Mighty Spaniard Borja Golan secured his second PSA World Tour squash title in six days – both as a qualifier – when he upset favourite Simon Rosner in the final of the $15,000 Movida International Toulouse Open at Movida Castanet in the French city of Toulouse.
The success marks the latest chapter in the triumphant comeback of the former world No10 – the highest-ranked Spanish player of all-time – who suffered an enforced eight-month layoff after undergoing major knee surgery last year.
But after winning last week’s 1-star La Ciotat International Open, Golan was fully tested in the final two rounds of the 1½ star PSA Tour event in its third successive year in Toulouse.
The 27-year-old from Santiago de Compostela was taken to five games in the semi-finals by second seed Rafael F Alarcon– the top-ranked Brazilian making his first Tour appearance in Europe since October 2008.
In the final, Golan lined up against the fast-improving Simon Rosner, the German number one who was celebrating his second successive appearance in the Toulouse final.
And the 22-year-old world No33 from Paderborn took the opening two games – and looked to be heading for his first Toulouse title success.
But Borja battled back to take control of the match – and, after his second 80-minute encounter in a row, emerged triumphant in an 8-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 scoreline.
“This has been the hardest two weeks since I first started playing PSA events,” admitted the jubilant Spaniard after winning the 21st Tour trophy of his career.
“I’m really happy with this win because it was a really hard tournament: Every match I played, from the first round, could have been the final of this tournament!
“I would like to thank the organisers for making such a good tournament.
“Now I don’t want to see a racquet for two weeks before I then begin training for the new season, where I will have a new goals.
“It is so nice to be back playing again after a long injury – but it is even better winning!” Golan concluded.
Semi-finals:
[1] Simon Rosner (GER) bt [4] Davide Bianchetti (ITA) 11-8, 11-9, 11-8 (60m)
[Q] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [2] Rafael F Alarcon (BRA) 9-11, 11-3, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6 (80m)
Final:
[Q] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [1] Simon Rosner (GER) 8-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 (80m)
Golan Gets Galifi Again In France
Spanish comeback king Borja Golan recorded his second win over Stephane Galifi in less than a week when he beat the higher-ranked Italian to reach the semi-finals of the Movida International Toulouse Open, the $15,000 PSA World Tour squash event at Movida Castanet in the French city of Toulouse.
It was the latest chapter in Golan’s return to PSA Tour action after major knee surgery last year. The 27-year-old from Santiago DC won last week’s La Ciotat International Open in France as a qualifier – beating Galifi in the final – and is again storming through the Toulouse field having survived the qualification draw.
The former world No10 beat fifth seed Galifi 10-12, 11-8, 11-5, 11-5. Golan’s reward is battle for a place in the final against second seed Rafael F Alarcon.
But the experience Brazilian was taken the full distance by Max Lee before beating the No8 seed from Hong Kong 12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 3-11, 11-9.
The top half of the draw produced the anticipated semi-final featuring the top seed and the No4 seed. German favouriteSimon Rosner eased to victory over Gregoire Marche, beating the unseeded Frenchman 11-3, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5 – while fourth-seeded Italian Davide Bianchetti endured five games against Kashif Shuja before overcoming the sixth seed from New Zealand 9-11, 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6.
Quarter-finals:
[1] Simon Rosner (GER) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 11-3, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5
[4] Davide Bianchetti (ITA) bt [6] Kashif Shuja (NZL) 9-11, 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6
[Q] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [5] Stephane Galifi (ITA) 10-12, 11-8, 11-5, 11-5
[2] Rafael F Alarcon (BRA) bt [8] Max Lee (HKG) 12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 3-11, 11-9
Golan Continues March In Toulouse
Fresh from his surprise victory in last week’s La Ciotat International Open in France, Spanish qualifier Borja Golanmaintained his giant-killing form in the Movida International Toulouse Open by upsetting third seed Chris Ryder to reach the quarter-finals of the $15,000 PSA World Tour squash event at Movida Castanet in the French city ofToulouse.
Making an impressive Tour comeback after major knee surgery, Golan has now qualified in his third successive event – and recovered from a game down to beat Englishman Ryder 8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9.
The former world No10, now ranked a lowly 95, will face fifth seed Stephane Galifi, the Italian he beat in the La Ciotat final.
Galifi survived a marathon encounter against Ivan Yuen, fighting back from two games down to beat the unseeded Malaysian 5-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 in 80 minutes.
There will be unexpected French interest in the last eight provided by Gregoire Marche, the unseeded 20-year-old from Aix-en-Provence who ousted Australia’s No7 seed Steve Finitsis 10-12, 11-5, 5-11, 11-6, 11-7.
Marche now lines up against Simon Rosner, the top seed from Germany who defeated Australian Bradley Hindle 9-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5.
1st round:
[1] Simon Rosner (GER) bt Bradley Hindle (MLT) 9-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5 (48m)
Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt [7] Steve Finitsis (AUS) 10-12, 11-5, 5-11, 11-6, 11-7 (70m)
[4] Davide Bianchetti (ITA) bt [Q] Joel Hinds (ENG) 11-7, 11-6, 2-11, 11-6 (55m)
[6] Kashif Shuja (NZL) bt [Q] Fabien Verseille (FRA) 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 5-11, 13-11 (90m)
[5] Stephane Galifi (ITA) bt Ivan Yuen (MAS) 5-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 (80m)
[Q] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [3] Chris Ryder (ENG) 8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9 (45m)
[8] Max Lee (HKG) bt Joan Lezaud (FRA) 10-12, 11-5, 11-5, 11-9 (55m)
[2] Rafael F Alarcon (BRA) bt [Q] Peter Creed (WAL) 11-2 ret. (7m)