Friday, March 29, 2024

Charlie Johnson wins Santa Clara Satellite

Charlie Johnson (third right) enjoys his win at Santa Clara
Charlie Johnson (third right) enjoys his win at Santa Clara

Johnson hits back from two games down to beat Lopez in five
By JON PERRY – Squash Mad Reporter in Santa Clara

Charlie Johnson, Englishman and local Bay Club pro, clinched a win over Ricardo Lopez in a reversal of their last Satellite Series meeting in a dramatic five-game comeback in the Bay Club Santa Clara’s first PSA Satellite Pro Draw today (June 28).

Johnson, down two games 8-11 (in both), fired back in the third 11-7 and 11-5 in the fourth to force a five game tiebreaker.

Johnson had maintained 3-0 wins over his previous opponents throughout the tournament, only pressured in the last match of the Series, where he managed to best Lopez, providing revenge for his loss in the NorCal Satellite Series a few months prior.

Finalist Charlie Johnson (L) with Ricardo Lopez, winner of the third NorCal Satellite series

It seems tournament director Jonathan Perry’s prediction was proved right; Johnson secured a tight win, and was well-supported by Santa Clara-locals.

Composed largely of local California players, Closed Satellite tournaments like these are designed to help aspiring PSA players gain valuable points so that they can rise up the world rankings and subsequently qualify for higher ranked tournaments.

Closed Satellite tournaments bring together top local juniors who need exposure to the next level to improve, top local adults who may in the past have played on the tour or at college, and the young PSA player.

This mixes results in a tournament with lots of local flavor for squash fans to enjoy.

The Santa Clara series offered a $1,000 purse prize, sponsored by Harvest Management Partners, LLC.

 

 

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