2010 Irish Open Conquerors; Azlan Iskandar and Madeline Perry
Malaysia’s top seed, Mohammad Azlan Iskandar lifted the 2010 Cannon Kirk Homes Irish Squash Open trophy of the Men’s category, at the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin. Alongside, Ireland’s Madeline Perry clinched the final to mark her win on home-ground in the Women’s category of the championship.
Upon defeating fifth seed, Vanessa Atkinson from the Netherlands, Perry won her fifth Irish Open title along with $25,300 worth of prize money awarded by the Women’s International Squash Players Association.
After recently bagging the 2010 Australian Open title, Perry now stood undefeated on her own soil. As the game kicked off, Madeline made a couple of un-forced errors. However, she managed to save a game ball after which, she opened up a one game lead. The Irishwoman took the first set thirteen points to eleven.
In the words of Tournament Director Gina Menzies, “The turning point of the match came in the second game when Perry, who was leading 8–6 at the time, won a 60-shot rally.” Furthermore, she added, “Atkinson tired visibly after this point and she seemed deflated while Perry, who is one of the hardest hitters in the game, upped her pace and intensity to take the second game 11-8 and before racing through the third.”
After the 11-8 win in the second set, Perry successfully took the third set 11 points to 6. Her straight set win lasted forty-four minutes to be exact. The win marked Madeline’s 8th WISPA tour title and her first defeat to Atkinson over the years.
A five set match between Azlan Iskandar and Spain’s Borja Golan lead to the longest matches of the year recorded for both sportsmen.
The 100 minute game started off with Iskandar defeating Golan 11 points to 9 in the first set of the match. Borja however, fought back and successfully took the second set 11 points to 8. The initial few games were evenly contested. Nevertheless, Iskandar proved that he had greater fitness levels.
The third set however, went in favor of Borja as he won it 11 points to 9. Golan had two match balls during the fourth set. However, it seemed as if his knee surgery was getting in the way. Azlan took the fourth set 13 points to 11, after being tied with the Spaniard prior to his win.
Furthermore, Iskandar came out victorious after winning the deciding set eleven points to five. Along with his title, the sportsman won $25,000, courtesy the Professional Squash Association.
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