Amina Orfi becomes youngest British Open squash champion in history
Egyptian teenager Amina Orfi has become the youngest British Open women’s squash champion after breaking a 94-year-old record with a 3-1 victory over Nour ElSherbini in Birmingham.
The 18-year-old sensation recovered from a one-game deficit to defeat her compatriot 7-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-8 at the Rep Theatre.
By lifting the prestigious trophy, she surpassed the longstanding milestone set by Susan Noel, who was 19 years and eight months old when she triumphed in 1932.
Historic month for the Egyptian prodigy
This monumental achievement follows her triumph over the same opponent last month to become the youngest women’s world champion.
Her Sunday success is even more remarkable given she endured the longest women’s match in tournament history just 24 hours earlier.
The rising star navigated a grueling 110-minute marathon to eliminate top seed and world number one Hania El Hammamy in Saturday’s semi-final.
“I feel very happy with these two results back-to-back after the world champs. I was very tired and it was a great match,” stated Orfi.
Coll capitalises on Asal fatigue for men’s title
In the men’s draw, New Zealand’s Paul Coll secured his third British Open crown with a commanding victory over Mostafa Asal.
The Egyptian world number one was physically depleted following an epic 115-minute semi-final clash against Peru’s Diego Elias.
That fatigue proved decisive as the top seed was forced to concede the final at the beginning of the fourth game.
“Mostafa had a brutal one yesterday, but I still had to get him today, make him hurt, pick up as much as possible and I’m very happy with that performance,” Coll said.
The triumph marked the 33rd PSA Tour title of the Kiwi’s illustrious professional career.
The global squash calendar now turns to the season-ending PSA Squash Tour Finals, taking place in Paris from 17 to 20 June.
