Lake Makes Tour Title Breakthrough In Cape Town

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England’s Nathan Lake marked his 60th appearance in a PSA World Tour event by winning his first title at the Keith Grainger Memorial UCT Squash Open in Cape Town, South Africa.

The 22-year-old second seed from Cheltenham upset favourite and fellow countryman Angus Gillams in straight games in the climax of the PSA Challenger 5 event at the University of Cape Town.

Lake was celebrating his first Tour final – while it was the second in a row for fellow left-hander Gillams – and both were bidding for a first title.

Underdog Lake came out the blocks firing on all cylinders, winning the first game 11-7. Continuing the dominance, the second seed clinched the second 11-6 and soon built up a 7-0 lead in the third.

But London-based Gillams showed plenty of grit to work his way back into the game to reduce the deficit to two points.

Lake reclaimed the upper hand, however, and closed out the match 11-7, 11-6, 11-8 in 62 minutes to earn his Tour title breakthrough.

“I would like to thank all my opponents this week, especially Angus in the final,” said the new champion. “I had to work really hard to win the third after leading 7-0 – you never gave up and I had to remain focused and was relieved to win the match.

“This is my third time at this event in Cape Town, and I love it here! It is such an enjoyable experience, all the spectators and my amazing hosts, Sharon and Owen, many thanks. Thank you to all the refs, student organising committee, Grainger family and important sponsors, thank you to everyone involved.”

RESULTS: PSA Challenger 5 Keith Grainger Memorial UCT Squash Open, Cape Town, South Africa

1st round:
[1] Angus Gillams (ENG) bt [Q] Owen de Jager (RSA) 11-3, 11-3, 11-5 (19m)
Ruan Olivier (RSA) bt Ben Coates (ENG) 12-10, 11-6, 11-5 (20m)
[Q] Rodney Durbach (RSA) bt Kyle Maree (RSA) 11-3, 11-3, 11-3 (21m)
[8] Joe Green (ENG) bt [Q] Aubrey Lawrence (RSA) 11-3, 11-7, 11-5 (28m)
[7] Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA) bt [LL] Murray Commins (RSA) 11-8, 11-4, 11-4 (25m)
Ahmed Mohamed (EGY) bt [Q] Luke Stevens (RSA) 11-8, 12-10, 11-4 (25m)
Julian Tomlinson (ENG) bt Juan Pablo Roude (ARG) 10-12, 11-3, 11-3, 12-10 (30m)
[4] Manoel Pereira (BRA) bt Jon Geekie (SCO) 11-9, 11-9, 11-4 (25m)
[3] Christo Potgieter (RSA) bt Josh Taylor (ENG) 11-3, 11-8, 7-11, 8-11, 11-2 (55m)
Diego Gobbi (BRA) bt [Q] Justin Wesson (RSA) 11-4, 11-4, 11-8 (35m)
Chris Hall (ENG) bt [Q] Thomas Jordaan (RSA) 11-5, 11-1, 11-5 (22m)
[Q] Rudi Willemse (RSA) bt [6] Babatunde Ajagbe (NGR) 11-7, 11-9, 4-11, 5-11, 11-6 (59m)
[WC] Gareth Naidoo (RSA) bt [5] Arthur Moineau (FRA) 11-8, 7-11, 11-3, 15-17, 14-12 (65m)
Anthony Graham (ENG) bt Omar Bahgat (EGY) 11-6, 11-5, 11-0 (20m)
Mazen Gamal (EGY) bt Tariq Khan (PAK) w/o
[2] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt [Q] Rowan Smith (RSA) 11-4, 11-4, 11-5 (20m)
2nd round:
[1] Angus Gillams (ENG) bt Ruan Olivier (RSA) 11-1, 11-9, 11-3 (31m)
[Q] Rodney Durbach (RSA) bt [8] Joe Green (ENG) 11-4, 11-4, 11-6 (26m)
[7] Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA) bt Ahmed Mohamed (EGY) 9-11, 11-8, 11-1, 11-6 (45m)
[4] Manoel Pereira (BRA) bt Julian Tomlinson (ENG) 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 (42m)
[3] Christo Potgieter (RSA) bt Diego Gobbi (BRA) 13-11, 8-11, 0-11, 11-6, 11-9 (55m)
Chris Hall (ENG) bt [Q] Rudi Willemse (RSA) 11-7, 11-9, 11-9 (35m)
Anthony Graham (ENG) bt [WC] Gareth Naidoo (RSA) 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 (49m)
[2] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt Mazen Gamal (EGY) 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8 (65m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Angus Gillams (ENG) bt [Q] Rodney Durbach (RSA) 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5 (70m)
[7] Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA) bt [4] Manoel Pereira (BRA) 10-12, 5-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 (73m)
Chris Hall (ENG) bt [3] Christo Potgieter (RSA) 11-9, 11-6, 10-12, 9-11, 11-9 (89m)
[2] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt Anthony Graham (ENG) 11-4, 11-9, 11-7 (47m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Angus Gillams (ENG) bt [7] Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA) 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 (68m)
[2] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt Chris Hall (ENG) 11-6, 11-5, 11-9 (27m)
Final:
[2] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt [1] Angus Gillams (ENG) 11-7, 11-6, 11-8 (62m)