Bryant Defeats James To Win First World Event Title At PSA Budapest Open

Unseeded English teenager Jonah Bryant clinched his first World Event title on the PSA Squash Tour after defeating Declan James in the PSA Budapest Open final.

Bryant, the World No.64, capped off a perfect week in Hungary by overcoming his fellow Englishman by an 11-5, 8-11, 11-2, 11-3 scoreline.

Coming into the match, 19-year-old Bryant had looked in top form at City Squash, having knocked out the likes of top seed Leandro Romiglio and No.7 seed Patrick Rooney on his way to the title. He also held a recent victory over James, having defeated the World No.49 in the Irish Open semi-finals last season.

The match started in even fashion, with both players trading points up to the mid-stage of the match, however, from 4-4, Bryant moved away with a dominant phase of squash, winning seven of the next eight points to take the first game.

James bounced back to take a tight second game by an 11-8 scoreline, but then began to see his physical efforts from the week begin to show. The 31-year-old had played three straight five-game matches in the earlier rounds of the event, and spent 124 minutes more on court than Bryant.

As the third game began, the match swung in Bryant’s favour, with the teenager racing into an 8-1 lead and never looking back. He took the third game by an 11-2 scoreline and then sealed the title by winning a one-sided fourth game by dropping just three points.

This victory in Budapest continues Bryant’s immaculate record in title deciders at PSA events, with the 19-year-old having won all seven of his finals in his career to date.

Result: Final

Jonah Bryant (ENG) bt Declan James (ENG) 3-1: 11-5, 8-11, 11-2, 11-3 (46)

To keep up to date with the PSA Squash Tour, follow the PSA on  X, Facebook, Threads, Instagram, WhatsApp, or TikTok.