NASH Cup 2017 Day 1 Recap
A tournament’s first night is not always an exciting event. Small crowds and lopsided matches are often what’s on tap…that was not the case tonight in London Ontario. The London Squash and Fitness had a full crowd from very early in the evening, and the fans were well rewarded with some tight local matches, and a couple of first round upsets. The week is setting up to be a great show with 14 of the world’s top 100 men and 17 top 100 women set to compete.
The action starts back up tomorrow at 5:30pm
Men
Matthew Henderson(CAN) vs David Baillargeon(CAN) 6-11,8-11,5-11(26mins)
Photo by Rael Wienburg
Game 1:
Henderson steps on the court as the home crowd favourite – he is the 2016 Western University team no. 1 player. Chants of “Hendo!” reverberate as the two Canadians send crisp balls tight against the wall. A few long, sparkling rallies showcase the talents of these young players. Matt mounts attacks with creativity and style but David counters with resilience and exceptional court coverage. Baillargeon draws first blood at 11-6.
Game 2:
Matt turns the screw and gives everything to expose a chink in David’s armour. His deception and cross-court length from behind his body demonstrate why he is a former Canadian Junior Champion. David is determined to let nothing drop, and his consistency and shot selection allow him to eke out an 11-8 advantage.
Game 3:
Endurance and experience now show themselves in David’s favour. Despite soft hands and beautiful stretch returns, Matt goes down 11-5. The home court crowd gives him a big “Hendo!” ovation for his effort.
Local Veteran Squash Expert Brad Hanebury comments on the match: “Matt has great creativity, but David showed that he’s been a pro for two years. His fitness and shot choices were too good.” Hanebury also comments: “Thanks for listening to my opinion – people don’t really do that. Can I buy you a beer?”
Player Quotes:
Matt Henderson: “Great match. Next year I’ll come back stronger with the help of the Western Squash team.”
David Baillargeon: “Matt surprised me with speed and his shot making ability. Now I’m looking forward to seeing McCue again in the same round as last year, but hopefully this year with a different result.”
Reported by Amit Shah
Michael McCue(CAN) vs Thomas King(CAN) 4-11,5-11,6-11(31mins)
McCue controlled the T very well and playing tight shots. King had trouble keeping up with the pace and is ran a ton. McCue was using lots of lobs to help him control the court. After the second game King looked exhausted and visibly starting to get muscle tightness.
Anthony Graham(ENG) vs Shahjahan Khan(PAK) 6-11,11-6,12-10,6-11,7-11(71mins)
Khan came out strong from the first 4 points with fast pace and controlling the T. Graham is started to play tight and slow down the game and playing better length. The ball is really hot so it bounced off the back glass lots. Khan’s front court game really worked for him. The pace was really fast after the first game with Graham up one. In game 2 there ass lots of pushing and courts are super hot. Both players are looked very lively …it really was a great match for a 1st round in qualifying. They would attack and then defend, getting everything rally after rally. Shahjahan just seems to have a bit more in the tank at the end of the 4th and 5th games to move through to tomorrow. Bad draw for Anthony, but that happens on the PSA.
Kale Wilson(TRI) vs Juan Camilo Vargas(COL) 1-11,3-11,6-11(17mins)
Kale came to play, but couldn’t match up with Juan’s play. He started finding some momentum in the third game, but it was too late to mount a comeback.
Lyell Fuller(ENG) vs David Mill(CAN) 11-2,7-11,11-2,11-4(33mins)
Another great performance from one of the local University boys. Lyell looked at stages a bit rattled against the strong physicality and aggression on the ball of David. Eventually that PSA toughness and experience shone through with Lyell coming through in control – but never comfortable! This was a great showing for one of the top players at Western.
Farzin Habib Pour(CAN) vs Ashley Davies(ENG) 7-11,11-9,1-11,4-11(31mins)
Our local University player and junior coach Farzin played great. Really sticking with Ashley. Winning the second game was tremendous. Maybe a bit of experience let Farzin down at the start of the 3rd, but a great display. This should go prove he is good enough to play at the next level!
Faraz Khan(USA) vs Israr Ahmed(PAK) 13-15,6-11,7-11(37mins)
Two aggressive shot players with the same game styles. It was always difficult to tell who was winning but Israr just seemed to manage to do everything slightly better than Faraz. 3-0 not a fair result on Faraz. The first game may have defined the outcome and both players had an opportunity to end that one at least once.
