Paul Coll will be aiming to defend both the men's world number one ranking and his British Open squash title against Ali Farag in the final in Hull ©PSA World Tour

The men’s world number one spot and the Allam British Open squash title will both be on the line in this year’s final, after Paul Coll and Ali Farag set up a repeat of the showpiece match from 12 months ago in Hull.

Top seed at the event Farag booked his final place today after overcoming fellow Egyptian Mazen Hesham 11-8, 6-11, 11-7, 11-6.

He will face New Zealander Coll, defending champion at this event, and the current men’s world number one in the final, after Coll beat Egypt’s Mostafa Asal 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 in the last four.

Coll triumphed in four games last year, becoming the first New Zealander to win this title in the process, and will have the added incentive of trying to retain top spot in the men’s world rankings, which he claimed from Farag last month.

Women's world number one Nouran Gohar reached her ninth major final in a row at the British Open ©PSA World Tour
Women's world number one Nouran Gohar reached her ninth major final in a row at the British Open ©PSA World Tour

Meanwhile the women’s final at the University of Hull will also see the tournament’s top two seeds, Nouran Gohar and Hania El Hammamy go head-to-head.

Women’s world number one Gohar reached her ninth major final in a row, as the Egyptian powered past Amanda Sobhy of the United States 11-2, 11-3, 11-5 in just half an hour.

In contrast, the second women’s semi-final went the distance as Egyptian El Hammamy battled past Joelle King of New Zealand 11-5, 5-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-3 in 71 minutes, coming from two games to one down to advance to the final.

Gohar will be aiming to win a fifth successive Professional Squash Association World Tour Platinum title against her compatriot and second seed El Hammamy, who is set to contest a first British Open final.

Both the men’s and women’s finals are scheduled to take place tomorrow.