The Tavern Club Open returned to Cleveland, Ohio, for another exciting stop on the SDA Pro Tour, with $30,000 on the line in a city that continues to establish itself as a thriving hub for squash. Cleveland’s growing presence on the calendar is underscored not only by this event but also by its hosting of a PSA Silver-level men’s and women’s tournament, reinforcing its place as a key destination for both hardball and international squash.
As the only event on the SDA calendar to use 11-point scoring, the Tavern Club Open once again delivered a fast, frantic style of play, with short, high-intensity games putting a premium on sharp starts and sustained focus.
Top seeds Josh Hughes and Matt Henderson were tested early, facing a tough opening round challenge from Anderson Good and Merritt Wurst. After falling behind 2–1, the top seeds responded emphatically, raising their level to take control of the match and closing it out with two one-sided games. They carried that momentum into the semifinals, where they dispatched third seeds Andrew Muran and partner Clinton in straight games to book their place in the final.
Muran’s path to the semifinals had already featured one of the standout matches of the tournament. Alongside partner Leeuw, the duo survived a dramatic first-round battle that swung back and forth throughout. After leveling the match with a surge of seven straight points in the fourth game, they pushed the fifth to the limit, trading points and match balls before edging through 14–12 in a tense finish.
In the bottom half of the draw, second seeds Daelum Mawji and Charles Culhane continued their rise on the tour with a statement performance. Without dropping a game en route to the final, the pair showcased their growing chemistry and attacking firepower, confirming their status as one of the most in form teams on tour.
That form carried straight into the final, where Mawji and Culhane delivered a composed and dominant performance to close out the event without conceding a game all weekend. It was another significant step forward for a partnership that is quickly becoming a fixture in the latter stages of the biggest events on tour.
Attention now turns to New York City and the Kellner Cup, the premier event of the SDA season. Seeded in the 3/4 positions, Mawji and Culhane will look to build on their Cleveland success as they take on a packed field in the tour’s most prestigious stop.