Amina Orfi became squash’s youngest women’s world No.1 – eclipsing the record of New Zealand great Susan Devoy – as she came through a five-game thriller over Hania El Hammamy in the Qatar Classic Final.
This was a match to bottle up and savour on the road to LA 2028 as the women’s game once again showed its strength over the men’s game.
Orfi prevailed 11-7, 7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 10-12 over 108 minutes as Mostafa Asal won his first Qatar trophy with a one-way win over Victor Crouin.
“It’s amazing. To be able to become World Champion and World No.1 in the same year, it’s amazing,” said Orfi, the world junior and senior champion.
“It’s been a dream since I was young. I’m really happy right now.
“I’ve learned from past matches against Hania and Nour [ElSherbini], just to keep my cool at the end and go for it, because if I don’t go for it, she will!”
Orfi came from a game down to lead 2-1, with El Hammamy picking up an ankle injury in the third.
INCREDIBLE! 🤯
Amina Orfi wins a 107-minute epic to lift her first Platinum title and become the youngest-ever Women’s World No.1! 💥 pic.twitter.com/LQ7Ki0CIWu
— PSA Squash Tour (@PSASquashTour) September 18, 2026
The Egyptian, who was world No.1, clearly didn’t want to relinquish her top table position to the young pretender and came through to win the fourth by slowing the pace and lifting.
But Orfi was still showing unerring power and held two championship points before El Hammamy showed her mettle to take it to a tie break. Until Orfi clawed over the line.
Meanwhile, Asal was in dominating form with pure power and precision against the Frenchman to win 11-5, 11-6, 11-2.