Micah Franklin is set to be the first Bermudian in over a decade to feature in the PSA World Championships as he heads over to Manchester, England this December.
Franklin who is Bermuda’s 3 time National Champion, with a highest world ranking of #148 is thrilled at the opportunity to take on the world’s best.
“It’s a huge privilege for me to get this opportunity. The thought of me playing against the best players in the world is daunting if I’m honest, but the experience and the atmosphere of me being there is so exciting.”
Asked about the chances of an upset Franklin had this to say.
“Obviously there’s no hiding that I’m going to be one of the underdogs when I’m up there. My main objective is going to be fight for every single point! I want to make it as hard as humanly possible for my opponent if he’s going to beat me. I’m going there to play as well as I possibly can and then who knows what could happen. My game face will be on and I will be hungry to win!”
Franklin has teamed up with Arch Capital Group to be able to attend this tournament. Which he’s incredibly grateful for.
“I can’t express how grateful I am for the support from Arch Capital Group. It’s very easy to get distracted by financial worries of flights, accommodation, coaching etc. but now with the help of Arch I’ll be able to focus solely on my squash. It’s a huge blessing and I will represent them to the best of my abilities.”
The PSA World Open is regarded by most players as the pinnacle of squash on the calendar year. Some of the greats have all won the event in the past such as Jahinger and Jansher Khan, David Palmer, Peter Nicol, Amr Shabana etc. This event will have some of the current greats all playing such as Nick Matthew, Greg Gaultier, Mohamed El Shorbagy, even the illustrious Ramy Ashour will be there. It will be awesome to see our local boy Franklin’s name there amongst them.
BSRA CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
The XL CATLIN BSRA Club Championships continued at the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association Club.
On Day 2 , two matches went five games, with Kristian Muldoon defeating D’vario Thompson 12-10, 9-11, 11-2, 5-11, 11-7 in their Men’s Open Division match, while for a second night in a row Patrick Neal went five games recording yet another victory this time defeating Tom Gridley 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-6 playing in the Men’s B Division.
Men’s Open Division
Nick Kyme defeated Andrew Robinson 11-4, 11-5, 11-2
Hadleigh Farrer defeated Anthony Fellowes 15-13, 11-4, 11-8
Kristian Muldoon defeated D’vario Thompson 12-10, 9-11, 11-2, 5-11, 11-7
John Fletcher defeated Chase Toogood 11-2, 11-4, 11-6
Men’s B Division
Adam Hawley defeated Rhys Puddy 11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8
Peter Drury defeated Bruce Robinson 11-5, 11-1, 11-2
Bill Dickinson defeated Florin Radu 11-8, 11-3, 11-9
Elijah Simmons defeated Matthew Ringer 11-4, 11-7, 11-5
Greg Fitzgerald defeated Bill Sura 11-5, 11-6, 11-6
Matthew Elliott defeated Ricky Spence 11-7, 11-7, 11-5
Patrick Neal defeated Tom Gridley 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-6
Men’s C Division
Euan Melrose defeated Andrew Cox 11-3, 11-2, 11-7
Alex Southern defeated Manjit Varwandkar 11-3, 11-4, 11-7
Mark Zuill defeated Ian Fox 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9
Geoff Law defeated Jasper Forte 11-9, 11-1, 11-8
Paul West defeated Canty Corbin 11-3, 13-11, 11-3
Men’s Vets Division
Anthony White defeated Ian Fox 11-6, 11-6, 11-4
Dan Sullivan defeated John Stout 11-4, 11-3, 11-4
Tony Muldoon defeated Adam Hawley 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 11-2
Peter Drury defeated Colin Couper 11-3, 11-7, 11-3
Bill Dicksinson defeated Greg Fitgerald 11-9, 11-9, 11-6
Jan Brewer defeated Podraic Browne 11-7, 11-8, 11-9
Colin Alexander defeated Kevin Gillespie 11-5, 11-4, 11-2
Tony Prentice defeated Pat Neal 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7
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