Bryan continues solid form to bag first PSA title of the year

KUALA LUMPUR: Brisbane-based Bryan Lim continued his recent run of good performances when he bagged his first Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger title of the year in the Hunter Singleton Open in New South Wales yesterday.

The second seed Bryan upstaged top seed Temwa Chileshe of New Zealand 3-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 in an 85-minute final of the 6k tournament.

It was Bryan’s second title in the last six months after having won the Bondi Open in Sydney in October last year.

The world No. 139 had reached the semi-finals of the World Championships Asian Qualifiers at the Japan Duta courts two weeks ago where he lost to eventual winner Ryunosuke Tsukue of Japan in the semi-finals.

The 28-year-old Bryan has been living in Brisbane for the last seven years where he manages Daisy Hill Squash Club and also trains under experienced club coach Bradley Hindle.

The Malaysian was happy with the way he played against Chileshe after having lost in straight sets to the same player during the Eastside Open in Hobart in 2022.

“Really happy with my performance this couple of weeks since the world champs qualifying,” said Bryan.

“I’ve changed my training regiment this year and the results are showing now. Just grateful to be playing at a good level and improving constantly.

“Lost to Temwa 3-0 the last time we played and I knew he is a tough player to beat. So, beating him this time in the final just made it great.

“I’m working and training at Daisy Hill Squash Club under Bradley Hindle and all credits to him for helping me out throughout these years.

“I’ve been playing professional squash full-time as well as managing the Daisy Hills and I am able to cope with it.”

Bryan’s next stop is the Challenger 20k CNS International in Karachi from May 8-12 where he will together with other Malaysians Syafiq Kamal, Ong Sai Hung, Darren Rahul and Hafiz Zhafri Abdul Harif.