Aston and Fincher Sutton Coldfield International: Zakaria & Megahed Secure Egyptian Double

Teenage sensation Mohamad Zakaria continued his remarkable form, winning his third straight title at the Aston and Fincher Sutton Coldfield International, while unseeded 18-year-old Nour Megahed won the women’s event. 

Zakaria came into this final having beaten another rising star, Jonah Bryant, in the semi-finals, but dropped game one to his opponent in today’s final, Stuart Macgregor. 

Macgregor set his stall out to play high up the T and mix up his play early, a tactic that paid dividends as he found himself with a one-game advantage after close to 20 minutes. 

Game two went the way of the Egyptian, who took his fourth game ball after Macgregor had threatened a comeback from 10-5 down to 10-8, while the third was more one-sided, finishing 11-4 to Zakaria. 

The young prospect continued to execute his gameplan in game four, moving Macgregor further into the corners, eventually running out an 11-6 winner to get his hands on what is his third successive title, after wins at the Local World LA Open and The Northern Joe Cup. 

Zakaria’s victory completed an Egyptian double after Megahad had beaten Scotland’s Alison Thomson earlier in the day. 

The 18-year-old came into this event unseeded, but in good form having reached the semi-finals of The Northern Joe Cup last week, and carried that form all the way to the title. 

She knocked out No.8 seed Erin Classen and top seed Au Yeong Wai Yhann on days two and three, both in straight games, before coming from a game down to beat fellow Egyptian Menna Walid 3-1 in the semi-finals. 

Playing No.3 seed Thomson for the title, Megahed took full advantage of a nervy start by the Scot, hitting a series of quickfire winners and cutting off anything loose cross-court. 

At 2-0 down, Thomson changed strategy somewhat, straightening up her shots to create more opportunities for herself, taking the game 11-4 to keep her hopes alive. 

Ultimately, though, it would be in vain, with the young Egyptian regaining control in game four to seal the second PSA Tour title of her career, ending with a backhand drop which was too good for Thomson. 

Result: Men’s Final 

[3] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bt [4] Stuart MacGregor (ENG) 3-1: 8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-6 (65m) 

Result: Women’s Final 

Nour Megahed (EGY) bt [3] Alison Thomson (SCO) 3-1: 11-4, 11-7, 4-11, 11-4 (35m)