Walid Secures Biggest Career Win at Assore Classic Squash Tournament
Johannesburg – Egyptian second seed Menna Walid overcame a determined challenge from her fellow countrywoman Sohayla Hussein to secure the most significant title of her career during a thrilling Assore Classic final at the Parkview Squash Centre in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Walid triumphed with a score of 3-2 after relinquishing a two-game lead, ultimately maintaining her poise in a nail-biting fifth game to clinch the Assore Challenger women’s $9,000 title after a grueling 71 minutes of competitive squash.
This victory was especially meaningful for the 22-year-old, who had faced defeat in two previous finals and was eager to seize this chance.
“This is my biggest title. I have been in two finals and lost both, so this is my first victory for $9,000,” Walid remarked.
“I fought for every ball and every point. Today, I felt that I could adhere to my game plan and minimize errors as much as possible.
“My fighting spirit and how solid I was made a significant difference. All the hard work during pre-season has paid off.”
Walid started strong against the 16-year-old Hussein, cleverly using a variety of boasts to consistently catch her opponent off guard, gaining an early advantage.
She secured the first two games, placing herself just one game away from the championship, but Hussein displayed remarkable composure for a young player in a high-stakes final.
The teenager tightened her gameplay, keeping Walid pinned at the back of the court and began to neutralize her opponent’s aggressive strategies.
Hussein capitalized on errors to clinch the third game and then leveled the match, leading to a suspenseful final game.
The fifth game evolved into a gripping contest of both physical endurance and mental resilience, with neither player willing to back down.
At 3-3, Walid managed to build a three-point lead, which proved to be pivotal.
Hussein continued to battle valiantly and saved two match points, but Walid eventually seized the opportunity she’d been waiting for, finishing the game with a cross-court winner at 11-8 to secure the title.
For Walid, currently ranked No. 78 in the world, this victory signifies another step towards her long-term aspirations in the sport.
“Every athlete dreams of competing in the Olympics, and I know I am still young, but I aspire to play in the Olympics one day,” she expressed.
“My next objective is to break into the top 50 in the world and progress from there.”
Walid’s victory was succeeded by another win for Egypt in the men’s final, where Adham Roshdy maintained his impressive record in South Africa by defeating fourth-seeded compatriot Ahmed Said Sobhy 3-0 to claim the men’s $12,000 title.
Despite the straight-set score, the match was competitive, with Sobhy holding two game points in the third before Roshdy rallied to take it 13-11 on his first match point.
Roshdy has now claimed victory in all three Assore series tournaments he has entered in South Africa this year, having previously won two $6,000 titles.
“I’m extremely happy to earn my third title here in Johannesburg, particularly after defeating the top seed (SA’s Dewald van Niekerk) en route to the final,” he remarked.
“I was very satisfied with my performance and maintaining a strong mindset, and I look forward to the next tournament scheduled for October 20 to 24.”
The recent tournament once again showcased the significance of the Assore series in drawing international players to South Africa and providing local athletes with the chance to challenge themselves against tough overseas competition.
The players will regroup ahead of the last Assore event of the year next month, also hosted at Parkview.
The outcomes 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)