Team USA’s Todd Harrity came up short in $16, 000 Ganem Vein Institute Cactus Classic final Sunday afternoon, losing in four games against Egyptian top seed Omar Abdel Meguid at the Foley Squash Pavilion in Phoenix, Arizona.
Harrity, world No. 52, had fought through five-games in both his quarterfinal and semifinal leading into the final, while Meguid had dropped only one game all tournament in the semifinals. Meguid held a 2-0 career record against the American three seed going into Sunday’s final, and would make it 3-0.
“As Meguid and Harrity were warming up, there was an obvious feeling that the mojo in the crowd was firmly behind the No. 1 U.S. player, ” reported David Foley, Tournament Director. “Play began with Omar taking the first three points. Not a good start for the U.S. Meguid took the first game 11-7.
“The second held hope for the biased spectators. When the game was tied at 10-10, Meguid was too strong and took the next two points, giving him a commanding 2-0 lead. Harrity slowed the pace in the third with some well placed lobs and was off to a 5-1 start. Todd kept the U.S. hopes alive winning 11-9. Mequid, however, was not to be denied. Harrity was no match for the big Egyptian, and fell quickly giving Omar Meguid his third 15K title in a row. Dohar Qatar, Portland Oregon, and now Phoenix Arizona!”
Harrity and U.S. teammate Chris Hanson now head to Chicago for the World Series Windy City Open.