"This is like a dream come true. This is one of my favourite International 70 tournaments not only for the prizes, but for the squash community here," said Rodriguez (pic: Bryan Mitchell / MCO) Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez emerged victorious in a battle of training partners to win the Motor City Open. The World No.8 from Bogota overcame unseeded South African Stephen Coppinger, ranked ten places lower, in the final in Detroit to become the tournament’s first ever South American winner.
The duo both train under the guidance of Australia’s former World Champion David Palmer at his base in Orlando – but it was diving king Rodriguez who got the better of his powerful opponent, coming from a game down to seal the championship after a thrilling 112-minute encounter (9-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-3).
The victory sees Rodriguez claim his 1st ever PSA International 70 title, and the biggest tournament title of his career so far, to end what has been the most successful month of his career to date, having already broken into the top ten for the first time and reached his 1st ever PSA World Series semi-finals at the recent J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions.
“I’m really happy because this is one of my best months in my entire career. It’s something I’ll never forget and I worked so hard to win this tournament,” said Rodriguez.
“I’m making history now not only in Colombia but in South America by being the first Latin American to reach the Top 10. Winning this game and seeing my name on that wall with all those champions and former number ones – I’m speechless.
Final:
[6] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 9-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-3 (112m)
Semi-finals:
[6] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [8] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 7-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 11-2 (96m)
Stephen Coppinger (RSA) bt Max Lee (HKG) 9-11, 11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7 (79m)
Quarter-finals:
[6] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt Cameron Pilley (AUS) 6-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-9 (80m)
[8] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt [4] Borja Golan (ESP) 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 (61m)
Stephen Coppinger (RSA) bt [3] Peter Barker (ENG) 7-11, 11-4, 5-11, 11-7, 11-5 (85m)
Max Lee (HKG) bt [5] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 9-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9 (88m)
1st round:
Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) 12-14, 11-4, 11-7 ret. (39m)
[6] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [Q] Saurav Ghosal (IND) 11-8, 11-8, 5-11, 9-11, 11-5 (97m)
[8] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt [Q] Alan Clyne (SCO) 11-7, 11-9, 11-3 (62m)
[4] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [Q] Cesar Salazar (MEX) 11-2, 11-6, 11-7 (42m)
[3] Peter Barker (ENG) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 11-3, 11-9, 11-4 (31m)
Stephen Coppinger (RSA) bt [7] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) 8-11, 4-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-6 (62m)
[5] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt [Q] Olli Tuominen (FIN) 11-7, 11-5, 11-5 (28m)
Max Lee (HKG) bt [2] Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-6, 11-5 ret. (11m)
