Rodriguez Claims Curitiba Crown

Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez battled for 66 minutes in the final of the Curitiba Open to win the $15,000 PSA Tour squash event at the Barigui Shopping Mall in Curitiba in Brazil.

The top seed from Bogotá, who was celebrating his 14th time in a Tour final, was facing surprise English opponent Tom Richards - the No8 seed from Surrey who had survived hour-long matches against higher seeds in the previous two rounds to earn a place in his maiden Tour final.

The 22-year-old Colombian twice led in the match - and 21-year-old Richards twice drew level.

But it was South American champion Rodriguez who prevailed in the decider to record an 11-9, 2-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8 victory - and the seventh PSA Tour title of his career.

Final:
[1] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [8] Tom Richards (ENG) 11-9, 2-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8 (66m)