NASH Cup 2018 Day 2 Recap
Women Round 1 & Men Round 2.
For most participants the NASH Cup is one of the first tournaments of the new season.
Months of recovery or training get put to the test, and a player’s current ‘ranking’ is not always reflective of their current abilities. When a lower ranking player beats a higher ranking player in competition many fans consider it to be an “upset”….and sometimes it is. Other times it’s just a reflection of a player’s new status.
Such matches have been commonplace at the NASH Cup.
Tonight was full of them
Women:
Anna Serme vs Lisa Aitken 5-11,7-11,2-11(23mins)
Catalina Pelaez vs Olivia Fiechter 6-11,6-11,4-11(25mins)
Jelena Dutina vs Ali Hemingway 3-11,4-11,5-11(17mins)
Marina Stefanoni vs Sanne Veldkamp 11-2,11-4,11-5(21mins)
Eva Fertekova vs Alison Thomson 5-11,7-11,5-11(25mins)
Salma Youssef vs Paula Jenkins 11-4,11-2,11-2(16mins)
Melissa Alves vs Jasmine Hutton 11-7, 11-9,6-11,11-9(45mins)
Men:
Nathan Lake vs Vikram Malhotra 9-11, 11-6, 7-11,5-11(57mins)
Addeen Idrakie vs Shawn Delierre 8-11,9-11,11-9,3-11(54mins)
Alfredo Avila vs Michael McCue 11-9,11-3,11-6(37mins)
Lyell Fuller vs Jesus Camacho 11-13,11-6,3-11,11-13(63mins)
Charles Sharpes vs Ashley Davies 11-6,16-14,11-8(46mins)
Nick Sachvie vs Mostafa Asal 11-9,11-8,7-11,9-11,5-11(114mins)
Christopher Binnie vs Juan Camilo Vargas 11-5,11-5,6-11,11-8(45mins)
Andrew Schnell vs Chris Hanson 11-6,11-6,4-11,9-11,14-12(70mins)
Match Commentary by Jay Francis
Anna Serme vs Lisa Aitken 5-11,7-11,2-11(23mins)
Lisa took control from the first minute. She moved well and looking good across the t-line. The play and intensity was one or two levels too high for Anna who couldn’t cope with the speed and the power hitting from Lisa. This was good news for Lisa she still a few areas to work on – a few too many volley drops finding the tin. All in all it was a very comfortable start to the tournament and we’re sure she’ll be happy that she has lots of energy for the match tomorrow.
Catalina Pelaez vs Olivia Fiechter 6-11,6-11,4-11(25mins)
A really good match for Olivia here coming out strong from the first moment. Three powerful games and never looked in any danger against Catalina. What a difference it can make when you start to concentrate on squash – instead of on studying and squash. Olivia is looking very strong, physically fit and could be a real danger in this draw. Watch this space as I think this girl could improve a lot over the next year or two!
Jelena Dutina vs Ali Hemingway 3-11,4-11,5-11(17mins)
A very straight forward victory for Ali who’s back in her 4th NASH Cup appearance. Jelena played well, but has some things to improve on to be able to compete at this level. Ali was moving way too smoothly and economically for Jelena to cause damage. It was a very quick match allowing Ali to conserve energy for tomorrow. Ali is looking very controlled in her game and seems to be enjoying the warm temperatures here in London, Ontario!
Marina Stefanoni vs Sanne Veldkamp 11-2,11-4,11-5(21mins)
Marina is a young up-and-coming American squash player, probably one of their biggest hopes to follow in the footsteps of Amanda and the other American girls. Sanne is from Holland and trying to make strides forward on the tour. Marina played at another level. She had more speed, more control and better movement. She made very few errors and remained very calm when they happened. This was a very comfortable match for Marina, but she will be tested in the next round against a second consecutive Dutch opponent – Milou vd Heijden.
Eva Fertekova vs Alison Thomson 5-11,7-11,5-11(25mins)
Ali looked strong throughout the match. Playing with an incredibly high T position which allowed her to volley at will and keep Eva moving. This also resulted in Ali being very quick to reach balls at the front, and she used her drop with great effectiveness. All in all a fun game to watch.
Salma Youssef vs Paula Jenkins 11-4,11-2,11-2(16mins)
Salma had the task of making sure the local wild card didn’t cause her problems. Paula is new to the PSA, but has participated in 3 past NASH Cup and is re-energized in her focus on competitive squash. She showed flashes of brilliance, but the pace and control from Salma was too much to handle. Salma kept Paula deep then would cleverly/cruelly play a lovely ball in short. This happened time and time again for a comfortable victory. Following the game Paula noted how effective this tactic was. She will be back stronger next year!
