Kempsell Secures Back-to-Back Titles After Xmas Challenger Triumph

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Scotland’s Douglas Kempsell claimed back-to-back titles for the first time in his career after he ended the charge of qualifier Mohammad Alsarraj in the final of the Airport Xmas Challenger in Berlin – adding that to the Open International Niort Venise Verte crown he lifted last month.

World No.133 Kempsell, whose World Ranking took a huge 38-place leap after his victory in Niort, claimed a big win over tournament top seed Adam Murrills in the last eight, winning 12-10 in the fifth to add that win to his victories over Kristian Rautiainen and Dimitri Steinmann.

18-year-old Alsarraj, who hails from Jordan, began the tournament in the qualification stage, but battled through to reach the main draw, where his hot streak continued as he progressed to a second PSA World Tour final.

Alsarraj’s semi-final clash with Portugal’s Rui Soares – which went all the way to five games – seemed to have an effect on the World No.237 on the early stages of the final as a rampant Kempsell went two games to the good.

A short resurgence from Alsarraj saw him halve the deficit by taking the third, but Kempsell worked his way back on top to edge the fourth, sealing an 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9 triumph to capture the fifth PSA World Tour title of his career – and ensuring that he will make another charge up the rankings when they are released next month.

Result – Final: 2016 Airport Xmas Challenger
[7] Douglas Kempsell (SCO) bt [Q] Mohammad Alsarraj (JOR) 3-1: 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9