Unseeded Asim Khan Wins Maiden World Events Title at Charlottesville Open 2024

Unseeded Muhammad Asim Khan completed a fairytale week with victory in the Charlottesville Open final, beating defending champion Nick Wall to clinch his maiden PSA Tour World events title at Boar’s Head Resort.

The 27-year-old came into this event having never gone beyond the quarter-finals of a World-level event before, and nearly went out in round one, fighting back from two games down to beat Brazil’s Diego Gobbi.

He then upset No.2 seed Yahya Elnawasany in the last eight before seeing off fifth seed Cesar Salazar in the semi-finals, setting up a final showdown with top seed Wall, who took home this trophy 12 months ago.

The English lefty had come through a five-game battle with Moustafa Elsirty in the semi-finals, but made a fast start here, quickly opening up a 4-1 lead in game one.

The Pakistani No.1 remained within touching distance throughout the game and forced a tiebreak at 10-10, but would ultimately lose it 14-12, with Wall crunching a backhand winner down the line to take his second game ball.

The first game alone was more than 20 minutes long, with the referee called upon several times, and it was a similar story in game two, with a let and two strokes in the first five points.

Once again Asim Khan was on the back foot, facing two game balls at 10-8, but this time he saved them both, reeling off four points on the bounce to take game two and level the score.

Perhaps playing with a little more freedom now he was not behind, Asim Khan dominated game three, his relaxed and skilful style on full display as he moved Wall around the court with his delicate soft hands, en route to an 11-6 success.

With the title now within reach at the start of game four, Asim Khan picked up where he’d left in game three, establishing a 3-1 lead that would soon become 5-2, but Wall fought back to level at 6-6.

A no-let then followed, handing Asim Khan back the lead, and that would be a lead he would not relinquish, moving swiftly to 9-6.

Another decision then went again the No.1 seed bringing up match ball, but the rally would never be played, as a conduct stroke was awarded after Wall had dropped his racket in frustration, handing Asim Khan the title.

“I’m feeling very happy,” he said, moments after victory.

“I didn’t expect any of this. I’ve been playing squash for the last few years – four or five years – and I was struggling a lot, not winning any matches in big tournaments like this.

“So this is something else, something big for me. It was one of my goals and I’m very happy to achieve that, and hopefully in the future I’ll win more bigger tournaments.

Discussing how he felt coming into today’s match, he added: “After playing the second seed I was fully confident. But in today’s match, in the first game, I was feeling… you can say feeling tired, because he was pushing me around the corners and to the front court.

“He’s an experienced player and a really skillfull player. In the second game I was again down maybe 8-6 or 7-5, but after that I had to change my game plan. I tried to move him to the front court and the back court and I’m happy that I managed to do that.”

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Result: Charlottesville Open 2024 Men’s Final
Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) bt [1] Nick Wall (ENG) 3-1: 12-14, 12-10, 11-5, 11-6 (65m)