Finitsis Celebrates Salzburg Success

Australia's Steve Finitsis celebrated unexpected success in the Austrian Open in Salzburg when he upset top-seeded Frenchman Julien Balbo in the final of the PSA World Tour Challenger 5 squash event at the Tenniscenter Sued in Gneis.

The 28-year-old Queenslander had the better start and took the first two games before building up a commanding 6-2 lead in the third.

But Balbo fought back and had two game balls from 10-7 before finally clinching his third to reduce the deficit.

The fourth game went point for point until five-all when the second-seeded Australian moved ahead 7-5 and later 9-6. Once again the Frenchman, ranked 61 in the world, fought back to draw level at nine-all.

But after an error from Balbo which gave Finitsis match-ball, the Netherlands-based Australian took full advantage with an un-retrievable crosscourt nick to clinch the title 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9 after 70 minutes.

The win marks Finitsis's eighth Tour title - and extends his lifetime unbeaten record over Balbo to four wins.