Aston and Fincher Sutton Coldfield International: Zakaria into Final, Megahed Beats Walid

Mohamad Zakaria booked his spot in a third successive final, beating England’s Jonah Bryant 3-0 in the Aston and Fincher Sutton Coldfield International semi-finals. 

16-year-old Zakaria, winner of The Northern Joe Cup last week, ran out a 3-0 winner over the young English star, though the 67-minute match time perhaps tells a more accurate tale of how well-matched these players were. 

After taking game one 11-5, the Egyptian was forced into taking an injury break at the start of game two following a front-court collision, but came back out to clinch a tight second, 11-8. 

He then claimed game three 11-6, always having some degree of control over proceedings, booking his spot in the final with his notably few errors ultimately proving the difference. 

His opponent will be England’s Stuart Macgregor, who came from a game behind to beat Joel Arscott and reach his first 6k final. 

The New Zealander edged game one on a tie break, but having levelled in the second, Macgregor took control as Arscott tired in games three and four, dropping just five more points on his way to victory. 

The women’s final will be contested by No.3 seed Alison Thomson and unseeded Egyptian Nour Megahed. 

Thomson knocked out No.2 seed Asia Harris 3-1 in their semi-final encounter, after Megahad had come out on top of an all-Egyptian battle with Menna Walid. 

Walid, the No.4 seed, took the opening game, but Megahed grew into the match in game two as the contact between the players increased. 

The referee warned both players about the routes they were taking to the ball, but it was Megahed who responded the better, winning game two 14-12 before taking three and four 11-9, 11-6 to reach her second ever PSA Tour final. 

Results: Men’s Semi-Finals 

[3] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bt [5] Jonah Bryant (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-6 (67m) 
[4] Stuart Macgregor (ENG) bt Joel Arscott (NZL) 3-1: 12-14, 11-7, 11-3, 11-2 (50m) 

Results: Women’s Sem-Finals 

Nour Megahed (EGY) bt [4] Menna Walid (EGY) 3-1: 8-11, 14-12, 11-9, 11-6 (41m) 
[3] Alison Thomson (SCO) bt [2] Asia Harris (ENG) 3-1: 11-13, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7 (47m)