🏆 Stand by for six days of world-class squash in the spectacular surroundings of East Wintergarden as the Canary Wharf Squash Classic returns for 2023. See below for the latest ticket information.
NEWSFLASH: THE CANARY WHARF SQUASH CLASSIC, LAUNCHED IN 2004, WAS CALLED A WRAP IN 2023 AFTER 20 MEMORABLE EDITIONS.
AS FROM 2024, IT HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE LONDON SQUASH CLASSIC AT ALEXANDRA PALACE IN NORTH LONDON. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE AND FOR TICKET INFORMATION!
Congratulations to New Zealand’s Paul Coll, who became a three-time Canary Wharf Squash Classic champion coming from behind to beat Wales’ Joel Makin 3-1 in the 2023 final.
2023 EVENT PREVIEW
The world’s greatest male squash players are returning to the capital for the Gillen Markets Canary Wharf Classic. It takes place from Sunday 12 to Friday 17 March. The PSA World Tour Gold event celebrates two decades of action on the Wharf and features its strongest draw ever.
The entirety of the world’s top-10 will compete for honours this week. Surprise 2022 winner Fares Dessouky (the world No 9) defends the title he won against Mostafa Asal. Asal, now world No 1, returns as the top seed and looking for revenge.
World No 6 Marwan ElShorbagy is a potential quarter-final opponent fixture for Asal in what would be their first contest since the controversial Houston Open semi-final. Victory secured Asal the No 1 spot after ElShorbagy was forced to retire injured, following a collision with his opponent.
Two-time winner Paul Coll (the world No 4) will be a major threat at one of his favourite events, as will world No 3 Ali Farag. Rejuvenated squash superstar Mohamed ElShorbagy and the mercurial Peruvian Puma Diego Elias (world-ranked No 5 and 2 respectively) are also set to thrill the crowds in pursuit of one of the biggest prizes in the game.
Former world No 1 and four-time Canary Wharf Classic champion James Willstrop is a wildcard for the tournament. The Englishman, who won the first edition of this event back in 2004 and went on to win again in 2007, 2008 and 2013, takes on Frenchman and world No 16 Gregoire Marche in the first round.
EAST WINTERGARDEN HOSTS
Taking place in the heart of Canary Wharf at the fabulous East Wintergarden venue, the 20th edition of the Canary Wharf Squash Classic is once again set to welcome a sell-out crowd, as it has for the last ten years.
London’s favourite squash tournament begins with the popular People’s Sunday programme, featuring eight first rounds matches, and culminates in the traditional Friday finale.
CANARY WHARF SQUASH CLASSIC – PREVIOUS WINNERS
Paul Coll (pictured below) became the first New Zealander to win the title in March 2019, beating Egyptian Tarek Momen to claim the coveted trophy. Then in 2021 – in a tournament delayed until November due to the COVID-19 pandemic – Coll returned to claim his second title beating another Egyptian (now world No 3 Ali Farag) in a thrilling match on the final day. That followed another memorable final in 2020 when Farag was again the loser in a showdown with follow countryman Mohamed ElShorbagy.
The 2022 honours went to world No 9 Fares Dessouky, who beat Mostafa Asal 3-0 (11-5, 13-11, 12-10) in an all-Egyptian final.
Paul Coll is back in 2023 in search of a hat-trick of wins. The world No.2 had this to say after gaining his second Canary Wharf Classic title in 2021: “The crowd make it and it’s my favourite venue to come to. Thanks also to Canary Wharf Group.
“To have the event in such a special location I know all the players feel so privileged to come here and play. Having it full every day from the first round is very special. Tournament Director Tim Garner and the whole team make it such a brilliant event.”
Six days of action take place on the all-glass court inside the spectacular East Wintergarden venue in the heart of the famous Canary Wharf financial district, with the world’s leading stars serving up explosive entertainment in this PSA World Tour Gold event. Book your tickets now to experience the action!
TICKETS & TIMINGS
🎟️ Tickets for the Canary Wharf Squash Classic are off sale.
🗝️ Doors open: 1pm on Sunday 12 March. 5pm on 13-17 March (times provisional).
🏆 Matches start: 2pm on Sunday 12 March. 6pm on 13-15 March. 6.30pm on Thursday 16 March. 6pm on Friday 17 March (times provisional).
🗒️ 2023 GillenMarkets Canary Wharf Classic Draw
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) – [Bye]Moustafa El Sirty (EGY) v [9/16] Victor Crouin (FRA)[9/16] Youssef Soliman (EGY) v Baptiste Masotti (FRA)
[6] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) – [Bye][7] Tarek Momen (EGY) – [Bye]Greg Lobban (SCO) v [9/16] Fares Dessouky (EGY)
[9/16] Joel Makin (WAL) v Patrick Rooney (ENG)
[3] Diego Elias (PER) – [Bye][4] Paul Coll (NZL) – [Bye]Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) v [9/16] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
[9/16] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) v Raphael Kandra (GER)
[8] Mazen Hesham (EGY) – [Bye][5] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) – [Bye][WC] James Willstrop (ENG) v [9/16] Gregoire Marche (FRA)
[9/16] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) v Eain Yow Ng (MAS)
[2] Ali Farag (EGY) – [Bye]
TRAVEL
🚊🚗 Travel tips: The nearest station is Canary Wharf tube station which is on the Jubilee Line. Travel time from London Bridge is 7 minutes, 11 minutes from Waterloo and 15 minutes from Green Park. Likewise Heron Quays, on the DLR (Docklands Light Railway), is just a couple of minutes walk from the venue and within 11 minutes travel time from Bank and 14 minutes from Stratford. Plan your journey at the Transport for London website.
Car parks lie directly beneath the shopping malls: Cabot Place entrance Westferry Circus, and Canada Place & Waitrose Food & Home. Canary Wharf now boasts 2800 car parking spaces. For more information call 020 7418 2752.
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