Seth soars in squash finals

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SUNIL Seth was not looking for pats on the back despite achieving a career-best result at the weekend.

In his first year as a senior professional, Ipswich’s Seth (pictured) reached his first Professional Squash Association semi-final on Saturday.

World 255th-ranked Seth stunned third-seeded Welshman Peter Creed, ranked 138 in the world, in five games in the quarter-finals of the Queensland Open in Rockhampton.

The 19-year-old, playing his first season on the main tour, had not gone beyond the second round at any previous tournament before his 9-11, 11-1, 10-12, 11-8, 11-6 win over Creed.

Unfortunately for Seth, that was as far as his run went, as he lost his semi-final against Denmark’s Rasmus Nielsen 11-6, 11-8, 10-12, 11-5.

Nielsen then lost the final to top seed, Innisfail’s Steve Finitsis.

Seth described his week as “pretty eventful”.

“It was the best so far in my short professional career,” he said.

“I was very pleased but you always want to do one better.”

His win over Creed might have been an upset to others but Seth was confident he could win.

“For the rankings it was,” the Silkstone teenager said.

“But in terms of playing, I thought I played my best.

“It was a good feeling.

“I had no pressure going into that match. The pressure was on him and I enjoyed it as much as possible.”

Seth wasn’t getting too carried away with his achievement, however, knowing there is plenty of work to be done to take the next step and beat the likes of his world 127- ranked semi-final conqueror.

“I thought I put up a good fight,” Seth said of his loss to Nielsen.

“But he had better control.

“His shots were amazing and he was quicker than I was.”

Seth was far from discouraged by the loss, however.

“I was very pleased with my performance,” he said.

Seth was heading to Sydney yesterday for the NSW Open starting today when his recent success will not change his approach.

“I’ll just do my best again,” he said.

“Take it one match at a time.”

He is not the type to go into tournaments with specific goals.

“I think that puts too much pressure on,” he said.

“What I’ve learnt over the first couple of months on tour is not to look too far ahead or you can lose focus.”

He has also learnt a bit about playing senior professional squash and how it differs from his time in the juniors.

“Just being more patient,” was the biggest requirement, he said.

“You need more patience with rallying and staying in the rallies longer and looking for opportunities.

“You also need to be a bit more humble because you’re always learning.”