Challenger Tour Round-Up: Lai and El Torkey Claim Maiden Titles

Kareem El Torkey and Matthew Lai both claimed their maiden PSA Tour titles, lifting the respective trophies in Bangladesh and Hong Kong. 

El Torkey, a semi-finalist in Inverness last week, had swept aside his first three opponents to reach the final of the 3rd Bangabandhu Squash Tournament Presented by Ispahani, but found a much tougher opponent standing between him and the title. 

Fellow Egyptian Seif Tamer was playing in just his second PSA Tour event and after dropping the first game 11-3 to the No.1 seed, he found his feet to take the second 12-10. 

The two 19-year-olds continued to go toe-to-toe throughout games three and four, but El Torkey ultimately came through, taking both games 11-9 to claim glory. 

The KCC PSA Challenge Cup 2 also saw the No.1 seeds emerge victorious in both the men’s and women’s draws, giving the home crowd a Hong Kong double to celebrate. 

Lai had saved three match points in his epic semi-final win, and once again found himself in a battle in the final, this time against Malaysia’s Hafiz Zhafri. 

The No.1 seed edged the first two games on tie breaks before opening the door for Zhafri, who took the third 11-8 to keep himself alive. 

Lai was not to be denied, though, and regained control in the fourth, cruising to an 11-3 win and secure his first title on the PSA Challenger Tour. 

Lai’s compatriot Cheng Nga Ching also had to earn her win in the women’s final, coming through 3-1 against Ching Hei Fung. 

No.1 seed Cheng had already spent two hours on court to reach the final, with all three of her previous matches going five games. 

A 12-10 win in the first game of this final was cancelled out by Ching taking the second 11-7, but there would not be another marathon for the top seed to come through, as she closed out games three and four to secure victory.

You can see all the results from this week’s PSA Challenger Tour events here.