Mohamad Zakaria upstaged top seed Miguel Angel Rodriguez as youth conquered experience in an epic IQUW Bermuda Squash Open final on Saturday night.

The No 2 seed was forced to dig deep against British Open winner Rodriguez to prevail 3-2 in a pulsating and fiercely contested battle that kept the large crowd on the edges of their seats from the opening serve.

“I really wanted to win this tournament to help my ranking a lot and I am very, very proud,” an elated Zakaria told The Royal Gazette. “It feels amazing that all the work that I put in paid off.”

The 17-year-old Egyptian was forced to play catch-up in a contest spanning 1hr 9min after Columbian Rodriguez took the opening game 11-8.

However, it was game on after Zakaria jumped out to a commanding five-point advantage on the way to an 11-7 win in the next game to level the best-of-five series.

The pendulum swung again when the 39-year-old Rodriquez breezed to a comfortable 11-6 victory in the third game to thrust himself back in the driver’s seat.

But World Junior Open champion Zakaria demonstrated tremendous resolve under pressure in the pivotal fourth game, staving off five championship points to prevail 15-3 and send a gripping contest featuring phenomenal stroke play, athleticism and marathon rallies to a deciding fifth game.

With the title on the line, Zakaria won the final game convincingly 11-4 as frustration over several disputed calls by the officials and fatigue took their toll on Rodriguez, with his youthful opponent taking advantage.

“I knew it was going to be hard because he is a seasoned player and I am very happy to come through,” Zakaria said.

“I wanted to be attacking and not being on the passive side; to really let my arm go and let my squash do the talking, which really helped a lot.”

There was also elation for Malaysian top seed Aira Azman, who took only 27 minutes to dispose of No 2 seed Hana Moataz 3-0 in the women’s final.

Azman was pushed hard by her Egyptian rival in the opening game but managed to come away with a 12-10 victory to take early control.

The 21-year-old then capitalised on a plethora of errors by Moataz, who also displayed signs of fatigue after a marathon semi-final win over compatriot Amina El Rihany 24 hours earlier, to take the next two games 11-3 and 11-6 and clinch the title.

“It feels great to win,” Azman said. “I was a bit nervous throughout the week because I was the highest seed and felt pressured having not been doing well for the past couple of months.

“But I am happy that I came here on form even though the first few days it was really tough. I couldn’t find my rhythm but eventually towards the end I really felt better. I was playing 3-2, 3-2 and 3-0 matches so I really feel I was learning something and keeping myself sharp.”

Azman, who beat younger sibling Aifa in the semi-final, was confident of success heading into the championship match with Moataz.

“I was really expecting to beat her but I think she had a rough couple of days playing five setters,” she said.

“She was a bit tired and I am very happy that I took advantage to keep myself sharpened and finish in three today.

“I know she is a fighter. The past couple of days she almost lost but she still fought to finish it, and I was prepared that she was coming back so I had to stay sharp.”