South African women have surged into the quarter-finals of the $3 000 Women’s Assore Tour #3, claiming seven of the eight last-eight places alongside Egyptian top seed Lojayn Gohary, after a busy opening round at the Parkview Squash Centre in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.
Helena Hudson, the second seed and the leading home contender, made a strong start, beating compatriot Jasmaine Rust 11-8, 11-5, 11-1 in 21 minutes to set up a quarter-final against eighth seed Jordin Phillips, who saw off Sasha Earl in straight games.
Top seed Lojayn Gohary, the world No. 136 from Egypt, opened in commanding fashion with an 11-4, 11-3, 11-2 win over Starla Promise Phillips and now meets Kaylee Hunt for a place in the semi-finals. The 20-year-old brings a rich junior pedigree, having recorded top-six finishes at major age-group events in the United States and Hong Kong, with strong showings at the US Open and British Junior Open.
Elske Garbers produced one of the upsets of the round, knocking out fifth seed Lara Patrick 11-9, 11-9, 11-8, and lines up against third seed Teagan Leigh Russell, who brushed aside Kiara Poole.
The remaining quarter-final pits sixth seed Keschia Scorgie against fourth seed Kimberley McDonald, with Scorgie easing past Melissa Kapp and McDonald recovering from a game down to beat Brianna Robinson. Hunt also came through a four-game test against seventh seed Bianke Pienaar.
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The event also marked a milestone for Rust, who recently turned 15 and is newly eligible to compete as a PSA junior member. While Rust bowed out to Hudson, her appearance highlighted the emerging depth in the South African women’s game.
With Hudson anchoring a deep home contingent and Lojayn Gohary setting the pace, the quarter-finals promise a compelling climax to the women’s draw when play continues at Parkview through to Sunday, 24 May 2026.
Round 1 Results for the $3 000 Women’s Assore Tour #3 at the Parkview Squash Centre in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 20 May 2026
[1] Lojayn Gohary (EGY) bt [9/16] Starla Promise Phillips 11-4, 11-3, 11-2 (22m)
[9/16] Kaylee Hunt bt [7] Bianke Pienaar 11-5, 11-3, 5-11, 11-6 (34m)
[9/16] Elske Garbers bt [5] Lara Patrick 11-9, 11-9, 11-8 (21m)
[3] Teagan Leigh Russell bt [9/16] Kiara Poole 11-3, 11-2, 11-3 (17m)
[4] Kimberley McDonald bt [9/16] Brianna Robinson 6-11, 11-8, 11-1, 11-8 (38m)
[6] Keschia Scorgie bt [9/16] Melissa Kapp 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 (19m)
[8] Jordin Phillips bt [9/16] Sasha Earl 11-6, 11-7, 11-3 (20m)
[2] Helena Hudson bt [9/16] Jasmaine Rust 11-8, 11-5, 11-1 (21m)
Quarter-Final Fixtures on Friday, 22 May
[1] Lojayn Gohary v [9/16] Kaylee Hunt
[9/16] Elske Garbers v [3] Teagan Leigh Russell
[6] Keschia Scorgie v [4] Kimberley McDonald
[2] Helena Hudson v [8] Jordin Phillips
Main Photo Caption: No. 2 seed and leading South African Helena Hudson (pictured after winning 2026 Northerns Squash Closed champs) is through to the Women’s Assore Tour #3 quarter-finals after her first round win over Jasmaine Rust, at the Parkview Squash Centre in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. Photo: Northerns Squash
