Rodriguez flourishes in Florida!

Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) beat Kamran Khan (MAS) 11-8, 3-11, 11-3, 10-12, 12-10 in the final of the Florida State Open 2011 (photo: Steve Cubbins, SquashSite)

Miguel Angel Rodriguez (pic) justified his top billing in the Florida State Open in the USA – but the top seed from Colombia was taken the full distance in Boca Raton. World No36 Rodriguez, celebrating his 25th Tour final appearance, was facing Kamran Khan, the 21-year-old Malaysian who made the final as No3 seed after upsetting 2nd-seeded Frenchman Yann Perrin in the semis.

Khan twice levelled the match after the 25-year-old from Bogota opened up leads – and forced the final two games into tie-breaks before Rodriguez ultimately prevailed 11-8, 3-11, 11-3, 10-12, 12-10.