Defending champion Reiko Peter came out on top in his final fixture
with second seed Joshua Larkin in the 2016 Pilatus Cup, PSA M5
tournament to retain his title on home soil in Kriens, Switzerland.
Peter, who defeated Austria’s Aqeel Rehman in last year’s final,
dropped a solitary game en route to the final with three straight
wins over his countrymen, while Larkin met a trio of qualifiers to
seal his spot in the showpiece event.
The first game went in Peter’s favour as he dominated the ’T’ and
moved Larkin into all four corners of the court to take it 11-4.
A determined Larkin came into the match more in game two but
struggled to cope with Peter’s fast-paced, accurate hitting and went
further behind as Peter took a step closer to lifting the title.
Despite a spirited display from Australian Larkin, Peter remained
composed and pushed an 11-4, 11-5, 11-7 victory over the line to
clam a fifth career PSA World Tour crown for the man from Lucerne in
front of his own fans.
"I played very well today," said Peter.
"I can’t think of being so accurate at a fast pace in a while. I’m
really happy to collect my fifth PSA title, especially at my home
club. I wanted to say thanks to all my sponsors and supporters that
came to cheer me on today.
"Also, a big thank you to all the organisers and all the volunteers
behind the scenes."
Title favourite Reiko Peter made a winning start to his campaign at
the Pilatus Cup, PSA M5 tournament with a confident 3-0 victory over
wildcard, compatriot and tournament promoter Remo Handl seeing him
through to the quarter-final on home soil in Kriens, Switzerland.
Peter blitzed to a one-game lead and it was one that he wouldn’t
relinquish as his consistent hitting caused problems for Handl and
he recorded an 11-4, 11-7, 11-7 triumph to reach the last eight.
“It was a good first round,” said Peter.
“I know Remo has been organising a lot and wasn’t playing much, so a
huge thank you to him for all the work he does for the squash
festival.”
The World No.77 is in line to play another fellow Swiss competitor
in Jonas Daehler after the number five seed came through an almighty
five-game affair with English youngster Patrick Rooney.
Another all-Swiss first round battle took place between 18-year-old
qualifier Dimitri Steinmann and Manuel Wanner, with the former
overcoming his more experienced opponent in straight games. Up next
for Steinmann is second seed Joshua Larkin, who eased past Enzo
Corigliano in three.
Fourth seed Benjamin Fischer makes up the Swiss quarter-final
quartet thanks to his win over Alex Noakes and his reward is an
upcoming fixture Peruvian qualifier Andres Duany, who advanced
courtesy of an impressive 3-1 victory against Patrick Miescher.
Martin Svec and Victor Crouin will contest the other quarter-final
fixture after they claimed respective wins against Emyr Evans and
Christopher Binnie.