Asal downs Wilhelmi to reach Qatar Classic quarters; Gohar sets up El…

Doha, Qatar: World No.1 Mostafa Asal survived a spirited challenge from Switzerland’s Yannick Wilhelmi to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2026 Qatar Classic yesterday.

The reigning World Champion was pushed hard during the high-intensity 48-minute encounter before he eventually secured an 11-5, 11-4, 11-3 victory at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. argolida.life

Despite Wilhelmi’s impressive resistance, the top seed Asal dropped just 12 points across the three-game contest to keep his pursuit of a maiden Qatar Classic title on track.

Asal, who has known Wilhelmi since their junior days, was full of praise for the Swiss player after the match.

“Yeah, for sure. I’ve been playing with Yannick all over the years. Since I was 14 or 13, the British Junior Open and the World Open,” Asal said.

الأخباررئيس اللجنة الأولمبية يكرم فرسان الأدعم وأعضاء الوفد الإداري بدورة الألعاب الآسيويةقام سعادة الشيخ جوعان بن حمد آل ثاني، رئيس المجلس الأولمبي الآسيوي ورئيس اللجنة الأولمبية القطرية بتكريم فرسان الأدعم فالح العجمي وباسم محمد، خلال احتفالية أقيمت في بيت قطر بمدي...فتح →

“He’s a pretty good guy on and off court and I’m really happy to see him in that place and challenging the top boys. He’s another Swiss on the road. I played against Niki and now Yannick, so I’m pretty pleased with that.”

“I’m trying to make myself as sharp as I can. It’s a big push at the beginning to kick off the season,” Asal, who finished runner up at the Qatar event on the last two occasions, said.

Earlier, World No.9 Marwan ElShorbagy also progressed after overcoming compatriot Curtis Malik 11-5, 11-9, 11-7 in 35 minutes. France’s Gregoire Marche was also victorious, fighting back from losing the opening game to defeat American Timothy Brownell 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 in 46 minutes. World No.13 Aly Abou Eleinen also advanced, defeating France’s Baptiste Masotti 11-5, 11-9, 11-2 in 41 minutes.

Meanwhile, on the women’s draw, former World No.1 Nouran Gohar survived a dramatic five-game battle with compatriot Malak Khafagy to book a quarter-final showdown with defending champion Hania El Hammamy.

Making her competitive return after a year away from the PSA Tour following the birth of her first child in April, fifth-seeded Gohar was pushed to the limit in a thrilling 91-minute contest as she eventually prevailed 11-7, 9-11, 13-11, 12-14, 11-9.

“I didn’t enjoy my squash today, but I did enjoy my resilience and mental toughness. I need to go through matches like these,” Gohar said after the win.

On her upcoming quarter-final with El Hammamy, she added: “I’m really looking forward to that match. It’s going to be competitive out there, but no pressure whatsoever. I’m looking forward to the match.”

El Hammamy, meanwhile, continued her title defence with a convincing 11-4, 11-8, 11-7 win over England’s Lucy Turmel in 39 minutes.

Belgium’s Tinne Gilis also produced a commendable performance, overcoming India’s Anahat Singh in five games. Gilis recovered from losing the second and third games to win 11-4, 8-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-3 in 58 minutes.

Fourth seed Sivasangari Subramaniam also advanced, defeating Egypt’s Salma Hany 12-10, 11-6, 11-5 in just 26 minutes.

حقق المهر «روميو آت» (إيه إف البراق)، ملك وذنان ريسنغ، أكبر انتصار وإنجاز في مسيرته حتى الآن بفوزه بكأس رئيس دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة – الداربي البريطاني – من الفئة الأولى للخيل العربية الأصيلة، الذي أقيم شوطه لمسافة 2000م بمضمار دونكاستر بإنجلترا مساء امس الأول، وكان الشوط مخصصاً للخيل العربية الأصيلة عمر ٤ سنوات وشارك به 6 جياد. وظهر هذا المهر بمستوى جيد هذا الموسم، ففاز بجائزة داماس من الفئة الثالثة لمسافة 1600م بمضمار بوردو في أولى مشاركاته هذا الموسم، ثم حقق مركزين متقدمين في مشاركتين من الفئة الأولى كانت كل منهما لمسافة 2000م، وحصل في إحداهما على المركز الثالث في شوط كأس الدوحة وكان ذلك في مشاركته السابقة مباشرةً، وتوجه هذه المرة إلى مضمار دونكاستر ليصبح من أبطال الفئة الأولى ويضم لرصيده أول انتصار على هذا المستوى الرفيع.

Quito: The Ecuadorian Football Federation announced today the appointment of Argentine Marcelo Gallardo as head coach of the national team, succeeding his compatriot Sebastián Beccacece, whose contract was not renewed following Ecuador's exit against Mexico in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.

The Federation stated in a press release on its official social media accounts that Gallardo will take charge of the national team, emphasizing that Ecuador possesses the talent, organizational structure, and ambition necessary for the upcoming stage.

Marcelo Gallardo, 50 years old, returns to coaching after concluding his second tenure with Argentina's River Plate in February, having led the club in his first tenure to win the Copa Libertadores title twice. He has also previously coached Uruguay's Nacional and Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad.

Gallardo will begin his mission with the Ecuadorian national team in a friendly match against South Korea on September 24.