Qualifier Shahid Khan Of England Wins PST Pyramid Open
from Tour Media
Pyramid Squash Club owners Gamal and Katja Amir with Tournament Champion Shahid Khan
March 25, 2012 - England's Shahid Khan beat American Adrian Leanza 3-1 to win the 2012 Pyramid Open Tournament Championship. Game scores were 11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8.
"I played well this weekend," said Khan. "It was a good draw, but I felt very good about my training and play."
Khan is the first player to advance from a qualifying round to win a PST tournament title.
Leanza is regarded as one of the fittest players on the PST tour. He seemed quite content to extend rallies and force Khan to cover all corners of the court. With the two knotted at 3 in game four and Khan looking for more oxygen after an extended rally, it appeared like Leanza's strategy would work again.
However, Khan won the next four of five rallies with aggressive shot making. Facing a 7-4 deficit, there was now a little pressure on Leanza to find better answers. Khan didn't relent and closed out the match and tournament win an 11-8 victory in game 4.
This victory represents Khan's first tournament championship in PST action. He is a teaching pro in residence at Rye Brook, NY's Club at 800.
Khan beat reigning Connecticut Open Champion Supreet Singh in the semi-finals. Khan's final round opponent Adrian Leaza won last December's Philadelphia Open and entered the weekend tournament as PST's #2 player in the season standings.
The Pyramid Open marked PST's second season holding a tournament at the Pyramid Squash Club. "The Amirs (club owners) are good friends and wonderful hosts," said PST Commissioner Joe McManus. "This year was especially nice because we were able to schedule our tournament to coincide with their junior tournament. It's always wonderful to see the young kids courtside."
In the 3rd place match, 18 year old Faraz Khan bested Supreet Singh in four games. Scores were 12-14, 11-8, 11-5, 12-10. Khan is the first US junior to reach the semi-finals of a PST tournament.
Pro Squash Tour action continues next weekend when the tour moves to Rhode Island for the Providence Open.
Finals, 2012 PST Pyramid Open, Tuckahoe, New York
Shahid Khan (ENG) d Adrian Leanza (USA) 11-9 11-6 7-11 11-8
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