World No.1s Farag & Gohar Triumph In Texas

World No.1s Ali Farag and Nouran Gohar claimed glory on finals day in Houston, winning the Cotidie Texas Open 2025 titles with respective victories over Mostafa Asal and Hania El Hammamy.

There were storylines beyond just the trophies at stake going into the two finals, with Asal knowing he would regain the men's world No.1 ranking with a win, while Gohar was seeking revenge for her defeat to El Hammamy at last month's Tournament of Champions in New York.

Much of the talk ahead of the women's final had been about the severity of Gohar's knee injury, but despite wearing a brace on her left leg - as she had done all week - she moved with relative freedom throughout game one, closing it out with a crunching backhand kill down the line.

The players exchanged a brief word as they headed off court and it was El Hammamy who made the better start to game two, hitting a pair of crisp winners to end the first two rallies.

She went on to dominate game two to draw level before hitting an outrageous winner on the first point of game three, a brilliant inside-out backhand drop that sent Gohar the wrong way.

The 24-year-old couldn't help but smile at her own moment of magic, raising her arm to the crowd who responded with an even louder cheer.

She was unable to capitalise on the crowd's energy, though, as Gohar rediscovered her rhythm to move back in front 2/1, with both players requesting a new ball to start game four.

The world No.1 had enjoyed considerable success down the backhand side in game three, highlighted by a pair of typically powerful kills, prompting El Hammamy into attacking the forehand side more often in game four.

But Gohar dealt with everything that came her way, playing accurate squash throughout and continuing to have success down the left-hand wall, bringing up three match balls at 10-7.

She saw the first two come and go, the second on a backhand boast that might have been a winner had it not clipped the tin, but she would not be denied a third time, hitting a perfectly-weighted cross-court backhand that left El Hammamy no chance of a return.

"I've been pleased with the way things have ended," said the new Texas champion, discussing her injury.

"To be honest, I had zero expectations before coming to this event, knowing the situation I was in. It's part of the sport obviously and it's how you adapt. Not everyone was convinced or happy that I was playing this one, especially my physiotherapist and my team back home.

"But I think no one knows their body more than the athlete themselves and I was hoping for the best a bit from my body and I'm very proud of it.

"That was the main win for this week, to just play and not be injured even more."

That was followed by an anti-climatic ending to the men's final, as Farag beat Asal in a match that only lasted two games.

Farag won this event in both 2022 and 2024 - not playing in 2023 - and has been the men's world No.1 since June 2023, but came into this final knowing that defeat to 'The Raging Bull' would see the 23-year-old overtake him at the top of the rankings.

Farag had also lost his three most recent encounters with Asal, all by a 3/1 scoreline, but put an end to that streak on the all-glass show court at Houston Squash Club, dominating the first two games before seeing his opponent retire injured.

Farag, though, was full value for his lead when the match did come to an end, playing exceptionally accurate squash throughout, weaving a majestic web around both the court and his opponent.

Game two itself was only six minutes long, and the crowd was left wondering whether they would see a comfortable three-game win or an epic Asal comeback, but they were left disappointed on both fronts.

Instead, they didn't get to see another point, as Asal headed back on to court clutching his lower leg before turning to Farag and shaking hands, retiring from the match and handing Farag the title.

Speaking after his win, Farag revealed his fondness for this city and gave an insight into the changing of the guard within the men's game.

"I love it," he said of Houston.

"Especially this year, I've been here for three weeks and hopefully Nour is going to deliver her baby in a couple of days' time. Everyone has been so welcoming to us, I couldn't have asked for a better 'home' for us for the past three weeks.

"They make us feel very comfortable and it translates on court and I think I played my best squash today.

"I was telling Nour yesterday that I think this is my first ever tournament that I've had to play every match from the younger generation.

"I can't think of another tournament where I didn't have to play Elshorbagy or Gawad or Marwan or any of those guys. It feels different, there is a changing of the guard here. It feels exciting, they bring a different element to the game and the fact that I was able to win is even more satisfying."