Cameron Seth(CAN) vs Jan Van Den Herrewegen(BEL) 3-11,9-11,12-10,8-11(62mins)
A great match with Cameron really showing he’s improved his levels in the last Year. A very even match, long tight shots up and down the court. The 4th game was a real battle with numerous highly entertaining rallies of 50+ shots. One rally near the end reaching 64 shots with the ball going to all 4 corners the whole time. Jan advances, but will he may feel this tomorrow.
Women
Natasha Seth(CAN) vs Diana Garcia(MEX) 2-11,3-11,7-11(16mins)
Photo by Rael Wienburg
Weather in southern Ontario is unusually warm this week resulting in hot courts and lively squash balls. New 17 inch tins in the women’s draw didn’t translate into short rallies in this match, but the difference between a top amateur and a top 100 professional was clear. Natasha worked hard and pushed Diana at times, but in the end couldn’t keep up. An impressive run of winners by Natasha in the 3rd game did bring it close.
Anna Kimberly(ENG) vs Mary Fung-a-Fat(GUY) 11-5,11-4,11-6(24mins)
Anna has had a slow start through the first 5 points but then started to play a faster pace and this working well for her. Both players played some loose shots but improved as the match went on. Mary could play really tight boasts that worked well. Anna won game 1 but it was close. Anna easily won game 2 but both player played well! Anna volleyed a ton and controlled the T to win. Anna wins match 3-0.
Holly Delavigne(CAN) vs Reyna Pacheco(USA) 8-11,6-11,5-11(18mins)
A limited summer training schedule impacted Holly’s ability to move Reyna around the court. Reyna’s game has picked up very well over the last year and she will be a strong competitor in the second round.
Nouran el Torky(EGY) vs Laura Savage(CAN) 11-3,11-2,11-4(17mins)
After a difficult first game Laura tried to distract Nouran by texting a picture of her dog between games…it didn’t work. Tuesday’s match with Laura Tovar should be a good one.
Nicole Garon(CAN) vs Laura Tovar(COL) 0-11,2-11,4-11(17mins)
Nicole started the match off. She made a few unforced errors and found herself at a deep deficit. Her game improved through the second and third games, but Laura was too much for her.
Colette Sultana(MLT) vs Paula Jenkins(CAN) 12-10,11-8,11-8(21mins)
This match had the potential to be a serious upset. Long rallies and great winning shots kept the match close in all three games. Had the first game gone the other way the entire result may have been different.
Charlotte Orcutt(CAN) vs Alison Thomson(SCO) 6-11,6-11,8-11(23mins)
A very mature and exciting showing from Charlotte. She’s incredibly fit, a great mover on the court, and for such a young age she’s showing a great awareness of court craft. She may have been unlucky to draw one of the strongest players in qualifying as Alison needed to bring her ‘A’ game to keep it at 3-0. A very promising Nash Cup, and PSA, debut for young Charlotte. We look forward to seeing her back in future years.
Summary
Men
David Baillargeon(CAN) bt. Matthew Henderson(CAN) 11-6,11-8,11-5(26mins)
Michael McCue(CAN) bt. Thomas King(CAN) 11-4,11-5,11-6 (31mins)
Shahjahan Khan(PAK) bt. Anthony Graham(ENG) 11-6,6-11,10-12,11-6,11-7(71mins)
Juan Camilo Vargas(COL) bt. Kale Wilson(TRI) 11-1,11-3,11-6(17mins)
Lyell Fuller(ENG) bt David Mill(CAN) 11-2,7-11,11-2,11-4(33mins)
Ashley Davies(ENG) bt. Farzin Habib Pour(CAN) 11-7,9-11,11-1,11-4(31mins)
Israr Ahmed(PAK) bt. Faraz Khan(USA) 15-13,11-6,11-7(37mins)
Jan Van Den Herrewegen(BEL) bt. Cameron Seth(CAN) 11-3,11-9,10-12,11-8(62mins)
Women
Diana Garcia(MEX) bt Natasha Seth(CAN) 11-2,11-3,11-7(16mins)
Anna Kimberly(ENG) bt Mary Fung-a-Fat(GUY) 11-5,11-4,11-6(24mins)
Reyna Pacheco(USA) bt. Holly Delavigne(CAN) 11-8,11-6,11-5(18mins)
Nouran el Torky(EGY) bt. Laura Savage(CAN) 11-3,11-2,11-4(17mins)
Laura Tovar(COL) bt. Nicole Garon(CAN) 11-0,11-2,11-4(17mins)
Colette Sultana(MLT) bt Paula Jenkins(CAN) 12-10,11-8,11-8(21mins)
Alison Thomson(SCO) bt. Charlotte Orcutt(CAN) 11-6,11-6,11-8(23mins)