PETALING JAYA: Sanjay Jeeva’s patience in the final paid off as he captured his first Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger Tour title at the Bermuda Open yesterday.
Sanjay took down the world No. 122 Anders Herrera of Colombia with a commanding 11-7, 11-7, 11-3 in the final to win the title in Devonshire.
World No. 76 Sanjay, who has made his first final this year, said he maintained his focus on his game and let the points come in on their own.
“I just had to focus on my game and not on the result. I took my time and played smart squash.
“I was very patient in the final and waited for my opponent to get tired, then I started to attack because he had played two big matches previously,” said the 24-year-old.
This was the second encounter between the two players with Sanjay winning the RC Pro Series quarter-finals fixture against the Colombian earlier this month.
Herrera had upset top seed Spencer Lovejoy of the United States in the quarter-final, and went on to win against fourth seed compatriot Matias Knudsen in the semi-finals.
Sanjay’s patient approach was the same strategy that helped him win against Colombia’s Edgar Ramirez 11-7, 11-9, 11-9 in the semi-final on Saturday.
Although playing the long game, Sanjay’s campaign in Bermuda was a swift one as he won all his matches in straight sets.
By winning his first PSA Challenger title, Sanjay is over the moon but says more tournaments are awaiting him.
“I beat everyone 3-0. By far this is my best tournament,” he said.
“I will now prepare myself for a tougher challenger at the QSF 3 event in Doha, Qatar from May 22-26.”
Sanjay’s win in Devonshire makes it back-to-back Malaysian wins at the tournament after world No. 18 Ng Eain Yow won last year’s edition.
Sanjay will be joined by compatriots Eain Yow and Addeen Idrakie at the PSA Bronze level event and is set to meet world No. 64 Ibrahim Elkabbani of Egypt in the opening round.
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