Ryder Rallies To Atlanta Success

In a surprise all-English Atlanta Open final in the USA, it was top seed Chris Ryder who emerged triumphant to take the title in the $10,000 PSA World Tour squash event in its 11th year at the Concourse Athletic Club in Atlanta, Georgia.

Top seed Ryder was taken the full distance in the semi-finals. The world No38 from Leamington Spa had to fight back from two games down to overcome fellow countryman Joel Hinds, the eighth seed who upset fourth-seeded Colombian Bernardo Samper in the previous round.

And his final opponent Laurence Delasaux also survived a five-game semi - the third-seeded Yorkshireman upsetting Mexico's No2 seed Cesar Salazar 11-9, 10-12, 12-14, 11-8, 11-2 to reach the 10th Tour final of his career.

"Ryder saved all his best shots for the final and just had a little more energy in the tank than his opponent," said tournament organiser Andre Maur.

Celebrating his 15th Tour final appearance, Ryder took the opening game - but Delasaux managed to get more settled and found his rhythm in the second to draw level.

"The third was the decider who would win - and Ryder kept in control to win it 11/9," added Maur.

"The last game was another battle and Ryder kept his composure to close out the match 11-7, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7 to win his first Atlanta Open here in hot Atlanta."

The win marked the fifth PSA Tour title of Ryder's career - but his first since winning the Leinster Open in October 2008.

The 2006 World University champion also becomes the fourth English winner of the Atlanta Open title - following successes by Jonathan Kemp last year, Bradley Ball in 2002, and the new world number one Nick Matthew in 2001.