RESULTS: Cannon Kirk Homes Irish Open Squash Championships, Fitzwilliam Club, Dublin, Ireland
Men's final:
[4] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [3] Davide Bianchetti (ITA) 11-5, 10-11 (2-4), 11-2, 11-9 (72m)
Women's final:
[1] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [2] Laura-Jane Lengthorn (ENG) 9-7, 9-3, 9-4 (55m)
Madeline Perry & Borja Golan Triumph At Irish Open
While Irish number Madeline Perry delighted local crowds at the Fitzwilliam LTC in Dublin when she successfully defended her women's crown in the Cannon Kirk Homes Irish Open Squash Championships, the men's title became Spanish-owned for the first time when fourth seed Borja Golan upset Italy's third seed Davide Bianchetti in a 72-minute marathon final.
Perry, the number one seed, began the match tentatively, falling 4-7 behind England's second seed Laura-Jane Lengthorn in the opening game. But the 29-year-old from Banbridge upped the pace and never looked back – overwhelming Lengthorn 9-7, 9-3, 9-4 in 55 minutes.
"Her speed about the court, her deadly nick shots especially when she is in front of the court, make her a daunting opponent," said an event spokesman of the world No9 after picking up her fifth WISPA World Tour title.
"The Women’s World Championships in Belfast in November this year will provide a great opportunity for Madeline to shine again in front of a home crowd - and is something to relish."
After two men's semi-finals both of which lasted almost two hours, the packed Fitzwilliam crowd were keen to see which of the two continental finalists would emerge as the new champion.
Golan, with 11 titles to his credit from 12 appearances in PSA finals, was a red hot favourite for the match. Furthermore, the 23-year-old from Santiago had beaten Bianchetti in three out of four previous Tour meetings - most recently in the Ciutat de Barcelona Open in his home country.
Golan appeared the fresher of the pair and took the first game. In the second, Bianchetti found his rhythm and managed to take a 10-6 lead, but the Spaniard Golan came back to draw level at 10-10 before losing it in a tie-breaker.
A re-focused Golan stormed to a 2/1 lead after taking the third game for the loss of just two points.
The fourth game was a point by point contest. Golan reached match ball at 10-9 with a timely executed drop - and took the match 11-5, 10-11 (2-4), 11-2, 11-9 on his first attempt after forcing a conduct point from Bianchetti.
Golan endeared himself to the crowd after promising to return next year to defend his first Cannon Kirk Homes Irish Open title.