Top squash players face off in exhibition match

Story and photo published in Sports Xpress – submitted by Jay Nash/London Squash and Fitness from 

Exhibition matches are often more about skill and sportsmanship, and less about winning. Spectators are treated to a show where they suspect there might be a ‘script’, but are more than willing to accept it for the chance to see a sport played by its best players and in its truest form. In squash this means a game where the rallies are long, shots are dramatic, and the referee rarely needs to get involved.

The last time London Squash and Fitness hosted an exhibition among the world’s elite players it was Jonathan Power (Canadian, and World #1 at the time) versus Graham Riding (Canada’s #2 player at the time). They and had faced each other many times, but Jonathan had never lost a game, much less a match to Graham and he wasn’t going to let that streak end. The exhibition was a 3-0 route. Entertaining, but not necessarily what spectators want to see.

This recent competition was much different though. These players have played each other many times. Ramy Ashour (World #1), has a professional record of 5-0 over Alister Walker (World #15). However, Alister has won in non-PSA events (such as the Cayman Open). Further, David Morrish (club professional) coached Alister in the U.K. when he was 15, which created great pressure to give a good showing.
Ramy Ashour, Jay Nash (London director), David Morrish (London club pro) and Alister Walker

The players took to the court in great spirits but you could tell the “exhibition” part of the game had its limits when an early winning shot by Alister was called down by Ramy and the referee. They turned the difference of opinion into a running joke for the crowd. Alister went on to win the opening game 11-5.

Ramy came into the second game at a different pace, and with a much more aggressive shot. He gained and early lead and held it to an 11-8 finish to bring the match even. Alister looked like he may have lost a little pace. It looked like this match was getting back “on script”.

The third game was a battle. Generally players avoid calling ‘lets’ in exhibition matches and this was clear early when Ramy took a shot around Alister that easily could have been called a ‘stroke’. However only a few points later Alister got into a position where he could not swing his racquet and a stroke was called by referee Jon Bowring. The players (together) argued the ruling down to a let. It was 3-2 Ramy and from this point, to the amazement of the crowd, Alister took control. The final two games were hard fought by Ramy, while Alister seemed to be able to reach anything that was thrown at him winning 11-7, 11-7. The pace of play was blistering and the sold out crowd was kept on the edges of their seats right to the final point.

The match was preceded with play by both professionals against two of the region’s top juniors, two of UWO’s top players and London Squash club champion Brad Hanebury.

Each rotated through five points to see how long they could keep the pro’s from reaching 30. Both professionals complained later that they had been lead to believe that these opponents would be easy. What they didn’t know was that they were getting some of the best junior, university, and adult players in the country. It was fun to watch.

The match was followed by an exceptional Q&A with the professionals as they revealed what life is like on the professional circuit. Both will now continue on to Toronto and the $60,000 Cambridge Cup matches.

Exhibition Final – Alister Walker (15) over Ramy Ashour (1) – 11-5; 8-11; 11-7; 11-7

Congrats to Graham Riding

Graham Riding will be inducted into the Canadian Squash Hall of Fame on April 4, 2013