Philadelphia hero Amanda Sobhy will be hoping to follow up her Oracle Netsuite Open victory in the US Open this week ©Getty Images

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour comes to the United States for the US Open, which will see the brand-spanking Arlen Specter US Squash Center opened in Philadelphia.

The Specter Center will be the new headquarters for US Squash, and the US Open is set to be the first tournament hosted at the arena. 

The US Open did not feature on the PSA World Tour last year due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in the US, but both 2019 champions - Egypt's men's world number one Ali Farag and women's world number two Nouran Gohar, will compete in the men's and women's competitions respectively.

Gohar is the second seed for the US Open, with compatriot and world number one Nour El Sherbini the top-ranked competitor in the women's draw. 

Both are awarded a bye in the opening round, with Gohar set to face Philadelphia's own Sabrina Sobhy, the younger sister of Amanda, in the second round. 

Amanda, who is the US number one and recent winner of the Oracle Netsuite Open, is excited to play in front of a home crowd.

"It's going to be interesting because you know this really takes the home tournament to an all-new level," the number four seed said.

"I live about a 15-minute walk away and I've never actually played a tournament where I live, so it's exciting and it won't feel like a tournament, it'll feel very much at home.

Egypt's world number one Ali Farag will attempt to defend his US Open title in Philadelphia ©Getty Images
Egypt's world number one Ali Farag will attempt to defend his US Open title in Philadelphia ©Getty Images

"For the first time, I'll truly have all my friends and family right there at the new centre where I've been training, so I'm excited to be able to play at the US Open. 

"It’s now a true home tournament for me. 

"I think it’s amazing!"

Amanda Sobhy was bumped up to the number four seed after France’s Camille Serme withdrew from the competition due to a calf injury she picked up in her PSA Egyptian Open semi-final against El Sherbini.

Egypt's Yathreb Adel also withdrew due to injury.

In the men's competition, Farag will face competition from compatriot and three-time US Open champion Mohamed ElShorbagy, who lost to Farag in a thrilling five-game final in the PSA Egyptian Open earlier this month.

New Zealand's Paul Coll is the number three seed and will be looking to go one better than his final defeat to Farag in the Oracle Netsuite Open, while Fares Dessouky of Egypt is the only player in the top 10 world rankings set to miss the competition.

The US Open commences tomorrow, with the final set to be played on Wednesday (October 6).