Owain Taylor Wins PSA Eastside Open

UNSQUASHABLE player Owain Taylor continued his outstanding run of form by capturing the 2026 PSA Eastside Squash Open title at the Eastside Squash Centre in Hobart, Tasmania, completing a remarkable back-to-back title triumph on Australian soil.

The Welshman followed his recent victory at the PSA City of Devonport Tasmanian Squash Open with another impressive tournament campaign, overcoming a series of demanding challenges before defeating Canada's Karim Aguib Michael in a thrilling 84-minute final.

The top seed began his campaign after a first-round bye with a composed 11-6 11-5 11-5 victory over Australia's Darcy Hayes.

The quarter-finals presented a sterner test against Australia's Jack Hudson. After surrendering the opening game, Owain responded with authority, increasing the pace and accuracy of his play to take control of the contest. He won the next three games to complete a 9-11 11-5 11-3 11-8 victory after 41 minutes.

Owain continued his progress in the semi-finals against Egypt's Omar Helmy. Although Helmy briefly threatened to disrupt the Welshman's momentum by claiming the third game, Owain responded emphatically in the fourth, conceding just one point to seal an 11-5 11-6 4-11 11-1 victory in 42 minutes.

The final against second seed Karim Aguib Michael proved to be the toughest examination of the tournament. The pair traded games throughout an absorbing contest, with neither player able to establish sustained control. Owain twice recovered from falling behind, levelling the match at 2-2 before producing his best squash in the decisive fifth game.

With the title on the line, the UNSQUASHABLE player demonstrated outstanding composure and physical resilience. Maintaining his intensity deep into the 84-minute battle, Owain controlled the crucial closing stages to complete an 8-11 11-8 9-11 11-9 11-7 victory and secure the championship.

The triumph marks Owain's second consecutive PSA World Tour title and underlines the Welshman's excellent form in Tasmania. Back-to-back victories against strong international opposition represent a significant achievement and provide further evidence of his growing confidence and competitive maturity.

Owain's latest success also highlights his ability to perform under pressure. After negotiating two demanding matches in the latter stages of the tournament, he produced the decisive response when required in the final to claim another important title, and leaves Tasmania with two trophies from two tournaments and valuable PSA World Ranking points.

2026 PSA Eastside Squash Open, Eastside Squash Centre, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Final:
[1] Owain Taylor (WAL) bt [2] Karim Aguib Michael (CAN) 8-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7 (84m)

Semi-Finals:
[1] Owain Taylor (WAL) bt [9/16] Omar Helmy (EGY) 11-5, 11-6, 4-11, 11-1 (42m)
[2] Karim Aguib Michael (CAN) bt [6] Oscar Curtis (AUS) 11-5, 11-6, 11-5 (32m)

Quarter-Finals:
[1] Owain Taylor (WAL) bt [9/16] Jack Hudson (AUS) 9-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-8 (41m)
[9/16] Omar Helmy (EGY) bt [4] Benjamin Ratcliffe (AUS) 11-7, 9-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-2 (58m)
[6] Oscar Curtis (AUS) bt [3] Connor Hayes (AUS) 11-3, 14-12, 11-7 (58m)
[2] Karim Aguib Michael (CAN) bt [8] Seojin Oh (KOR) 11-9, 3-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8 (75m)

2nd Round:
[1] Owain Taylor (WAL) bt [9/16] Darcy Hayes (AUS) 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 (34m)
[9/16] Jack Hudson (AUS) bt [7] Mahmoud Ahmed (EGY) 11-2, 11-13, 11-0 ret. (24m)
[9/16] Omar Helmy (EGY) bt [5] Bradley Fullick (AUS) 11-4, 11-5, 10-12, 12-10 (47m)
[4] Benjamin Ratcliffe (AUS) bt [9/16] Mutahir Ali Shah (PAK) 11-5, 11-6, 11-4 (24m)
[3] Connor Hayes (AUS) bt [9/16] Thomas Marshall (NZL) 11-7, 11-6, 11-5 (33m)
[6] Oscar Curtis (AUS) bt [9/16] Javed Ali (AUS) 11-1, 11-7, 11-5 (21m)
[8] Seojin Oh (KOR) bt [9/16] James Nicholas (AUS) 11-2, 11-3, 11-5 (24m)
[2] Karim Aguib Michael (CAN) bt [9/16] Long Ching Lai (HKG) 11-8, 11-7, 12-10 (29m)

1st Round:
[1] Owain Taylor (WAL) bye
[9/16] Darcy Hayes (AUS) bt Benjamin Hudson (AUS) 6-11, 11-8, 11-5, 5-11, 11-8 (59m)
[9/16] Jack Hudson (AUS) bt [WC] Jamie Pattison (AUS) 11-8, 11-4, 11-4 (18m)
[7] Mahmoud Ahmed (EGY) bye
[5] Bradley Fullick (AUS) bye
[9/16] Omar Helmy (EGY) bt Asher de Vries (AUS) 11-4, 11-3, 11-4 (17m)
[9/16] Mutahir Ali Shah (PAK) bt William Mooney (AUS) 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 (25m)
[4] Benjamin Ratcliffe (AUS) bye
[3] Connor Hayes (AUS) bye
[9/16] Thomas Marshall (NZL) bt Ashank Gupta (AUS) 11-9, 11-7, 11-8 (23m)
[9/16] Javed Ali (AUS) bt Elijah de Vries (AUS) 17-15, 11-9, 11-7 (28m)
[6] Oscar Curtis (AUS) bye
[8] Seojin Oh (KOR) bye
[9/16] James Nicholas (AUS) bt Saif Ullah (PAK) 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 (26m)
[9/16] Long Ching Lai (HKG) bt Meer Khawaja (PAK) 11-2, 11-5, 11-2 (14m)
[2] Karim Aguib Michael (CAN) bye