Springfield Scottish Squash Open: Lopez and Gear Claim Titles

Unseeded Edmon Lopez won the Springfield Scottish Squash Open for the second time, beating England’s Ben Smith 3-1 in the men’s final. 

Four years on from lifting the trophy in Edinburgh, the Spaniard was back in the final – this time in Inverness – after coming through a mouthwatering five-game semi-final with Kareem El Torkey. 

That match followed a five-game encounter with Perry Malik and four games against Rory Stewart, but any concerns over fatigue were quickly dispelled. 

If anything, Lopez grew stronger as the match went on, bouncing back from dropping the opening game to take the next two 11-8. 

He closed out the win 11-6 in the fourth, dropping to his knees in celebration, perhaps a sign of relief as much as anything, after an injury-hit last 12 months. 

The women’s final also featured a familiar face in England’s Grace Gear. 

Gear finished as runner-up to Gina Kennedy when this event was last held in 2021, but this time went one better in another all-English final, easing past Asia Harris in three. 

Harris – who is still just 18 years of age – will take heart from reaching her first PSA Challenger Tour 12 final at the end of an impressive week, but never truly recovered after losing the first game 11-2. 

Gear controlled much of the second to take it 11-6, and while Harris threatened to stage a fightback in the fourth, the No.2 seed wrestled momentum back in her favour to reel off six straight points and close out the win.

Result: Men’s Final

Edmon Lopez (ESP) bt [2] Ben Smith (ENG) 3-1: 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6 (64m)

Result: Women’s Final

[2] Grace Gear (ENG) bt Asia Harris (ENG) 3-0: 11-2, 11-6, 11-6 (26m)