Egyptian squash stars Amina Orfi and Ali Farag emerged victorious at the Singapore Squash Open, securing their places in the annals of squash history with compelling performances against formidable opponents.
At just 17 years old, Amina Orfi made history by becoming the youngest player ever to win a Gold-level event on the PSA Squash Tour. Her victory against World No.3 Hania El-Hammamy was nothing short of extraordinary, as she triumphed in a grueling five-game match that lasted 96 minutes, with scores of 9-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-1, 11-9.
This victory not only marked Orfi’s sixth PSA title but also dethroned Nour El-Sherbini as the youngest Gold event winner, a record held since 2014. Orfi’s next challenge lies at the prestigious Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open, where she aims to claim her first Platinum title.
Reflecting on her win, Orfi shared, “This is my biggest title and my biggest win so far. The bounces were on my side, and Hania’s unforced errors gave me the confidence I needed,” as reported by PSA Squash Tour. Her strategic approach and resilience were key in overcoming an opponent she previously struggled against.
Defending champion Ali Farag proved his mettle by overcoming World Champion Diego Elias, securing his title for the second consecutive year. Farag’s 70-minute match was a testament to his tactical acumen, as he rallied from two games down to win 6-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-1, 11-4.
Initially, Elias controlled the tempo with precision, but Farag’s endurance and tactical shifts wore down the Peruvian. As Farag remarked, “I was a little lucky because Diego didn’t have much in the tank. I managed to capitalize on that as the match progressed.”
Farag’s victory continues his impressive season, having faced Elias five times with each encounter being fiercely contested. His sportsmanship shone through as he praised both Orfi and El-Hammamy for their contributions to Egyptian and women’s squash.
The achievements of Orfi and Farag highlight the strength and depth of Egyptian squash on the international stage. With young talents like Orfi breaking records and seasoned players like Farag maintaining dominance, Egypt continues to set the standard in the squash world.
Squash analyst Sarah Fitz-Gerald noted, “Egypt’s dominance in squash is unparalleled. The combination of young talent and experienced players creates a robust pipeline for continued success.”
As these athletes prepare for future competitions, their victories in Singapore not only bring pride to their nation but also inspire the next generation of squash players.
