English ace claims second PSA title after halting Joel Hinds
By Squash Mad Reporter
England’s Tom Ford claimed a surprise second PSA World Tour title this year when he beat Frenchman Geoffrey Demont in the final of the City Hall PSA Challenger Anadia, the inaugural PSA Challenger 5 squash event at Complexo Desportivo de Anadia in Anadia, Portugal.
Seeded three, 20-year-old Ford made his breakthrough in the semi-finals when he recorded his first ever win over English rival Joel Hinds, the No.2 seed ranked 27 places higher in the world.
Fifth seed Demont was celebrating his second Tour final this month after arriving in Portugal fresh from a surprise title triumph in last week’s Romania International.
But Ford was unstoppable. The world No.99 despatched Demont 11-5, 11-3, 11-2 to secure his unexpected place on the winner’s podium.
“I’m over the moon to have won my 2nd PSA Title here in Portugal,” Gloucestershire man Ford (pictured above, left, with Demont) told his fans on Facebook. “Could not have wished for a better start to the season!
“Always tough to play a close friend in the final but you’ve also had a dream start to the season! Geoffrey Dmt! David Ford and Barbara Piranty thank you again for your unfaltering support through the good times and the bad – not only with regard to squash.
“Thank you to Hadrian Stiff for being a mentor, friend, and so much more than a coach. Thank you to my sponsors Joel U Shields, Simon Firkins and Bristol Chiropractic Clinic – it’s incredible to have such an amazing team to work with.”
PSA Challenger 5 City Hall PSA Challenger Anadia, Anadia, Portugal:
1st round:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) 11-8, 11-4, 11-2
Rui Soares (POR) bt [Q] Marc ter Sluis (NED) 11-9, 11-6, 11-6
Bernat Jaume (ESP) bt [Q] Manuel Wanner (SUI) 11-8, 3-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7
[8] Thoboki Mohohlo (RSA) bt Xavier Blasco Marchal (ESP) 11-7, 11-5, 11-4
[5] Geoffrey Demont (FRA) bt [Q] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 10-12, 9-11, 13-11, 11-9, 12-10
Phil Nightingale (ENG) bt Claudio Pinto (POR) 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 12-14, 11-7
David Wardle (ENG) bt Jerome Dadot (FRA) 12-14, 5-11, 11-3, 11-3, 11-9
[4] Alejandro Garbi Caro (ESP) bt [Q] Aitor Zunzunegui (ESP) 11-6, 11-9, 11-6
[3] Tom Ford (ENG) bt Jaakko Vahamaa (FIN) 11-8, 11-2, 11-8
Angus Gillams (ENG) bt Auguste Dussourd (FRA) 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8
[Q] Lyell Fuller (ENG) bt Tatu Knuutila (FIN) 11-6, 11-1, 11-3
[7] Carlos Cornes Ribadas (ESP) bt Julian Tomlinson (ENG) 11-7, 11-4, 11-7
[6] Michael Harris (ENG) bt [WC] Tomas Silva (POR) 11-5, 11-7, 11-6
Tristan Eysele (ENG) bt [Q] Edmon Lopez Moller (ESP) 5-11, 11-9, 5-11, 13-11, 11-8
Miroslav Celler (SVK) bt [Q] Lukasz Stachowski (POL) 11-8, 11-9, 11-9
[2] Joel Hinds (ENG) bt [Q] Joeri Hapers (BEL) 11-4, 11-8, 11-1
2nd round:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Rui Soares (POR) 3-11, 11-7, 11-1, 11-5
[8] Thoboki Mohohlo (RSA) bt Bernat Jaume (ESP) 11-13, 11-9, 11-3, 11-9
[5] Geoffrey Demont (FRA) bt Phil Nightingale (ENG) 11-7, 11-6, 11-6
[4] Alejandro Garbi Caro (ESP) bt David Wardle (ENG) 11-7, 11-2, 11-2
[3] Tom Ford (ENG) bt Angus Gillams (ENG) 12-10, 11-5, 11-7
[7] Carlos Cornes Ribadas (ESP) bt [Q] Lyell Fuller (ENG) 11-9, 11-8, 11-9
[6] Michael Harris (ENG) bt Tristan Eysele (ENG) 11-6, 11-4, 12-10
[2] Joel Hinds (ENG) bt Miroslav Celler (SVK) 11-5, 12-10, 11-8
Quarter-finals:
[8] Thoboki Mohohlo (RSA) bt [1] Jan Koukal (CZE) 11-7, 11-8, 4-11, 8-11, 11-1
[5] Geoffrey Demont (FRA) bt [4] Alejandro Garbi Caro (ESP) 4-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-4
[3] Tom Ford (ENG) bt [7] Carlos Cornes Ribadas (ESP) 11-3, 8-11, 3-11, 11-3, 11-3
[2] Joel Hinds (ENG) bt [6] Michael Harris (ENG) 11-6, 16-14, 11-9
Semi-finals:
[5] Geoffrey Demont (FRA) bt [8] Thoboki Mohohlo (RSA) 11-8, 8-11, 6-11, 11-9, 12-10
[3] Tom Ford (ENG) bt [2] Joel Hinds (ENG) 11-8, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10
Final:
[3] Tom Ford (ENG) bt [5] Geoffrey Demont (FRA) 11-5, 11-3, 11-2
For all the latest Tour news: www.psaworldtour.com
Picture courtesy of PSA