Qualifier Ben Coleman Crashes Into PSA Edmonton Final
by Howard Harding
2 December 2012 - English qualifier Ben Coleman produced a series of stunning displays in the ReidBuilt Homes Edmonton Open to claim a place in the final of the PSA Challenger 15 squash event in its fifth successive year at the Royal Glenora Club in Edmonton, Canada.
The 21-year-old from Chelmsford in Essex made his breakthrough in the quarter-finals where he ousted Matthew Karwalski, the third-seeded Australian ranked more than 50 places higher.
Ranked 117 in the world, Coleman then faced Farhan Zaman, an unseeded Pakistani who had despatched favourite Zac Alexander in the quarters.
Higher-ranked Zaman opened up a two-game lead in the semi - but courageous Coleman struck back to clinch a mighty 5-11, 9-11, 12-10, 13-11, 11-7 victory after 71 minutes.
The delighted Englishman tweeted later: "Couldn't be happier right about now!! That's why I love the sport so much! Into the final here in #Edmonton tomorrow, won 3-2!!"
Now in his third PSA Tour final - and looking for his maiden title - Coleman will face another unseeded opponent.
In a semi-final battle lasting 88 minutes, South African Shaun le Roux defeated Australian Steven Finitsis 11-6, 7-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-4.
With two Tour title triumphs already this year, Le Roux is celebrating the 11th final of his career.
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 15 ReidBuilt Homes Edmonton Open, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Quarter-finals:
Shaun le Roux (RSA) bt Dane Sharp (CAN) 8-11, 11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 11-6 (85m)
Steven Finitsis (AUS) bt [Q] Declan James (ENG) 11-8, 11-4, 11-7
[Q] Ben Coleman (ENG) bt [3] Matthew Karwalski (AUS) 11-3, 12-10, 11-3
Farhan Zaman (PAK) bt [1] Zac Alexander (AUS) 8-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-7, 11-8
Semi-finals:
Shaun le Roux (RSA) bt Steven Finitsis (AUS) 11-6, 7-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-4 (88m)
[Q] Ben Coleman (ENG) bt Farhan Zaman (PAK) 5-11, 9-11, 12-10, 13-11, 11-7 (71m)
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