Mexican maestro masters takes out English stars to reign in Carolina
By NATHAN CLARKE
Mexican veteran Eric Galvez won back-to-back PSA World Tour titles for the first time in his career when he beat England’s Lewis Walters in the final of the Charlotte Open, the inaugural PSA Challenger 5 squash event at Charlotte Squash Club in the US state of North Carolina.
Seeded three, the 31-year-old from Puebla arrived in North Carolina direct from New York, where he picked up the Rochester ProAm title, his first of the year.
Former Mexican number one Galvez rolled back the years in the Charlotte semi-finals to upset Tom Ford, the 21-year-old top seed from England, to reach the 28th Tour final of his career.
Walters, the US-based fourth seed from Nottingham, survived an all-English affair to make the ninth final of his career – needing more than an hour to see off unseeded Reuben Phillips.
“The final of the Charlotte Open was the longest and most excellent match of the tournament,” said tournament promoter Connie Barnes. “The wily Walters and the ‘pirate’ Galvez were gladiators as they moved around the court – the energy for and from the crowd, most of whom had not seen a PSA match before, was palpable.”
It was nip and tuck throughout the 97-minute battle which went the full distance, with Galvez ultimately prevailing in the decider to win 11-6, 12-14, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8.
“Congratulations to Lewis and thanks to everyone for coming here on a usual family day,” said Galvez after securing the 13th PSA World Tour title of his career – and establishing a new career-high eight-match winning streak. “I hope to see a bigger and better event next year!”
Walters echoed the Mexican’s thanks to the crowd: “And thanks too to Eric for the final match, even if he did win! We all hope Connie will continue putting on these tournaments. Thank also to my sponsors MB-Nottingham, Salming and Prince Squash.”
PSA Challenger 5 Charlotte Open, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
1st round:
[1] Tom Ford (ENG) bt [Q] Francisco Mendez Correa (MEX)
11-4, 11-1, 11-3 (23m)
[8] Amaad Fareed (PAK) bt Faraz Khan (USA)
4-11, 11-8, 5-11, 12-10, 11-8 (55m)
[Q] Vikram Malhotra (IND) bt [5] Sunil Seth (GUY)
10-12, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6 (45m)
[3] Eric Galvez (MEX) bt [Q] Cameron Stafford (CAY)
11-7, 11-6, 15-13 (35m)
[4] Lewis Walters (ENG) bt [WC] Cass Sunstein (USA)
11-4, 11-2, 11-5 (24m)
[6] Alex Ingham (ENG) bt [Q] Jesus Camacho (MEX)
15-13, 11-6, 4-11, 11-8 (53m)
Nicolas Caballero (PAR) bt [7] Jonathan Maloney (ENG)
11-9, 11-7, 10-12, 10-12, 11-9 (70m)
Reuben Phillips (ENG) bt [2] Dane Sharp (CAN)
9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8 (63m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Tom Ford (ENG) bt [8] Amaad Fareed (PAK)
11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6 (65m)
[3] Eric Galvez (MEX) bt [Q] Vikram Malhotra (IND)
11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 11-4 (45m)
[4] Lewis Walters (ENG) bt [6] Alex Ingham (ENG)
12-14, 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 (55m)
Reuben Phillips (ENG) bt Nicolas Caballero (PAR)
13-11, 11-5, 11-3 (35m)
Semi-finals:
[3] Eric Galvez (MEX) bt [1] Tom Ford (ENG)
11-8, 3-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-7 (76m)
[4] Lewis Walters (ENG) bt Reuben Phillips (ENG)
11-7, 9-11, 11-1, 12-10 (65m)
Final:
[3] Eric Galvez (MEX) bt [4] Lewis Walters (ENG)
11-6, 12-14, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8 (97m)
Picture courtesy of PSA