The 2012 U.S. Open Doubles Championships, one of the largest events on the pro doubles calendar, wrapped up yesterday at Wilmington Country Club in Delaware.
The event attracted the best Squash Doubles Association (SDA) and Women’s Doubles Squash Association (WDSA) players from around the world, including players from America, Australia, England, India, Canada, Switzerland, Ireland, Scotland, Zimbabwe and Pakistan.
In the men’s final, a fast paced match between top seeds Damien Mudge and Ben Gould and second seeds Manek Mathur and Yvain Badan saw Mudge and Gould walk away with the U.S. Open men’s title.
The Australian team dominated their opponents in a 90 plus minute match to take the crown 15-10, 15-9, 10-15, 15-10.
“It feels really satisfying to win the U.S. Open,” said Mudge.
“The finals was a very fun match. There was great energy on court and they’re great guys to play against.”
Mudge and Gould have dominated the doubles scene for many years, and have been virtually undefeated in the past couple of seasons. It has been over a year since they have lost a match.
“The most important thing that makes a doubles team successful is team chemistry,” Mudge added.
Mudge’s partner Ben Gould said that the tournament was a highlight for him after a tough lead up to the event.
“I will always remember this win. The U.S. Open was one of the toughest tournaments for me…ever. I was extremely ill leading up to the event and even considered withdrawing before the tournament started,” he said.
“Luckily, I have a great partner. We strategized before every match to try and stick to a plan that would enable me to conserve as much energy as possible. Damien took the majority of balls all weekend and so I have to thank him more than anyone for this win.”
“Learning how to win matches when you are not well, injured or not playing well is not easy. It takes a great deal of teamwork and discipline to adapt and still get the job done. Mudge and I may not have the most talent on tour but we, by far, are the best at adapting and fighting our way through any match, not matter what the circumstances.”
In the women’s event, the final between Steph Hewitt and Meredeth Quick and sisters Narelle Krizek and Natarsha McElhinny was decided in a highly skillful three games, with Hewitt and Quick, from Canada and U.S.A respectively, winning the match 16-15, 15-10, 15-9.
“It was exciting to be a part of the first U.S. Open in Wilmington. The WCC was a perfect venue, with a supportive crowd that truly welcomed the women, who have joined the event for the first time this year. It was a great atmosphere overall for the pro and pro-am events”, said Quick.
The event had a men’s main draw of 24 professional doubles players and women’s main draw of 16 players.
U.S. Squash Director of Doubles, Preston Quick, said the event was a huge success.
“This was an inaugural event and everything went really well. All the big names in elite doubles squash turned up to compete, and the feedback has been excellent.
“It really has been the top level competition you would expect of a tournament with a title as esteemed as the U.S. Open, and we look forward to its continued success in future years.”
Full match updates from the U.S. Open Doubles Championships are available at www.usopensquashdoubles.com.
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