Becerril Secures First PSA Tour Title In Guatemala

The final of the first PSA Tour squash event ever to be staged in Guatemala was an all-Mexican affair in which third seed Jose Angel Becerril upset second-seeded compatriot Cesar Salazar to win the title in the inaugural Primer Torneo Internacional Sporta Open at the Sporta Club in Santa Catarina Pinula.

Becerril made his breakthrough in the semi-finals when he beat Ian Power, the top seed from Canada, in four games. Earlier, the 23-year-old world No 135 from Mexico City had ended the brave run of Guatemala qualifier Javier Martinez, who beat sixth-seeded Mexican Armando Olguin to carry unexpected local interest through to the quarter-finals.

In the final, Becerril took the opening two games - but 20-year-old Salazar fought back to take the match into a fifth game.

The decider was a great battle with Salazar working his way to a 7-4 lead. But Becerril answered with three winners to tie the score. At 7-7, the rally of the match ended with Salazar on the floor in agony with a recurring sprained ankle.

After returning to the court after an injury break, Salazar gave it his best effort - but Becerril was clearly more focused and decisive and, after 85 minutes, clinched his historic 11-10 (2-0), 11-6, 6-11, 5-11, 11-7 victory, and his maiden PSA Tour trophy.

Final:
[3] Jose Angel Becerril (MEX) bt [2] Cesar Salazar (MEX) 11-10 (2-0), 11-6, 6-11, 5-11, 11-7 (85m)