French ace shows top form as he beats Colombian in 100-minute final
By NATHAN CLARKE – Squash Mad PSA Correspondent
Frenchman Mathieu Castagnet, the 27-year-old World No.19, claimed the biggest PSA World Tour title of his career to date by defeating Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez in the final of the PSA International 50 – Open de squash Financière Banque Nationale tournament in Montreal, Canada.
The number four seed from Aix-En-Provence, who last tasted victory in a PSA World Tour event in 2009, continued the impressive form that has saw him break into the top 20 for the first time in his career this summer to defeat World No.14 Rodriguez in a thrilling 100-minute encounter.
It was the second marathon match for both players during the tournament, with Castagnet taking 129-minutes to see off Alan Clyne in the quarter-finals and Rodriguez coming through a 107-minute encounter against Borja Golan in the semi-finals, but both men had enough in reserve to produce an enthralling encounter that the Frenchman secured courtesy of two tie-break games.
Castagnet capitalised on his opponent’s tough semi-final to take the opening game 11-7 and showed his killer instinct to take a close second game 14-12.
However, Rodriguez, the highest ranked South American player of all time, fought back to take the third but Castagnet rallied and closed out the match 3-1 courtesy of another tie-break win.
“I can’t believe I won and got the title,” said a thrilled Castagnet afterwards.
“I have to give huge thanks to all my sponsors and my staff for all the support they give to me. I’m looking forward to celebrating this win back in Marseille.”
Open de squash Financière Banque Nationale 2014, Montreal, Canada.
Final:
[4] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt [3] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 3-1: 11-7, 14-12, 9-11, 13-11 (100mins)
Picture courtesy of PSA