Alfredo Avila successfully maintained Mexico's hold on the Qualico
Manitoba Open title when he beat New Zealander Campbell Grayson in the
final of the PSA Challenger 15[.b] squash event at Winnipeg Squash
Racquet Club in Winnipeg, Canada.
Seventh seed Avila, the Mexican No.2 from Mexico City, made his
breakthrough in the quarter-finals when he downed top seed Adrian Grant,
the former World No.9 from England who won the title in 2011.
Boosted by his first victory over the current World No.29, Avila went on
to defeat eighth seed Reiko Peter in a five-game semi. The Swiss star
began his Manitoba campaign by beating Mexican qualifier Arturo Salazar,
the twin brother of 2014 champion Cesar Salazar.
Third seed Grayson had to see off a trio of Canadians to reach the
final, beating unseeded Shahier Razik, the Toronto-based former World
No.20, in the other semi.
The final was a close-fought affair with honours shared after the first
two games. But it was 23-year-old Avila, the World No.66, ranked 18
places lower than the Kiwi, who ultimately prevailed 11-6, 7-11, 11-7,
11-7 to claim his first PSA World Tour title for more than a year.
The triumph marked the sixth Tour title of Avila's career.