Rodriguez Rallies Into Colombian Open Semis
by Howard Harding
3 September 2011 - Local hero Miguel Angel Rodriguez held off the quarter-final challenge of Brazilian rival Rafael Alarcon in the Colombian Open in his home city of Bogota to reach the semi-finals of the PSA World Tour International 35 event at Club El Nogal.
Fourth seed Rodriguez, the Colombian number one who won his country's premier title last year for the second time, had to battle for 67 minutes to overcome 34-year-old Alarcon.
In a clash described by tournament spokesman Juan Carlos Santacruz as a "sensational match played by Rodriguez and Alarcon in five vibrant games", the Colombian triumphed 11-7, 10-12, 6-11, 11-2, 11-6 to reach the last four for the fifth time since 2006.
Rodriguez, the world No30, will now face second seed Laurens Jan Anjema after the Dutchman, ranked 16 places higher, despatched Finland's Henrik Mustonen 12-10, 11-0, 11-4 in just 28 minutes.
Alister Walker, the former Englishman making his first Tour appearance for his country of birth, secured his anticipated place in the last four after a four-game win over New Zealander Martin Knight.
After a series of unforced errors early in the match, third seed Walker - now flying the flag for Botswana - recovered to defeat Knight 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 12-10 in 54 minutes to set up a meeting with Egyptian favourite Mohamed El Shorbagy.
The world No9 from Alexandria, making his Tour debut in Colombia, had to fight back from a game down to overcome rising Hong Kong star Max Lee 3-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-9 in 50 minutes.
RESULTS: PSA International 35 Colombian Open, Bogota, Colombia
Quarter-finals:
[1] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) bt Max Lee (HKG) 3-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-9 (50m)
[3] Alister Walker (BOT) bt Martin Knight (NZL) 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 12-10 (54m)
[4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt Rafael Alarcon (BRA) 11-7, 10-12, 6-11, 11-2, 11-6 (67m)
[2] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt Henrik Mustonen (FIN) 12-10, 11-0, 11-4 (28m)
Semi-final line-up:
[1] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) v [3] Alister Walker (BOT)
[2] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) v [4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
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