Squash Inspire – Women’s Open: Garas Holds Off Fouts to Claim Second Tour Tilte

Nardine Garas claimed her second PSA Tour title, beating Caroline Fouts 3-1 in the Squash Inspire – Women’s Open presented by Expression Networks LLC & Play Squash Academy final. 

The Egyptian was the No.3 seed and was appearing in just her second Challenger Tour final, after winning her only previous one in France in 2022. 

18-year-old Fouts, meanwhile, was playing in her first ever final at this level, and had knocked out No.2 seed Enora Villard and former top-20 player Danielle Ray to get here. 

She was unable to go all the way and lift the trophy, though, going down 13-11, 7-11, 14-12, 12-10 in 49 minutes. 

The fact that all three of Garas’ game wins came on tie breaks highlights how close the match was, with little to separate them throughout. 

The Egyptian – still just 20 years of age herself – won the opening point of the match with a deep backhand drive, and closed out game one a few minutes later with a preciesly placed backhand drop. 

Fouts followed suit with a backhand drop of her own on game ball on the second, taking her first opportunity to level the scores, but another backhand winner clinched game three for Garas, and she looked to be heading towards a more routine victory in game four, at 9-6 up. 

But back came Fouts, winning the next three points before saving the first match ball with a deep forehand drive to the backhand side. 

Ultimately, though, that would only postpone Garas’ wait for glory, with another backhand dropshot at 11-10 up enough to secure her victory. 

The 15k title represents the biggest of the young Egyptian’s career, bettering the 5k crown she previously claimed at the PSA des Hauts de France in 2022. 

For Fouts, a first runner-up finish on the PSA Tour still represents a successful end to a successful month, in which she also reached the final of the British Junior Open and claimed a win over top-20 player Melissa Alves as a wild card at the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions. 

Result: Women’s Final 

[3] Nardine Garas (EGY) bt [5] Caroline Fouts (USA) 3-1: 13-11, 7-11, 14-12, 12-10 (49m)