USA) vs. [7] Tinne Gilis (BEL)
1:30pm, Glass Court East: Timmy Brownell (USA) vs. Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY)
2:15pm, Glass Court East: Amanda Sobhy (USA) vs. [5] Nele Coll (BEL)
The seven-player U.S. contingent is led by world No. 4 Olivia Weaver and world No. 16 Amanda Sobhy, who will be aiming to replicate their run to the 2023 U.S. Open semifinals.
Weaver, the tournament’s four seed, enters the U.S. Open with a career high world ranking and just days after capturing her first PSA Gold title at the Silicon Valley Open Wednesday night. The Philadelphia native and Princeton graduate will face Egypt’s world no. 41 Nour Abouelmakarim Saturday at 6:45pm on the H. Chase Lenfest West Glass Court.
Sobhy, who has been ranked as high as world No. 3, continues to build upon her recovery from a second Achilles rupture having made her competitive comeback in the season-opening Egyptian Open in August. Sobhy has put in encouraging performances so far this season, and will need to be in her best form when she faces Belgium’s world No. 5 Nele Gilis Sunday at 2:15pm on the Roberts Family East Glass Court.
The Stefanoni sisters, Marina and Lucie, occupy both women’s wild card positions. Marina enters her sixth career U.S. Open with a career high world ranking of No. 51 amidst her first season as a full-time professional. Marina will face Belgian world No. 7 Tinne Gilis Sunday on Glass Court West at 12:45pm. Lucie, a sophomore at Harvard, is set for her fourth career Wild Card appearance at the U.S. Open and will face Scotland’s Georgia Adderly for the second time in her career in the opening match on Glass Court East Sunday at noon.
Timmy Brownell, the highest-ranked American man at world No. 30, will bid to reach his second consecutive U.S. Open round of sixteen against former Penn star Aly Abou Eleinen on Glass Court East Sunday at 1:30pm.
World No. 71 Spencer Lovejoy will target his first career U.S. Open win against England’s world No. 40 Patrick Rooney during the opening slate of matches on Glass Court East Saturday at 5pm.
George Washington University graduate Salim Khan will make his U.S. Open debut as a wild card against top-ranked opposition in the form of Egypt’s world No. 5 Mazen Hesham on Glass Court West Saturday at 7:15pm.
2024 U.S. Open Champions Paul Coll and Nour El Sherbini
2024 U.S. Open Champions Paul Coll and Nour El Sherbini
The 2024 Comcast Business U.S. Open Squash Championships are just one week away! The world’s top squash players descend on the Arlen Specter US Squash Center to compete for the prestigious PSA Platinum titles, October 19-26, in Philadelphia.
Celebrate opening day of the tournament by jumping on court during the the U.S. Open House Saturday, October 19, from 2-5pm. Experienced squash fans and new fans interested learning the sport will be able to play in round robins, skill level clinics and kids games. Meet your favorite pro and get their autograph before they compete in the U.S. Open first round. All U.S. Open House attendees receive free GA tickets to Saturday’s matches. Register for the U.S. Open House here.
Compete in the U.S. Skill Level Championships, October 26-27, and receive 50% off GA tickets to the U.S. Open Semifinals and Finals. Entries close Wednesday, October 16.
Be a part of squash history as Latasha Khan and Julian Illingworth are inducted into the U.S. Squash Hall of Fame during a special luncheon on U.S. Open finals day Saturday, October 26.
The 2024 U.S. Open Squash Championships has announced title sponsorship support from Comcast Business, a leading provider of global business technology solutions, as squash stars compete for the prestigious PSA Platinum title, October 19-26, at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.
The 2024 Comcast Business U.S. Open Squash Championships will mark the fifty-second staging of the major tournament and eleventh offering prize money parity for men and women.
Comcast Business is a technology provider of the Specter Center and now extends its backing to US Squash’s showcase events and community programming as the 2024 U.S. Open title sponsor.
“Comcast Business has played an essential role in helping us elevate the sport of squash as a technology partner of the Arlen Specter US Squash Center and we’re grateful for their title sponsor support of one of the sport’s premier titles” said Kevin Klipstein, President & CEO of US Squash. “Our shared values of producing and celebrating excellence will be evident as we showcase future Olympians at the U.S. Open.”
“Expanding our longstanding partnership with the U.S. Open Squash Championships underscores the Comcast Business commitment to the sport and continuing to fuel its meteoric rise,” said Eileen Diskin, Chief Marketing Officer, Comcast Business. “It’s thrilling to be part of the trajectory for these amazing athletes.”
