Qualifier Avila Makes Cartagena Climax

Mexican qualifier Alfredo Avila reached the biggest PSA World Tour final of his career at the Grupo Maximo Cartagena Open in Colombia after surviving a five-game marathon against higher-ranked compatriot Arturo Salazar in the inaugural PSA Challenger 15 squash event at Cumplejo de Raquetas in the coastal city of Cartagena.

The 21-year-old from Mexico City had already produced the shock of the tournament by ousting top-seeded South African Stephen Coppinger in the previous round.

And in the semi-finals, Avila twice came from behind to level the match against Salazar before the world No66 from San Luis Potosi was forced to retire injured after just a single point in the decider.

The 8-11, 11-6, 11-13, 13-11, 1-0 (ret.) win after 104 minutes takes Avila into the fifth PSA World Tour final of his life, and his second this year.

There was a Salazar retirement in the other semi where Arturo's twin brother Cesar Salazar, the No4 seed, was forced to concede the match after just a single game to local hero Miguel Angel Rodriguez, the second seed from Bogota, as the result of a knee injury.

Colombian number one Rodriguez is celebrating his third Tour final on home soil in two weeks - and the 28th of his illustrious career.

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