Alfredo Avila (Mex)
11/8, 11/4, 11/3 [2] Steve Coppinger (Rsa)
Second seed Stephen Coppinger claims
Charlottesville Open
Second seed Stephen Coppinger claimed his first PSA World Tour title
of 2015 with an assured 3-1 victory over Ryan Cuskelly in the final
of the Charlottesville Open, PSA M35 event.
The South African came into the final on the back of commanding
triumphs against both Alan Clyne and Campbell Grayson in the
quarter-final and semi-final stages, respectively while Cuskelly
dispatched compatriot Cameron Pilley in five before moving on to
defeat Ali Farag.
Coppinger started the stronger of the two with a number of
controlled rallies going in the World No.14’s favour. 30-year-old
Coppinger took the opening game but a resurgent Cuskelly fought back
to level proceedings after winning the second.
Game number three was a high-octane affair with both players
treating spectators at the McArthur Squash Center to some sumptuous
squash. Coppinger’s patient style contrasted with Cuskelly’s
all-action display but it was the experienced Coppinger who went a
game ahead.
With Cuskelly on the ropes, Coppinger kept up a composed game plan
to complete an 11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-3 triumph and lift his ninth
career PSA World Tour title.
“I’m very happy with my week in Charlottesville,” said Coppinger.
“Ryan has also been playing great squash and made it very difficult
in the final. Thankfully I had a bit more left in the tank and was
able to pull away in the end. I want to give a huge thanks to
everyone, especially the crazy South Africans, my family included,
who stayed up until the early hours to follow on the live
streaming.”
Ali
Farag Through to Charlottesville Semis
23-year-old Egyptian Ali Farag came
through a dramatic five-game-thriller against compatriot and number
one seed Karim Abdel Gawad to progress from the quarter-final of the
Charlottesville Open, PSA M35 event.
Cairo-born Farag, who has won two of his last three PSA World Tour
events, dropped the first game after Gawad dominated the ‘T’ to
press his opponent back. A resilient Farag fought back though and,
after surrendering a 2-1 lead, took the World No.11 into a climactic
fifth game.
Gawad pulled away towards the end of the game but squandered three
match balls to hand the initiative to Farag who duly obliged to
complete a stunning 8-11, 14-12, 12-10, 5-11, 13-11 victory.
Ryan Cuskelly will meet the Egyptian in the semi-final after
scalping fellow Australian Cameron Pilley. The encounter was a
gruelling affair with the lead changing hands multiple times. Pilley
had four match balls throughout a match that saw three tie-breaks
delight the gathered spectators but he couldn’t capitalise as
Cuskelly sealed the match at the first opportunity to bring an end
to an emphatic 110 minute tie.
Meanwhile, Stephen Coppinger and Campbell Grayson will face off in
the other semi-final fixture after Coppinger dispatched Alan Clyne
in straight games and Grayson defeated Christopher Gordon in a 3-1
triumph.
Charlottesville
Open Draw Finalised
The 2015 Charlottesville Open, PSA M35 tournament draw has been
confirmed and sees some of the sport's leading players faced with
some enthralling first round fixtures.
The event, which starts at the McArthur Squash Center at Boar's Head
Sports Club on Wednesday September 16, will feature a number of
highly-anticipated clashes with Cesar Salazar and Ali Farag facing
each other in one of the day's most exciting fixtures.
Botswana's Alister Walker will meet Campbell Grayson in another
eye-catching encounter while Stephen Coppinger, who has yet to claim
a title in the United States, faces off against Ryan Cuskelly.
Karim Abdel Gawad will have to be wary of Wildcard Joe Chapman who
will be out to spring a surprise on the Egyptian.
“The third iteration of the Charlottesville Open is sure to be the
most exciting yet with an increase in the stature of both the event
and the participating players compared to previous years,” said
Tournament Promoter Mark Allen.
“Due to the fact that the tournament is now recognised as a PSA M35
event, it has allowed us to attract higher-calibre players which is
sure to enhance the growth of the event for years to come.”
The 2015 Charlottesville Open will take place at the McArthur Squash
Center at Boar's Head Sports Club from Wednesday September 16 –
Saturday September 19.
