Almost 13 years after first tasting title success on the PSA World Tour, Australia’s Stewart Boswell was back on the winner’s podium after claiming the Berkshire Squash Open trophy in Williamstown, USA.
It was the sixth year of the $25,000 event at Williams College – and Boswell’s second triumph after winning the title in its second year in 2005.
But this time the 31-year-old from Canberra was the second seed – and faced favourite Alister Walker in the final for the first since losing to the Englishman in straight games, also in the USA.
“A packed house was treated to a wonderful display of squash and sportsmanship,” said tournament spokesman David Johnson. “Neither had been seriously threatened on their way to the final, and for those following the tournament carefully, this match-up had been anticipated since day one of the tournament. They were not to be disappointed.”
After an evenly-matched opening game which went to a tie-break, it was Boswell who took the early lead – but world No14 Walker bounced back to draw level, taking the second game for the loss of just two points.
Boswell, ranked 18 in the world, quickly recovered and romped through the next two games to win 12-10, 2-11, 11-7, 11-4 after 62 minutes.
The success marks the 19th PSA World Tour title of Boswell’s illustrious career, which got underway in 1997 with appearances in six Tour finals and his maiden title success in the Japan Open in June.
Final:
[2] Stewart Boswell (AUS) bt [1] Alister Walker (ENG) 12-10, 2-11, 11-7, 11-4 (62m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Alister Walker (ENG) bt [4] Joey Barrington (ENG) 12-10, 11-7, 11-2 (40m)
[2] Stewart Boswell (AUS) bt [Q] Shawn Delierre (CAN) 11-8, 11-6, 11-4 (25m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Alister Walker (ENG) bt [6] Gilly Lane (USA) 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6 (50m)
[4] Joey Barrington (ENG) bt [7] Robbie Temple (ENG) 11-7, 11-13, 11-6, 11-7 (81m)
[Q] Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt [3] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 9-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-8 (79m)
[2] Stewart Boswell (AUS) bt [5] Julien Balbo (FRA) 11-2, 11-6, 11-7 (30m)
1st round:
[1] Alister Walker (ENG) bt Ryan Thompson (RSA) 11-7, 11-5, 11-5 (39m)
[6] Gilly Lane (USA) bt [Q] Tom Pashley (ENG) 11-9, 11-4, 11-9 (44m)
[4] Joey Barrington (ENG) bt Scott Arnold (AUS) 11-4, 11-6, 11-9
[7] Robbie Temple (ENG) bt [Q] Bradley Hindle (MLT) 8-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6 (73m)
[Q] Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt [8] Jan Koukal (CZE) 11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6 (55m)
[3] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [Q] Olivier Pett (ENG) 11-8, 11-8, 11-6 (38m)
[5] Julien Balbo (FRA) bt Zac Alexander (AUS) 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 (46m)
[2] Stewart Boswell (AUS) bt David Phillips (CAN) 11-6, 11-6 ret. (16m)