Marathon Man Delierre Takes Atlanta Title

Shawn Delierre has become the second Canadian to win the Atlanta Open title - but did so only after a marathon final battle against Mexican Eric Galvez in which he twice had to come from behind before overcoming the third seed in more than two hours at the Concourse Athletic Club in Atlanta, USA.

Delierre, the fifth seed, had already prevailed in an 85-minute marathon semi-final in which he upset second-seeded Englishman Alister Walker 9-11, 11-6, 11-2, 9-11, 11-9.

And this battle followed a 116-minute quarter-final clash in which the 23-year-old from Montreal upset India's Ritwik Bhattacharya in five gruelling games!

In the other semi-final, 22-year-old Galvez despatched Welshman Gavin Jones, the top seed, 11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5 in 65 minutes.

But 'marathon man' Delierre maintained his 'never-say-die' tactic in the final and beat Galvez 4-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5, 11-7 in 130 minutes to win the fourth PSA Tour title of his career - and his second this year.

Final:
[5] Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt [3] Eric Galvez (MEX) 4-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5, 11-7 (130m)