US squash star Julian Illingworth cruised to his second PSA Tour title of the year at the Merritt Properties Open when he beat top-ranked Mexican Eric Galvez in the final of the $10,000 event at Merritt Athletic Club in Baltimore.
The 25-year-old from New York, who won his fifth US National Championship trophy in March, reached the final without dropping a game - overcoming English qualifier Adrian Waller in the semi-finals.
Galvez, the world No41 from Puebla, faced qualifiers in each round leading to the final - and was taken to four games by Colombian Bernardo Samper in the other semi.
Illingworth and Galvez last met exactly two years ago - when the then higher-ranked Mexican won in four games.
But Portland-born Illingworth has grown in stature since that time - and despatched his opponent 11-7, 11-5, 11-8 to boost his chances of moving above his current career-high world ranking of 33.
Final:
[1] Julian Illingworth (USA) bt [2] Eric Galvez (MEX) 11-7, 11-5, 11-8
