In what could be remembered as a generational torch-passing moment in squash, Egypt’s rising star Malak Khafagy overcame a spirited performance from French veteran Camille Serme to claim her first PSA World Tour title at the Santiago Squash Open 2025, capping off a week of high-stakes drama in front of packed Chilean crowds.
The 20-year-old Khafagy, seeded No. 1 at the tournament, held her nerve to defeat Serme in a five-game epic (6-11, 11-3, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9), denying the 36-year-old a storybook ending to her remarkable comeback season.
“This is by far the biggest moment of my career so far,” Khafagy told PSA Squash TV after the final. “To beat someone like Camille, a legend of the game, in such a close match — it’s a dream come true.”
Camille Serme, once ranked World No. 2 and winner of marquee titles like the Tournament of Champions and the British Open, returned to professional squash in 2024 after retiring in 2022 and giving birth to her daughter in 2023.
Her comeback had already exceeded expectations — two Challenger titles, a British Open qualifier win, and a French national championship. A fairytale ending in Santiago, where she claimed her first PSA title in 2007, would have completed a poetic arc.
Instead, she ran into the fierce determination and flair of Egypt’s next-gen prodigy.
“Malak showed mental steel beyond her years,” said former world champion Raneem El Welily, who spoke to Al-Ahram Sports. “That fifth game could’ve gone either way. But she believed in herself — and that’s what champions do.”
The match, held on a stunning all-glass court inside Santiago’s bustling As Cancelas shopping mall, had the crowd on its feet throughout. Khafagy looked nervous at the outset, dropping five of the first six points and conceding the first game in under seven minutes.
But what followed was a showcase of grit, tactical maturity, and raw Egyptian skill.
Khafagy, nursing a strapped leg from an earlier injury, recalibrated her game in the second — dropping just three points — and then clawed her way back from 5–8 down in the third to snatch it 11–8. Serme, backed by her loyal supporters and a nostalgic storyline, bounced back in the fourth, but Khafagy was unshaken.
In the climactic fifth game, the Egyptian surged to a 9–4 lead — only to see Serme claw her way back to 9–9, sparking a standing ovation. The decisive rally at 9–9 stretched over a minute — a lung-bursting, nerve-jangling exchange that ended with Khafagy drilling a forehand drive down the line to earn match point.
Serme’s final shot, a forehand boast, caught the tin. The dream ending wasn’t to be — but for Khafagy, the coronation had begun.
With this win, Malak Khafagy joins a growing list of Egyptian women making their mark globally, further reinforcing the nation’s dominance in squash. She becomes one of the youngest Egyptian players to win a PSA World Tour title outside Africa or the Middle East.
“Egypt has become the squash capital of the world, and players like Khafagy are the reason why,” said squash commentator Alan Thatcher. “She’s not just a prospect anymore — she’s a contender.”
The final trophy was presented by Spanish football icon Verónica Boquete, adding a cross-sport dimension to an already momentous occasion.
Khafagy’s win sends her PSA ranking soaring and sets the tone for what many believe could be a breakout 2025–26 season. Her composure under pressure and shot-making prowess make her one to watch as the season progresses into major World Series events.
“We haven’t seen the peak of Khafagy yet,” added El Welily. “This is just her beginning.”
As for Serme, the French veteran hasn’t officially announced whether this was her final PSA appearance, but hinted post-match that she would “take some time to reflect.” Whatever she decides, her comeback has already inspired a new generation of mothers and athletes alike.
