Motor City Open preview: Defending champ Elias, Coll headline field

by Henry Payne
MCO Editor

Birmingham, Michigan – The Sturbridge Capital Motor City Open roars back into Metro Detroit, January 31-February 4 featuring five of the world’s Top 20 squash pros. Leading the parade is World #2 and defending champion Diego Elias.

The “Peruvian Puma” will be seeded #1 and seeking his record, fourth straight Motor City title at the Birmingham Athletic Club north of Detroit.

Three-time champ Diego Elias (Peru) is top seed for the 2024 MCO. (MCO photo)

In his path are World #3 and 2018 Motor City finalist Paul Coll and World #13 and 2015 MCO champ Miguel Rodrigues, one of the most entertaining players on tour. New Zealand’s Coll, nicknamed “Superman” for his endurance, has been hot – coming into the MCO after wins at the U.S. Open and Hong Kong Open.

The second-seed Coll could face #8 seed Mohamed Abouelghar in a potential quarterfinal before facing with Colombian Rodrigues in the semis if all goes to form. On Elias side of the draw, a potential semifinal awaits with his opponent in the 2022 final, #4 seed Fares Dessouky of Egypt.

Rounding out the seeded players are #5 Mohamed ElSherbini (World #17), #6 Nicolas Mueller (World #21), and #7 Adrian Waller (World #30). Others to watch are 2019 MCO champ Mohamed Abouelghar of Egypt, World #31 and Americans Timothy Brownell, Shahjahan Khan, and Faraz Khan.

Paul Coll (New Zealand) is #2 seed and has been hot. (MCO photo)

Rodrigues, now 38, has entertained the MCO’s galleries for years. He maintains his hunger for the sport, and was runner-up to Elias at last year’s Pan American Games. A crowd favorite, he’ll kick off his week after a First Round bye against either England’s Charlie Lee or Egypt’s Ibrahim Elkabbani.

The MCO is the 2nd longest running PSA World Tour event on the calendar and a PSA player favorite. Catch all the MCO action live on SQUASHTV. For more information on the event, visit the PSA World Tour website or follow the PSA on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Contact jwellings@bacmi.net for tickets and inquiries.

2024 Motor City Open Draw:

[1] Diego Elias (PER) [bye]

Rui Soares (POR) v [9/16] Cesar Salazar (MEX)

[9/16] George Parker (ENG) v Bernat Jaume (ESP)

[6] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) [bye]

[5] Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) [bye]

Lucas Serme (FRA) v [9/16] Timothy Brownell (USA)

[9/16] Juan Camilo Vargas (COL) v Ryunosuke Tsukue (JPN)

[4] Fares Dessouky (EGY) [bye]

[3] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) [bye]

Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY) v [9/16] Charlie Lee (ENG)