Egyptian World No.13 Aly Abou Eleinen reached his maiden Platinum quarter-final after defeating Englands World No.9 Marwan ElShorbagy in an exciting four-game encounter on day four of the El Gouna International Squash Open 2024.

The 24-year-old, who in round two shocked World No.6 Mazen Hesham, continued his excellent run with a comprehensive performance on the traditional court at the El Gouna Squash Complex.

Eleinen clinched a tight opener 13-11 before doubling his lead by the same scoreline in game two.

ElShorbagy hit back with an 11-4 win in game three, but the lightning fast Eleinen came storming back in game four, covering every inch of the court to win it 11-6.

Eleinen will take on compatriot Mostafa Asal in the quarters after the No.4 seed eased past Dimitri Steinmann.

I enjoyed it all. I enjoyed the pressure, I enjoyed the match, the tactics, the reffing, the decisions, the arguing, the easy parts, the tough parts, I enjoyed the whole package! Eleinen said.

Joining Eleinen and Asal in the quarters are No.2 seed Paul Coll of New Zealand and No.5 seed Karim Abdel Gawad of Egypt, after Coll cruised past Frances Gregoire Marche and Gawad came from a game down to beat Scotlands Greg Lobban.

In the womens draw, defending champion Nouran Gohar came through a feisty encounter with rising star Amina Orfi.

After a hard-fought opening game win, Gohar appeared to be cruising when she took game two 11-3.

16-year-old World No.13 Orfi impressed in game three as she pulled a game back, but Gohar who returned to World No.2 earlier today proved too strong, with the World No.2 wrapping up the match with an 11-5 win.

Afterwards, Gohar said: I think its more about winning titles now, thankfully Ive been to World No.1 on multiple occasions. Obviously I would do anything to come back to World No.1 but that box is already ticked on that objective and there are other goals in my mind.

Gohar will play USAs Olivia Weaver in the last eight after the No.5 seed stormed past Egypts Malak Khafagy.

Also through today were English No.4 seed Georgina Kennedy and Egyptian No.6 seed Nour El Tayeb, with Kennedy overcoming Malaysias Aira Azman and El Tayeb defeating Englands Sarah-Jane Perry.

Results Womens RD3 (Bottom Half): El Gouna International Squash Open 2024 

[4] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bt Aira Azman (MAS) 3-0: 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 (30m) [6] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 3-0: 11-3, 11-9, 11-8 (31m) [5] Olivia Weaver (USA) bt Malak Khafagy (EGY) 3-1: 11-0, 8-11, 11-6, 11-2 (36m) [2] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt Amina Orfi (EGY) 3-1: 11-8, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5 (57m)

Results Mens RD3 (Bottom Half): El Gouna International Squash Open 2024 

[4] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) 3-0 11-5, 11-3, 11-7 (43m)

Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) bt Marwan Elshorbagy (ENG) 3-1: 13-11, 13-11, 4-11, 11-6 (59m)

[5] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt Greg Lobban (SCO) 3-1: 6-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-7 (38m) [2] Paul Coll (NZL) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-8, 11-2 (35m)

Draw Womens QF (Top Half): El Gouna International Squash Open 2024 to be played 23 April

[1] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) v [8] Rowan Elaraby (EGY)
[7] Tinne Gilis (BEL) v Salma Hany (EGY)

Draw Mens QF (Top Half): El Gouna International Squash Open 2024 to be played 23 April

[1] Ali Farag (EGY) v [6] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) [8] Tarek Momen (EGY) v [3] Diego Elias (PER)

The Professional Squash Association says that artificial technology will be used to assist referees and will begin testing AI systems which could support officials in the sport.

PSA CEO Alex Gough described AI as a potential game changer for squash as the sport looks to utilise the latest technology to improve fan and player experience. However, tech leaders have urged companies to not be hasty in implementing technology.

Speaking at the recent SportAccord Summit, Gough said: I think we could see a situation where AI could be a game changer in refereeing. 

Squash refereeing is very subjective and it could be a great tool for officials if they could have the technology there saying this was a stroke, or a let.

Gough said that SquashTV was currently utilising AI to assist in creating highlights to increase the capacity to deliver content around the world.

For squash broadcasting and how the game is played, AI represents an opportunity, he said

Its super exciting, the computing power of these systems is getting more and more powerful as they learn about the speed of players and the ball and what the crowd are engaging with. And it gets better the more its used, as it begins teaching itself what makes a great highlight.

Weve got a great team and we provide clips and highlights to broadcasters and media partners all over the world. In the past, this has meant a person having to watch an entire match to clip, but with the development of AI this can be done far more efficiently, saving a lot of labour that will allow us to do more elsewhere.

