Selby Celebrates Czech Success

Englishman Daryl Selby extended his 100% record in PSA Tour finals this year when he secured the Lahudky Palma Czech Open title after beating US champion Julian Illingworth in the climax of the 1-star event at the SportNovni Areal in the Czech Republic capital Prague.

The top seed from Essex dominated play in the first two games - but second seed Illingworth struck back in the third and forged a 5-0 lead. Selby recovered to level the score at 9-9 before the 23-year-old from Portland, in his maiden PSA Tour final, moved ahead to serve with game-ball 10-9.

Selby saved it with a cross court that hit the nick at the back of the court - then two rallies later clinched his first match-ball to secure an 11-5, 11-5, 11-10 (2-0) victory after 47 minutes.

The success marked 24-year-old Selby's third PSA title of the year - after winning the Bankers Hall Club Open in Canada in January and the Norwegian Open in February - and the fourth of his career.

Final:
[1] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [2] Julian Illingworth (USA) 11-5, 11-5, 11-10 (2-0) (47m)