WORLD SQUASH NEWS

RESULTS: Tennyson West Fog City Squash Open, San Francisco, USA

Semi-finals:
[3] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [1] Rodney Durbach (RSA) 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5 (66m)
[2] Shahier Razik (CAN) bt [8] Liam Kenny (IRL) 11-10 (4-2), 11-6, 11-4 (53m)

Final:
[3] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [2] Shahier Razik (CAN) 11-5, 11-8, 4-11, 6-11, 11-9 (90m)

Pilley Soars To San Francisco Title

Australia's Cameron Pilley soared to success in San Francisco after upsetting the top two seeds in the Tennyson West Fog City Squash Open to claim the new PSA Tour title in style.

Pilley, 21, from Queensland, took 66 minutes to overcome top-seeded South African Rodney Durbach in the semi-finals in four games.

In the final at the San Francisco Bay Club - Pilley's tenth on the PSA Tour - the Australian faced the second seed Shahier Razik, the world No32 from Canada who was flying the flag for North America.

Pilley, ranked nine places lower, took the opening two games - but Razik changed his tactics coming into the third, playing a higher pace which forced several unforced errors by the Australian.  Razik quickly led 8-2 and soon reduced the deficit. 

The fourth started again with long rallies.  Pilley looked tired with Razik going short more often.  The game was close until 8-6 when Pilley became inconsistent, going short too early and hitting the tin.  Three points later, Razik levelled the match.

After several unforced errors by Pilley, Razik led 8-5 in the fifth.  Out of nowhere, Pilley fought back - playing positively, going short when he had an opening.  With another great forehand drop shot winner, he got his first match-ball.  At 10-9 there six let balls before Pilley finished off the match with a cross-court nick into the forehand corner to win 11-5 11-8 4-11 6-11 11-9 in 90 minutes.

It was the longest match of the tournament and a fitting climax to the inaugural Tennyson West Fog City Open.