In an opinion piece last year for Sportico, Bill Squadron, assistant professor of Sport Management at Elon University and senior advisor to the AI-driven sports technology company Pramana Labs, said that AI would allow calls to be made consistently, which would ensure fairness to each side.

He wrote: In addition, it would eliminate the incessant haranguing of officials, allowing athletes to focus on the game and get rid of an unpleasant part of the fan experience. It would also put an end to the interminable video reviews.

The development of such a system will not be easy. High-resolution cameras can certainly drive AI-based calculations that reflect all game play and rules, but the system must be able to address the nuances of each sport.

Meanwhile, a technology leader said this month that society is at the pinnacle of the AI hype cycle. 

Expensifys COO Anuradha Muralidharan said that companies feel like they need to get involved now or miss out, but it is important for them to understand whether AI is actually the solution for their problems. 

Muralidharan set out a simple test for firms to establish whether AI will actually solve the problem they are facing. Speaking at Web Summit Rio, Muralidharan said: The truth of the matter is, it feels like AI is everywhere, and we are really at the very pinnacle of its hype cycle if you dont get involved now, it feels like you might lose out. 

But really, before you decide that you have a task or a problem and maybe AI is the solution to this problem, I encourage you to put that task or problem through what I like to call a litmus test. And Ive very creatively again named this litmus test the three Ts.

A new brain-cooling treatment for sports-related concussion is being trialled in professional rugby union.

It is the first acute treatment for the injury able to be delivered pitchside and is being used by six clubs in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

'PolarCap' works by delivering targeted cooling to the head and neck for between 45 and 60 minutes following a concussion injury.

The treatment originates from a five-year study in professional ice hockey in Sweden, which found it had the potential to reduce long-term concussion absence.

Mental and physical rest have until now been the main treatments for sports-related concussion, alongside a graduated return to action.

Erik Andersson retired from professional ice hockey because of concussions and is now the chief executive of PolarCool, the company behind PolarCap.

"I see the different parts of the concussion issue," he says.

"I think we should focus on all parts and how we can prevent them from happening.

"How can we have a safe return to play, which is very important, and can we treat it in the acute phase? Well, actually, as of right now, you can."

Many former players will be familiar with treatment consisting of a cold sponge and bucket of water, while those playing more recently have experience of the more modern post-match ice bath.

Andersson adds: "PolarCap reduces the risk of shivering, which can be counterproductive going into an ice bath you have a large risk of that, which would not be good for you."

Scotland lock Jonny Gray has left Exeter Chiefs with immediate effect to "explore other playing opportunities".

The 30-year-old moved to the Premiership side in 2020 but has not played this season because of a serious knee injury suffered during the Champions Cup semi-finals in April 2023.

The 77-times capped second row also missed the World Cup for Scotland last autumn.

Gray has been linked to a move this summer to a French Top 14 side.

"Jonny has been a big part of our journey in recent seasons," said Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter.

"He has been a great figure to have amongst our squad, with his international experience and the physicality he brings to games - his tackle stats speak for themselves.

"He has experienced some injury frustration during the end of his time with us, but Im sure Jonny will do everything he can to come back stronger as he moves on to the next step of his rugby journey."

Gray made 48 appearances for the Chiefs, scoring 10 tries, and was part of the team that won the Premiership and Champions Cup double in 2020 during his first campaign.

Ireland co-captain Sam Monaghan is poised to return in Saturday's Six Nations match against Scotland.

The lock sat out last weekend's 88-10 defeat by England but is fit again as the fifth-placed Irish seek a second win of the tournament.

"I'm putting my hand up [for selection]. I have hit my markers this week, I believe," said Monaghan.

Sarah Delaney will miss the Kingspan Stadium game bacause of a shoulder injury.

Return-to-play protocols for concussion kept Monaghan out of the opener against France but she was back as Ireland lost out to Italy before beating Wales.

Her absence from the Twickenham hammering by leaders England was not injury related.

"No, it was just around being out for a while and it is taking a bit longer to recover, so just hitting my markers in training," added Mongahan.

Ireland will hope to finish the campaign on a high against the Scots, who are third, two points above their Belfast hosts.

However, before their Premiership showdown at Bath on Friday night, McCall confirmed the new deals were not yet set in stone.

Maro and Jamie have agreed something in principle, but Im not sure theres a contract on the table as it stands, he added.

Its pretty important it gets sorted as quickly as possible.

McCall says the limbo has not yet affected Saracens plans for next season, but any further delay could disrupt recruitment.

Hopefully not but we will have to wait and see, he said. It has the potential to change things I suppose.

