Mike Corren Captures PSA Title No45 by Howard Harding 10 June 2013
- Australia's Mike Corren notched up his latest PSA World Tour
tournament victory on home soil when he beat Englishman Adam Auckland
in the final of the PSA Challenger 5 Barossa Valley Toyota Open at the
Rex Barossa Aquatic Centre in Tanunda, South Australia.
Corren's 11-3, 11-5, 12-10 win in 30 minutes gave him his second
consecutive Barossa title and his 45th title on the Professional Squash
Association tour.
The 39-year-old reached the final after surviving an 80-minute semi
against rising Egyptian teenage star Ahmed Atef - while unseeded
Auckland made his breakthrough in the second round after ousting second
seed Justin Beard.
"Winning this event was a particular challenge due to arriving almost
directly from the Scottish Open Doubles in Glasgow," said Corren, who
left Scotland with a silver and bronze medal.
"Apparently at 39 years of age, I should be struggling to remain upright - never mind win an event jet-lagged!
"I found playing the doubles actually helped my preparation due to a
lot of court time and hitting a lot of purposeful balls (mostly!). It
was also fantastic to represent Australia in this event and I enjoyed
the team atmosphere.
"Winning another event isn't the be-all-and-end-all - or the number,"
added the South Australian. "I am happier with the fact that I am back
playing well and competitively again. I had almost six months out of
the game with injury and thought I may not get back so, again, I'm very
satisfying to simply be on track again.
"There is no real time to be happy or satisfied as the South Australian
Open starts Wednesday. I have to go through the same process again!
"I have massive respect for young Adam Auckland and I had a tussle with
Ahmed here in the semi-finals. So, to have success again this week, I
have to overcome them both and a host of other dangerous propositions
so, again, being satisfied is something I cannot afford!
"Obviously the SA Open is my 'home' open and naturally I would like to
do well. I think I have timed my run better than in previous years but
again I have five younger opponents standing in my way wanting to make
life extremely difficult for the old man. I wouldn't have it any other
way!"
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 5 Barossa Valley Toyota Open, Tanunda, South Australia
1st round:
[1] Mike Corren (AUS) bt [Q] Liam Gutcher (ENG) 11-8, 11-9, 11-6 (35m)
Sehyun Lee (KOR) bt [Q] David Ilich (AUS) 5-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-4 (33m)
Andrew Fraser (AUS) bt Tim Cowell (AUS) 11-8, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7 (43m)
[Q] Adrian Leanza (USA) bt [7] Joshua Larkin (AUS) 4-11, 11-13, 11-9, 11-8, 11-4 (56m)
Arthur Moineau (FRA) bt [5] Micah Franklin (BER) 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (27m)
Ahmed Atef (EGY) bt [Q] Chris van der Salm (NZL) 11-9, 11-7, 11-6 (36m)
Lance James Beddoes (NZL) bt Nosherwan Khan (PAK) 11-6, 11-4, 6-11, 11-9 (43m)
[3] James Huang (TPE) bt Rhys Dowling (AUS) 11-8, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6 (51m)
[4] Martin Mosnik (SLO) bt Daniel Wright (AUS) 11-6, 11-4, 11-6 (25m)
Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA) bt Joseph Watts (NZL) 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 (29m)
[Q] Thoboki Mohohlo (RSA) bt Jack Jago (ENG) 11-9, 11-8, 11-6 (29m)
Tom de Mulder (BEL) bt [8] Kim Are Killingberg (NOR) 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8 (60m)
[Q] Kwon Hyeon-Jun (KOR) bt [6] Robert Downer (ENG) 7-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-8 (56m)
[Q] Jason Mudge (AUS) bt Tristan Eysele (ENG) 11-6, 15-13, 11-4 (35m)
Adam Auckland (ENG) bt [Q] Nick Mulvey (ENG) 11-6, 11-6, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6 (54m)
[2] Justin Beard (AUS) bt T J Rarere (AUS) 11-4, 11-7, 11-3 (24m)
2nd round:
[1] Mike Corren (AUS) bt Sehyun Lee (KOR) 11-6, 12-10, 11-8 (35m)
[Q] Adrian Leanza (USA) bt Andrew Fraser (AUS) 11-8, 11-3, 11-4 (33m)
Ahmed Atef (EGY) bt Arthur Moineau (FRA) 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 (31m)
[3] James Huang (TPE) bt Lance James Beddoes (NZL) 6-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 (43m)
Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA) bt [4] Martin Mosnik (SLO) 11-9, 12-10, 11-7 (44m)
[Q] Thoboki Mohohlo (RSA) bt Tom de Mulder (BEL) 7-11, 11-4, 11-2, 11-7 (44m)
[Q] Jason Mudge (AUS) bt [Q] Kwon Hyeon-Jun (KOR) 13-11, 11-5, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9 (62m)
Adam Auckland (ENG) bt [2] Justin Beard (AUS) 11-8, 11-4, 11-7 (42m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Mike Corren (AUS) bt [Q] Adrian Leanza (USA) 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 (29m)
Ahmed Atef (EGY) bt [3] James Huang (TPE) 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 (35m)
[Q] Thoboki Mohohlo (RSA) bt Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA) 9-11, 11-1, 11-5, 12-10 (46m)
Adam Auckland (ENG) bt [Q] Jason Mudge (AUS) 6-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-5 (41m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Mike Corren (AUS) bt Ahmed Atef (EGY) 11-2, 11-6, 10-12, 7-11, 11-9 (80m)
Adam Auckland (ENG) bt [Q] Thoboki Mohohlo (RSA) 11-5, 7-11, 11-9, 11-4 (50m)
Final:
[1] Mike Corren (AUS) bt Adam Auckland (ENG) 11-3, 11-5, 12-10 (30m)
