Home Hero Al Muzayen Survives Kuwait Challenge
by Howard Harding
27 February 2012 - Abdullah Al Muzayen provided home success in the Kuwait Open Challenger - but the top-seeded local hero was taken the full distance by England's second seed Joe Lee before winning the PSA World Tour Challenger 10 squash event in its second year at the South Surrah Ministries Complex in Kuwait City.
Both players survived lengthy four-game semi-finals - Al Muzayen coming from a game down to beat Australian Steven Finitsis in 50 minutes, while Lee needed an hour and also had to overcome a game deficit before seeing off in-form Indian Harinder Pal Sandhu.
The 24-year-old from Kuwait twice led in the final - but Lee twice came back to draw level.
Spurred on by local fans, however, left-hander Al Muzayen maintained his focus to close out the match 14-12, 6-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8 in 70 minutes.
The win takes Al Muzayen's PSA Tour tally to nine titles - and should see the Kuwaiti number one improve his current career-high world ranking of 69.
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 10 Kuwait Open Challenger, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Semi-finals:
[1] Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW) bt Steven Finitsis (AUS) 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-5 (50m)
[2] Joe Lee (ENG) bt Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND) 9-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-5 (60m)
Final:
[1] Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW) bt [2] Joe Lee (ENG) 14-12, 6-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8 (70m)
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