Alarcon Pockets PSA Paraguay Prize

There was unexpected South American success in the "Tour de las Americas" Paraguay Open when Brazilian Rafael F Alarcon upset US favourite Gilly Lane in the final of the $6,000 PSA Tour Satellite squash event at Club Internacional de Tenis in the Paraguay capital Asuncion.

It was a popular climax to the first Professional Squash Association event in Paraguay for 18 years - which attracted players from Italy, Holland, USA, Mexico, Peru, Brazil and Argentina and spectators from as far away as Córboba, Buenos Aires and La Plata, all more than 1,000 kilometres away!

Alarcon, the 32-year-old second seed from Sao Paulo, took control of the first two games and looked to be romping to a straight games upset. But Lane, nine years younger than the Brazilian, started lengthening the rallies in the third and reached game-ball at 10-7

The underdog clawed back the next two points - but the US favourite took the game, then sped to a 6/1 lead in the fourth. Again 'Rafa' fought back - but again Lane maintained his advantage to draw level.

Alarcon forced his opponent into errors in the decider and led 5-1 and 7-2 before finally closing out the match 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-5 in just over an hour to claim the tenth PSA Tour title of his career.

"Congratulations to Rafa for the great victory, but also congratulations to Gilly for the great effort and commitment," said event spokesman Mario Dominguez.

Dominguez also paid tribute to Paraguay's top player Esteban Casarino, who reached the semi-finals before losing in four games to Lane. "He was the engine of this event, with great enthusiasm he covered all the details for this tournament to emerge this way. Obviously, besides a great player, we have a great host, that, he contagious all of us with his optimism in advance and managed to host an event that seemed impossible for the economic conditions facing the country and the world at large."

Final:
[2] Rafael F Alarcon (BRA) bt [1] Gilly Lane (USA) 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-5