American wins PSA satellite tourney
By KIM CLEARKIN – Squash Mad Chief Reporter
Another weekend of entertaining squash at the Bay Club in San Francisco has just finished with the second PSA Closed Satellite event being contested in conjunction with the annual fundraiser for SquashDrive, the local Urban Squash Program.
Featuring Chris Hanson, up and coming US squash pro from Greenwich, BCSF’s own squash pro Charlie Johnson, Mexican junior phenom Jesus Camacho (16) together with 15 other local elite juniors and adult players, spectators were destined to enjoy a feast of squash throughout the weekend.
Matches were also live streamed and families from all over the country (and world ) were able to view some very close and high quality matches.
True to seedings, Chris Hanson and Charlie Johnson battled their way to the final, both overcoming talented Mexican players in the semi finals.
Watched by both Mom’s in Greenwich and England, the final was a great contest between two extremely fair but competitive players.
After going 2-0 down to Chris, who was very steady and assured, Charlie came out firing on all cylinders in the third game and executed some very clinical rallies.
The fourth game saw some very attacking play with both players stepping up to increase the pace. At 10-4 match ball, the match was surely over.
But Charlie rallied and fought his way back to 10-10. Chris had another match ball at 11-10. The final rally was a heartbreaker for Charlie as he just couldnt manage to get out of the way of his rally winning shot.
This is Chris’s first PSA win and thoroughly deserved. After suffering a hamstring injury recently Chris is just getting better and better. Both players though are to be commended on their sportsmanship throughout the match.
Results title (i.e. First Round):
Insert results (winner’s name most be in bold! – no spaces between each result as well – keeps compact)
Picture by Steve Cubbins (SquashSite)