Challenger Tour Roundup: Finnlay Withington Claims Biggest Title To Date In Edmonton

England’s former British Junior Open winner Finnlay Withington scored his biggest title to date yesterday as he defeated Mexico’s Alfredo Avila in the The Bee-Clean Edmonton Squash Club Winter Open 2024 Challenger 9 event.

Withington downed No.2 and 4 seeds Tang Ming Hong and Emyr Evans on route to his third ever PSA final, looking to maintain his 100% record in finals. His opponent Alfredo Avila is vastly experienced compared to Withington and was hoping to secure his 22nd career title in his 33rd final.

The Englishman came out to the perfect start in the final, as he lead 4-0 to settle any nerves he might have been feeling from playing his biggest final. Avila started to get himself going from this point as he came back to level at 4-4 and settle into the match too. Withington managed to regain the lead and pulled away from his Mexican opponent to take the game 11-9.

The second game followed a similar pattern as Withington ran out to an impressive 7-2 lead, retrieving every ball and putting Avila under serious pressure with counter attacks and well timed boasts. The second game was over in just eight minutes as the Manchester-based No.6 seed rattled off the winners to claim a huge 2-0 lead and place one hand on the trophy.

The end came quickly for Avila as another fast start from Withington depleted all motivation from the Mexican. World No.93 Withington moved from strength to strength and never looked back on his way to an 11-1 victory over the World No.86. A first 9k title for Withington and the biggest of his career.

Result: Final
[6] Finnlay Withington (ENG) bt [1] Alfredo Avila (MEX) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 11-1 (29m)