Aussies in the news: Moose
and Zac hit the headlines
By KIM SCHRAMM – Squash Mad Australian Correspondent
Two Aussie men squash players enjoyed success this week. Both players won PSA Challenger 5 events. Evergreen Mike Corren became the first player aged 40 to win a PSA tour event and Queenslander Zac Alexander won his second tournament since returning from injury.
Corren won his first Top End Open in Darwin after being runner up in the event over the previous two years. He beat the 4th seed Tsz Fung Yip in the final. Earlier the Hong Kong player ranked 139 in the world beat the #1 seed Jan Koukal from the Czech Republic (WR 67) 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 11-4 to reach his second final in succession.
However, the tournament belonged to Corren who once again etched himself into the record books. A jubilant Corren, who had just notched up his 48th tour win and had just beaten a finalist half his age, was again modest in victory outlining “… to win an event at 40 I find pleasing – mostly because most folk say it can’t be done. That aside, I just aim to continue enjoying every moment whilst it is available to me.”
In the Northern hemisphere, Zac Alexander enjoyed winning his second title in as many outings. The 25 year old, former world number 36 had just secured his 13th title overall. Alexander returned to the winner’s podium in April after a seven month layoff recovering from hip surgery.
Despite winning the final it took 58 minutes to shake off the challenge of giant killing qualifier Diego Elias from Peru. Elias became the first Peruvian to reach a tour final.
Alexander was full of praise for organizers and his closing remarks endorsed the efforts of his 17 year old opponent “thanks to Diego for a great final and good luck with your squash in the future.”
Donna Urquhart was the only Aussie to reach the main draw from the qualifying rounds of the Allam British Open … congratulations Donna! She now joins fellow Aussies Kasey Brown and Rachael Grinham in the first round of this prestigious event.
Despite valiant efforts from Ryan Cuskelly and Lisa Camilleri they just missed out on qualifying.
Results Round-Up:
$5,000 Men’s Top End Open 2014 – Australia
Final: [2] Mike Corren (AUS) bt [4] Tsz Fung Yip (HKG) 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8 (47m)
$5,000 Men’s Greenwich Challenger 2014 – USA
Final: [2] Zac Alexander (AUS) bt [Q] Diego Elias (PER) 16-14, 11-5, 11-3 (58m)
$100,000 Women’s Allam British Open 2014 – England
1st qualifying round:
Donna Urquhart (AUS) bt Fiona Moverley (ENG) 11-9, 11-5, 11-6 (22m)
Lisa Camilleri (AUS) bt Laura Pomportes (FRA) 11-3, 11-5, 2-11, 8-11, 11-3 (38m)
Samantha Teran (MEX) bt Sarah Cardwell (AUS) 11-4, 11-6, 11-4 (28m)
Qualifying finals:
Donna Urquhart (AUS) bt Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY) 11-8, 11-9, 13-11 (43m)
Siyoli Waters (RSA) bt Lisa Camilleri (AUS) 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 6-11, 11-7 (52m)
$150,000 Men’s Allam British Open 2014 – England
1st qualifying round:
Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) bt Ben Coleman (ENG) 11-5, 11-8, 13-11 (58m)
Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt Steven Finitsis (AUS) 11-9, 11-9, 11-8 (57m)
Qualifying finals:
Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bt Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) 5-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 (51m)
First Round:
Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt Cameron Pilley (AUS) 9-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-4 (80m)
Pictures from Kim Schramm