Alister Walker (BOT) beat Tom Richards (ENG) 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 in the final of the Berkshire Open 2012 to secure the 3rd title as he converted to Botswana nationality (screen-shot: SquashSite) As World Open Champion Nick Matthew will be live in BBC1 at 10.35 UK time today, it was a 2nd successive Berkshire Open runner-up finish for Tom Richards (ri) as top seed Alister Walker (le) romped to a straight games victory over the Englishman in the final in Williamstown, USA.
Walker, the world No18 from Botswana who survived 131 minutes a 5-game semi-final battle against 3rd seed Borja Golan was in surprisingly fresh form as he despatched his former compatriot Richards 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 in 44 minutes.
The triumph marks the 6th title of Walker's career – but the 3rd since the 29-year-old former Englishman switched his allegiance to Botswana, his country of birth, last June.
“After last night’s brutal match with Borja, my body was really struggling and I didn’t expect much in the final – which probably worked in my favour because I was very relaxed against Tom in the final,” said Walker post-match.
“For me it is a real privilege to get Botswana its third PSA title – and I am hoping the results will help in our association’s attempts to re-energise the sport at home. In turn hopefully we can send a national team to the World Team Championships in France next year.”
Final:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [2] Tom Richards (ENG) 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (44m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [3] Borja Golan (ESP) 12-10, 4-11, 7-11, 12-10, 12-10 (131m)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Julian Illingworth (USA) 8-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-5 (55m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [Q] Olivier Pett (ENG) 12-10, 11-8, 11-6 (38m)
[3] Borja Golan (ESP) bt Shawn Delierre (CAN) 11-1, 11-4, 11-6 (27m)
Julian Illingworth (USA) bt Yasir Butt (PAK) 2-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 (41m)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 (40m)
1st round:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt Chris Simpson (ENG) 13-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5 (74m)
[Q] Olivier Pett (ENG) bt Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 (50m)
Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt [Q] Scott Arnold (AUS) 11-6, 11-6, 11-13, 11-9 (82m)
[3] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [Q] Charles Sharpes (ENG) 11-5, 11-1, 11-4 (27m)
Julian Illingworth (USA) bt [4] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 8-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-6 (70m)
Yasir Butt (PAK) bt Arturo Salazar (MEX) 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 11-9 (56m)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [Q] Christopher Gordon (USA) 11-7, 12-10, 11-7 (44m)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Siddharth Suchde (IND) 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10 (65m)
