Qualifier Ben Coleman's brave run in the ReidBuilt Homes
Edmonton Open came to an end when the Englishman lost in straight
games to South African Shaun le Roux in the final of the PSA
Challenger 15 squash event in its fifth successive year at the
Royal Glenora Club in Edmonton, Canada.
Both
players reached the final after marathon semi-final battles - Le Roux
needing 88 minutes to see off Australian Steven Finitsis, and
Coleman overcoming Pakistan's Farhan Zaman in 71 minutes.
But Le
Roux, the Cape Town-born world No81, had the upper hand in the final -
beating his 21-year-old opponent, ranked outside the world top 100,
11-5, 12-10, 11-5 in 44 minutes.
"It
was a great finale to the tournament, but Shaun just had control of the
match," said tournament organiser Jeff Williams. "Ben played
great after playing a total of two qualifying matches and three main
round matches prior to the final. Shaun just had more speed and power to
defeat Ben."
Coleman was delighted with his Edmonton experience: "Unfortunately lost
out in the final tonight! Gave it everything I had left out there,"
tweeted the Essex man. "Had a fantastic week.. My body now needs rest!!
"Best
crowd I've had the pleasure to play in front of here," added Coleman
later. "#Edmonton look forward to my return! Appreciate the support a
lot."
The
triumph marks the seventh PSA Tour title of Le Roux's career - and his
third this year.
Qualifier Coleman Crashes Into
Edmonton Climax
English qualifier Ben Coleman produced a series of stunning
displays in the ReidBuilt Homes Edmonton Open to claim a place in
the final of the PSA Challenger 15 squash event in its fifth
successive year at the Royal Glenora Club in Edmonton,
Canada.
The
21-year-old from Chelmsford in Essex made his breakthrough in the
quarter-finals where he ousted Matthew Karwalski, the
third-seeded Australian ranked more than 50 places higher.
Ranked
117 in the world, Coleman then faced Farhan Zaman, an unseeded
Pakistani who had despatched favourite Zac Alexander in the
quarters.
Higher-ranked Zaman opened up a two-game lead in the semi - but
courageous Coleman struck back to clinch a mighty 5-11, 9-11, 12-10,
13-11, 11-7 victory after 71 minutes.
The
delighted Englishman tweeted later: "Couldn't be happier right about
now!! That's why I love the sport so much! Into the final here in
#Edmonton tomorrow, won 3-2!!"
Now in
his third PSA Tour final - and looking for his maiden title - Coleman
will face another unseeded opponent.
In a
semi-final battle lasting 88 minutes, South African Shaun le Roux
defeated Australian Steven Finitsis 11-6, 7-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-4.
With
two Tour title triumphs already this year, Le Roux is celebrating the
11th final of his career.
English Qualifiers Prevail In Edmonton
English qualifiers Declan James and Ben Coleman led a
flurry of upsets in the opening round of the ReidBuilt Homes Edmonton
Open in Canada which will leave only two seeds contesting the
quarter-finals of the PSA Challenger 15 squash event in its fifth
successive year at the Royal Glenora Club in Edmonton.
James defeated local hope Andrew Schnell 11-4, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9,
while in the other half of the draw Coleman needed only three games to
despatch Argentina's Gonzalo Miranda 11-5, 11-3, 11-3.
"Very pleased to get a 3-1 win tonight, miles better than yesterday,"
tweeted James later. "Looking forward to the quarters now tomorrow!"
However, there was surprise local success when wild card Dane Sharp
took out second-seeded Mexican Arturo Salazar 11-8, 6-11, 11-4,
11-1.
"What a great start of the main round of the ReidBuilt Homes Edmonton
Open!" exclaimed the club's Head Squash Professional Jeff Williams
after Sharp's upset.
An
all-Australian clash saw the exit of fourth seed Rex Hedrick. In
an 81-minute battle at the end of the day, Steven Finitsis
emerged victorious 11-7, 6-11, 11-8, 11-3.
"The final match of the evening between Finitsis and Hedrick was a great
finale to the round of 16," added Williams.
