Cheam Squash Classic: Herbert Claims Wonderful Maiden Win

19-year-old Simon Herbert has secured his first victory on the PSA Tour, thanks to being three of the top four seeds en route to winning the Cheam Squash Squared Classic.

Due to he ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was held with domestic restrictions, meaning only those currently living in the United Kingdom had been permitted to enter.

Herbert, the World No.319, came into the tournament as the No.8 seed, and with only one quarter-final appearance to his name. However, that all changed this week at Cheam Squash Club.

The 19-year-old started his campaign with a straight games win over Welshman David Haley, before then defeating the No.3 seed, Tom Walsh, to make it through to the last four of the event.

Herbert then downed top seed Peter Creed to make it to the final, where he had to survive a fight-back from No.4 seed Stuart MacGregor to claim his first Tour title, winning the final 3-2.

Results: Cheam Squash Squared Classic
Final
[8] Simon Herbert (ENG) bt [4] Stuart MacGregor (ENG) 3-2: 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 3-11, 11-8

Semi-Finals
[8] Simon Herbert (ENG) bt [1] Peter Creed (WAL) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-6
[4] Stuart MacGregor (ENG) bt Gareth Naidoo (RSA): Walkover

Quarter-Finals
[1] Peter Creed (WAL) bt [5] Ben Smith (ENG) 3-1: 11-5, 12-10, 9-11, 13-11
[8] Simon Herbert (ENG) bt [3] Tom Walsh (ENG) 3-1: 11-6, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8
[4] Stuart MacGregor (ENG) bt [6] Perry Malik (ENG) 3-0: 11-6, 11-0, 11-6
Gareth Naidoo (RSA) bt Aaron Allpress (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-5, 11-5

Round One
[1] Peter Creed (WAL) bt Phil Nightingale (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-1, 11-3
[5] Ben Smith (ENG) bt Josh Attwell (ENG) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-6
[8] Simon Herbert (ENG) bt David Haley (WAL) 3-0: 11-8, 11-8, 11-6
[3] Tom Walsh (ENG) bt Tayne Turnock (ZIM) 3-0: 11-2, 11-4, 11-4
[4] Stuart MacGregor (ENG) bt [WC] Jack Mitterer (ENG) 3-1: 11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 11-2
[6] Perry Malik (ENG) bt Nick Ratnarajah (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-1, 11-1
Aaron Allpress (ENG) bt [7] Jordan Warne (ENG) 3-1: 11-9, 7-11, 11-5, 11-4
Gareth Naidoo (RSA) bt [2] Curtis Malik (ENG) 3-1: 12-10, 15-13, 9-11, 4-0 rtd