Canadians culled as Aussie wins comeback crown
By Squash Mad Reporter
Australian Zac Alexander, out of action for six months following hip surgery, marked his return to top flight squash in emphatic style in Canada when he won the Colony Ford Lincoln National Squash Academy Open, the PSA Challenger 5 event in its fourth year at the National Squash Academy in Toronto.
Seeded two, the US-based 25-year-old from Brisbane had to see off a trio of Canadians to claim his place in the final – at the final hurdle taken the full distance by Toronto-based Michael McCue before beating the No.4 seed 11-2, 11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 12-10 in 67 minutes.
Alexander’s final opponent Shahjahan Khan was also taken to five games in the other semi – where the Pakistani denied Dane Sharp a fourth successive title when he upset the top-seeded Canadian 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4 in 65 minutes.
The shock win took Quetta-born 19-year-old Khan into his maiden Tour final – while the experienced Australian was celebrating the 21st of his career.
It took 36 minutes for Alexander (pictured with Khan) to secure the 14th PSA World Tour title triumph of his career – and his third of the year – when he despatched third seed Khan 11-2, 11-3, 11-6.
PSA Challenger 5 Colony Ford Lincoln National Squash Academy Open, Toronto, Canada:
1st round:
[1] Dane Sharp (CAN) bt [Q] James van Staveren (CAN) 11-5, 11-4, 9-11, 13-11
[LL] Bradbury Thompson (USA) bt [Q] Antonio de la Torre (GUA) 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8
[6] Jonathan Maloney (ENG) bt [Q] Francisco Mendez Correa (MEX) 12-10, 11-9, 11-6
[3] Shahjahan Khan (PAK) bt Chris Hanson (USA) 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-4
[4] Michael McCue (CAN) bt [WC] Joshua Hollings (CAN) 11-3, 11-6, 11-4
Tyler Hamilton (CAN) bt Josue Enriquez (GUA) 11-8, 2-11, 12-10, 11-6
[5] Nicholas Sachvie (CAN) bt Kale Wilson (TRI) 11-2, 11-4, 11-5
[2] Zac Alexander (AUS) bt [Q] Cameron Seth (CAN) 11-5, 11-6, 11-9
Quarter-finals:
[1] Dane Sharp (CAN) bt [LL] Bradbury Thompson (USA) 11-1, 11-3, 11-8
[3] Shahjahan Khan (PAK) bt [6] Jonathan Maloney (ENG) 11-4, 11-7, 11-9
[4] Michael McCue (CAN) bt Tyler Hamilton (CAN) 10-12, 11-5, 11-4, 11-3
[2] Zac Alexander (AUS) bt [5] Nicholas Sachvie (CAN) 11-7, 11-9, 12-10
Semi-finals:
[3] Shahjahan Khan (PAK) bt [1] Dane Sharp (CAN) 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4 (65m)
[2] Zac Alexander (AUS) bt [4] Michael McCue (CAN) 11-2, 11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 12-10 (67m)
Final:
[2] Zac Alexander (AUS) bt [3] Shahjahan Khan (PAK) 11-2, 11-3, 11-6 (36m)
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Pictur ecourtesy of PSA