Alarcon Battles To Ecuador Open Success

Brazilian outsider Rafael F Alarcon concluded a trio of upsets in the Ecuador Open to win the title after battling to a dramatic five-game victory over Mexican Jorge Isaac Baltazar Ferreira in the climax of the $21,500 PSA Tour squash event at the Quito Tenis Y Golf Club in the Ecuador capital Quito.

The 32-year-old from Sao Paulo ousted second-seeded Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez in the quarter-finals before despatching Mexican Eric Galvez, the third seed, in the semis.

Fourth seed Jorge Isaac Baltazar Ferreira had reached the final for the second year in a row - and was hoping for his first title success.

And the 26-year-old world No58 from Mexico City took a 2/1 lead and looked to be heading for victory in the fourth.

But seventh seed Alarcon clinched the tie-break to force the match into a fifth-game decider.

"The fifth and final game was all about the mental strength; this is where Alarcon made the difference," explained tournament spokesman Juan Carlos Santacruz.

The underdog played precisely and wore out his opponent - rescuing every single ball and playing a succession of winners before celebrating his stunning 11-9, 8-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-7 win after 79 minutes.

Alarcon's triumph marks the 13th PSA Tour title of his career - and the fourth over the past three months after successes in the Paraguay Open in Asuncion in June, the Ponta Grossa-Parana Open in his home land in August, and in the Peru Open in Lima last month.

Final:
[7] Rafael F Alarcon (BRA) bt [4] Jorge Isaac Baltazar Ferreira (MEX) 11-9, 8-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-7 (79m)