Ali Fathi Flourishes In Saskatoon
by Howard Harding

25 November 2013 - Karim Ali Fathi became the first Egyptian winner of the Prairie Auto Haus Saskatoon Boast Open in the 12-year history of the PSA World Tour squash event in Canada when he beat New Zealander Martin Knight in the final of the PSA Challenger 10 championship before a capacity crowd at the Saskatoon YMCA in Saskatoon.

"Ali Fathi certainly had the advantage in being able to hit more winners, especially numerous backhand drives into the nick," reported tournament promoter Brad Birnie. "After taking the first game handily, the tide seemed to turn as Fathi made more mistakes with Knight taking the second.

"The crucial third game had Knight earning his way to game ball at 10-6. Ali Fathi came back from a seemingly hopeless situation and battled hard in winning the next six points to go to extras and finally winning 12-10. It took its toll, however, as both players were gassed!

"After a 16-minute break to have Ali Fathi treat and bandage a cut on his knee, both players looked energized for the fourth. With Knight serving at 5-6, the players alternated every point after that, with Ali Fathi claiming the title at 11-9 in the fourth. There was much rejoicing."

The 102-minute title triumph marks the world No 41 from Cairo's third PSA Tour title in two months - and the eighth of the 20-year-old's brief career to date.

RESULTS: PSA Challenger 10 Prairie Auto Haus Saskatoon Boast Open, Saskatoon, Canada

Final:
[1] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) bt [2] Martin Knight (NZL) 11-4, 6-11, 12-10, 11-9 (102m)