Ryan Cuskelly throws out the form guide to clinch Australian Closed victory in Victoria
By ROSS SOLLY – courtesy of Squash Australia
Lismore’s Ryan Cuskelly has surprised even himself by winning the Australian Closed Squash Championship title in Victoria.
The 27-year-old Cuskelly, who now calls New York home, beat top seed Cameron Pilley in straight games, 12-10, 12-10, 12-10 at the Mulgrave Country Club.
Cuskelly fought his was back from 8-10 down in the third to take the match.
Pilley, currently ranked 18th in the world, had no answer for the energetic Cuskelly, currently ranked 44th in the world.
“I didn’t really expect that to be honest,” Cuskelly said.
“Cameron had a good result in the World Open and has been playing pretty well at the end of the year, and I’ve been pretty bad to be honest.
“This week I just relaxed and tried to have fun for once. That’s how it should play all the time. I tried a few more shots and it came off.
I’ve done it too many times when I’ve been up against good players and let them back in, so today I just went for it.”
Rex Hedrick achieved another outstanding result by beating Steve Finitsis for the bronze medal.
24-hours earlier Australia’s top female player, 37-year-old Rachael Grinham, took less than 20 minutes to wrap up the women’s title.
Grinham beat second seed Lisa Camilleri in straight games, 11-7, 11-4, 11-4.
Report courtesy of: www.squash.org.au
Picture from Facebook