Franklin Reflects on a Landmark 2026 STARR Bermuda Open
IslandStats.com
The 2026 STARR Bermuda Open concluded this weekend at the Bermuda Squash Club, leaving the local sporting community with a poignant mix of "athletic brilliance and heartbreaking drama," according to Head of Squash Micah Franklin. While the tournament showcased some of the finest squash ever seen on the island, it was defined by a cruel injury to a top seed and a marathon men’s final that tested the physical limits of its competitors.
The women’s final witnessed what former club president Stephen Young described as a "tragic way to end a truly amazing week". Top seed and world No. 19 Sabrina Sobhy appeared to be cruising toward the championship with a commanding two-set lead over second seed Nadine Shahin.
However, with the score tied at 7-7 in the third game, Sobhy suffered a sudden injury—identified as an Achilles issue—and was forced to retire on home soil.
"We are absolutely gutted and heartbroken for Sabrina for that to have happened on our home soil," Franklin reflected. "It’s never easy to watch, but seeing it live and seeing her go through it has been really challenging".
Despite the injury, Franklin noted that Sobhy gained an "endless amount" of supporters in Bermuda who have reached out to check on her recovery. The retirement handed the title to world No. 47 Shahin, who secured the crown after a week of clinical progression.
On the men’s side, the final provided a "marathon spectacle" as world No. 24 Miguel Rodriguez upset the top-seeded Kareem El Torkey. In a see-saw encounter, Rodriguez took an early lead before El Torkey struck back to lead 2-1.
The Colombian second seed found a second wind in the fourth set to force a decider, eventually sealing a 3-2 victory (11-5, 7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7). Franklin, who saw Rodriguez finish as runner-up in the previous year's event, expressed immense personal satisfaction with the result.
"I’m personally really happy with the outcome," Franklin said. "Miguel Rodriguez has been here multiple times... this year he went one better. Really happy for him".
Beyond the individual results, the tournament was hailed as a significant success for the Bermuda Squash Club.
Capacity Crowds: The event saw full attendance every night, creating a "buzz" around the sport on the island.
Global Reach: The tournament attracted 48 world-class players from nations including Egypt, Israel, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Youth Impact: Franklin noted that seeing elite play on home soil was "impactful" for junior members, who are now "rushing to book the first court".
As the 2026 edition draws to a close, the focus for Bermuda Squash turns toward the future. "The goal is to try and figure out how do we build it for the future," Franklin concluded, following a week that solidified Bermuda's place on the professional squash circuit.
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Shahin and Rodriguez Claim STARR Bermuda Open Titles
IslandStats.com
The 2026 STARR Bermuda Open concluded at the Bermuda Squash Club with a blend of athletic brilliance and heartbreaking drama as both second seeds rose to secure the championship crowns.
In the women’s final, the capacity crowd in Devonshire witnessed a cruel end to what had been a dominant tournament for Sabrina Sobhy. The world number 19 and top seed appeared to be cruising toward the title, holding a commanding two-set lead over Nadine Shahin.
However, with the score locked at 7-7 in the third game, Sobhy suffered a sudden injury and was forced to retire. The unfortunate turn of events handed the title to the world number 47 Shahin, who becomes the 2026 champion following a week of clinical progression through the draw.
The men’s final provided the marathon spectacle the tournament deserved, as the world number 24 Miguel Rodriguez produced a masterclass in resilience to upset the top seed Kareem El Torkey. In a see-saw encounter that tested the physical limits of both athletes, the momentum shifted repeatedly across five grueling sets.
Rodriguez took an early advantage by claiming the first set 11-5, but El Torkey utilized his world number 21 pedigree to strike back, taking the next two frames 11-7 and 11-9. Facing a 2-1 deficit, Rodriguez found a second wind, dominating the fourth set 11-5 to force a decider. In a tense final frame, the Colombian second seed maintained his composure and superior conditioning to seal a 11-7 win, finalizing a 3-2 victory that will be remembered as one of the finest matches in the event's history.
The double success for the second seeds brings a curtain down on a landmark week for Bermudian squash, showcasing world-class talent and high-stakes drama on the courts of the squash club.
Friday, April 17, 2026
Elite Finals Set as Top Seeds Surge in Devonshire
IslandStats.com
The 2026 STARR Bermuda Open reached a fever pitch at the Bermuda Squash Club as the semi-final stage delivered a masterclass in professional squash, setting the stage for a blockbuster final across both divisions.
In the men's bracket, tournament favorite and world number 21 Kareem El Torkey continued his relentless pursuit of the title. Facing the giant-killer Nicholas Spizzirri—who had stunned the fourth seed just a day prior—El Torkey was forced to utilize every inch of the court in a grueling opening set. After surviving a tense 14-12 tiebreak, the Egyptian top seed never looked back, closing out a straight-sets 14-12, 11-8, 11-7 victory to secure his place in the final.
He will be joined by second seed Miguel Rodriguez. The world number 24 showcased his trademark speed and recovery to overcome Leandro Romiglio in another high-quality straight-sets encounter. While Rodriguez controlled much of the first two games, the third became a war of attrition, eventually falling to the Colombian 16-14 to seal an 11-8, 11-7, 16-14 win.
