The Creek Challenge Cup brought competitive squash to the Creek Club in Locust Valley, Long Island, with a $10,000 Challenger event as part of the Cache_Seven Challenger Tour. In just its second time hosting this level of tournament, the club provided a lively setting for a weekend full of standout performances. Top seeds Andrew Muran and Kush Kumar emerged victorious, with Muran capturing his first SDA title and Kumar earning his second Challenger win of the season. They overcame newcomers and surprise finalists Max Finkelstein and Nikhil Iyer in a hard-fought 3-1 final.
Finkelstein and Iyer delivered one of the tournament’s most impressive performances in the second round, taking down second seeds Tristan Eysele—Creek Club Head Pro and tournament organizer—and partner Carl Baglio in a dramatic five-game thriller. After saving match ball in the fourth, Finkelstein and Iyer edged the fifth 15-12 to reach the semi final. In the top half of the draw, Michael Woods and Omar Kiwan stunned 3rd seeds Marcus Sim Wei Jie and Yash Bhargava despite a slow start, dropping the first game with only 3 points before rebounding with back-to-back 15-14 wins in games three and four.
The mix of veteran presence, breakout performances, and tight contests gave the event a fresh energy, with the Creek Club once again proving a strong addition to the Challenger Tour calendar. The result marked a major milestone for Muran and further solidified Kumar’s growing reputation on tour.