Mexico Suffers Brutal Loss To Italy
from DailySquashReport.com
August 25, 2011 - Always-gritty Mexico battled back against favorite Italy yesterday, with a coveted spot in the world team quarters at stake, only to suffer a brutal endgame defeat.
After #3 Erik Tepos lost in straight games to Italian Amr Swelim, #1 Cesar Salazar, who has played heroically all tournament, drew the Mexicans even by beating Italian #1 Stephane Galifi in three.
The stage was set for the #2 match between Italy’s Marcus Berrett and veteran PSA tour performer Eric Galvez of Mexico.
Berrett won the first game and then the second at four, seemingly poised for an easy victory. But Galvez dug deep with his back to wall, steadied his game, and captured the next two.
Galvez then extended to a five-one lead in the fifth, and Mexico had in its sights its highest ever finish in a world championship.
But Berrett fought back, and somehow won 10 of the final 11 points to launch the jubilant Italians into the quarterfinals: 11-9 11-4 5-11 4-11 11-6, a result that may unfortunately haunt the Mexican players for years to come.
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