Squash: Eyles breaks new ground

RODNEY EYLES, the fifth seed, enjoyed the best victory of his career by beating the favourite, Brett Martin, 9-15, 15-12, 15-12, 17-14 in the all-Australian final of the Tournament of Champions in New York on Thursday night.

Eyles led 6-2 in the opening game, but a string of nine winners put Martin in the driving seat as he took the game comfortably.

It seemed as if the pattern would be repeated in the second as Martin pulled back from 8-2 down to lead 11-9. But this time Eyles kept his head to square the match with a blistering backhand drive and a perfect drop shot.

They battled point-for-point in the crucial third game. Martin led 12-11, but a couple of rare, unforced errors helped Eyles take the lead for the first time.

Eyles led 7-3 in the fourth game, but again Martin came fighting back. An error from Eyles gave Martin game point at 14-13, but he saved that and went on to take the next four points with brilliant play to secure the title.