Tickets for the 2024 U.S. Open Squash Championships are available now on usopensquash.com/tickets as the world’s best players prepare to return to the Arlen Specter US Squash Center, October 19-26, in the heart of Philadelphia on the campus of Drexel University.
The PSA World Tour Platinum event will feature eight days of world class squash with the prestigious U.S. Open titles and equal prize purses on offer. General Admission and reserved Backwall seats offer access to all matches each day.
Enjoy a 10% discount off all General Admission tickets this Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-27, using the discount code: MDW2024
Create a one-of-a-kind experience by hosting a group at the 2024 U.S. Open! Packages include reserved space immediately adjacent to the on-court action and can add-on food & beverage options. To inquire about group ticket options, contact tickets@usopensquash.com.
The U.S. Open Squash Championships return to Philadelphia this fall, October 19-26, at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center on the campus of Drexel University.
Mark your calendars now to witness the world’s best squash players competing for one of the world’s most prestigious titles.
Egypt’s Nour El Sherbini and New Zealand’s Paul Coll will both have their names engraved on the U.S. Open trophies for the first time.
El Sherbini and Coll had contrasting journeys to their first U.S. Open titles.
El Sherbini reached her first U.S. Open final in 2014, and fell short in four finals against Nicol David, Camille Serme, Raneem El Welily and Nouran Gohar. At twenty-seven years old, El Sherbini had won every major title the sport has to offer including seven world titles–except for the U.S. Open. Until Saturday night.
The world No. 1 put on a clinical display to avenge her 2021 U.S. Open semifinal loss against Hania El Hammamy to complete her trophy case 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 in thirty-five minutes.
“Hania wasn’t playing her best, but I had my chances and I didn’t want to give her any cheap points,” said El Sherbini afterwards. “I think I played well and maybe that’s why she wasn’t at her best, but she kept fighting until the last point. I felt she wanted to win so much, and I have a little bit more experience than her, so I was more relaxed.”
Coll was making his U.S. Open final debut against two-time champion Ali Farag. The Kiwi reached the final after five-game quarterfinal and semifinal wins over Mazen Hesham and Diego Elias, but appeared to be on the brink of a 3-0 win after a quick opening two games 11-7, 11-7. The world No. 1 started to find his rhythm and dig in, taking the next two games and pushing Coll in the fifth to nine all. At which point Coll won a crucial point to go up 10-9, at which point Farag returned the serve into the tin to hand Coll his fourth career Platinum title.
“I thought I had it after the second, but I got way too excited and saw the finish line way too early,” Coll said. “I thought he was struggling, but he came back at me and his mentality is a joke. I couldn’t believe the way he reset, I needed to be more solid and I needed to finish him. I’m very happy to close the fifth out like that, my legs felt like concrete. It’s nice to play like that after last season. The win is great, but the whole week has been amazing for me.”
The 2023 U.S. Open Squash Championships marked the fiftieth staging of the event since 1954, and tenth anniversary of the tournament ushering in prize money parity for men and women–setting the standard on the PSA World Tour for the past decade.
New Zealand’s Paul Coll dethroned Peru’s Diego Elias to reach his maiden U.S. Open final against two-time champion Ali Farag, while Egypt’s top two seeds–Nour El Sherbini and Hania El Hammamy–will contest the women’s final of the 2023 U.S. Open Squash Championships presented by Truist at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.
Semifinals night staged four world class match ups that put on a spectacle for the packed Specter Center gallery around the Lenfest Court.
The opening match up saw Egypt’s two seed and 2021 finalist Hania El Hammamy record an impressive four-game win over Team USA’s Amanda Sobhy to reach her second U.S. Open final. El Hammamy will face seven time world champion Nour El Sherbini who dispatched American Olivia Fiechter in four games.
At twenty-seven-years old, El Sherbini has won every major title the sport has to offer except for the U.S. Open. Saturday will mark the world No. 1’s fifth final appearance in Philadelphia and opportunity to complete her trophy cabinet.
“Olivia has improved a lot from the beginning of the season, she’s been playing really well and beating Nour El Tayeb and Salma [Hany] is amazing,” El Sherbini said. “She was definitely playing well, but I wasn’t playing well. I don’t know why I dropped off, but I’m glad I came back and stuck to my game plan.”
Nour El Sherbini (r) against Olivia Fiechter
The men’s draw will feature a first-time finalist in New Zealand’s Paul Coll. The former world No. 1 and current world No. 5 won two five-game matches to reach the final–both completed after 10:30pm to close out the day’s sessions on Thursday and Friday nights. Coll ended Peruvian Diego Elias’ hopes of both back-to-back U.S. Open titles and reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking.
