In a dazzling display of composure, power, and tactical brilliance, 20-year-old Egyptian squash star Malak Khafagy captured her fifth—and most prestigious—PSA World Tour title on Sunday, defeating France’s Camille Serme, a former World No.2, in the 2025 Santiago Open final.
Held inside the buzzing As Cancelas shopping centre, the final saw Khafagy elevate her game to new heights, overcoming the seasoned French veteran in a high-octane encounter that lasted just over an hour. The result marks a significant milestone in the rising Egyptian’s career, as she claimed her first title at this tier, firmly establishing herself as one of the sport’s most promising young contenders.
A Star on the Rise
Khafagy, already hailed within squash circles for her athleticism and court vision, entered the match as the underdog against 35-year-old Serme, who returned to professional competition after a brief hiatus. Despite Serme’s experience and previous pedigree—including a semi-final appearance at the World Championships and a 2017 British Open title—Khafagy remained unfazed.
Displaying a mature blend of aggression and finesse, the Egyptian dominated the key rallies and crucial moments, particularly in the closing stages of a tense fourth game, where she saved two game balls before sealing the match 11–8, 9–11, 11–7, 14–12.
“This is a dream come true,” said a visibly emotional Khafagy after the win. “To beat a player like Camille—someone I’ve looked up to for years—is just surreal. I’ve been working so hard for this, and today it all came together.”
Egypt’s Continued Squash Supremacy
Khafagy’s victory extends Egypt’s longstanding dominance in global squash, a sport the North African nation has come to rule over the past two decades, producing legends such as Amr Shabana, Raneem El Welily, and current World No.1 Ali Farag.
Her Santiago triumph adds a fifth trophy to her PSA Tour cabinet, but more crucially, it marks a breakthrough win on the international stage, likely to vault her further up the global rankings and into contention for higher-tier events later in the season, including the prestigious Platinum tournaments.
Camille Serme: A Formidable Return
For Serme, the loss was bittersweet but encouraging. Having stepped away from the tour in 2022 for personal and injury-related reasons, her performance in Santiago was seen as a strong statement of intent. She praised Khafagy post-match: “Malak played incredibly well today. She has the mindset and skill to go very far, and I have no doubt we’ll be seeing much more of her at the top.”
What’s Next for Khafagy?
With the squash world taking notice, Khafagy’s next steps will be closely followed. Her Santiago victory not only solidifies her position as a future top-ten prospect but also serves as a symbol of a generational shift in the women’s game, with young talent rising to challenge the established elite.
As the 2025 PSA season intensifies, Malak Khafagy’s name is no longer one to watch—it’s one to remember.
