2016 Qatar Classic to Feature Top-Class Line-Up
by Sean Reuthe

photo squashpics.com

October 19, 2016 - The world’s greatest players will once again descend on the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha for the 2016 Qatar Classic - the third stage on the 2016/17 Men’s PSA Road to Dubai - when the prestigious World Series tournament begins on Sunday November 13.

In addition to the lucrative prize purse of $150,000 on offer, the Qatar Classic offers players the opportunity to accrue crucial points on the PSA Road to Dubai Standings, where only the top eight players will qualify for a place at the season-ending Dubai PSA World Series Finals.

Defending champion Mohamed ElShorbagy tops an outstanding field as he returns to the scene of his two World Championship final defeats in 2012 and 2014, and the hard-hitting World No.1 is in fine form after triumphing at the Delaware Investments U.S. Open - the second stage on the PSA Road to Dubai - just last week.

The man who ended ElShorbagy’s World Championship dream on those two occasions, fellow Egyptian Ramy Ashour, is also involved, with the former World No.1 looking to put his injury problems behind him as he eyes up a first Qatar Classic crown since 2007.

A wealth of other world-class talent will also feature, with the likes of current World Champion Gregory Gaultier, World Championship runner-up Omar Mosaad, World No.4 Karim Abdel Gawad and three-time World Champion Nick Matthew all vying for honours in Doha.

Qatari No.1 Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi has been named as the tournament wildcard and will find out who stands between him and a place in the second round when the main draw gets released on Monday November 7.

2016 Qatar Classic - Entry List
1) Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY)
2) Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
3) Omar Mosaad (EGY)
4) Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
5) Nick Matthew (ENG)
6) Ali Farag (EGY)
7) Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)
8) Ramy Ashour (EGY)
9) Tarek Momen (EGY)
10) Simon Rösner (GER)
11) Cameron Pilley (AUS)
12) Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
13) Daryl Selby (ENG)
14) Max Lee (HKG)
15) James Willstrop (ENG)
16) Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
17) Chris Simpson (ENG)
18) Saurav Ghosal (IND)
19) Zahed Mohamed (EGY)
20) Gregoire Marche (FRA)
21) Cesar Salazar (MEX)
22) Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY)
23) Tom Richards (ENG)
Wildcard) Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT)

The qualifying stages of the 2016 Qatar Classic will take place on November 11-12, while the main draw begins a day later, with the final taking place on Friday November 18 - entry to the tournament is free of charge.