Days after winning the largest Professional Squash Association (PSA) title of his career—the $10,000 Madison Open—Todd Harrity is poised for more success as the top seed in the $10,000 Life Time Minneapolis Open this week in Minnesota.
The American world No. 82 had been seeded second in Minneapolis, until top-seeded Englishman Joel Hinds was forced to withdraw after picking up an injury in the Madison Open, shifting the Minneapolis seedings as a result.
Harrity’s predicted final opponent is German world No. 74 Jens Schoor, who recently won September’s $15,000 NASH Cup as an unseeded player.
“It feels great and I’m very proud to win my first 10k,” Harrity said of his Madison title. “I had to beat some great, touch players so it was a good confidence builder for me to come through last weekend.”
The Princeton graduate said being the top seed won’t disrupt his focus going into Minneapolis, however.
“I actually try not to think about where I am in the draw or worry too much about who I have to play. Thinking about pressure and expectations can only have a negative impact on your game, so I try to just play. Everyone in these tournaments is good so I don’t think the top seeds are heavy favorites.”
Americans Faraz Khan and Chris Hanson join Harrity in the main draw after qualifying final victories Wednesday night. Khan recorded his second win in two days, upsetting top-seeded qualifier Mubarak Mohsin, while Hanson opened up his tournament with a three-game win against Adrian Ostbye.
Three qualifying matches commenced the tournament Tuesday night at Life Time Athletic, which included another tour win for twenty-one-year-old American Faraz Khan—his fifth PSA victory in his sixth tournament this fall.
After reaching his highest world ranking of 175 in November, Chris Hanson joins his compatriots in Minnesota with a qualifying final against Canadian Adrian Ostbye Wednesday night.
Harrity has also enjoyed his time off the court in the midwest.
“It is a little colder in Madison and Minneapolis than it is in Philadelphia at the moment so i’ve had to wear my winter coat out here!” Harrity said.
“The people have been very nice to me, and as an American, people that come to watch usually cheer for me, which has been great. I’ve had a fun time meeting new people.”
Minneapolis is the twenty-four-year-old’s third Life Time tournament this year after Las Vegas in May and Phoenix in September.
“The Life Time clubs are fantastic. They have everything you would need to take care of yourself in a tournament so I always enjoy a Life Time event.”
For more information, visit the Life TIme Minneapolis Open tournament page.