Doubledot Media Champions Crowned

Megan Craig has claimed the Women's title whilst Declan James of England manages to get the win he was looking for in Palmerston North.

A packed crowd at the Burnside Squash Club were in attendance to witness a local victory in the womens PSA with New Zealander Megan Craig from Blenheim taking out the title in a long 5 setter against the higher ranked South African Siyoli Waters. Waters ranked 32 in the world started off impressively forcing Craig all around the court with some powerful drives and crosscourt depth taking the first game easily at 11/4.The second game was looking to go the same way with Craig again having no answers to the South African and down 7/2. However after that a number of unforced errors allowed Craig to claw her way back into the match and take the 2nd 12/10. The third game also saw a number of errors from Waters which allowed Craig a good lead which she never surrended and took a 2/1 lead in the match. In the fourth game Waters came back strongly with power and control and dominated that game to take it into a tiebreak 5th game. The fifth game was close all the way until 7/8 when Waters hit a low shot that Craig was adamant had hit the top of the tin, the referees didn't seem to agree until in a remarkable display of sportsmanship rarely seen Waters called her own ball down and drew a generous round of applause from the crowd. Craig then took the next 3 points to secure a well-earned victory 11/8 in the 5th.

Declan James of England continued his impressive form in New Zealand after finishing runner-up last week in Palmerston North, with a hard-fought win in the final of the Doubledot Media Christchurch International Open. It was a contrast of styles with the tall Englishmen appearing to move effortlessly around the court to make some amazing pickups and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu of India covering the court with lightning speed. Sandhu started the stronger of the two and dominated the first game with some excellent play to take it 11/8.  Like the womens game it was played in excellent spirit and with great displays of sportsmanship from both players. James took control in the 2nd game and was able to take it narrowly 12/10. The third came was also close but James came out on top pumping his fist as he hit some emphatic cross-court nick winners. Both players had hard matches throughout the tournament but James seemed to finish the stronger and was able to take the 4th game and the match as Sandhu knocked a ball into the top of the tin, 67 minutes of entertaining squash. 

Full Women's results can be found here and the full Men's results here

All games can be found here and here

Womens Final

(2) Megan Craig (NZL) beat (1) Siyoli Waters (RSA) - 4/11, 12/10, 11/8, 5/11, 11/8 (50 min)

Mens Final

(4) Declan James (ENG) beat (3) Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (IND) - 8/11, 12/10, 11/9, 11/6 (67 min)