Top seed Aitken wins Italian title

Montrose squash player Lisa Aitken claimed her fourth PSA title after defeating Swiss giantkiller Cindy Merlo in yesterday’s Italian International final in Riccione.

The 28-year-old lefthander was the number one seed and tournament favourite, but Merlo had already stunned second seed Chloe Mesic and third seed Kace Bartley on her way to the final.

Aitken had not dropped a game all week, and although she was seriously tested for the first time, the Scottish champion prevailed 11-3, 12-14, 11-5, 13-11 to win her first tour title since the Bangor Classic in Wales in June.

“There’s an extra bit of pressure being the number one seed, but you’ve just got to find a way to win,” said Aitken, pictured.

“I’ve had a really good training block, but you have to translate that into winning matches. I always suspected Cindy would reach the final and I definitely had to bring out my best squash today

“I had quite a big lead in the second game but then went AWOL for a spell and forgot the tactics that I’d been thinking about for the last 24 hours. I then got re-established in the third game, pushed on from there and saw it over the line.”

Aitken aims to make it back-to-back titles at this week’s Remeo Open in Helsinki, where she is again No 1 one seed and begins her campaign tomorrow.