Creed Celebrates Salzburg Success

Peter Creed became the first Welshman to win the long-established Austrian Open title when he beat Dutchman Sebastiaan Weenink in the final of the PSA Challenger 5 squash event at EUROPARK Salzburg in Salzburg.

The two top seeds made the final after surviving four-game semis - favourite Creed overcoming third-seeded German Tim Weber and Weenink, the No.2 seed, denying local interest in the climax after battling to an 11-4, 11-7, 3-11, 11-5 victory over Austrian number one Aqeel Rehman, the tournament promoter and 2013 champion.

After losing the first two games in the final, Dutch champion Weenink fought back from 5-10 down in a dramatic third game - saving a total of nine match-balls and squandering his own game-ball before six-time Welsh champion Creed clinched the game to take the title 11-4, 11-8, 15-13 after 55 minutes.

"In the third game I was 10-5 up and stopped playing squash," admitted Creed later. "Seb started playing much better and I was getting anxious. This caused a lot of collisions. But both of us were fighting very hard and in the heat of the moment it is what sometimes happens.

"I am over the moon in winning in three especially," added the 28-year-old from Caerphilly, who now has four PSA Tour titles to his name. "Thanks to all the sponsors for making this event happen."

The crowd at the EUROPARK shopping mall was packed for the final of the biggest squash event ever to be staged in the country. "It was the best advertisement for the sport in Austria ever in history, reaching an enormous number of views via TV, radio, print media and online," said Rehman.

"The whole event 'Austrian Squash Challenge' was a great success and hopefully will be continued next year. Thanks to all the sponsors and people and staff who helped run this Challenge. Major thanks as well go to EUROPARK for their support in giving us this unique chance!"