Koukal Conquers Clarke In White Oaks Open

Czech number one Jan Koukal survived a marathon encounter with local hero Robin Clarke in the final of the Pepsi White Oaks Open, coming back from behind to lift clinch the inaugural $6,625 PSA Tour squash title at The Club at White Oaks in Niagara on the Lake in Ontario, Canada.

Top seed Koukal claimed his anticipated place in the final after overcoming Christopher Gordon, the fourth seed from the USA, in a four-game semi-final.

But Clarke, the 23-year-old third seed from Ottawa, made his breakthrough in the other semi - upsetting second-seeded Australian Scott Arnold 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 4-11, 12-10 in 85 minutes to earn his seventh appearance in a PSA Tour final.

And the young Canadian, ranked 73 in the world, battled his way to a 2/1 lead over the Czech favourite in the showdown.

But Koukal, ranked 15 places higher, used his greater experience to claw back the advantage, ultimately winning 11-6, 10-12, 13-15, 11-8, 11-5 in 88 minutes to claim the 12th Tour title of his career.

Final:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt [3] Robin Clarke (CAN) 11-6, 10-12, 13-15, 11-8, 11-5 (88m)