Qualifier Rasheed Nabs Nash Cup

Despite more than 270 world ranking positions separating the pair, Pakistan qualifier Farzan Rasheed defeated top-seeded Canadian David Phillips in the final of the Nash Cup in Canada to earn his first PSA Tour squash title at the $6,000 Super Satellite event at London Squash Rackets Club in London, Ontario.

Playing in only his third Tour event, Rasheed made his breakthrough in the quarter-finals, beating Canada's second seed Robin Clarke in straight games. A 26-minute victory over fourth-seeded Englishman Tom Pashley in the semi-finals took the 19-year-old - born in Bahawalpur, but now based in the UK - into his first Tour final.

Favourite Phillips, the world No70 from Montreal, survived a marathon five-game 67-minute encounter against Gilly Lane, the No3 seed from the USA, before also celebrating his maiden PSA final appearance.

"The final was exceptional," reported Tournament Director Richard Yendell.

"The match opened with players matching each other point for point. Rasheed seemed a bit more tense than previous matches and gave Phillips a few free points with some uncharacteristic errors. However at 7-5 he began to pull ahead and eventually won the first game 11-8.

"The second was much different. Phillips began to impose his steady play on Rasheed and did an excellent job of containing the young Pakistani's powerful drives. It was very tight but in the end Phillips drew level at one all."

Rasheed went on the take the next two games to claim his remarkable 11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5 victory after 56 minutes - and join the select group of players who have won their maiden Tour titles as qualifiers.

Final:
[Q] Farzan Rasheed (PAK) bt [1] David Phillips (CAN) 11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5 (56m)