“I’ve had an off-season for the first time in three years, so I put in some work, the body’s feeling the best it’s felt in three years, I’ve put in a good two months and that’s been crucial,” Coll said. “I’ve been planning my season better and having these training blocks and that’s what makes me feel good, I see Rob [Owen] for a week to prepare properly and that’s what makes me feel like I’m ready for an event and I can back these matches up. I was very happy with that and my body’s feeling great. I was trying to be more aggressive with everything I did in terms of volleying. You could see when he [Diego Elias] slow balled me down that backhand, his control was so good and I couldn’t do anything and I got stuck behind him and he picks me off. I was trying not to get stuck there and shift it a bit better than I normally shift it.”
Two-time U.S. Open champion Ali Farag will aim to join the elite club of three-time champions against Coll, but the world No. 1’s path to the final was arduous with a five-game comeback from 2-0 down against compatriot Tarek Momen.
Saturday’s finals will begin at 6pm ET. Tickets are available on usopensquash.com/tickets. Squash fans around the world can watch the action live on squash.tv.
The U.S. Open Squash Championships presented by Truist will feature two American semifinalists for the first time–marking the first time two Americans have reached the semifinals of any PSA Platinum event together–after Fiechter upset 2017 champion Nour El Tayeb Thursday, October 12, at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.
Fiechter, who made her debut in a Platinum semifinal at the 2021 U.S. Open, made a strong start to her quarterfinal match against the 2017 champion El Tayeb, taking the first game 11-9. El Tayeb pulled away from nine-all in the second game to level the score 9-all.
The Philadelphia native was cheered on a by a vocal crowd including a large group from her alma mater Germantown Friends School, and pulled through a tense third game 13-11 with well-constructed rallies. Fiechter pulled away to clinch the match in the fourth 11-7 in fifty-eight minutes.
“She [Nour El Tayeb] hits the ball with great weight,” said Fiechter. “On this court, if you let the ball come back, it’s so deadly back there. I was trying to cut that off, take it around the middle and stay in front of her as much as I could. I knew she was going to take it into the front, so I told myself to push up and not get beat on the drop and the boast. We did a lot of work on that in the last few months and it felt like it came through tonight.”
Fiechter and U.S. teammate Amanda Sobhy–who won her quarterfinal match on Wednesday–will compete on opposite ends of the draw against Egypt’s top two seeds.
Fiechter will face Egypt’s seven-time world champion Nour El Sherbini in Friday night’s semifinals. The Egyptian has won every major title in the sport except for the U.S. Open, and appeared to be on the brink of elimination Thursday night when England’s seven seed Georgina Kennedy held a 6-2 advantage in the fourth game with a 2-1 lead in games. The world No. 1 managed to fight back and take the match in five to move one step closer to an elusive U.S. Open title.
“I needed this match to get some momentum and a testing match before the semis,” said El Sherbini. “I have no idea why I haven’t wont he U.S. Open, I tried four times with different people, I lost to Raneem [El Welily], Nicol [David], Camille [Serme] and Nouran [Gohar]. Inshallah this time it will happen.”
Diego Elias
Peru’s Defending champion and two seed Diego Elias continues his title defense and quest to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking after a four-game victory over Egypt’s five seed Marwan ElShorbagy.
“We were both playing at a very high pace, so I knew at some point he was going to drop off and I played a bit smarter in the last couple of games,” Elias said. “We’re very close friends and I noticed today that he was a lot more aggressive from the first few rallies. I knew it was going to be a different time to the matches where I won in ToC and Pittsburgh more comfortably. We’re not friends on the court, it’s a different story, so it’s great to play a match like this.”
New Zealand’s world No. 4 Paul Coll will face Elias in what will be his first U.S. Open semifinal appearance since 2018. The Kiwi earned the final spot in the semifinals late into the night after a marathon five-game, eighty-two-minute win over Egypt’s Mazen Hesham.
“I felt like I was getting myself into really good positions, but I was over hitting my length, under hitting my length, hitting the side wall and I kept giving him a good position when I was in a good position,” Coll said. “He’s evolved his game beautifully, he’s more patient and his length is underrated, he’s got that hold, he pushes you back and then he stabs in a drop. He’s lengthening the court out a bit better and being more patient. He’s maturing as a squash player with the weapons he’s got and it makes him a more dangerous opponent.”
Friday’s semifinals will begin at 6pm ET. Tickets are available on usopensquash.com/tickets. Squash fans around the world can watch the action live on squash.tv.
The 2024 U.S. Open Squash Championships has announced title sponsorship support from Comcast Business, a leading provider of global business technology solutions, as squash stars compete for the prestigious PSA Platinum title, October 19-26, at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.
