For the first time in history, a player from the Americas has won the Egyptian Open. Peru’s Diego Elias beat World No.1 Mostafa Asal in five games in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza to lift the 2026 CIB Egyptian Open, one of the biggest titles in professional squash.
CAIRO, EGYPT — The Egyptian Open had belonged to the hosts for more than two decades. The last non-Egyptian man to win it was Peter Nicol in 2001, and the last foreign champion on that stage was David Palmer at the 2006 World Open. This week, however, Diego Elias ended that run and gave the entire Pan American squash community a night to remember.
In the final, the World No.3 beat Mostafa Asal, the two-time defending champion, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 11-6 in 79 minutes. As a result, Diego Elias is the Egyptian Open champion for the first time in his career.
The 2026 CIB Egyptian Open glass court, set up in front of the Pyramids of Giza.
Diego Elias Brings the Egyptian Open Title to the Americas
No man from North, Central or South America, or the Caribbean, had ever won this tournament. Canada’s Jonathon Power came closest, but he lost to Nicol in the 2001 final. Twenty-five years later, a Peruvian has finally finished the job.
For us at PANAM SQUASH, this is much more than another trophy. Winning in Cairo means beating the best players in the world in the heartland of the sport, in front of a crowd that cheers for the other side. In fact, Diego has now done it twice. In 2024, he also beat Asal in the Egyptian capital to become the first South American World Champion in history.
Five Games at the Pyramids
Twelve months ago, Elias lost the final of this same tournament to Asal. This time, he arrived in top form after beating World No.2 Paul Coll in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, the Cairo-born Asal was chasing a third straight title.
Asal took the opener 11-5, controlling the T and volleying sharply. Then Elias found more accuracy and made better use of the front of the court. He won the second game 11-5 and the third 11-6, conceding just 11 points across those two games. Asal fed off the home crowd to force a decider 11-7. Still, Elias opened the fifth with five unanswered points and closed it out 11-6.
Diego Elias and Mostafa Asal during a hard-fought final in Giza.
“It feels amazing. Every player dreams of playing in front of the Pyramids.”
Diego Elias
Because he was used to playing against the crowd in Egypt, Elias trusted his game plan and never felt the need to change it. The reward is a Diamond-level title and the 23rd PSA Tour title of his career. Diego Elias now adds the Egyptian Open to a record that already includes the 2024 World Championship.
Diego Elias with the trophy, with the Pyramids behind him.
Watch the Highlights of Diego Elias at the Egyptian Open Final
Relive the best rallies of the final between Diego Elias and Mostafa Asal, shared by SQUASHTV:
Orfi Completes a Historic Night
In the women’s final, Egypt’s Amina Orfi beat Hania El Hammamy 11-4, 11-4, 11-3 in 39 minutes to win her first Egyptian Open title. The reigning World Champion rose to World No.1 only days earlier. Now she has won three straight titles to open the 2026/27 season.
The four finalists of the 2026 CIB Egyptian Open on the podium.
An Inspiration on the Road to LA28
From Lima to Giza, Diego Elias keeps showing a whole generation of players in our region that the biggest titles in the sport are within reach. Moreover, as squash heads to its Olympic debut at LA28, his Egyptian Open win shows what the Americas can achieve.
Next, the tour moves to the Gold-level Silicon Valley Open (October 20–24). You can also follow the top players from our continent in our PSA rankings. For the full match reports, visit the PSA Squash Tour website.
Congratulations, Diego. The whole Pan American squash family celebrates with you.
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