Melissa Alves vs Jasmine Hutton 11-7, 11-9,6-11,11-9(45mins)
What a great advertisement for ladies squash! Powerful hitting from both players and amazing movement for 45mins! Melissa arrived in Canada, from China (via Montreal) this morning! She played powerful, high tempo squash for games 1 and 2, leaving Jasmine to work incredibly hard! All credit to the young Jasmine as at 2-6 down in the 3rd, she changed her game and started to cut off more volleys and storms through to take it 11-6 in one hand! Is the travel starting to tell on Melissa? The 4th game was split into 3 segments. Part 1: Melissa storms out to 5-0 with numerous winners that the crowd our loving! Part 2: Jasmine digs in and storms back to take a 7-5 lead…are we going to a 5th?? No! Melissa realises she needs the 4th and powers through to take it 11-9! She’ll sleep well tonight and therefore have no jetlag issues tomorrow!
Men:
Nathan Lake vs Vikram Malhotra 9-11, 11-6, 7-11,5-11(57mins)
On paper you would normally say the first match for the number one seed would be quite straightforward. This was anything but. Everybody knew, including Nathan, that has Vikram had the upper hand in the last couple of matches. So this was a semi-final level match in the making. There’s really nothing between these two players as they have quite similar games, tall big boys, good reaches across the T leading to long extended rallies in the first game – swapping points right up until 9-9 , Vikram had a couple of good holds and flicks to take it 11-9. In the second game Nathan comes out stronger increasing the tempo taking a high T position, it paid dividends by putting more pressure on Vikram, Nathan accomplishes a comfortable yet hard-earned 11-6 victory. In the 3rd and 4th games Vikram played great tactical squash, starting to stretch the tall Nathan with more straight drops and volley drops, opening up the court for Vikram to punch winners to the back. A very impressive match for Vikram. Watch out, as he wasn’t totally pleased with his game and felt there were things to do better in the next match!!
Addeen Idrakie vs Shawn Delierre 8-11,9-11,11-9,3-11(54mins)
Canadian Shawn is a hard core Nash Cup competitor and always seems to enjoy his time in London. He is the 2012 champion, and this is his 7th appearance in London. Shawn made the first couples of games hard as he kept the rallies long and error free. This was to test and work Addeen after his 80min battle last night. A 2-0 lead for Shawn, but Addeen comes out strong in the 3rd. He’s moving quicker and hitting harder to take a 8-3 lead. However, Shawn is a wily player and doesn’t give up the game, he decides to put more work into Addeen. Addeen wins the game, but Shawn’s thoughts were correct as Addeen “died” in the 4th. Shawn strolled to a comfortable victory.
Alfredo Avila vs Michael McCue 11-9,11-3,11-6(37mins)
This was a highly entertaining match, Alfredo is a fun player to watch. He’s extremely fast and was using his flicks and holds well to keep Mike from finding any true rhythm! The score line may look comfortable, but the rallies were long and hard. Alfredo I’m sure is enjoying the summer temperatures in London and looked totally relaxed. Mike tried to change the game up, but Alfredo kept Mike moving to all 4 corners throughout the match and will be pleased with his play in this 3-0 victory!
Lyell Fuller vs Jesus Camacho 11-13,11-6,3-11,11-13(63mins)
A really entertaining match. Just to give you an idea the 1st & 4th games accounted for 43 minutes of the match! First game went point-for-point all the way with nothing separate the two players. Quite a contrast in styles with Lyell, a little bit steadier/more conservative and Jesus flying around the court like a smaller guy has a few more holds and flicks -nothing to separate them 13-11 1st game to Jesus. Second and third games were totally different: Lyell coming out in the second really pushing forward and upping the tempo taking the ball much earlier. This took away the speed advantage from Jesus – 11-6 to Lyle. Could Lyell keep this going in third game… Jesus came out hard, Lyell’s pace dropped off ever so slightly…. what happens? 11-3 for Jesus. Would Lyell be able to recover and come out for the 4th strongly? What a game, 25 minutes long!! Both come out strong, but Jesus gets a jump and looks to be running away with it at 9-3. Lyell looking little bit tired after the effects of a long match- but Really digs in deep and somehow manages to get to game ball in the fourth! Jesus responds well with steady play; but some great finishing to win it 13-11 65 minute match for four games says everything!
