Illingworth Celebrates Maiden PSA Tour Title In California

Exactly seven years after first joining the Professional Squash Association, US number one Julian Illingworth has picked up his maiden PSA Tour title at the Pacific Athletic Club Open after a straight games victory in the final of the $15,000 event, sponsored by NetSuite, at the Pacific Athletic Club in Redwood City in the US state of California.

Illingworth achieved his historic success on home soil as the event's fourth seed. The 25-year-old Yale graduate from Portland made his breakthrough in the semi-finals, where he beat top seed Shahier Razik, the Canadian number one, 11-7, 11-7, 11-0.

It was Illingworth's first Tour victory over his North American rival, ranked 30 in the world, in four meetings since January last year.

The world No39 continued his sparkling run in the final, upsetting second-seeded Englishman Jonathan Kemp - ranked one place higher - 11-7, 11-7, 12-10.

The success rounded off a marvellous March for the New York-based squash star - who lifted his fifth successive US National title two weeks ago, beating second seed Gilly Lane in the final in Hartford.

Final:
[4] Julian Illingworth (USA) bt [2] Jonathan Kemp (ENG) 11-7, 11-7, 12-10