World No.22 Yahya Elnawasany has become the lowest ranked player in eight years to book his spot in the semi finals of the Quilter Cheviot British Open 2026 following his sensational victory over former World Champion Karim Gawad at the Rep Theatre in Birmingham.
Germany’s Raphael Kandra went through qualification back in 2018 and went on to reach the last four where he was beaten by eventual winner Miguel Rodriguez in Hull.
Elnawasany, who had already caused a huge upset in round three against England No.1 Marwan ElShorbagy, went one better this evening to progress to his maiden Diamond semi-final by axing former World No.1 Gawad.
The 24-year-old, who had never won a match at the British Open before this year’s event, saw his excellent defensive work and variety in attack rewarded with a 11-8, 8-11, 14-12, 11-9 triumph after a monumental 84-minute battle.
“I couldn’t imagine it!” he said.
“I was 9-5 up and as soon as he Karim came back to 9-9, especially after we played two incredible rallies, I didn’t lose my head or anything – he just played too good. I thought he was going to get back at me as he always does. I’m still in disbelief!
“When he won the World Champs I was training with the same coach back home and I was watching his match against Ramy [Ashour].
“There’s some players on Tour I’ve been imagining playing against and today’s match with Karim was how I imagined it. It was great squash and I knew I had to up my level again after my last match. It’s incredible!”
Two-time winner Paul Coll will face Elnawasany for a place in Sunday’s final following the New Zealander’s solid display against Aly Abou Eleinen.
Coll, who clinched back-to-back British Open titles in 2021 and 2022, was resolute throughout against the Egyptian to notch a 13-11, 11-6, 11-2 win, maintaining his perfect streak in Birmingham this week.
“Very happy. I had a very specific game plan, but I had a brain fart at 5-2 in the first when Roman definitely said something into the mic, it completely distracted me and I went 8-2 down and I went into grind mode then!” he said.
“I stayed away from the tin and let him hit as many winners as he wanted, after that he sort of knew my groove a bit but I was a bit annoyed at the start there.
“Impressive, very impressive [on Elnawsany’s win over Gawad]. I trained with him this morning and I can tell the natural speed he’s got. I knew he was going to pose a threat to Karim and I was intrigued to see how he’d fare up against such a classy player in Karim. Hats off to him, I was really impressed with how he played.”
In the women’s event, four-time British Open champion Nour ElSherbini extinguished home hopes after vanquishing England’s No.1 Gina Kennedy.
ElSherbini, who last tasted success at this tournament in 2023, dominated proceedings against the World No.8 to win 11-9, 11-4, 11-5.
“I always get my game plan and Gina is very physical, very tough and she has been playing really good in the last phase of the season, so I was definitely prepared and made sure I was ready from the first point,” she said.
“This venue is amazing, and I was always love playing here even if they are cheering for Gina, and they have to of course. But when she plays in Egypt it’s going to be on the other side, so I knew that before the match and I thought the crowd put more pressure on her than me.
“They were with Gina tonight, but I hope they are with me tomorrow night.”
ElSherbini will meet Satomi Watanabe tomorrow evening after the Japanese No.1 progressed to the last four in circumstances she wouldn’t have wanted.
The World No.6 was awarded a walkover after U.S. No.1 Olivia Weaver withdrew before the match – after Watanabe had been introduced onto court – following an injury sustained during the warm-up.
The semi finals of the Quilter Cheviot British Open 2026 take place tomorrow (Saturday June 6). Play begins at 13:00 (GMT+1) with all the action available to watch live on SQUASHTV and via the PSA’s broadcast partners.
Results – Men’s Quarter Finals (bottom half):
Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) bt. [4] Karim Gawad (EGY) 3-1: 11-8, 8-11, 14-12, 11-9 (84m)
[2] Paul Coll (NZL) bt. [11] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) 3-0: 13-11, 11-6, 11-2 (56m)
Results – Women’s Quarter Finals (bottom half):
[6] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) W/O [4] Olivia Weaver (USA)
[2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt. Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-4, 11-5 (32m)
Draw – Men’s Semi Finals: To Be Played June 6
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) v [3] Diego Elias (PER)
Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) v [2] Paul Coll (NZL)
Draw – Women’s Semi Finals: To Be Played June 6
[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) v [3] Amina Orfi (EGY)
[6] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) v [2] Nour ElSherbini (EGY)
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