Coleman claims first PSA title after a 79-minute battle in Granite City
By Squash Mad PSA Correspondent
An all-English final brought the first PSA World Tour squash event to be staged in Scotland for 13 years to a close when Ben Coleman beat Declan James to win the Trac Oil & Gas North of Scotland Open in Aberdeen.
The triumph in the climax of the PSA Challenger 5 event at Aberdeen Squash & Racketball Club marked 23-year-old Coleman’s maiden title success after six Tour final appearances.
The No.2 seed from Chelmsford reached the final without dropping a game – but immediately went one down as James, the third seed from Nottingham, took the opening advantage.
But Coleman, the World No.79 hungry for his first appearance on a winner’s podium, soon reclaimed the advantage before closing out the match 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4 after 79 minutes.
“It feels slightly overdue winning my first title after about six finals – but nonetheless I am extremely happy to have won it,” said the jubilant Essex man (pictured below with runner-up James) afterwards. “Hopefully this will be the first of many in my career now.
“I’ve had a fantastic week in Aberdeen and really enjoyed my time – the people here are great.
“On the back of reaching the final in Paris last week, I came into this tournament feeling confident with how I am playing and excited to perform well, knowing I had a good chance to win my first title.
“The final was tough, more mentally than physically for me, but I am very happy to have won this title and look forward to finishing the rest of my season with some good results.
“Next up for me is the British Open qualifying in a few weeks,” added the new Aberdeen champion. “I can’t wait to have a crack at a player ranked inside the top 40 probably.”
PSA Challenger 5 Trac Oil & Gas North of Scotland Open, Aberdeen, Scotland
First round:
[1] Joel Hinds (ENG) bt [Q] Will John (WAL) 11-3, 11-9, 11-6 (26m)
[Q] Stuart Crawford (SCO) bt [5] Kevin Moran (SCO) 13-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-5 (62m)
[6] Douglas Kempsell (SCO) bt Rui Soares (POR) 11-5, 12-10, 11-9 (33m)
[3] Declan James (ENG) bt Pablo Rawden (ENG) 11-5, 13-11, 11-4 (35m)
Tim Weber (GER) bt [4] Nathan Lake (ENG) 7-11, 11-6, 16-14, 7-11, 11-4 (72m)
[7] James Earles (ENG) bt Claudio Pinto (POR) 11-6, 11-7, 11-5 (25m)
[Q] Jamie Henderson (SCO) bt [8] Micah Franklin (BER) 2-11, 11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7 (61m)
[2] Ben Coleman (ENG) bt [Q] Nick Mulvey (ENG) 11-2, 11-2, 11-7 (28m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Joel Hinds (ENG) bt [Q] Stuart Crawford (SCO) 11-3, 11-9, 9-11, 11-3 (51m)
[3] Declan James (ENG) bt [6] Douglas Kempsell (SCO) 11-9, 11-6, 11-9 (50m)
[7] James Earles (ENG) bt Tim Weber (GER) 9-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8, 11-8 (58m)
[2] Ben Coleman (ENG) bt [Q] Jamie Henderson (SCO) 11-7, 11-3, 11-6 (26m)
Semi-finals:
[3] Declan James (ENG) bt [1] Joel Hinds (ENG) 11-8, 13-11, 11-2 (58m)
[2] Ben Coleman (ENG) bt [7] James Earles (ENG) 11-4, 11-8, 11-9 (36m)
Final:
[2] Ben Coleman (ENG) bt [3] Declan James (ENG) 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4 (79m)
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