Mueller Makes Historic Grasshopper Cup Final
by Howard Harding
photo HelenRee.com
28 April 2012 - Nicolas Mueller claimed a historic berth in the final of the Grasshopper Cup in Switzerland when he became the first home player for more than 20 years to reach the climax of the PSA World Tour International 25 squash event at the Grasshopper Club in Zurich.
Second seed Mueller, the world No24 and already the country's highest-ranked player of all-time, recovered from a game down to beat up-and-coming Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad 6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 in 70 minutes.
Competing in the 50th PSA Tour event of his career, the 22-year-old from nearby Hirzel is celebrating his ninth Tour final appearance - but his first for more than two years.
Appropriately, after an 11-year absence from the international squash calendar, the 2012 Grasshopper Cup will finish with a clash between the event's top two seeds - after English favourite Daryl Selby recorded his third straight games win in a row in the event.
The world No11 from Essex defeated third-seeded Finn Olli Tuominen 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 in just 38 minutes to reach the 17th Tour final of his career, and his second this month.
"Very happy with a 3/0 semi final win over Olli," tweeted Selby later. "BIG final tomorrow against home favourite @MuellerNicolas. Should be fun!"
RESULTS: PSA International 25 Grasshopper Cup, Zurich, Switzerland
Semi-finals:
[1] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [3] Olli Tuominen (FIN) 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 (38m)
[2] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt [4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 (70m)
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