The 17-year-old prodigy battled past top seed and world No 3 Hania Al-Hammami, also of Egypt, in a dramatic title decider at the VITAGEN Singapore Squash Open.

Orfi, who became the youngest player ever to win a PSA Gold event, made her first appearance in the biggest final of her career as she fought a tough and experienced opponent whom she had lost to in both of their previous encounters on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour.
However, the reigning world junior champion put in a battling performance as she overcame her opponent in five games, winning 9-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-1, 11-9.

Al-Hammami cut a composed figure in the opening game as she hit her targets and resisted a strong start from Orfi to go a game ahead. The second game was an energetic encounter. The teenager then pushed Al-Hammami to her limits in a lengthy third game, ultimately being left empty-handed as Al-Hammami restored her one-game advantage.

As the PSA website reported, the fourth game was all Orfi though, as she dominated and dropped just one point to set up a deciding fifth game. Al-Hammami refocused to take five of the first six points on offer, however, Orfi managed to draw level at 5-5. A break in play followed as Al-Hammami received treatment on her leg. World No 10 Orfi pushed ahead in the back part of the game and then kept Al-Hammami cornered to close out a win, which secured her sixth PSA title.  

Following her victory Orfi told PSA’s official website how happy she was with her win. “I feel so happy that I won, I can’t believe it at all. This is my biggest title and my biggest win so far. I’m very happy with how I played,” she said. “The bounces were on my side and she hit a lot of unforced errors. That bought me the confidence I needed. I didn’t know when the next time that I would reach a gold final would be so I took it step by step, and I was motivated by Siva’s [Sivasangari Subramaniam] win in London this year. I told myself I could do the same.”
Malaysian Subramaniam most recently won the Gillen Market’s London Classic Gold event, beating Al-Hammami.

“At match ball I played a reverse boast [when the opposite sidewall is hit first] and that’s not usually something I do,” Al-Hammami said. “I’m so happy it went well. The key to my win was the fourth game. I had to start that one well so I could think of a fifth game.

“I’m flying in a few hours, so I don’t have much time to celebrate. But I’m really looking forward to enjoying a day with my family and friends and having some Egyptian desserts,” Orfi said.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 28 November, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly