Wednesday’s Matches:

3pm – [1] Auguste Dussourd (FRA; 57) bt. Connor Turk [12] (CAN; 179)
3pm – Lucy Beecroft (ENG; 124) bt. [1] Hana Moataz (EGY; 57) – 11-9; 8-11; 13-11; 13-11
3:45 – Simon Herbert (ENG;319) bt [8] Nick Sachvie (CAN; 94) – 11-8; 11-3; 8-11; 12-10
3:45 – [15] Hannah Blatt (CAN; 302) bt [8] Lea Barbeau (FRA; 112) – 8-11; 4-11; 11-6; 11-4; 11-9
4:30 – [5] Mike McCue (CAN; 85) bt. Cameron Seth (CAN;135) – 11-9; 9-11; 11-8; 11-4
4:30 – [6] Marina Stefanoni (USA; 71) bt. Iman Shaheen (CAN) – 11-3; 11-4; 11-4
5:15 – [4] Daniel Mekbib (CZE; 83) bt. Chris Fuller (ENG;292) – 11-8; 11-3; 11-2
5:15 – [3] Nikki Todd (CAN; 62) bt. Hannah Guthrie (CAN) – 11-0; 11-5; 11-4
6:30 – [3] Shawn Delierre (CAN; 82) bt Cory McCartney (CAN ;205) – 11-6; 11-6; 11-8
6:30 – [4] Karina Tyma (POL; 65) bt. Mary Fung-A-Fat (GUY; 186) – 11-5; 11-4; 11-4
7:15 – Tang Ming Hong (HKG;266) bt [7] David Baillargeon (CAN; 94) – 11-9; 8-11; 13-11; 15-13
7:15 – Amal Izhar (CAN; 376) bt [7] Sofia Mateos (ESP;106) – 18-16; 11-8; 11-3
8:00 – [6] Chi Him Wong (HKG; 89) bt James Wyatt (ENG;293) – 11-4; 11-7; 11-5
8:00 – [5] Marie Stephan (FRA; 69) bt. [11] Laura Tovar (COL; 130) – 11-8; 11-7; 8-11; 11-8
8:45 – Vanessa Chu (HKG; 58) bt [9] Nadem Kotb (EGY; 123) – 11-6; 11-9; 11-9
8:45 – Timothy Brownell (USA; 117) bt [2] Spencer Lovejoy (USA; 79) – 13-11;9-11;13-11;11-6

Match Notes

3pm Connor Turk [12] (CAN; 179) vs [1] Auguste Dussourd (FRA; 57)

Turk gets the first point! Greg Clarke insists an upset is in the making. It was not to be. A slow and steady start. Game 1. Turk pulls even at 7-7 but Dussourd immediately turns up pace and takes the game 11-8. Clearly just getting warmed up. Game 2. Quick start D. with two tight forehand nick drop winners. Turk powers back 4 straight points. Dussourd immediately feels challenged and turns up the play with some interesting holds and drops and mixed shots. Turk fights back for a few minutes. Not enough, 11-6 Dussourd. Game 3. Long rallies. Patient play from Dussourd. 11-7.

Greg Clarke predictions 0 for 1.

3pm [1] Hana Moataz (EGY; 57) vs Lucy Beecroft (ENG; 124)

This was the first meeting for Hana and Lucy and Lucy made it count. The matches were extremely tight but more finished Lucy’s way. She will move on for a rematch against Hannah Blatt. Lucy and Hannah played in PSA competition last week in Greenwich CT – Lucy won 3-0.

3:45 Simon Herbert (ENG;319) vs [8] Nick Sachvie (CAN; 94)

Simon was a late entry and is making quite a name for himself. The match was extremely hard fought by both players.

3:45 [15] Hannah Blatt (CAN; 302) vs [8] Lea Barbeau (FRA; 112)

In the second straight Francophonie challenge, its Canada v France again. Captain CANADA, Greg Clarke makes the call for Canada.

Game 1. I didn’t prepare for the match, so I’m not sure who’s favoured, there is no clear sign, they look even. After a Choppy nervous start from both ladies, 7-all. Barbeau 11-8

Game 2. Barbeau comes out charging in game 2, Blatt looks a little nervous, frequently scrambling for balls. BARBEAU has some tight drops including a nick at 9-4, then 2 more unforced errors by Blatt. Game Barbeau. 11-4

Game 3. Energy is up. Good early rallies. Blatt digging deep. 5-5. Best rally of game ends with a sweet drop by blatt just above tin, 6-all. Blatt makes a charge with nice drops . 9-6. Barbeau looks nervous for first time, momentum has clearly changed. Barbeau 11-6. Back is Blatt.

Game 4. Blatt down 2 quick, punches back with cross court into the nick winner then another confident winner. 3-all.

Blatt with a series of drop winners tight to the tin, looking confident. 9-3 Blatt. ….quickly 11-4. Good 5th is coming with 2 Nash Cup rookies looking to make a mark.

Le Finale. Numero cinque. Relaxed long rallies with deep crosses, both ladies seem determined to play a hard 5th. Blatt stronger, Barbeau fighting back, 5-6 serving. Blatt not having it, fist pumping after a couple of nice points. Scramble. 9-10 Barbeau, surging back. Stroke call to Blatt for the winning point. C’est domage. Vive Le Canada. CANADA-France 1-1, Greg Clarke 1 for 1.

4:30 Iman Shaheen (CAN) vs [6] Marina Stefanoni (USA; 71)

Despite being the 6th seed Marina is viewed as a contender for the title. Iman won a huge match in the opening round and falls to a 4-9 deficit in the first game. Marina’s plane from Toronto to London was cancelled last night and she ended out sleeping in the airport. Not an ideal set-up, but it didn’t faze her, and she managed to beat the Canadian rookie 3-0. We know there are great things coming for Iman. Marina advances to meet another Canadian in the next round – Either Hannah Guthrie or Nicki Todd.

4:30 [11] Cameron Seth (CAN;135) vs [5] Mike McCue (CAN; 85)

Mike and Cameron have met twice in PSA competition before with Mike coming out the victor, but covid does funny things and the night has already been full of upsets. The two swapped points early in the first game with long rallies. Cameron is a very patient player and Mike seems comfortable playing to his game and hunting for opportunities. The game works it way to 8-8 and Mike misses a clean drop to fall behind. Fitness could be an issue in later games but both athletes seem comfortable with rallies going 30 shots or more. Mike moves it to 9-9 and then 10-9 with steady okay. Ball placement by both is excellent. Cameron is left squeezing a ball off the wall to go down 11-9.

The second match continued where the first left off. Long rallies and few errors. Mike moves to an 8-5 lead, but every point is a grind. A couple of knicks and Cameron is back in striking distance at7-8. Another 30 shot rally and it’s 8-8. Players are currently banned from wiping their hands on the walls. Buckets are at the front of the court and every 10 points they can use the towels placed there….in this match that may not be enough. A couple of unforced errors and Cameron leads 10-8. Neither wants to try for too much. Mike finally gets an opportunity. Takes advantage and 9-10. Perfect drop from Cameron and the match is 1-1. This match is already into overtime. Both players have changed their shirts and are ready for more rallies. The winner will be back on tomorrow, so recovery time is short and this could impact whoever prevails.

The back and forth continues. A stroke to Seth and it’s 1-2. It’s not as hot in London today at 24 degrees, but the building is warm, and the ball is clearly hot. A stoke on Cameron and Mike is up 5-2. Mike gets up 10-7 putting Cameron on the ropes. A series of drops from both players….all appearing impossible to get and Cameron goes to 8-10. McCue catches a great bounce to go up 2-1.

These players are ranked 85 (Mike) and 135 (Cameron) in the world….and that sounds like a gap. But like golf it tends to be the equivalent of a fraction of a point each game. Mike has a small edge and uses it. Amazingly fitness is not proving to be a factor as we pass the 60 minute mark of this match. 2-2. A long rally and perfect cross court into the back corner puts Mike up 3-2. As is normal in the NASH Cup it’s 5:30 and the stands are filling up. Our capacity is only 32, but it sure feels normal. Mike up 5-3. This is a wonderfully clean match. There are lets and strokes, but they are clean and neither player is trying to ask for things they shouldn’t or trying to force anything but great squash. 6-4. A great hold has Cameron move the wrong way and it’s 9-4 for Mike. A beautiful drop ends it.

5:15 [16] Chris Fuller (ENG;292) vs [4] Daniel Mekbib (CZE; 83)

5:15 Hannah Guthrie (CAN) vs [3] Nikki Todd (CAN; 62)

Nikki has made EVERY NASH Cup….including some before women were in the draw (as a spectator and amateur).

Hannah played well, but Nikki had control of this match from the start. Her shot selection was excellent and ball control was tough to beat.

6:30 [13] Cory McCartney (CAN ;205) vs [3] Shawn Delierre (CAN; 82)

Well, it’s been a while, hasn’t it, but it feels like only yesterday since you’ve been graced by a match report from Stingray. Hopefully you weren’t holding your breath, because breathlessness is a symptom of Covid, and you don’t want to have a false diagnosis!

Today’s match is a real treat. In the one corner we have Cory McCartney, fresh off his epic – and unexpected – win over Brad Hanebury in the 2017 Lee Hanebury Memorial tournament. Meanwhile, in the other corner we have a former Nash Cup champion, the lean poutine, the French connection, the everything bagel, Shawn Delierre.

Shawn, looking fit and ready to ready, starts off the match with a string of good points. Cory is keeping up with the pace but is having trouble finding winning opportunities. Shawn begins to pull away from Cory and wins the first game 11-6.

This intermission is brought to you by beer. Nothing more needs to be said about that.

Second game starts with Shawn starting to pick up the pace. Cory responds with pace of his own and some great pick ups to keep the score tied. Somewhere in the audience, Gary Sullivan is wondering if he’s not cheering loudly enough for Shawn to win.

Midway through the game, Shawn starts pushing Cory to the back court and using his superior position to attack from opportune positions. He finesses in one particular drop that cut so much string they’re going to be finding fragments of that ball on the floor for months.

Cory, not content to let the game slip away, digs in and banks a few hard points to nearly tie the score up. Shawn doesn’t seem phased, but Cory does appear to have managed to stabilize the momentum.

Cory takes a quick break mid-game to towel off. For those readers unaware, this year due to Covid, the players have towels at the front court to dry their hands in between points. The towels are conveniently stored in Sleeman (beer) buckets. This reporter wonders why those buckets are not stoked to the brim with Sleeman beer. The players would likely appreciate it more than towels.

The second half of the game sees Shawn pull away and win 11-6.

This intermission is brought to you by Gary Sullivan. I don’t know why he decided to sponsor this intermission, but he did. His slogan, apparently, is that he’s the “cause of, and solution to, most of our problems.” This reporter feels he weighs more heavily on one of those two…

This reporter also wants to take a moment to comment on how terrible Windows-specific keyboards are. Why is the left shift key so small? What tiny elves are using these keyboards? Build a proper keyboard for us fat-fingered folk!

Third game begins with Cory jumping out of the gate. He looks focused and determined to push Shawn.

Shawn, however, has other ideas. He matches Cory’s intensity. But all this means for us spectators is that we’re treated to an exciting game. Almost as exciting as the time Cory played Brad Hanebury in the 2018 Lee Hanebury Memorial tournament. This reporter doesn’t remember who won. Probably not relevant.

Midpoint in the game and the score is tied 5-5. Shawn is able to move Cory around the court, stretching him front to back and side to side, and then cap it off with a forehand volley crosscourt rollout nick.

That rally appears to have been a turning point, as Shawn wins the next two consecutive points, and while Cory tries his best to battle back, Shawn looks in control of the rallies. Shawn even plays several phillies, which makes this reporter hungry for a Philly steak sandwich. Oh man, that’d be good right now. Instead, he’s eating cold, leftover French fries.

Shawn caps off the match with a decisive few rallies to win the day.

Well fans, it’s been a slice. This reporter is happy to be called back into active duty. If you’re lucky, and if the Nielsen ratings agree, we’ll see more of this high-quality reporting through the week. Until then, stay cool, stay fresh, and don’t forget to tip your bartender. They control the flow of beer, and the beer must flow.

6:30 Mary Fung-A-Fat (GUY; 186) vs [4] Karina Tyma (POL; 65)

7:15 [16] Tang Ming Hong (HKG;266) vs [7] David Baillargeon (CAN; 94)

7:15 Amal Izhar (CAN; 376) vs [7] Sofia Mateos (ESP;106)

This second-round match brings a first meeting between the two players. This match also marks the second ever PSA match for Amal Izhar of Canada.

Sofia took an early 5-2 lead which was quickly caught by Amal points later. Amal had great movement on the court taking control of most rallies keeping the game close at 8-8. Sofie digs deep into the back court keeping herself in the game. Jessica Wilken quoted “Amal’s front court shots are vivacious”. Both players stay consistent and calm into extra points. Amal takes game ball at 17-16 and finishes it off with a crosscourt drive.

Game two starts with Amal taking an early 3-1 lead. Sofia quickly took back the lost points with multiple back-court drops. By midway through the game Amal regained her footing and kept the points close. Once tied at 8-8 Amal brought out a new strategy and took the game 11-8.

Into the third game and Amal has made many powerful straight drives. Sofia began playing a lower shot game at the front of the court to hold off Amal, however almost every point was returned and sent to the back of the court. 10-3 and Amal wins the match with a crosscourt drive to the back of the court out of Sofia’s reach.

Amal now moves on to her 3 PSA match in her career.

18-16 11-8 11-3

8:00 [11] Laura Tovar (COL; 130) vs [5] Marie Stephan (FRA; 69)

8:00 James Wyatt (ENG;293) vs [6] Chi Him Wong (HKG; 89)

It’s 8pm and the 3rd men’s match of the evening has kicked off. Number 6th seed Wong, from Hong Kong, takes on the unseeded Wyatt from England. Game on! Both players seem to be feeling out the court early on as the find their length, comfortably exchanging ownership of the coveted “T”. Back and forth the rally with Wong beginning to find he groove early while effortlessly finding his corners. Wyatt continues to battle and is making Wong earn every single point. With a fantastic get from Wong, late in the first, to ward off stellar nick attempt from Wyatt, trying to rally back, Wong leaves Wyatt on defence, scrambling to get back to T and takes next point and game! 1-love – Wong.

Game 2 – HERE. WE. GO! Wong jumps to an early lead in the second, forcing Wyatt to regroup and attempt another strategy. After collecting himself after a LET CALL in Wyatt’s favour, it seems to work, and Wyatt is right back in this. 2- love wyatt quickly becomes 2 all! Another YES LET in Wyatt’s favour gives both players a chance to catch their breath. Wong seems to be controlling a majority of this game early on and has the slight lead over Wyatt 3-2; however, Wyatt responds quickly and ties the game 3-3. We’re now in the business end of the 2nd game and Wong continues to pour on the pressure against Wyatt – 7-4. 5 game balls for Wong but Wyatt is staying in this 7-10! An incredible counter drop nick winner proves to be too much for Wyatt at the end of game 2, sending Wong into the 3rd game up 2-love! Let’s go! Game 3 as begun! Both players start off very aggressive, refusing to share time on the T. Great opening rally, with Wong coming out on top to win the first point! 1-love WOW! 2-love Wong, will Wyatt have an answer for Wong’s dominating performance so far? We are about to find out! Wong is relentless in this 3rd game, forcing Wyatt to perform 3 boasts of the back wall and spend zero time on the T. Wong is starting to run away with this one. Don’t count Wyatt out yet! 2-5, Wyatt is starting to battle back. A fantastic boast nick propels Wyatt forward and back into this match 3-5. 6-5 Wong, after a grueling rally, leaving both players gasping for air. 8-5 and Wong seems to have benefited greatly from the last exchange, lasting well over a minute of fast paced hard back and forth rallies along the left wall. Well there you have it, Wong’s tenacity and accuracy proves to be to much for the unseeded Wyatt tonight and Wong takes the match 3-0.

8:45 [10] Timothy Brownell (USA; 117) vs [2] Spencer Lovejoy (USA; 79)

This was billed as one of the matches of the night….the ranks don’t do justice to the level. Stu Hadden lost to Brownell last night and stated that he had the potential to win the tournament (and this was before the match). We will see. An extremely well matched pair they fight to 6-6. Brownell is happy with long rallies and seems to wait for any potential error. He gains a lead of 8-6. Despite the limited capacity this place is far from quiet. Professionals have often talked about the “hum” that comes from our lounge. The glass courts are closed to the seating area so there is no attempt to keep the crowd quiet and conversations are maintained. The noise level rises and falls with the pace of the match. Spencer forced the match back to 9-9. Tim hits a blistering boast which knicks out to go 10-10. The first game, like so many tonight, is going into extra points. Stokes called on BOTH players in consecutive rallies and it’s 11-11. Tim’s cuts the ball off more aggressively than most and this works for him in game 1 with a 13-11 finish.

