It was third time lucky for
Adam Auckland
on the
PSA World Tour
in Australia over the past two weeks when the Englishman landed the
first Tour title of his career at the
North Coast Open,
the
PSA Challenger 5
squash event in its fifth successive year at
Coffs Harbour Squash & Swim Centre
in
Coffs Harbour
in Australia.
Seeded five, the 21-year-old from St Albans made his breakthrough in
the semi-finals where he beat Australia’s
Rhys Dowling,
the No4 seed, in straight games to reach the third Tour final of his
career.
His next opponent
Piedro Schweertman
is no stranger to Tour finals. The sixth-seeded Dutchman clocked up
his sixth in a row since April when he also upset an Australian in
the semi-finals, downing No3 seed
Joshua Larkin.
“Before a large crowd, both finalists put on a classy display with
firstly Piedro opening with powerful shots to both sides of the
court and Auckland appearing tentative in stemming the attack as
Schweertman wrapped up the first game 11-3,” said tournament
organiser
Peter Saxby.
Auckland fought back to draw level. “The third game was more work
to the front court by Auckland taking the early initiative with some
brilliant placements and angles at the front,” Saxby continued. “As
the match progressed there was a complete shift in the balance with
Auckland confidently taking charge and setting up his opportunities
to the front court to take a confident lead 2/1.
“The fourth game see sawed into a tie break with Auckland having
three match balls before he closed out the match in four games to
great relief and excitement at the same time for his first PSA title
success.”
Auckland, ranked 166 in the world and in his fourth year as a PSA
member, was delighted with his podium success:
“My first PSA win - I can’t believe it!
“When I was 2/1 up the nerves crept in and all I could think about
was for my first PSA win," said Auckland,
pictured below, right, with Schweertman.
"At the end I had to be very patient in attacking the front as
Piedro started to get onto the ball earlier. I managed to go 11-10
match point where Piedro stayed extremely solid, forcing me to tin
out.
“He carried on with this play and had game point to take the match
into a fifth. The next three points were the best three points I’ve
ever played. I relaxed, was patient and attacked! “A
special thank you to the Saxby family for running such a
well-organised tournament. I would definitely want to come back
next year. Thanks to Piedro for making it a fair and enjoyable
fight in the final. To my sponsors Nemesis Transport for making it
possible to play these tournaments also.
“One last special thanks to Matthew Hopkin and my girlfriend Coline
Aumard for the support over the past three weeks.”
