Chifunda Checks Out First PSA Tour Title In Atlanta

US-based Zambian Patrick Chifunda celebrated his maiden PSA Tour squash title in fine style when he beat Mexican Jose Angel Becerril in the final of the DragonDoc Championship at Midtown Athletic Club in Atlanta, USA.

The Richmond-based 33-year-old reached the final of the $5,000 Tour event after surviving an 80-minute five-game semi-final against unseeded Brazilian Tiago Cabral.

Second seed Becerril, 23, from Mexico City, claimed his fifth Tour final appearance in somewhat easier circumstances - despatching unseeded Canadian Dane Sharp in straight games in just 35 minutes.

But favourite Chifunda twice had to battle from behind before beating Becerril 7-11, 13-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9 in 71 minutes to celebrate his PSA breakthrough.

"It was a wonderfully competitive match, each of Chifunda's three winning games could easily have gone the other way," commented event spokesman Thomas Rumpler.

Final:
[1] Patrick Chifunda (ZAM) bt [2] Jose Angel Becerril (MEX) 7-11, 13-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9 (71m)