Serme Scores Surprise Salzburg Success

It was a case of sixth time lucky for No2 seed Lucas Serme when the Frenchman upset top-seeded Dane Kristian Frost Olesen in today's final of the Austrian Open, the PSA Challenger 5 squash event at Tenniscourt Sud in Salzburg.

The top two seeds reached the climax of the event celebrating its fifth successive year in Salzburg in contrasting styles. Olesen despatched Swiss opponent Reiko Peter in straight games while Serme came back from two games down against fourth seed Mahesh Mangaonkar to force a decider - then the Indian was forced to retire midway through the game suffering with severe cramp.

"After a 20-minute long opening game, which Lucas won 11-6, Kristian was able to lift the pressure more and came back strong to win the second game 11-5 to level the match," said event promoter Aqeel Rehman.

"The third game was the deciding game. The pace and intensity was enormous and the sold out crowd was fascinated by the retrieval skills of both players. Kristian had that little bit of advantage through most of the game until 9-7. But it was then when Lucas geared up and reached game ball at 10-9. However it took him another game ball to finish the game 12-10."

Serme went on to wrap up the fourth to close out the match 11-7, 5-11, 12-10, 11-3 in 81 minutes to record his first victory over the Dane in six meetings.

"Before the tournament I didn't have a lot of confidence, as it was my first tournament after injury since November," said Serme after winning the fifth PSA World Tour title of his career.

"I am happy to win and am thankful to have won after I lost here in the semi-final last year. By the time I was feeling even better and my back and hip was fine.

"Thanks to Aqeel for putting on the tournament as it is hard to play an run the event."