The second match mirrored the first with some great back and forth and the crowd loved it. Brownell carves out an 8-6 lead but can’t hold it as the match shifts to 8-8 and a fight to the finish begins. Both players cover the court extremely well. Gary Sullivan strongly disagrees with a let call which holds them at this level. For “smartless” podcast listeners Gary is like Sean Hayes’ niece in Wisconsin….we try to bring him into the commentary every night ?. Spencer Overjoy takes game 2 bringing us to 1-1.

Spencer’s momentum help initiate a 3-1 lead. Two tight shots and it’s 3-3. “Easy come, easy go” some would say. This writer only wishes he could play like these guys. A bit of soccer style antics lead to a “no let” and a 4-3 lead for Spencer. The rallies are long but TIGHT as we work to 7-7. Lovejoy jumps up 9-7 showing that his #2 seed may be right. At 10-10 there is a really tough call which goes “let” and Brownell wanted (and probably deserved) a stroke. Mike McCue agrees. This is corrected in the next rally….but it doesn’t hold and we go 11-11. Brownell takes it 13-11. 2-1.

Game 4 begins with Spencer catching the red line on what could have been a great drop. Tim gains an early lead, but it shifts to 5-5 and nobody wants to give space. A tough no let, which may have been fair, goes to Spencer and it’s 8-5 Tim. Beer is hitting the mark and this crowd is getting loud. 9-6. Tim is confident and pushing hard . 10-6 and match point is pending. It’s been a night of upsets….and we have one more. Tim moves on.

8:45 [9] Nadeem Kotb (EGY; 123) vs Vanessa Chu (HKG; 58)

With Vanessa Chu being the second seeded player in the tournament, and having the first seed being Hana Moataz taken out earlier in the night, it looks promising for Chu. Nadeem Kotb who had a bye in the first round has different plans for the match and wont let Chu break away. At 7-6 both players are driving to the back and tiring the other out to place the perfect unreachable drop. Chu gains a stroke giving her the chain of points to break away and takes the first game 11-6.

Game 2 begins with a quick drop shot for Chu. That one point lead is then closed when a stroke is given to Kotb starting a 3-1 lead. Vanessa quickly regains control 3 corner drops in a row. At 4-4 a call is made that leave Chu unhappy with the decision and gives Kotb the serve and a lead of 6-4. A stroke given to Chu has Kotb looking for a new strategy to take this second game away from the second seed. At 9-6 the play looks to be in the control of Nadeem. Vanessa makes key choices in her shots and positioning and has regained the lead and has game point at 10-9. After two lets and an unexpected forehand dropshot, Vanessa Chu has taken game 2.

With a stroke in the first point, game 3 has begun in favour of Nadeem Kotb. After 2 drop shots from the back of the court, Vanessa Chu has regained the lead she hopes to keep throughout the rest of the game. Forehand drives and unexpected drop shots seem to be hurting Nadem’s game more than helping it. Vanessa has taken control of the game at 7-4 and looks to take advantage of the last 4 points needed to seal the deal on a spot to the quarter finals. A forehand crosscourt to the back of the court and a perfectly placed drop shot give vanessa all she needs to win in 3 against Nadeem Kotb.

11-6 11-9 11-8

Thursday’s Matches:

Top seeds are falling….women #1 is out and men’s #2.
Rankings mean less now, and these matches will be tight.

3pm – Lucy Beecroft (ENG; 124) vs Hannah Blatt (CAN; 302)
4pm – [1] Auguste Dussourd (FRA; 57) vs Simon Herbert (ENG;319)
5pm – [6] Marina Stefanoni (USA; 71) vs. [3] Nikki Todd (CAN; 62)
6pm – [5] Mike McCue (CAN; 85) vs. [4] Daniel Mekbib (CZE; 83)
7pm – [4] Karina Tyma (POL; 65) vs Amal Izhar (CAN; 376)
8pm – [3] Shawn Delierre (CAN; 82) vs Tang Ming Hong (HKG;266)
9pm – Vanessa Chu (HKG; 58) vs [5] Marie Stephan (FRA; 69)
10pm – [6] Chi Him Wong (HKG; 89) vs Timothy Brownell (USA; 117)

[Show as slideshow]

1 2 ►