Charles Sharpes vs Ashley Davies 11-6,16-14,11-8(46mins)
This had the makings of a fun game to watch. Both have an attacking style and are great players to watch (well for English guysJ). The first game is actually a lovely game, very controlled pace with width shots by both players, but still looking to attack as soon the chance was there. Charles’ front game was a little sharper, tight drops and volley drops leading to a 11-7 1st game! The 2nd game was a monster, the quality was still high, though the match got a little disjointed with quite a few decisions and both players feeling hard done by. It’s a crucial game for both players, Charles manages to play a couple of delightful winners to take it 16-14! The 3rd was well contested but Ashley was a bit broken and Charles took the match 3-0.
Nick Sachvie vs Mostafa Asal 11-9,11-8,7-11,9-11,5-11(114mins)
What a match! This one had everything: a lead, aggressive play, a comeback, who would finish it off? Warnings, injury brakes, blocks, roll nicks – everything! Nick came out fired up and playing some of the best squash I’ve ever seen from him. He is truly back from his injury issues playing at a high tempo finishing the ball at will Mostafa looked in trouble, not just the first game but on through the second game. Nick has the big surprise on the cards for the Canadian home player! Mostafa is clearly troubled with his game – Nick takes a lead in the 3rd game and then the turning point of the match….. an injury timeout for an innocuous collision on court between the two players. Mostafa is off court for 15 minutes. Is it for an injury time-out or is it to regroup? Only this amazing young player will know! Mostafa is playing a lot steadier and starts to get a grip on the match. Nick is getting frustrated with some blocks, decisions and discussions; he’s doing his best to keep his game at the same levels as the first two, but Mostafa has cut out errors and he’s playing tight to squash with some really solid play. At the end showing some great length, width and court knowledge. At the start of the fourth it looks like the match has really turned. Mostafa is now in control and bossing the T. Fourth game goes to Mostafa – it looks as though the chance for Nick has gone. Mostafa if using every trick that he knows to take control! Nick tries hard in the 5th but Mostafa is now relaxed and in control. What a silky touch at the front!! Nick is really struggling, Mostafa is now using his physical strength to really work Nick. Fifth game to Mostafa and he makes it through. A very entertaining match with a bit of everything for the purist and the anti-purist ; it was definitely exciting and a great effort from Nick.
Christopher Binnie vs Juan Camilo Vargas 11-5,11-5,6-11,11-8(45mins)
Didn’t get to see too much of this one. But in both the 1st and 2nd games Chris stormed out to big leads and held on to take the games quite comfortably. Even though Juan is incredibly quick, Chris seemed to be moving well and kept control. Juan’s pace certainly increased in the 3rd and it payed dividends at the front of the court, taking the game quite quickly. Was Chris tiring against the speedy Juan??? At 8-3 up in the 4th, the answer is no. Chris closed out a very impressive disciplined display.
Andrew Schnell vs Chris Hanson 11-6,11-6,4-11,9-11,14-12(70mins)
– Commentary by Jay Nash
One couldn’t ask for a better final match of the night. Andrew and Chris play very similar games with tight rail shots down the wall followed by blistering cross courts. They both had the ability to drop the ball at will; and the ability to retrieve just about anything. Interesting they both also likes to questions the officials calls, often with firm tone but a smile that said “no really….it’s all good…but are you sure?” Fun to watch.
Andrew really maintained control well in the first two games taking them 11-6 each and looking like he was going to cruise to a quick victory over the tournament’s #2 seed. But Chris has other plans. The rallies got longer and the physical game got tighter. Both players seemed to have endless amounts of energy. In the third game Chris gained a health lead and Andrew seems to check out for the final few points. The fourth game went back and forth many times and let calls were common. A heartbreaking flat nick off the serve at 9-9 put Andrew down and Chris was able to tie things up. It was clear early in the fifth game that this one was going to go to the limit. Neither player was willing to make a mistake. Both waited patiently for the right opportunities. Each made some stunning points and it was great to hear them complement each other when the shot really was perfect. As the game progressed to extra point each had an opportunity to end it. Andrew managed to move from a 11-12 deficit and captured the final 3 points in a crowd pleasing 14-12 victory
With the top 2 seed removed from the men’s draw the field is wide open. Seven remaining players are ranked between 67th and 82nd in the world, and Andrew Schnell (112) has proven that he’s here for a fight.
Second Round Women’s matches begin tomorrow at 4pm with the Men’s quarter finals starting at 6pm EST. Matches are scheduled on the hour, but one would be foolish to even hope that the four men’s matches will be kept within this time frame.
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