EL SIRTY AND GEAR NAMED PSA CHALLENGER TOUR PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER

Egypt’s Moustafa El Sirty and England’s Grace Gear have been named the PSA Challenger Tour Players of the Month for November.

El Sirty enjoyed a stellar month, taking titles in the CNS International Squash Championship and the Capra Baerum Open, and has now won five of his last six finals.

The 20-year-old went into the CNC International as the No.4 seed, but looked excellent throughout, knocking out Pakistan’s No.2 seed Tayyab Aslam in the semi final and Hong Kong’s No.3 seed Tsz Fung Yip in the final.

El Sirty carried on this fine form into the Capra Baerum Open, which he won as No.2 seed, knocking out Hong Kong’s No.5 seed Tsz Kwan Lau in the semi final and Spain’s top seed Bernat Jaume in the final.

Gear, meanwhile, impressed in winning her first ever Tour event as she picked up the Northern Joe Cup.

Gear went into the tournament as the No.5 seed and knocked out France’s Lea Barbeau and England’s Katie Wells to reach the semi finals.

In the last four, Gear shocked England’s No.2 seed Lily Taylor. After Taylor took the first two games, Gear roared back with a bagel, which she built on with 11-7 and 11-5 wins.

Full of confidence in the final, Gear took the first game 11-9 against top seed Georgia Adderley, before being pegged back 12-10 in the second. Gear, though, recovered well to seal an emotional victory with 11-4 and 11-5 wins.