Clyne Clinches NZ Classic Crown by Howard Harding 8 September 2013 -
Alan Clyne clinched the Fitzherbert Rowe Lawyers New Zealand
International Squash Classic title today in Palmerston North - but the
Scot had to survive one of the longest matches of his career to see off
local hero Martin Knight in the final of the PSA World Tour Challenger
10 event at SquashGym.
"In front of a large
crowd at the SquashGym courts and being 'streamed' live around the
world, Clyne showed why he is number 33 in the world and one of the
fittest players on tour in an epic five-game victory," said event
spokesman Michael Williams.
"Clyne got off to a
fast start, gaining a 5-1 lead early. Knight began the match with a
number of loose shots and he was punished by Clyne who did not need a
second invitation. In typical fashion Knight fought hard but eventually
went down 11-9."
After the second went
to top seed Clyne (pictured above, right, with Knight), the
newly-crowned New Zealand champion fought back to draw level and force
the match into a decider.
"The match had turned
into a battle of attrition and had been going 75 minutes by the start
of the fifth," Williams continued. "Clyne got off to a good start
leading 2-0. The next rally ultimately decided the match as both
players traded blows up and down the backhand wall in a rally that
seemed to last forever. It finally came to an end when Knight lost
patience and went for a shot from the back of the court that resulted
in a tin.
"Knight looked particularly tired and maybe his 85-minute semi-final against Leo Au the night before was catching up with him."
Clyne extended his
lead to 6-1 before closing out the match 11-9, 12-10, 7-11, 8-11, 11-6
after 91 minutes to collect the fifth Tour title of his career.
In his winners speech, Clyne said he hoped to be back to defend his title next year.
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 10 Fitzherbert Rowe Lawyers New Zealand International Squash Classic, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Final: [1] Alan Clyne (SCO) bt [3] Martin Knight (NZL) 11-9, 12-10, 7-11, 8-11, 11-6 (91m)
