Clyne Wins Classic

Scotland's Alan Clyne has beaten New Zealand's home hope Martin Knight in the NZ International Classic today.

Scotland’s Alan Clyne has defeated New Zealand’s Martin Knight in a fantastic final of the Fitzherbert
Rowe Lawyers New Zealand International Squash Classic in Palmerston North this afternoon. In front
of a large crowd at the SquashGym courts and being ‘streamed’ live around the world, Clyne showed
why he is number 33 in the world and one of the fittest players on tour in an epic five set victory.
Clyne got off to a fast start in the first set gaining a 5 – 1 lead early. Knight began the match with a
number of loose shots and he was punished by Clyne who did not need a second invitation. In typical
fashion Knight fought hard but eventually went down 11 – 9.

The second set started much like the first with Clyne getting on top early. The feisty Knight once again would not let it go and fought back to make the set 7 all. He then took the initiative playing some attacking Squash to lead 9 -7. But Clyne is not one to give up lightly either and he got it back to 9 all after a couple of very long rallies. Knight then lined up Clyne’s next serve for a cross court nick to make it 10 – 9 game ball in the kiwi’s favour. With the set there for the taking Knight tried another cross court nick but it hit the top of the tin bringing Clyne right back into it and made in 10 all. The Scotsman then won the next two points to take a two set to love lead.

Knight needed to come out fast in third set if he had any hope of extending the match and he did
gaining a 5 – 1 advantage. Knight was starting to play some of his best Squash and although Clyne
fought hard, Knight took the third 11- 7.

The fourth set was a tight affair from the outset with both players going point for point but then
Clyne started to make his first errors of the match. A number of un characteristic tins combined with
a couple of nice winners from Knight meant the match was destined for a fifth set and Knight
claimed the fourth 11 – 8.

The match had turned into a battle of attrition and had been going 75 minutes by the start of the
fifth. Clyne got off to a good start leading 2 – 0. The next rally ultimately decided the match as both
players traded blows up and down the backhand wall in a rally that seemed to last forever. It finally
came to an end when Knight lost patience and went for a shot from the back of the court that
resulted in a tin. Knight looked particularly tired and maybe his 85 minute semi-final against Leo Au
the night before was catching up with him. The next three points went Clyne’s way with the
tournament number one seed out to a 6 – 1 lead. Knight tried to come back but his legs looked
heavy and Clyne finished the match off 11 – 6.

The crowd went away from SquashGym having witnessed a 91 minute display of world class Squash
and a worthy champion in Alan Clyne. Clyne is his victory speech said he hoped to be back to
defend his title next year which is good news for tournament promoters. 

Clyne is now off to Malaysia for the Kuala Lumpur Open next week, but for many of the weekend's competitors the next stop on the tour will be Christchurch, for the Doubledot Media Christchurch Boys' High School Open next weekend.

For those that missed out on the weekend, live-streamed footage from the event is available here.