Handley Claims Mega Italia Title In Brescia

Scott Handley emerged as the champion of the Mega Italia Open after ending the run of unseeded Australian Tony James in the final of the 1-Star PSA Tour event at the Millennium Sport & Fitness Centre in Brescia, Italy.

The third-seeded Englishman, who reached the climax after upsetting Brazil's No2 seed Rafael F Alarcon in the semi-finals, denied James his first Tour title when he beat the US-based 29-year-old 11-7, 11-9, 11-5 in 41 minutes.

Tony James had reached the final after beating local hero Luca Mastrostefano, the No8 seed who had earlier ousted defending champion Davide Bianchetti in the first ever win over his fellow Italian.

Handley, the world No65 from Oxfordshire in his 13th year on the Tour, was celebrating his eighth PSA Tour title.

The win will boost the 32-year-old's confidence as he prepares for his next PSA campaign later this month - much nearer to home, in the Hithercroft Open in his home county of Oxfordshire. Third seed Handley will face a qualifier in the opening round of the 1-star event which gets underway on 24th May.

Final:
[3] Scott Handley (ENG) bt Tony James (AUS) 11-7, 11-9, 11-5 (41m)