[2] Marwan ElShorbagy (Eng) 3-0 [1] Diego Elias (Per) 13-11, 11-5, 11-8 (35m)
Preview
The Motor City Open has been a long-standing event on the PSA Tour, dating back to 1999 when it first hosted a professional event. The tournament’s past champions include players such as Mohamed Elshorbagy, Gregory Gaultier, Joanthon Power and Amr Shabana. The illustrious event is back again this year for its 26th edition. This year, it will once again be taking place at the Birmingham Athletic Club in Detroit between 13-17 January.
Peruvian Puma Diego Elias was forced to withdraw injured before hitting a ball last year, meaning that Paul Coll went on to claim the title. Elias is back this year and looking to continue his impressive win streak at the club, which still stands at 16 matches, having won the event in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Elias’ appearance in the event will be his first since his Egyptian Open final with Mostafa Asal, in which he injured his knee. He’ll be determined to return with a bang in one of his favourite events on tour.
2018 champion Marwan Elshorbagy is the No.2 seed for this year’s event. The Englishman defeated last year’s champion, Paul Coll, in a 96-minute five-set final 8 years ago, and having not been in the best of form, will be hopeful to turn back the years and become a multiple-time champion. Elshorbagy is in the same half of the draw as one of two dangerous 3/4 seeds, Dimitri Steinmann. As the event is played on a traditional court, physicality comes into question more so, and the physical side of the game is certainly one of Steinmann’s strengths.
The other 3/4 seed is Mohamed Abouelghar, the 2019 event champion. Since that win seven years ago, the Egyptian has been plagued by injuries but has returned to top form in recent times, most notably winning the China Open Gold event in November 2025. He’s always a danger when he hits top form and with a potential semi-final meeting with Elias on the cards, he could have the tools to end the win streak of the top seed.
