Bennett Battles To Leinster Title
by Howard Harding
24 October 2011 - Dutch favourite Dylan Bennett fulfilled his seeding in the Leinster Open in Ireland when he beat second seed Rasmus Nielsen in the final of the PSA World Tour Challenger 5 squash event in its sixth year at the Fitzwilliam LT&SC in Dublin.
But the 27-year-old from Eindhoven was taken the full distance by Nielsen, and had to fight back from 2/1 down before clinching his 11-3, 5-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9 victory after 55 minutes.
The triumph marks the sixth PSA Tour title of Bennett's career - but his first since March last year.
"The first game was a real gift from him, he hit like seven tins," said the former world No43. "After that he started playing better, took the ball early and taking advantage of the slippery side walls. But half way through the fourth I played better, I started lifting the ball and that helped.
"I was 7-5 down in the fifth but then I played some decent rallies and I think he got really tired. I played it safe then, made it hard for him, and managed to edge it out."
The win will be a confidence-booster for Bennett going into next week's PSA World Open in Rotterdam, where he is the wildcard - sharing the nation's hopes with 12th seed Laurens Jan Anjema.
"Next up is Dutch League on Wednesday and then after that it's the World Open. I am playing Monday and I hope to do well against Greg (Gaultier).
"He is a favourite to win the tournament, but I'll be playing on the glass court and might have some family watching, so I just really hope to put up a good performance and enjoy the match," concluded the new Leinster Open champion.
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 5 Leinster Open, Dublin, Ireland
1st round:
[1] Dylan Bennett (NED) bt Sebastian Weenink (NED) 11-7, 11-7, 11-13, 11-7 (47m)
[Q] Johan Bouquet (FRA) bt Alex Ingham (ENG) 11-6, 14-12, 2-11, 11-3 (43m)
Eddie Charlton (ENG) bt Arthur Gaskin (IRL) 10-12, 11-4, 11-7, 11-3 (48m)
[Q] Declan James (ENG) bt [4] Dane Sharp (CAN) 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-4 (52m)
Ben Coleman (ENG) bt [3] Lewis Walters (ENG) 11-9, 5-11, 11-6, 11-4 (67m)
Ben Ford (ENG) bt [Q] Nathan Lake (ENG) 11-1, 11-8, 11-8 (25m)
Geoffrey Demont (FRA) bt [Q] Frank Hartkoren (NED) 11-4, 11-6, 6-11, 11-7 (48m)
[2] Rasmus Nielsen (DEN) bt Philip Nightingale (ENG) 11-6, 11-3, 11-8 (31m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Dylan Bennett (NED) bt [Q] Johan Bouquet (FRA) 8-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-4
Eddie Charlton (ENG) bt [Q] Declan James (ENG) 11-4, 11-2, 11-8
Ben Coleman (ENG) bt Ben Ford (ENG) 11-8, 4-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-5
[2] Rasmus Nielsen (DEN) bt Geoffrey Demont (FRA) 11-7, 11-7, 11-9
Semi-finals:
[1] Dylan Bennett (NED) bt Eddie Charlton (ENG) 11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6 (68m)
[2] Rasmus Nielsen (DEN) bt Ben Coleman (ENG) 11-2, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6 (42m)
Final:
[1] Dylan Bennett (NED) bt [2] Rasmus Nielsen (DEN) 11-3, 5-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9 (55m)
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