PSA Des Hauts De France – Wam: Jaume Beats James to Claim First 15k Crown

Spain’s Bernat Jaume claimed the biggest title of his PSA Tour career, beating England’s Declan James in the PSA Des Hauts De France – Wam final. 

James had knocked out former World No.22 Moustafa El Sirty in the semi-finals and was playing his first final since 2018, in what was only his fourth tournament since returning to action after having surgery to repair a ruptured achilles. 

Standing in his way, though, was the No.2 seed Jaume, who was targeting a second title of 2023, after winning the HSC International Open in Houston in June. 

The Spaniard, ranked No.55 in the world, made the faster start, cruising to an 11-4 win in game one, before James hit back to level things up by taking the second 11-9. 

From there, though, it was largely one-way traffic. 

Jaume took control of game three midway through, swiftly moving from 4-4 to 11-6 and within one game of glory, and he didn’t have to wait long for it to arrive. 

He opened up an early 5-2 lead in game four and soon turned that into five match balls at 10-5 up, taking his first opportunity with a backhand drop to the front of the court. 

As well as being Jaume’s biggest title to date, victory at the tournament also marked the end of the 2023 Green Squash Tour, which has seen seven different tournaments held across seven different French locations in six weeks, with seven different champions. 

Result: Men’s Final

[2] Bernat Jaume (ESP) bt Declan James (ENG) 3-1: 11-4, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5 (59m)