Title For Kiwi Squash Pro In Build Up To National Champs

A standout win for Wellington squash pro, Evan Williams at the US$11,000 Southern PSA Challenger Tournament in Invercargill with a straight game victory over the top seed.

Fourth seeded, Williams ranked at 104 in the world beat top seed Henry Leung (Hong Kong) 11-8, 11-8, 13-11 for the title which was the sixth of his career and a relief after half a dozen finalist finishes in the past couple of years.

The 29-year-old left-hander who just over a week ago was runner up at the Palmerston North PSA tournament was justifiably pleased with his effort over a player ranked 76 in the world.

“I stuck to my game plan and kept the pace high, that was what I worked out with my coach earlier. I’ve been a finalist the past six in a row and hadn’t won (a tournament) for about three years. It’s pretty special winning in your own country.”

In each of the first two games Williams never looked like losing after starting the match strongly, but in the third it was the top seed who held the lead 9-8. However Williams gained a stroke point to equal the scored at 9 apiece, then a point won gave Williams a match ball. But then two points against the Kiwi including a stroke had the Hong Kong player the lead again, this time 11-10.

Williams then re-gathered himself and took out the following two points decisively to win the title and gain plenty of much needed confidence for the important week ahead.

The Invercargill title is good build up to the Barfoot and Thompson National Champs in Auckland this week where he is the men’s third seed behind top 10 ranked Paul Coll and Campbell Grayson who is ranked in the world’s top 50.