Todd Harrity wins Madeira International Open to secure PSA World Championships place
September 23 2018
US No.1 Todd Harrity has secured his place at the prestigious Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Championships after he overcame fellow UNSQUASHABLE player Josh Masters in the final of the Madeira International Squash Open staged the Hotel Galo Sol, Santa Cruz in Madeira, Portugal.
The Madeira International Squash Open is one of several Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger Tour events which will see the winner secure their place at next year’s coveted PSA World Championships, which will take place in Chicago & will become the first professional squash tournament to offer a prize purse of $1 million.
Todd Harrity was forced to work hard to win his third PSA World Tour title after he found himself a game down to the recently crowned World University Champion Josh Masters who also reached the final in Madeira last year.
The American prevailed in a gruelling five-game semi-final against India’s Mahesh Mangaonkar & found himself 6-1 down to Josh Masters in the final, who had not dropped a single game throughout the tournament. Despite the initial set-back, Todd Harrity fought hard to find a way back & even held game ball at one point, which he failed to convert & Josh Masters was able to capitalise to take the lead on a 12-10 tie-break.
However, 28-year-old American did not let that unsettle him as he came battling back in the second to grow in momentum & level the scores. From that moment on, the 28-year-old was able to execute his game plan well & take advantage of some errors from his English opponent to take a 2-1 lead.
In the fourth, Todd Harrity was able to stretch his advantage to eventually claim a 49-minute 10-12 11-5 11-9 11-3 win to ensure his place in Chicago next year for the prestigious PSA World Championships.
“I think for me it was just about keeping things as simple as possible,” said World No.50 Todd Harrity. “I tend to overthink & sometimes psych myself out, so yesterday [in the semi-finals] I tried to think of it as though it was close, & I was lucky to scrape through & I was lucky to be in the final.
“I just tried to relax today & not put pressure on myself. I had really good preparation & have been playing well & then Josh just came out firing. I just tried to not let that bother me & after the first game I just tried to loosen up & play my shots & go for it a bit more.
“I was really happy to be able to come back & not get down mentally after I had done all the hard work & then lost it on the tie-break in the first, but I’m really pleased with how I came back & I’m sure we will have many more battles to come.
“It’s definitely a big wait of my shoulders to already have qualified for the World Championships & it will give me peace of mind that no matter what happens I still have a spot guaranteed there. I tried not to think about it too much this week & just take one step at a time, but it feels great to have qualified.”
Professional Squash Association (PSA) Madeira International Open 2018, Hotel Galo Sol, Santa Cruz, Madeira, Portugal
Final:
[1] Todd Harrity (USA) bt [2] Joshua Masters (ENG) 10-12 11-5 11-9 11-3 (49 minutes)
Todd Harrity uses our UNSQUASHABLE TODD HARRITY AUTOGRAPH racket which scheduled for launch later this year.
Josh Masters uses our UNSQUASHABLE TOUR-TEC PRO which is available from www.unsquashable.com
UNSQUASHABLE sponsored players & brand ambassadors competing on the PSA World Tour are sponsored by AJ Bell, one of the UK’s largest providers of online investment platforms & stockbroker services.
For more information, visit: www.psaworldtour.com
The Madeira International Squash Open is one of several Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger Tour events which will see the winner secure their place at next year’s coveted PSA World Championships, which will take place in Chicago & will become the first professional squash tournament to offer a prize purse of $1 million.
Todd Harrity was forced to work hard to win his third PSA World Tour title after he found himself a game down to the recently crowned World University Champion Josh Masters who also reached the final in Madeira last year.
The American prevailed in a gruelling five-game semi-final against India’s Mahesh Mangaonkar & found himself 6-1 down to Josh Masters in the final, who had not dropped a single game throughout the tournament. Despite the initial set-back, Todd Harrity fought hard to find a way back & even held game ball at one point, which he failed to convert & Josh Masters was able to capitalise to take the lead on a 12-10 tie-break.
However, 28-year-old American did not let that unsettle him as he came battling back in the second to grow in momentum & level the scores. From that moment on, the 28-year-old was able to execute his game plan well & take advantage of some errors from his English opponent to take a 2-1 lead.
In the fourth, Todd Harrity was able to stretch his advantage to eventually claim a 49-minute 10-12 11-5 11-9 11-3 win to ensure his place in Chicago next year for the prestigious PSA World Championships.
“I think for me it was just about keeping things as simple as possible,” said World No.50 Todd Harrity. “I tend to overthink & sometimes psych myself out, so yesterday [in the semi-finals] I tried to think of it as though it was close, & I was lucky to scrape through & I was lucky to be in the final.
“I just tried to relax today & not put pressure on myself. I had really good preparation & have been playing well & then Josh just came out firing. I just tried to not let that bother me & after the first game I just tried to loosen up & play my shots & go for it a bit more.
“I was really happy to be able to come back & not get down mentally after I had done all the hard work & then lost it on the tie-break in the first, but I’m really pleased with how I came back & I’m sure we will have many more battles to come.
“It’s definitely a big wait of my shoulders to already have qualified for the World Championships & it will give me peace of mind that no matter what happens I still have a spot guaranteed there. I tried not to think about it too much this week & just take one step at a time, but it feels great to have qualified.”
Professional Squash Association (PSA) Madeira International Open 2018, Hotel Galo Sol, Santa Cruz, Madeira, Portugal
Final:
[1] Todd Harrity (USA) bt [2] Joshua Masters (ENG) 10-12 11-5 11-9 11-3 (49 minutes)
Todd Harrity uses our UNSQUASHABLE TODD HARRITY AUTOGRAPH racket which scheduled for launch later this year.
Josh Masters uses our UNSQUASHABLE TOUR-TEC PRO which is available from www.unsquashable.com
UNSQUASHABLE sponsored players & brand ambassadors competing on the PSA World Tour are sponsored by AJ Bell, one of the UK’s largest providers of online investment platforms & stockbroker services.
For more information, visit: www.psaworldtour.com