Richards Celebrates Maiden PSA Tour Title At Hithercroft

Tom Richards celebrated the maiden PSA Tour title of his career when he beat fellow Englishman Scott Handley in the final of the Hithercroft Open, the $10,000 squash event in its third year in Wallingford in the English county of Oxfordshire.

Richards has been enjoying an impressive return to form since undergoing knee surgery just over a year ago. The 21-year-old from Walton-on-Thames in Surrey dropped more than 60 places in the world ranking while out of action - and moved back to within ten positions of his career-high 54th position before qualifying for the British Open for the first time last month.

The event favourite took the opening game, but third seed Handley - the 33-year-old local hero who was celebrating his first appearance in the final at his third attempt after upsetting second-seeded Egyptian Mohamed El Shorbagy in the previous round - fought back to take the second.

But the surprise five-game semi-final win had clearly taken its toll on Wallingford-based Handley as Richards romped through to his historic 11-3, 9-11, 11-0, 11-6 Hithercroft win in 44 minutes.

Final:
[1] Tom Richards (ENG) bt [3] Scott Handley (ENG) 11-3, 9-11, 11-0, 11-6 (44m)