Weekend RoundUp: Grayson Claims Squash XL Open Title

New Zealand’s World No.39 Campbell Grayson overcame Scotland’s World No.36 Greg Lobban to clinch victory in the Squash XL Open final.

Grayson – who had only dropped one game en route to the final – came up against Lobban, who was appearing in his sixth successive final as he continues to rediscover a successful run of form after returning from injury.

The first game saw great skill from both players with Grayson controlling the court well, however, Lobban was able to save three game balls to send the game to a tie break but it was the New Zealander who took the first game 12-10.

The second game saw another tight contest between the duo as Lobban again saved game ball and had the opportunity to take the game but Grayson was able to see out the game with a 15-13 win before going onto claim a 11-5 win to seal the title win in three. The win marked Grayson’s first PSA World Tour title since he lifted the Life Time Chicago Open in 2016 – where he also beat Lobban.

Squash XL Open final
[1] Campbell Grayson (NZL) bt [3] Greg Lobban (SCO) 3-0: 12-10, 15-13, 11-5 (62mins)

Semi-finals
[1] Campbell Grayson (NZL) bt [4] Rex Hedrick (AUS) 3-0: 11-4, 11-4, 9-9 retired (40m)
[3] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [Q] Daniel Mekbib (CZE) 3-0: 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 (33m)

Quarter-finals
[1] Campbell Grayson (NZL) bt [8] Joshua Larkin (AUS) 3-0: 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 (37m)
[4] Rex Hedrick (AUS) bt [5] Angus Gillams (ENG) 3-2: 11-4, 9-11, 14-12, 8-11, 11-4 (72m)
[3] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [7] Evan Williams (NZL) 3-0: 11-3, 11-4, 11-7 (30m)
[Q] Daniel Mekbib (CZE) bt [6] Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) 3-2: 13-11, 11-9, 4-11, 6-11, 11-9 (70m)

Round one
[1] Campbell Grayson (NZL) bt Eain Yow Ng (MAS) 3-1: 11-5, 6-11, 11-5, 11-7 (45m)
[8] Joshua Larkin (AUS) bt Lance Beddoes (NZL) 3-1: 11-13, 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 (40m)
[5] Angus Gillams (ENG) bt [Q] Joe Green (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 11-5 (31m)
[4] Rex Hedrick (AUS) bt Mohd Syafiq Kamal (MAS) 3-0: 12-10, 11-6, 11-4 (35m)0-3
[3] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [Q] Sanjay Singh (MAS) 3-1: 12-10, 7-11, 14-12, 11-6 (44m)
[7] Evan Williams (NZL) bt [WC] Luke Jones (NZL) 3-0: 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 (29m)
[6] Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) bt [Q] Valentino Bong (MAS) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 (26m)
[Q] Daniel Mekbib (CZE) bt [2] Ivan Yuen (MAS) 3-1: 7-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-6 (48m)