Czech Star Koukal Wins PSA Henderson Open In New Zealand
by Howard Harding
26 August 2012 - Czech squash star Jan Koukal survived his third five-game battle in three days in the Doubledot Media Henderson Open in New Zealand when he overcame local hope Evan Williams in today's final to win the inaugural PSA World Tour Challenger 5 squash event at Henderson Squash Club in Auckland.
Third seed Williams started brilliantly, winning the opening two games and looking on track to avenge his two Tour defeats to Koukal earlier this year.
However, the 29-year-old top seed refused to lie down, gradually clawing his way back into the match and eventually wrapping up a 10-12, 7-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-8 victory in 72 minutes.
The triumph marks the 22nd Tour title of Koukal's career - and his third this year.
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 5 Doubledot Media Henderson Open, Auckland, New Zealand
1st round:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Naseem Khan (PAK) 11-13, 11-3, 6-11, 11-2, 11-3 (50m)
[Q] Alex Grayson (NZL) bt Kevin Moran (SCO) 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-2 (44m)
Greg Lobban (SCO) bt Lance James Beddoes (NZL) 8-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11 (80m)
[4] Chris Lloyd (NZL) bt [Q] Michael Pittams (NZL) 11-4, 11-4, 11-7 (29m)
[3] Evan Williams (NZL) bt [Q] Cameron Jamieson (NZL) 11-9, 11-2, 11-5 (27m)
Luke Sims (AUS) bt James Skiffington (NZL) 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 (32m)
[Q] Sehyun Lee (KOR) bt Joseph Watts (NZL) 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 (32m)
[2] Kashif Shuja (NZL) bt Courtney West (AUS) 11-1, 11-6, 11-3 (24m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt [Q] Alex Grayson (NZL) 12-10, 11-9, 11-3 (35m)
Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [4] Chris Lloyd (NZL) 13-11, 11-7, 11-8 (37m)
[3] Evan Williams (NZL) bt Luke Sims (AUS) 11-9, 11-5, 11-3 (26m)
[2] Kashif Shuja (NZL) bt [Q] Sehyun Lee (KOR) 11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7 (42m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Greg Lobban (SCO) 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7 (67m)
[3] Evan Williams (NZL) bt [2] Kashif Shuja (NZL) 4-11, 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7 (63m)
Final:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt [3] Evan Williams (NZL) 10-12, 7-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-8 (72m)
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