Déjà vu for Mahesh Mangaonkar as he lands second successive PSA Tour title
By MICHAEL CATLING – Squash Mad Reporter
Indian teenager Mahesh Mangaonkar began the New Year in the same way he ended 2013 as he beat top seed Greg Lobban to win his second successive PSA Tour title at the Open du Gard.
The 19-year-old from Mumbai defeated Lobban in the IMET Open in December and repeated the feat again as he fought back to prevail 9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5 in the sixth edition of the $5,000 PSA Challenger event at Squash des Arenes in Nimes, France.
Victory marks Mahesh’s third title on the PSA Tour and in doing so, extends his winning streak to nine-matches – the longest of his career.
Earlier in the day, third seed Mahesh advanced into the final after thrashing Kuwaiti second seed Ammar Altamimi in straight games.
Meanwhile, Lobban defeated last year’s runner up Christophe Andre 3-0 in the last four – a reoccurring scoreline for the Scot throughout the week.
But while it appeared the 21-year-old from Edinburgh would continue his impeccable run and avenge his final defeat in Slovakia, Mahesh showed the same battling qualities that were the catalyst in his 3-2 victory last month.
Lobban, who was shares the world number 82 ranking with Mahesh, edged the opening game but rarely looked in control as Mahesh struck back to secure the first title of 2014 in 64 minutes
First win of 2014 in Nimes. Hopefully more to come this year. Now preparing for German league in January and Finland next month. #b2work
— Mahesh Mangaonkar (@maheshmangao) January 5, 2014
My results getting to finals recently has been great but my record finishing them off needs improving. Disappointing end again. #nexttime
— Greg Lobban (@LobSquash) January 5, 2014
Final Results:
[3] Mahesh Mangaonkar (Ind) [1] Greg Lobban (Sco) 9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5 (64m)
Semi-final Results:
[1] Greg Lobban (Sco) 3-0 Christophe Andre (Fra) 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 (35m)
[3] Mahesh Mangaonkar (Ind) 3-0 [2] Ammar Altamimi (Kuw) 11-9, 11-2, 11-0 (28m)
Quarter-final Results:
[1] Greg Lobban (Sco) 3-0 [8] Tom de Mulder (Bel) 11-5, 11-4, 14-12 (29m)
Christophe Andre (Fra) 3-2 [4] Alejandro Garbi Caro (Esp) 11-4, 11-8, 8-11, 7-11, 11-2 (72m)
[3] Mahesh Mangaonkar (Ind) 3-1 Youssef Abdalla (Eng) 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5 (54m)
[2] Ammar Altamimi (Kuw) 3-1 [7] Bader Al Hussaini (Kuw) 3-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-9 (62m)
First Round Results:
[1] Greg Lobban (Sco) 3-0 Adam Murrills (Eng) 11-6, 13-11, 11-7 (41m)
[8] Tom de Mulder (Bel) 3-0 Jonathan Geekie (Sco) 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (30m)
Christophe Andre (Fra) 3-2 [6] Thoboki Mohohlo (Rsa) 11-4, 11-6, 3-11, 8-11, 11-7 (70m)
[4] Alejandro Garbi Caro (Esp) 3-1 [Q] Arthur Moineau (Fra) 11-4, 11-13, 12-10, 3-1 ret. (50m)
[3] Mahesh Mangaonkar (Ind) 3-0 [Q] Ollie Holland (Eng) 11-4 ret.
Youssef Abdalla (ENG) 3-1 [5] Kevin Moran (Sco) 11-9, 7-11, 11-5, 11-1 (47m)
[7] Bader Al Hussaini (Kuw) 3-2 [Q] Jonas Daehler (Sui) 11-8, 12-14, 18-16, 2-11, 11-5 (56m)
[2] Ammar Altamimi (Kuw) 3-0 [Q] Cedric Kuchen (Sui) 11-7, 11-8, 11-3 (24m)