The women’s final will feature a clash of the top two seeds, but their paths to the championship match could not have been more different.
Sabrina Sobhy, the tournament’s number one seed and world number 19, produced a display of clinical perfection to dismantle Menna Hamed. Sobhy’s precision hitting and high tempo left Hamed with few answers, as the American cruised to a 11-2, 11-2, 11-4 victory in one of the quickest matches of the tournament.
However, the match of the night belonged to Lucy Turmel and Haya Ali. In a marathon five-set epic that had the Devonshire crowd on its feet, the second-seeded Turmel was pushed to the absolute limit. After trading sets and battling through a physical 12-10 third frame, the match rested on a knife-edge in the decider. Turmel’s superior conditioning eventually told, as she held her nerve to claim the fifth set 11-9, finalizing a 6-11, 11-7, 12-10, 3-11, 11-9 triumph.
With four of the world’s elite now set to battle for the STARR Bermuda Open crowns, the stage is set for a historic conclusion to professional squash’s return to the island.
Thursday, April 16, 2026
2026 STARR Bermuda Open Quarter-Finals Spark Drama
Nicholas Spizzirri Advanced
IslandStats.com
The 2026 STARR Bermuda Open reached a fever pitch on quarter-finals day, as world number 90 Nicholas Spizzirri produced a miraculous comeback to stun the tournament's fourth seed Timothy Brownell at the Bermuda Squash Club.
The day began with a result that sent shockwaves through the men's draw. Facing an uphill battle against the world number 29 and fourth seed, Spizzirri looked to be heading for a swift exit after dropping the opening two sets. However, the underdog refused to buckle under the pressure, finding a second wind to unsettle his higher-ranked opponent. Spizzirri’s relentless energy and tactical adjustments allowed him to claw back into the contest, taking the third and fourth sets to force a decider. In a tense final frame, the American maintained his composure to seal a historic 7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8 victory, marking one of the most significant upsets in the event's history.
Top seed and world number 21 Kareem El Torkey survived a significant scare in Devonshire as he was forced to go the distance by Rui Soares in a grueling five-set marathon. In a contest that ebbed and flowed, the Egyptian eventually held his nerve to claim an 11-5, 7-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-2 victory, narrowly avoiding a shock exit to the 86th-ranked Portuguese star.
In the women's division, the path to the semi-finals was far more clinical for Nadine Shahin. The world number 47 put on a dominant display to extinguish the hopes of Noa Romero in straight sets. Shahin dictated the pace from the outset, utilizing her experience to navigate a tight second frame before running away with the match in the third. Her 11-5, 11-9, 11-4 victory ensures she carries significant momentum into the final four, as she continues her pursuit of the title in Devonshire.
With the semi-final line-ups now taking shape, the tournament is poised for a grandstand finish. The remaining seeds will be wary of the giant-killing form shown by the likes of Spizzirri, while the women's draw remains wide open following Shahin’s authoritative progression.
There were no such dramas for the women's number one seed, as Sabrina Sobhy produced a clinical display of precision to dismantle world number 56 Menna Hamed. The American favorite conceded just eight points in a dominant straight-sets performance, cruising through 11-2, 11-2, 11-4 to secure her place in the next round.
11 11 12 11 Haya Ali - defeated 08 13 10 08 Alina Bushma
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Seeds Steady as Giant-Killers Strike in Devonshire
16-year old Charlotte Sze bowed out
IslandStats.com
Top seeds Kareem El Torkey and Sabrina Sobhy safely navigated their way into the next round of the 2026 STARR Bermuda Open, but a string of high-profile upsets elsewhere ensured a day of high drama at the Bermuda Squash Club.
In the Men's Draw, world number 21 Kareem El Torkey lived up to his billing as the tournament favorite. Facing Finnlay Withington, the top seed produced a display of clinical precision to win in straight sets. While Withington pushed the Egyptian in a competitive third frame, El Torkey’s superior court coverage saw him emerge with an 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 victory.
However, the form book was torn up in the afternoon's marquee matchup. Rui Soares, ranked 86th in the world, produced the performance of the round to eliminate the 37th-ranked Karim El Hammamy. In a five-set thriller that swung back and forth, Soares showed immense physical resilience to recover from two sets to one down. The Portuguese underdog dominated the final two frames to secure a stunning 9-11, 12-10, 3-11, 11-4, 11-6 win. The upsets continued shortly after as Nicholas Spizzirri, ranked 90th, dumped out world number 50 Nathan Lake in a tight four-set encounter.
The Women's Division saw a more straightforward afternoon for the heavy hitters. World number 19 Sabrina Sobhy was in a ruthless mood, conceding just 14 points in a dominant straight-sets win over Heylie Fung. Sobhy’s pace and variety proved too much for Fung, with the top seed cruising through 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 to signal her intent for the title.
She was joined in the next round by Menna Hamed, who maintained her composure to defeat Laura Tovar in three sets, including a tense 13-11 tie-break in the third. Noa Romero also continued her impressive form, recording a four-set victory over the higher-ranked Madeleine Hylland, while Nadine Shahin recovered from an opening-set setback against Ella Jane Lash to secure her progression. Despite the early shock results in the men's bracket, the path remains clear for the tournament’s elite as the competition moves toward the business end of the week.
