Galvez On A Roll In Charlotte by Nathan Clarke April 27, 2015
- Mexican veteran Eric Galvez won back-to-back PSA World Tour titles
for the first time in his career when he beat England’s Lewis Walters
in the final of the Charlotte Open, the inaugural PSA Challenger 5
squash event at Charlotte Squash Club in Charlotte in the US state of
North Carolina.
Seeded three, the 31-year-old from Puebla arrived in North Carolina
direct from New York, where he picked up the Rochester ProAm title, his
first of the year.
Former Mexican number one Galvez rolled back the years in the Charlotte
semi-finals to upset Tom Ford, the 21-year-old top seed from England,
to reach the 28th Tour final of his career.
Walters, the US-based fourth seed from Nottingham, survived an
all-English affair to make the ninth final of his career – needing more
than an hour to see off unseeded Reuben Phillips.
“The final of the Charlotte Open was the longest and most excellent
match of the tournament,” said tournament promoter Connie Barnes.
“The wily Walters and the ‘pirate’ Galvez were gladiators as they moved
around the court - the energy for and from the crowd, most of whom had
not seen a PSA match before, was palpable.”
It was nip and tuck throughout the 97-minute battle which went the full
distance, with Galvez ultimately prevailing in the decider to win 11-6,
12-14, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8.
“Congratulations to Lewis and thanks to everyone for coming here on a
usual family day,” said Galvez after securing the 13th PSA World Tour
title of his career – and establishing a new career-high eight-match
winning streak. “I hope to see a bigger and better event next
year!”
Walters echoed the Mexican’s thanks to the crowd: “And thanks too
to Eric for the final match, even if he did win! We all hope
Connie will continue putting on these tournaments. Thank also to
my sponsors MB-Nottingham, Salming and Prince Squash.”
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 5 Charlotte Open, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
1st round:
[1] Tom Ford (ENG) bt [Q] Francisco Mendez Correa (MEX) 11-4, 11-1, 11-3 (23m)
[8] Amaad Fareed (PAK) bt Faraz Khan (USA) 4-11, 11-8, 5-11, 12-10, 11-8 (55m)
[Q] Vikram Malhotra (IND) bt [5] Sunil Seth (GUY) 10-12, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6 (45m)
[3] Eric Galvez (MEX) bt [Q] Cameron Stafford (CAY) 11-7, 11-6, 15-13 (35m)
[4] Lewis Walters (ENG) bt [WC] Cass Sunstein (USA) 11-4, 11-2, 11-5 (24m)
[6] Alex Ingham (ENG) bt [Q] Jesus Camacho (MEX) 15-13, 11-6, 4-11, 11-8 (53m)
Nicolas Caballero (PAR) bt [7] Jonathan Maloney (ENG) 11-9, 11-7, 10-12, 10-12, 11-9 (70m)
Reuben Phillips (ENG) bt [2] Dane Sharp (CAN) 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8 (63m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Tom Ford (ENG) bt [8] Amaad Fareed (PAK) 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6 (65m)
[3] Eric Galvez (MEX) bt [Q] Vikram Malhotra (IND) 11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 11-4 (45m)
[4] Lewis Walters (ENG) bt [6] Alex Ingham (ENG) 12-14, 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 (55m)
Reuben Phillips (ENG) bt Nicolas Caballero (PAR) 13-11, 11-5, 11-3 (35m)
Semi-finals:
[3] Eric Galvez (MEX) bt [1] Tom Ford (ENG) 11-8, 3-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-7 (76m)
[4] Lewis Walters (ENG) bt Reuben Phillips (ENG) 11-7, 9-11, 11-1, 12-10 (65m) Final: [3] Eric Galvez (MEX) bt [4] Lewis Walters (ENG) 11-6, 12-14, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8 (97m)
