Johannesburg – Egypt’s Amira Elrefaey and Youssef Roushdy have raised their country’s flag after claiming their maiden PSA titles at the Assore Tour Challenger #2 event at Parkview Squash Centre in Johannesburg.
At the recent tour, 21-year-old Elrefaey was pushed to the limit in a thrilling women’s final against 18-year-old compatriot Malak ElMaraghy, battling back from 2-1 down to win in five games and secure the title.
Roushdy, meanwhile, enjoyed a more straightforward route in the men’s final.
The 20-year-old delivered a polished all-round display to defeat second seed Ahmed Elsherif 11-3 11-5 11-7.
The tournament marked the conclusion of the opening swing of Challenger events under the Assore banner, which has elevated the level of competition following the earlier Assore Satellite Series.
A second Challenger swing will take place at Parkview Squash Centre from May 20 to 24 and again from May 26 to 30.
Both champions were delighted to make their breakthrough at Challenger level, with Elrefaey admitting the final demanded plenty of resolve.
“When I was 8-5 down in the fourth game and trailing 2-1, I knew it would be very difficult to come back,” said the fifth seed.
“So, I was extremely happy to hold on for the victory in the end.”
Although Roushdy won the final comfortably, his route to the title was far from easy.
Seeded in the 17-24 bracket, he announced himself in style by knocking out top-seeded Englishman Jared Carter – winner of Challenger #1 – in four games in the second round.
He followed that with another 3-1 victory over sixth seed Saeed Abdul in the quarterfinals before edging Yusuf Elsherif in a grueling five-game semifinal.
The latest results followed the Assore Tour Challenger #1 event earlier in April, where Egypt’s Hana Aladdin captured her maiden PSA Squash Tour title, while Carter continued his strong form by taking the men’s crown.
The 18-year-old Aladdin was competing in only her fifth Challenger event, but rose superbly to reach the final against the equally inexperienced ElMaraghy.
Both players impressed by upsetting higher seeds en route to the decider, with ElMaraghy defeating top seed Helena Hudson and Aladdin overcoming second seed Teagan Russell.
Separated by just 19 places in the world rankings before the final, it was the lower-ranked Aladdin who triumphed.
After dropping the opening game, she fought back strongly to secure a 3-1 victory in 42 minutes.
In the men’s tournament, England’s Carter claimed his second successive title by beating Ahmed Elsherif in the final.
The 24-year-old arrived in Johannesburg full of confidence after winning the Edinburgh Open in February.
He maintained that momentum with victories over Juan-Corne Brand, Abdul, and Roushdy, needing the full five games in the latter encounter.
Carter again showed his resilience in the final after losing the opening game to Elsherif.
He responded emphatically with dominant 11-3 and 11-2 wins in the next two games before sealing the title 11-6 in the fourth.
