Golan Gets Second Title
In A Week In Toulouse
 
Mighty Spaniard Borja Golan secured his second PSA title in six days - both as a qualifier - when he upset favourite Simon Rosner in the final of the Movida International at Movida Castanet in Toulouse.

The success marks the latest chapter in the triumphant comeback of the former world No10 - the highest-ranked Spanish player of all-time - who suffered an enforced eight-month layoff after undergoing major knee surgery last year.

But after winning last week's 1-star La Ciotat International Open, Golan was fully tested in the final two rounds of the 1½ star event in its third successive year in Toulouse.

The 27-year-old from Santiago de Compostela was taken to five games in the semi-finals by second seed Rafael F Alarcon - the top-ranked Brazilian making his first Tour appearance in Europe since October 2008.

In the final, Golan lined up against the fast-improving Simon Rosner, the German number one who was celebrating his second successive appearance in the Toulouse final.

And the 22-year-old world No33 from Paderborn took the opening two games - and looked to be heading for his first Toulouse title success.

But Borja battled back to take control of the match - and, after his second 80-minute encounter in a row, emerged triumphant in an 8-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 scoreline.

"This has been the hardest two weeks since I first started playing PSA events," admitted the jubilant Spaniard after winning the 21st Tour trophy of his career.

"I'm really happy with this win because it was a really hard tournament: Every match I played, from the first round, could have been the final of this tournament!

"I would like to thank the organisers for making such a good tournament.

"Now I don't want to see a racquet for two weeks before I then begin training for the new season, where I will have a new goals.

"It is so nice to be back playing again after a long injury - but it is even better winning!" Golan concluded.
 

11/8, 11/9, 11/8 (62m)

[4] Davide Bianchetti

7/11, 8/11, 11/7, 11/7, 11/5 (80m)

[Q] Borja Golan

9/11, 11/3, 11/5, 8/11, 11/6 (79m)

[2] Rafael Alarcon

15-Jun, Qualifying Finals:

Borja Golan (Esp) bt Alejandro Garbi (Esp)              11/4, 11/4, 11/1
Peter Creed (Wal) bt Johan Bouquet (Fra)                11/9, 13/11, 15/13
Fabien Verseille (Fra) bt Anson Kwong (Hkg)             11/9, 12/10, 11/7
Joel Hinds (Eng) bt Ben Coleman (Eng)                     6/11, 11/6, 11/0, 10/12, 11/5

14-Jun, Qualifying round one:

Borja Golan (Esp)  bye
Alejandro Garbi (Esp) bt Sean Hunter (Eng)               11/3, 15/13, 11/7 (31m)
Johan Bouquet (Fra) bt Kevin Moran (Sco)                 11/8, 11/6, 11/6 (37m)
Peter Creed (Wal) bt Antoine-Camille Petrucci (Fra)    11/9, 8/11, 11/4, 3/11, 11/9 (65m)
Fabien Verseille (Fra) bt Phil Nightingale (Eng)            11/7, 11/5, 11/7 (33m)
Anson Kwong (Hkg) bt Florent Pontiere (Fra)              11/7, 12/10, 7/11, 11/8 (49m)
Ben Coleman (Eng) bt Jamie Mathews (Eng)               11/6, 11/7, 11/5 (33m)
Joel Hinds (Eng)     bye

Semi-final photos & reports

Golan Gets Galifi Again In France

Spanish comeback king Borja Golan recorded his second win over Stephane Galifi in less than a week when he beat the higher-ranked Italian to reach the semi-finals of the Movida International in Toulouse.

It was the latest chapter in Golan's return to PSA action after major knee surgery last year. The 27-year-old from Santiago DC won last week's La Ciotat International Open in France as a qualifier - beating Galifi in the final - and is again storming through the Toulouse field having survived the qualification draw.

The former world No10 beat fifth seed Galifi in four games. Golan's reward is battle for a place in the final against second seed Rafael Alarcon.

But the experience Brazilian was taken the full distance by Max Lee before beating the No8 seed from Hong Kong.

The top half of the draw produced the anticipated semi-final featuring the top seed and the No4 seed. German favourite Simon Rosner eased to victory over Gregoire Marche, beating the unseeded Frenchman while fourth-seeded Italian Davide Bianchetti endured five games against Kashif Shuja before overcoming the sixth seed from New Zealand.

Quarter-finals reports and photos