Carruthers Captures Second PSA Title In A Week

Australia's Simon Carruthers cruised to his second PSA Tour title in a week when he beat English qualifier Chris Ryder in the final of the Barfoot & Thompson Royal Oak Open in Auckland, New Zealand.

It was the second time in seven days that the Wagga Wagga-born 22-year-old had upset the New Zealand favourite Kashif Shuja en-route to an unexpected title success. In last week's Auckland Open, Carruthers beat defending champion Shuja in the semi-finals before despatching another New Zealander Callum O'Brien in the final.

In the Royal Oak Open, third-seeded Carruthers ended Pakistan-born Shuja's title hopes in the penultimate round with an 11-3 3-11 11-7 11-10 victory - then defeated Ryder 11-6 11-3 11-10 in the final to claim his third PSA trophy since June.

The event marked a significant comeback for Chris Ryder, playing in only his second PSA event since 2002. The Hertfordshire-based 24-year-old rejoined the PSA last month after bowing out in 2003, having reached a career-high 91 world ranking. Now ranked a lowly 276, Ryder knocked out four seeds in Auckland - including the prize scalp of second-seeded Kuwaiti Abdullah Almezayen in the first round - before making his fourth appearance in a PSA Tour final.

Final:
[3] Simon Carruthers (AUS) bt [Q] Chris Ryder (ENG) 11-6, 11-3, 11-10 (2-0)