Scottish No.2 wins fifth PSA title as Nick Matthew hosts new event at Hallamshire
By Squash Mad Reporter
Rising Scottish squash star Greg Lobban claimed his third PSA World Tour title of the year in Sheffield when he held off up-and-coming English junior George Parker in the final of the Courtcraft Nick Matthew Academy Steel City Open, the inaugural PSA Challenger 5 event at Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club in the Yorkshire city in England.
Co-sponsored by three-time world champion Nick Matthew at his home club, the event attracted a high quality field, led by Lobban, the Scottish number two who hails from Inverness.
The World No.67 had to overcome England’s Fuller brothers Mark and Chris to reach the 11th Tour final of his career.
In the other half of the draw, 18-year-old Parker produced some of his best squash on the professional circuit to reach his first Tour final, against expectations.
Seeded eight, the recently-crowned British Junior champion upset second-seeded compatriot Nathan Lake in four games in the quarter-finals, then ousted another Englishman, No.4 seed Adam Murrills in the semis, to make the final.
“Both players started brightly, testing each other and trying to command the ‘T’ in the final,” reported event spokesman Terry Dudley.
“An exchange of points took Lobban to game ball 10-6. Lobban executed a forehand drop, with Parker stranded in the back of court, to take the first game.
“Lobban closed out the second game 11-5 and complete dominance by him in the third secured the match. Parker tried hard, worked hard and never gave up – but the extra pace movement and court craft of Lobban had too much for Parker on the day.
“All credit should go to Nick (Matthew) and Trevor Davies of ProSquash for promoting and staging the event,” concluded Dudley.
The 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 victory in 31 minutes takes Lobban’s career Tour title haul to five.
PSA Challenger 5 Courtcraft Nick Matthew Academy Steel City Open, Sheffield, England.
1st round:
[1] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt Micah Franklin (BER) 11-4, 11-2, 11-8 (26m)
[5] Mark Fuller (ENG) bt Steven London (ENG) 13-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-5 (48m)
[7] Kevin Moran (SCO) bt Ben Grindrod (NZL) 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-5 (43m)
[3] Chris Fuller (ENG) bt Benjamin Coates (ENG) 11-6, 11-2, 11-4 (34m)
[4] Adam Murrills (ENG) bt [WC] Adam Turner (ENG) 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-2 (39m)
[6] James Earles (ENG) bt Ashley Davies (ENG) 12-10, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7 (59m)
[8] George Parker (ENG) bt Joshua Masters (ENG) 6-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-6 (50m)
[2] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt Tristan Eysele (ENG) 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 (28m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [5] Mark Fuller (ENG) 11-8, 13-11, 10-12, 11-6 (72m)
[3] Chris Fuller (ENG) bt [7] Kevin Moran (SCO) 11-8, 11-6, 11-3 (36m)
[4] Adam Murrills (ENG) bt [6] James Earles (ENG) 12-10, 11-4, 11-5 (35m)
[8] George Parker (ENG) bt [2] Nathan Lake (ENG) 11-5, 11-7, 9-11, 11-1 (46m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [3] Chris Fuller (ENG) 11-5, 11-5, 11-7 (40m)
[8] George Parker (ENG) bt [4] Adam Murrills (ENG) 11-8, 11-7, 12-10 (43m)
Final:
[1] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [8] George Parker (ENG) 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 (31m)
Picture by ProSquash