Baltazar Ferreira Battles To Marathon Swiss Success

Mexico's seventh seed Jorge Isaac Baltazar Ferreira was taken the full distance by unseeded Nicolas Mueller in the Seegarten Vitis Open before defeating the home hero to reach the final of the $10,000 PSA Tour squash event at Vitis Sports Center in Schlieren, near Zurich, in Switzerland.

"The home crowd favourite was once again spurred on by a parochial Swiss crowd but was edged out 17-15 in the fifth game," reported tournament organiser John Williams. "Both players displayed tremendous skills and mental endeavour from start to finish, but it was to be the Mexican who prevailed in a high quality affair considering their current rankings."

The 12-10, 4-11, 14-12, 3-11, 17-15 victory takes Baltazar Ferreira into the 12th PSA Tour final of his career - but the first this year.

The 26-year-old from Mexico City will face favourite Tom Richards after the Englishman prevailed against injured Hungarian Mark Krajcsak, the fourth seed.

"At one-game all, the match was well poised - but Krajcsak was clearly affected from the beginning of the third game by his injury," explained Williams after the second semi-final which finished with a 4-11, 11-4, 6-1 (ret.) scoreline.

Richards, the 22-year-old world No34 from Surrey, is celebrating his fifth Tour final appearance - and looking for his second PSA win this year.
Semi-finals:
[1] Tom Richards (ENG) bt [4] Mark Krajcsak (HUN) 4-11, 11-4, 6-1 ret.
[7] Jorge Isaac Baltazar Ferreira (MEX) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 12-10, 4-11, 14-12, 3-11, 17-15