Egypt’s Mostafa Asal could start the year in style by claiming the world No 1 spot, should he reach the final of next week’s Houston Open.

The door has opened for the young Egyptian to claim top spot after fellow Egyptian Ali Farag was forced to pull out of the first men’s PSA tour event of the year, Squash Mad understands. It leaves the 21-year-old as top seed in Texas.

Farag, who has endured a knee injury which has kept him off court since October, was set to feature and defend his Houston Open title, in an event featuring six of the world’s top 10.

Farag defeated compatriot Mazen Hesham in the 2022 denouement while he last featured on the PSA World Tour at the Grasshopper Cup in October.

Asal will head stateside in fine fettle after claiming the most recent Platinum title at the Hong Kong Squash Open, beating Diego Elias 3-2 in the final, coupled with a semi-final berth at the Singapore Open.

Asal will face either Egypt’s Moustafa El Sirty or England’s Nathan Lake in round two after receiving a first one bye.

The Houston even will be the first tournament to take place in 2023 alongside the Carol Weymuller Open, which take place simultaneously between Jan 11-15.

The first PSA World Tour Platinum event of the year sees the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions take place at New York’s Grand Central Terminal between Jan 18-26.

PSA World Tour Calendar: January – June 2023 

January 11-15    Carol Weymuller Open (Bronze, Women): Brooklyn, USA

January 11-15     Houston Open (Gold, Men): Houston, USA

January 18-26    J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions (Platinum, Men/Women): New York, USA

February 1-5    Cleveland Classic (Silver, Women): Cleveland, US

February 1-5     Sturbridge Capital Motor City Open (Silver, Men): Detroit, US

February 7-11    DAC Pro Squash Classic (Silver, Women): Detroit, USA

February 8-12     Pittsburgh Open (Silver, Men): Pittsburgh, USA

February 12-16    Bahl and Gaynor Cincinnati Gaynor Cup (Silver, Women): Cincinnati, USA

February 13-17    Canadian Open (Bronze, Men): Calgary, Canada

February 22-26     Squash on Fire Open (Bronze, Men/Women): Washington D.C., USA 

March 2-8    CIB Black Ball Open (Platinum, Men/Women): Cairo, Egypt

March 12-17     GillenMarkets Canary Wharf Classic (Gold, Men): London, England

March 21-26    Optasia Championships (Gold, Men): London, England

March 26-30    Women’s Canadian Open (Bronze, Women): Toronto, Canada

April 9-16    British Open (Platinum, Men/Women): Birmingham, England

May 3-11    PSA World Championships presented by the Walter Family (Men/Women): Chicago, USA

May 17-21    Manchester Open (Silver, Men/Women): Manchester, England

May 26 – June 2    El Gouna International (Platinum, Men/Women): El Gouna, Egypt

June 6-10    The Glencoe Club Open (Bronze, Women): Calgary, Canada

June 20-25    CIB PSA World Tour Finals (Men/Women): Cairo, Egypt