An RFU spokesperson said: The new Professional Game Partnership which incorporates enhanced EPS [Elite Player Squad] deals comes into effect next season and it is likely that enhanced EPS contracts will be announced in the Autumn.

Meanwhile, McCall fears centre Olly Hartley, who has enjoyed a breakout season, could be out for a significant period with a knee injury suffered against Gloucester at the weekend.

However, there is positive news concerning England centre Alex Lozowski, who is nearing a return after a long-term injury absence.

Alex Matthews says England will "thrive" off the expected fierce atmosphere in their Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider in France on Saturday.

The Red Roses have not lost in 28 Six Nations games since they were beaten by France in Grenoble in 2018.

England are chasing a third consecutive Grand Slam after four high-scoring bonus-point wins in this year's tournament but are expecting to face their biggest test against unbeaten France in Bordeaux.

Number eight Matthews says France, backed by their vociferous home support, will "always show up" against England.

"They [France] will definitely show something we haven't seen so far in the last few weeks," said Matthews. "We will give it our best and hopefully that is what we need.

"We love being booed. I ran out for my 50th cap with the whole crowd booing and I didn't want it any other way.

"We want to prove a point and silence the crowd early, which the girls will thrive off."

Leaders England have scored 38 tries in their opening four games, double the amount scored by second-place France (19).

Victory over Les Bleus in front of a record crowd at Twickenham last year delivered the Grand Slam in outgoing head coach Simon Middleton's last game.

France produced a spirited second-half fightback but Matthews says England are an even better side 12 months on under Middleton's successor John Mitchell.

"Everyone is playing with a smile on their face," Matthews added.

"We all have freedom to play heads-up rugby and if something is on, we play it.

"We havent spoken about last year. We are a different team now and we have so much more depth with a different style of play.

"Going into the weekend, we are just focused on us. We want to start strong and then have a big 23-player squad effort."

New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier underwent arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder Tuesday.

Meier, 27, is expected to make a full recovery from the elective procedure in time for training camp.

He registered 52 points (28 goals, 24 assists) in 69 games in his first full season with the Devils in 2023-24.

New Jersey acquired Meier from the San Jose Sharks in a multiplayer deal on Feb. 26, 2023.

Drafted ninth overall by San Jose in 2015, Meier has 382 points (191 goals, 191 assists) in 541 career games.

Boston defenseman Andrew Peeke is week-to-week with an upper-body injury and will not travel with the Bruins to Toronto, coach Jim Montgomery announced Tuesday.

Peeke appeared to be struck in the left hand by a puck before leaving the ice late in the second period of Game 2 on Monday night in Boston. He did not return.

The Maple Leafs won 3-2 to even up the Eastern Conference first-round series at one victory apiece. Game 3 will be on Wednesday night in Toronto.

Peeke, 26, contributed 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 38 games while splitting the regular season between the Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets.

He joined Boston in a four-team trade on March 8 that sent a 2027 third-round pick and defenseman Jakub Zboril to the Blue Jackets.

Peeke has recorded 44 points (10 goals, 34 assists) and 104 penalty minutes in 233 games since Columbus drafted him in the second round in 2016.

The Bruins recalled defenseman Mason Lohrei from Providence of the American Hockey League on Tuesday.

Lohrei, 23, posted 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 41 games with Boston this season.

Vancouver Canucks starting goalie Thatcher Demko is out for Game 2 and questionable for the rest of their series against the Nashville Predators.

Coach Rick Tocchet said Demko would not play in Tuesday night's game in Vancouver. He said it was a new injury that was unrelated to the lower-body injury that put Demko out of their lineup in March. Tocchet labeled Demko's status as "day to day."

Demko, 28, was one of the top goaltenders in the NHL this season. He appeared in 51 games, going 35-14-2 with a .918 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average that included five shutouts. He was first in the NHL in goals saved above expected per game (0.39) and is expected to be a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, given to the NHL's top goalie each year. He was a key reason the Canucks went from 25th in the NHL in team defense last season to sixth overall this season.

Demko made 22 saves in the Canucks' 4-2 Game 1 win over the Predators, including 11-of-11 in the third period.

Casey DeSmith is Vancouver's primary backup goalie. He was 12-9-6 in 29 games with an .895 save percentage and a 2.89 goals-against average.

"We're not looking for him to be spectacular. We're looking for him to be Casey," Tocchet said.

DeSmith, 32, has one career playoff appearance, and it was a memorable one. DeSmith stopped 48 of 51 shots against the New York Rangers in Game 1 of Pittsburgh's 2022 first-round playoff series, before leaving the game in the second overtime with an injury. DeSmith would have surgery to end his postseason after the Penguins' triple-OT win.