Malaysia Cup QFs : Khafagy Reaches First Bronze Semi-Final

World No.51 Malak Khafagy has reached the semi-finals of a PSA World Tour Bronze event for the first time in her career after she beat her fellow Egyptian Kenzy Ayman in the last eight of the Ace Malaysia Squash Cup in Seremban.

It was the pair’s first meeting on the PSA Tour and Khafagy emerged victorious courtesy of a 10-12, 12-10, 11-4, 10-12, 11-7 victory to set up a semi-final clash with either No.2 seed Farida Mohamed or home favourite Rachel Arnold.

In this Cairo v Alexandria battle it was Ayman who started the better of the two as she held her nerve to take a narrow opening game.

There were a few too many errors from Khafagy at the beginning of the second game as Ayman continued the good work she put in, in the first. Khafagy raised her accuracy though and began to work her opponent into all four corners, however it was Ayman who had the first game ball opportunity, which would have given her a 2-0 lead.

Khafagy responded with some vicious low kills though, rattling off three straight points to draw level. The crucial nature of that second game was keenly felt in the third, with a confident Khafagy firing on all cylinders as she dominated to go ahead for the first time.

That was the first game that didn’t go to a tie-break, but normal business was resumed in a tightly-contested fourth, which saw Ayman overturn a game ball to hold one of her own, and her tenacity was rewarded with a tight forehand drop evading Khafagy’s racket.

But it was all Khafagy in the fifth game as she powered into a 10-5 lead, eventually converting the win to seal her semi-finals spot.

“I’m extremely overwhelmed,” said Khafagy.

“It’s a lot to digest right now. It feels great, it’s my first semi-final at such a big event. I didn’t expect anything, I just came here to enjoy my game and to play the semi-finals tomorrow is so exciting.

“Having a lead is very important when it comes to tough players like Kenzy. I kept telling myself to calm down and focus on my game plan. This is the only thing that helped me to win that match.

“It would mean everything [to reach the final]. I’ve been working so hard and this is paying off right now. I’m very happy and excited.”

Result

Malak Khafagy (EGY) bt Kenzy Ayman (EGY) 3-2: 10-12, 12-10, 11-4, 10-12, 11-7 (58m)