Johannesburg – Egyptian second seed Menna Walid held off a spirited fightback from compatriot Sohayla Hussein to claim the biggest title of her career in a gripping Assore Classic final at the Parkview Squash Centre in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Walid prevailed 3-2 after surrendering a two-game lead, eventually keeping her composure in a tense fifth game to win the Assore Challenger women’s $9 000 title after 71 minutes of intense squash.
The victory was particularly significant for the 22-year-old, who had previously lost in two finals and was determined to make the most of her latest opportunity.
“This is my biggest title. I have played in two finals and lost both, so this is my first $9 000 win,” Walid said.
“I fought for every ball and every point. Today I felt I was able to stick to my plan and play my game and avoid errors as much as I could.
“My fighting spirit and how solid I was made the difference. All the hard work in pre-season paid off.”
Walid made the better start against the 16-year-old Hussein, using a clever selection of boasts to repeatedly catch her opponent out and edge the opening exchanges.
She took the first two games to put herself within one game of the title, but Hussein showed remarkable composure for a young player competing in an elite final.
The teenager tightened up her game, kept Walid pinned towards the back of the court and began to neutralise her opponent’s attacking options.
Hussein capitalised on loose shots to take the third game and then levelled the match, setting up a tense decider.
The fifth game became an absorbing battle of both physical endurance and mental strength, with neither player prepared to give an inch.
At 3-3, Walid managed to establish a three-point advantage and that proved crucial.
Hussein continued to fight and saved two match points, but Walid finally found the opening she needed, finishing with a cross-court winner to take the game 11-8 and secure the title.
For Walid, currently No 78 in the world, the victory represents another step towards her long-term ambitions in the sport.
“Everyone’s dream is to play in the Olympics, and I know I am still young and I am dreaming about playing in the Olympics one day,” she said.
“My next goal is to get into the top 50 in the world and work my way up from there.”
Walid’s triumph was followed by another Egyptian victory in the men’s final, with Adham Roshdy continuing his remarkable record in South Africa by defeating fourth-seeded compatriot Ahmed Said Sobhy 3-0 to claim the men’s $12 000 title.
Despite the scoreline, it was also a tense affair, with Sobhy holding two game points in the third game before Roshdy hit back to win it 13-11 with his first match point.
Roshdy has now won all three of his Assore series tournaments in South Africa this year, having previously captured two $6 000 titles.
“I’m very happy to pick my third title here in Johannesburg and especially beating the No 1 seed (SA’s Dewald van Niekerk) on the way to the final,” he said.
“I was very pleased with the way I played and keeping a strong mindset, and I’m looking forward to the next tournament from October 20 to 24.”
The latest tournament again highlighted the value of the Assore series in attracting international players to South Africa and providing local competitors with opportunities to test themselves against strong overseas opposition.
The players will now regroup before the final Assore event of the year next month, also at Parkview.
The results of Sunday’s finals were:
Women: 2-Menna Walid (Egypt) bt 5-Sohayla Hussein (Egypt) 3-2 (12-10 11-4 7-11 8-11 11-8)
Men: 5-Adham Roshdy (Egypt) bt 4-Ahmed Said Sobhy (Egypt) 3-0 (11-5 11-5 13-11
