Mozart Women’s Open SF: Ali To Face Top Seed Malik

Egypt’s Haya Ali continued her amazing run in Salzburg, downing the No.2 seed to set up a clash with England’s Torrie Malik in the Mozart Open final.

The young Egyptian took on compatriot and No.2 seed Malak Khafagy in the semi-finals, with the pair having played in August 2021 in their only other previous contest on Tour. Ali won that won 3-1, and she would do the same in Salzburg on Friday evening.

Khafagy, who claimed her maiden Tour title at the Odense Open last week, won the opening game 11-7. However, from there, it was the 18-year-old Ali that was in complete control. She won the next two games by an 11-5 scoreline, before then winning the fourth 11-8 to seal the deal. Ali will now play in a first Tour final since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her opponent in the final will be England’s Torrie Malik. The tournament’s top seed defeated Scotland’s Alison Thomson in an all-British battle. Malik, who has won three times on Tour this season, took the victory in straight games to move into Saturday’s final at the Europark Shopping Centre in Salzburg.

The final of the women’s event at the Mozart Open in Salzburg will take place on Saturday, March 25. You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook. Live scores are available on the PSA World Tour website here.

Semi-Final Results: Mozart Open (Women’s)
[1] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt [4] Alison Thomson (SCO) 3-0: 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 (32m)
Haya Ali (EGY) bt [2] Malak Khafagy (EGY) 3-1: 7-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 (30m)

Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, March 25
[1] Torrie Malik (ENG) v Haya Ali (EGY)