Khalifa Follows Ashour With Title Win In Maiden Tour Appearance

Egyptian Amr Khaled Khalifa has joined a select group of players who have won a Tour title in their maiden appearance in a Professional Squash Association (PSA) event - a feat achieved by his compatriot Ramy Ashour, the reigning World Open champion - when he picked up the Palestra In Forma Open crown in Italy.

But unlike Ashour, winner of the Athens Open in November 2004 aged 17, Khalifa was only 16 - and a qualifier - when he battled for 58 minutes to beat top-seeded Australian Steve Finitsis 11-7, 3-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-4 in the final of the inaugural $3,000 Satellite event at Palestra In Forma in Bergamo.

Amr Khaled Khalifa made his breakthrough in the first round when be beat experienced Italian Luca Mastrostefano, the No2 seed, 11-1, 11-5, 12-10 in just 29 minutes.

The Cairo teenager went on to despatch fifth seed Gary Wheadon and fellow qualifier Rudi Willemse, both from South Africa, to reach the climax without dropping a game.

Final:
[Q] Amr Khaled Khalifa (EGY) bt [1] Steve Finitsis (AUS) 11-7, 3-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-4 (58m)