Hong Kong Open: A History

1985 saw the inaugural Men’s Hong Kong Open take place, with England’s Phil Kenyon defeating Australia’s Steve Bowditch in the final.

Rodney Martin avenged his compatriot’s defeat the following year, before the legendary Jansher Khan went on to win eight of the next 11 tournaments, beating Australian opposition in six of those finals.

A Women’s event began in 1993 and saw three-time World Champion Michelle Martin claim the first two titles before the Women’s tournament went through a seven-year hiatus, returning to the PSA World Tour in 2001.

New Zealand’s Leilani Rorani and Australia’s Rachael Grinham took the next two titles before the tournament took another break from the Tour, this time three years, in part due to the fact that the 2003 and 2005 World Championships were held in Hong Kong.

2006 saw the Women’s event rejoin the Tour once more, just in time for the emergence of Malaysian superstar Nicol David, who went on to dominate the Hong Kong Open over the next decade, winning an unprecedented 10 successive titles and going an incredible 50 matches unbeaten.

In the last 15 years, the Men’s title has been won by eight different people, with David Palmer (2001), Peter Nicol (2002), Thierry Lincou (2003), four-time World Champion Amr Shabana (2006-2009), ‘The Artist’ Ramy Ashour, (2010 & 2012), English duo James Willstrop and Nick Matthew (2011 & 2013, respectively) and current World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy (2014-15) all triumphing at the prestigious World Series tournament.

The early stages are played at the Hong Kong Squash Centre, while the semi-finals have previously been held on the picturesque piazza at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre overlooking the stunning harbour.

Mohamed ElShorbagy and Nicol David return to defend their titles after an exciting and unpredictable event last year.

Egypt’s ElShorbagy took on tournament surprise package Cameron Pilley in the final after the Australian had scalped World Champion Gregory Gaultier and Nick ‘The Wolf’ Matthew en route, eventually winning in straight games to retain the title he also won in 2014.

David, meanwhile, increased her dominance of the tournament by downing World No.2 Laura Massaro in a victory that the Malaysian superstar referred to as the highlight of her season.

Previous Winners – Men
2015 – Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY)
2014 – Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY)
2013 – Nick Matthew (ENG)
2012 – Ramy Ashour (EGY)
2011 – James Willstrop (ENG)
2010 – Ramy Ashour (EGY)
2009 – Amr Shabana (EGY)
2008 – Amr Shabana (EGY)
2007 – Amr Shabana (EGY)
2006 – Amr Shabana (EGY)
2005 – No competition
2004 – Thierry Lincou (FRA)
2003 – No competition
2002 – Peter Nicol (ENG)
2001 – David Palmer (AUS)
2000 – Peter Nicol (SCO)
1999 – Peter Nicol (SCO)
1998 – Jonathon Power (CAN)
1997 – Jansher Khan (PAK)
1996 – Rodney Eyles (AUS)
1995 – Jansher Khan (PAK)
1994 – Jansher Khan (PAK)
1993 – Brett Martin (AUS)
1992 – Rodney Martin (AUS)
1991 – Jansher Khan (PAK)
1990 – Jansher Khan (PAK)
1989 – Jansher Khan (PAK)
1988 – Jansher Khan (PAK)
1987 – Jansher Khan (PAK)
1986 – Rodney Martin (AUS)
1985 – Phil Kenyon (ENG)

Previous Winners – Women
2015 – Nicol David (MAS)
2014 – Nicol David (MAS)
2013 – Nicol David (MAS)
2012 – Nicol David (MAS)
2011 – Nicol David (MAS)
2010 – Nicol David (MAS)
2009 – Nicol David (MAS)
2008 – Nicol David (MAS)
2007 – Nicol David (MAS)
2006 – Nicol David (MAS)
2005 – No competition
2004 – No competition
2003 – No competition
2002 – Rachael Grinham (AUS)
2001 – Leilani Rorani (NZL)
2000 – No competition
1999 – No competition
1998 – No competition
1997 – No competition
1996 – No competition
1995 – No competition
1994 – Michelle Martin (AUS)
1993 – Michelle Martin (AUS)