Pakistan’s Ashab Irfan became the latest advertisement for the country’s resurgence in squash after he continued his stellar run at the RC Pro Series 2025 in St. Louis, Missouri.
The 20-year-old has clinched a place in the semi-finals after a pulsating five-game battle against Colombia’s Matías Knudsen in the quarter-final showdown. The Lahore native held his nerve in a high-octane encounter that stretched well over an hour, eventually triumphing 11-7, 11-9, 6-11, 12-14, 11-6 in front of an energetic crowd. With this win, Irfan becomes the first Pakistani to reach the final four of this PSA Challenger-level event since its inception.
The match was a roller coaster from the start, with Ashab Irfan making early inroads, showcasing his athleticism and mental fortitude. But Knudsen, known for his physicality and counter-attacks, responded with equal force, taking the next two games and leveling the match. With the momentum firmly slipping away from the Pakistani, Ashab showcased a masterful resurgence to seal the game in his favor.
The Colombian becomes the latest victim in Ashab’s march toward the final. After getting a bye in the first round, the 20-year-old now holds wins over Andres Herrera and Knudsen, but the fourth seed will need to overcome Spencer Lovejoy if he is to make the final. The two last met in the Oregon Open semi-final in 2023, with the American emerging victorious after a marathon five-set battle.
Ashab Irfan’s qualification for the semi-finals marks another significant milestone in his promising career as the world No. 66. Long touted as one of the most technically gifted players from South Asia’s squash-producing nation, Irfan has shown growing maturity in recent months. His performance in St. Louis is reflective of a player beginning to deliver on his international potential.
With confidence high and momentum on his side, Ashab Irfan stands just two wins away from lifting one of the most prestigious titles on the U.S. Challenger circuit.