East Glos pro player Will Salter in first-ever PSA win
Club member Will Salter gives us a first-hand account of his first-ever PSA win at the Mote Open PSA Satellite in Maidstone.
As the number 1 seed for the Mote Open, the pressure was on, and I knew I had a good chance at taking the title.
I had previously lost in a few PSA satellite finals, and I felt like I needed a breakthrough. I was very focused on my training leading up to the event with a very regimented schedule. I knew I was in excellent condition to try and win the tournament.
After receiving a bye first round, I capitalised on a couple of injuries from opponents in my half of the draw. I flew into the final without dropping a game.
In the final, I was incredibly focused and played each point as if it was match point. I took the first game with relative ease, 11,2 and was in a great position to put pressure on my younger opponent, Heston Malik.
At 5,5 in the second, it was getting tight, but a decision from the ref led Heston to lose his focus, and I saw my opportunity. I stepped up the court and played attacking squash to take the second game 11,7.
In the third, it went point for point as I reminded myself to stay in the present and not think too far ahead. Heston worked hard, and I found myself just one point clear at 9,8.
One last push from me sealed the title 11,8, and I won my first ever PSA satellite, pushing my ranking up from 245 to 229 in the world.
I’m playing well and confident I can close in on the top 200 very soon. This win has given me a lot of confidence and motivation to keep striving for more success. With a few more satellites coming up and a 6k Challenger in the Netherlands next month, I’m in a great position to push further with my squash, and I’m excited for the future.