Local Qualifier Miko Äijänen Takes Up Helsinki Challenge

Finnish teenager Miko Äijänen produced the form of his life - and became the third qualifier to win a PSA World Tour title this month - when he beat six higher-ranked players in a row to win the Suez Helsinki Summer Challenger.

"I could never have believed that I am standing here with the trophy," said the delighted 18-year-old from Järvenpää - ranked 396 in the world - after defeating Baptiste Masotti, the No.3 seed from France ranked more than 200 places higher, 12-10, 11-9, 12-10 in the PSA M5 event final at Talihalli in the Finland capital Helsinki.

Äijänen's coach Sami Elopuro was very proud of his player's achievement: "One cannot be more proud than this," said the Finnish former world No.7 after his pupil's maiden Tour title triumph.