England’s George Parker captured the second PSA World Tour title of
his career with a scintillating 3-1 victory over compatriot Joe
Green in the final of the True Potential Northumbria Open, PSA M5
tournament.
Parker, whose only previous silverware came at the XVI Trofeu
Internacional Ciutat de Barcelona six months ago, was in excellent
form in the build up to the final, downing Patrick Rooney, Michael
Harris and Tristan Eysele to secure a 7th PSA World Tour final
appearance. Meanwhile, Green progressed to the showpiece event
courtesy of a walkover against Ben Ford who pulled out due to
injury.
Green’s fresh legs didn’t seem to make a difference though after a
fast start from Leicester-born Parker saw the 19-year-old power into
a two-game lead.
A fightback from Green looked to be on the cards as he fought back
to take the third but his attempts to overhaul Parker were rebuffed
as he failed to match the World No.76 in the final game as Parker
closed out an 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7 victory to double his PSA World
Tour title tally.
That win leaves Parker perfectly placed to challenge for a main draw
spot at next week’s Wimbledon Club Squash Squared Open where he will
battle against the likes of Tayyab Aslam, Peter Creed and fellow
Englishman Richie Fallows.
Local players David Barnett and Liam Gutcher secured safe passage
through to the final qualifying round of the True Potential
Northumbria Open, PSA M5 tournament after terrific victories over
Elliot Selby and Xavi Blasco, respectively.
Barnett was in superb form against Selby, brother of World No.16
Daryl, and rose to claim an 11-3, 11-6, 11-5 triumph on home turf at
Jesmond’s Nourthumberland Club.
Gutcher was similarly impressive in his fixture with Blasco and will
face Barnett in the next round of qualifying as both players eye up
a main draw berth.
Elsewhere, Welshman Emyr Evans was too strong for Sean Millington in
their clash with the World No.198 wrapping up the victory in three
to advance. Evans will go up against talented 17-year-old Kyle Finch
who is one step away from reaching a fourth career PSA World Tour
main draw after seeing off Michael Collins.
World No.212 Julian Tomlinson dispatched Jamie Todd in straight
games to set up a meeting with fellow Englishman Ben Coates in the
next round.
Finally, Austria’s Jakob Dirnberger, one of only two non-British
competitors in the qualifying stages, prevailed in his fixture with
Sam Broughton and is rewarded with a tie against Miles Jenkins up
next.