Classic Encounters down the years

128 of the world’s leading players will descend on Chicago this week for the PSA World Championships 2020-2021, which will be held in the stunning Cathedral Hall at the University Club.

Over the years, there have been some amazing matches at the World Championships, which have taken place in Manchester, Qatar, Malaysia and in front of the Pyramids.

Join us as we take a look back at some classic encounters from over the years.

2019-2020 Women’s Quarter-Final: Camille Serme v Hania El Hammamy

Young starlet Hania El Hammamy was the No.14 seed for the World Championships. Could she cause a shock against World No.3 Camille Serme in front of the Pyramids?

2019-2020 Men’s  Semi-Final: Paul Coll v Marwan ElShorbagy

New Zealand’s Paul Coll was aiming to become the first Kiwi to reach the World Championship final since Ross Norman.

Standing in his way was 2017 World Championship finalist Marwan ElShorbagy, who was looking at getting back to the final for the second time in his career.

2018-2019 Women’s Semi-Finals:
Raneem El Welily v Nour El Tayeb and Camille Serme v Nour El Sherbini

Both of the semi-finals from the 2018-2019 PSA World Championships were five-game epics, lasting around an hour.

The first clash saw Raneem El Welily take on Nour El Tayeb, with the World No.1 aiming to make a second straight final. The ‘Black Widow’, on the other hand, was looking to reach a first World Championship final.

The second semi-final saw Camille Serme take on Nour El Sherbini. The Frenchwoman was aiming to reach her first World Championship final, while the ‘Warrior Princess’ was on course for a third title.

Would it be the top two seeds who made it through, or could either El Tayeb or Serme cause a shock?

2018-19 Men’s Semi-Final: Tarek Momen v Mohamed ElShorbagy

Mohamed ElShorbagy was looking to reach the final in Chicago, where he would be able to defend his World Championship title, while Tarek Momen was aiming for a first final in the sport’s biggest event.

2017 Women’s Semi-Final: Nour El Tayeb v Nour El Sherbini

Nour El Sherbini and Nour El Tayeb met in the semi finals of the 2017 Women’s World Championship in Manchester.

El Sherbini was aiming to reach her fourth final, in the aim of claiming her third title, while El Tayeb was looking to secure her place in a World Championship final for the first time.

2017 Men’s Final: Mohamed ElShorbagy v Marwan ElShorbagy

The 2017 World Championship final was a battle between the two brothers, who were both at the top of their game. Would it be Mohamed or Marwan that came out on top in Manchester?

2016 Women’s Final: Nour El Sherbini v Raneem El Welily

Nour El Sherbini came into the 2016 final as the defending champion and the World No.1. Could she retain her crown against compatriot Raneem El Welily?

2016 Men’s Final: Karim Abdel Gawad v Ramy Ashour

Karim Abdel Gawad went into the 2016 final looking for his first World title. In his way stood three-time World Champion Ramy Ashour. Could the young star oust the experienced champ?

2015 Women’s Final: Laura Massaro v Nour El Sherbini

In a rematch of the 2013 final, Laura Massaro and Nour El Sherbini faced off, with the Egyptian looking for revenge over the former World No.1.

Would El Sherbini become the first Egyptian woman to win the title, or could Massaro claim a second crown?

2014 Men’s Final: Ramy Ashour v Mohamed ElShorbagy

In a repeat of 2012’s final, Egyptian duo Mohamed ElShorbagy and Ramy Ashour demonstrated an outstanding standard of squash throughout an epic five-game encounter that has gone down in the annals of squash history.

2014 Women’s Final: Nicol David v Raneem El Welily

Nicol David came into the 2014 final looking for a record eighth World Championship title. Raneem El Welily was looking to become the first Egyptian to win the World crown…

2013 Men’s Final: Nick Matthew v Gregory Gaultier

The 2013 final saw England’s Nick Matthew and Frenchman Gregory Gaultier go to battle in the final in front of a packed crowd at the National Squash Centre in Manchester.

With twists and turns aplenty, this gruelling final was a superb spectacle and went all the way to five games.

2013 Women’s Final: Laura Massaro v Nour El Sherbini

Both women came into this World Championship final looking for their first crown. For Sherbini, she had the pressure of Egypt waiting on their first female champion.

Could she do it? Or would the Englishwoman win her first World Championship?

2009 Men’s Final: Ramy Ashour v Amr Shabana

Egyptian legend Amr Shabana took on defending champion Ashour in this exciting World Championship final.

The match was played at a relentless pace from start to finish, with ‘The Maestro’ and ‘The Artist’ facing off in an absorbing contest.