Elias Lifts Costa Rica Crown

#PSAWorldTour

Teenage sensation Diego Elias triumphed over top seed Alan Clyne in three intense games to capture the Costa Rica Tennis Club Open, PSA Challenger 15 title in San Jose.

The 18-year-old was in scintillating form and dropped just one game en route to his final clash with Clyne. Cameron Stafford, Arturo Salazar and Shawn Delierre all fell by the wayside as the Peruvian powered through to the final.

Scotsman Clyne was similarly impressive despite a quarter-final scare against Mohamed Reda in which the six time PSA World Tour title winner prevailed in five games. Clyne saw off number three seed Alfredo Avila in the semi-final to progress.

The first game between the pair was the closest of the lot. Elias put all of his 6’2″ range to good use as his excellent court coverage prevented Clyne from being able to gain a foothold in the match. The opening game eventually went to Elias in an 11-9 victory whilst the Peruvian had a bit more breathing space in the second where he also triumphed.

Clyne was disheartened after the way the previous two games had gone and Elias surged ahead to take the third game and the match in an 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 victory to lift his third PSA World Tour title.

“I didn’t play the big points well enough to end the season with a title unfortunately,” said Clyne.

“I’ve got a bit of time now to recharge the batteries. Then I will train to go again, better and harder in the new season in September.”

RESULTS: PSA Challenger 15, Costa Rica Tennis Club Open, San Jose, Costa Rica

1st round:
[1] Alan Clyne (SCO) bt [Q] Nicolas Caballero (PAR) 3-0: 11-3, 11-6, 11-2
[6] Mohamed Reda (EGY) bt [Q] Sunil Seth (GUY) 3-0: 12-10, 11-2, 11-6
[7] Peter Creed (WAL) bt [WC] Andres Echeverria (CRC) 3-1: 11-2, 11-3, 8-11, 11-3
[3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) bt Joe Chapman (IVB) 3-1: 11-4, 7-11, 11-6, 11-2
[4] Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt Chris Hanson (USA) 3-1: 6-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-4
[8] Eric Galvez (MEX) bt [Q] Erik Tepos Valtierra (MEX) 3-0: 11-7, 11-2, 11-7
Arturo Salazar (MEX) bt [5] Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) 3-1: 11-6, 11-5, 5-11, 11-5
[2] Diego Elias (PER) bt [Q] Cameron Stafford (CAY) 3-0: 11-6, 11-5, 11-4

Quarter-finals:
[1] Alan Clyne (SCO) bt [6] Mohamed Reda (EGY) 3-2: 11-7, 11-13, 11-9, 5-11, 11-8
[3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) bt [7] Peter Creed (WAL) 3-1: 6-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-5
[4] Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt [8] Eric Galvez (MEX) 3-1: 11-5, 11-3, 7-11, 11-5
[2] Diego Elias (PER) bt Arturo Salazar (MEX) 3-1: 12-10, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8

Semi-finals:
[1] Alan Clyne (SCO) bt [3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) 3-0: 11-1, 11-4, 13-11
[2] Diego Elias (PER) bt [4] Shawn Delierre (CAN) 3-0: 11-5, 11-1, 11-9

Final:
[2] Diego Elias (PER) bt [1] Alan Clyne (SCO) 3-0: 11-9, 11-7, 11-5