Zakaria Makes History in LA as Youngest Ever Male Tour Winner

Mohamad Zakaria has made history in Los Angeles, claiming the Local World LA Open to become the youngest ever male winner on the PSA Tour. 

The Egyptian, who only turned 16 just over a month ago, showcased his glowing potential in the bright lights of California, producing a stunning comeback to beat home favourite Andrew Douglas 3-2. 

Just a few weeks ago, Zakaria finished runner-up in the World Junior Championship as a 15-year-old, and followed that up with a run to the semi-finals of The St Louis Open 2023 presented by The King Family, his first 12k event. 

He came into this event, his first 15k, as a [9/16] seed, but showed exactly what he was capable of in the first two rounds, seeing off Mark Broekman in just 24 minutes on day one, before cruising past No.1 seed Faraz Khan 3-0 in round two. 

He continued his imperious march towards glory in the quarter- and semi-finals, reaching the final without dropping a game all week. 

The opening exchanges of the final would be a different story, though, as Douglas raced out to a 4-0 lead in game one, keeping the Egyptian at arm’s length throughout to give himself a one-game lead. 

The second followed a similar pattern, with the American edging in front early and never giving up the lead, putting himself on the brink of glory. 

But staring defeat in the face, Zakaria showed that he has more than just raw talent, turning the tide in dramatic fashion in game three, winning it 11-1 in less than three-and-a-half minutes. 

Game four was a much sterner test of the young star’s resolve, as he opened up an 8-4 lead before being pegged back to 9-8, but he held on to win the next two points and send the match into a decider. 

If there were any nerves lingering in the 16-year-old’s mind, being just one game from glory, they would soon have been dispelled as he outlasted Douglas in some lengthy rallies to take a 5-0 lead. 

From there, it was all one-way traffic, as Zakaria won six of the next seven points to wrap up a historic triumph in 83 minutes. 

Result: Men’s Final

Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bt [2] Andrew Douglas (USA) 3-2: 6-11, 7-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-1 (83m)