El Torky & Galifi Prevail In First China Open

There were surprise successes in the inaugural Bailian New Era Mall China Open when fifth-seeded Frenchman Stephane Galifi clinched the men's PSA Tour title and Egypt's third seed Heba El Torky the women's WISPA World Tour title at the Bailian New Era Shopping Mall in Shanghai.

It was a quarter-final victory over top seed Dick Lau which began Galifi's breakthrough in the $11,250 PSA Tour event. The 30-year-old from Aix-en-Provence then despatched third-seeded fellow countryman Romain Tenant in the semi-finals before facing second seed Max Lee, like Lau also from Hong Kong, in the final.

Galifi battled for four games before beating Lee 11-8, 11-4, 10-12, 11-8 in 56 minutes to claim his second Tour title of the year.

The climax of the women's $7,300 Tour event produced a rare clash between two sisters. Heba El Torky made the final after upsetting Hong Kong favourite Christina Mak in the semis - while her younger sister Nouran El Torky, the fifth seed, aged 15, overcame Welsh opponent Deon Saffery, the No2 seed.

Nouran took the opening game in the final - but 17-year-old Heba ultimately proved the stronger of the pair to secure an 11-13, 13-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6 victory, and the maiden Tour title of her career.

Men's Final:
[5] Stephane Galifi (FRA) bt [2] Max Lee (HKG) 11-8, 11-4, 10-12, 11-8 (56m)

Women's Final:
[3] Heba El Torky (EGY) bt [5] Nouran El Torky (EGY) 11-13, 13-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6 (44m)