Nash Cup 2023 – Night 2 Summary
A stunning night of squash which threatened many times to run late with matches lasting as long as 72 minutes.
Five (5) of the top seeds were beaten and the draw has been cut from 32 players to 16.
Pictures from tonight’s action can be found here.
Matches will begin tomorrow at 3pm and run on the hour.
Wednesday Night Match Summary:
Match Commentary:
Court 1 – 3pm – Yahya Elnawasany (EGY; 36) VS. Daniel ‘I Love Caesars’ Mekbib (CZE; 104)
The opening match of the men’s draw features our top seed Yahya Elnawasany of Egypt playing 3rd time NASH Cup participant and fan favourite Daniel “Caesars are the best hangover cure” Mekbib.
The opening matches of round 2 can be quiet at London Squash as a 3pm start doesn’t mesh well with many spectators work schedules, but the crowd is filling in quickly and ready for some great squash. The player waste no time launching into long rallies and Daniel is able to hold his swing faking Yahya and gaining a 3-0 lead. Yahya is having trouble gaining control of the rally, but finds his first point at 1-5. This is Yahya’s first NASH Cup, but he did come to London Squash and scout the courts in August as he played in the Windsor Open. He and Salah Eltorgman, who will feature in the final match today, train together. The pace increased dramatically mid game with each player testing the other. An extremely long first game with long rallies but Daniel is able to hold a slim lead to 10-8. Two tins from Daniel and it’s 10-10. The score pushes back and forth with Daniel now down 12-13….first game to Yahya.
Daniel is frustrated but not deterred. The second game is long and he manages to maintain a slim lead taking it 11-6 and moving the match to 1 all.
In past years Daniel has shown some fatigue when a game goes long, but not tonight. Then are battling back and forth with no clear advantage and Daniel gets to a 7-6 lead. This third game proves to be another heart breaker for Daniel and it show just how close match can be. Yahya wins 14-12 and Daniel is left at a 1-2 deficit despite winning more points in the match. The 4th game is not as close with Yahya winning 11-5 and moving onto the quarter finals.
JN
Court 2 – 3pm – Hollie Naughton (CAD; 19) VS. Caroline Fouts (USA; 89)
Hollie Naughton returns to London squash on a mission. She made the first 5 women’s NASH Cup’s and was runner up in 2014. She returns after 6 years as the top seed in the women’s draw and the highest rank that NASH Cup has ever featured. Her opening opponent is rising star Carline Fouts of the USA who has quickly risen to 89th in the world.
Hollie opens with a 3-0 lead as she gets a feel for Caroline’s game. The junior is steady, but it’s going to be tough to beat Hollie’s power. At 1-4 Caroline gets on the board. A long rally and a frame sends it to 2-4, but Hollie returns to power and regains the serve. Hollie first came to the NASH Cup in the open amateur draws before the women’s purse was added. The rallies are long and Caroline has added some power to her returns. An unforced error and Hollie is up 8-3. Caroline is heating up and closes the gap to 8-9. A hold and reverse form Hollie goes 10-8…and then a winner. Game 1 done.
Caroline comes out very strong in game two forcing Hollie to attempt shots she doesn’t want. She gains a lead and while it keeps looking like Hollie will regain things she surprises the crowd and holds on to claim an 11-9 victory. 1-1. Both courts look like they wil be well beyond their 45 minute time allotment.
Hollie enters game three aggressively. She gets up 2-0 but then puts one over her shoulder and Caroline asked for the stroke. The problem is that it was her right shoulder on the left wall and Caroline had the front wall to work with. A let is given. Caroline has some great drops but Hollie is watching for them and is consistently lobbing the ball back to rest the rally. She seems to believe this game will be decided in the back court and it’s working. 5-1 Hollie. Hollie is waiting for her chances and capitalizing. Caroline is forced to go for winners and catching some tin. Hollie up 8-3. Service return out and Hollie takes game three 11-3.
The ball may have been cold in those fist two games but it’s not now. Hollie is playing with some patience and accelerating when Caroline goes for a drop. Caroline skids into the wall and the crowd wants to know where Gary is. The ladies clean things up and play continues. Caroline is showing some frustration as she can break Hollie’s hold. Length remains key as Hollie rarely drops unless Caroline brings her forward. 3 quick points from Caroline gives her a 6-5 lead. Hollie has fallen off a step. 8-5. Hollie is back and brings it to 8-8. Caroline gets one and then gives up a loose stroke. 9-9. Beautiful sidewall boast and we are at match point. No let on a good drop and we are 10-10. Out of court and 11-10 Hollie….great match. 12-10 Hollie
JN
Court 2 – 3:45pm – Bernat Jaume (ESP; 58) VS. Jeremias Azana (ARG; 85)
We have Azana from Argentina against 7 seed Jaume from Spain. Game 1 Both players feeling out the other hitting deep lengths and cross courts and being conservative when going short trading points early on. Azana’s length and speed is impressive early, and he jumps out to a 6-3 lead. Jaume is continuing with his game plan and finding better lengths and some tight mid court boasts and drops has him come back and take a 9-7 lead. Azana with a backhand volley drop into to the tin gives Jaume the game 11-7.
Game 2 – Jaume keeping up the same strategy and executing it very well. Azana is countering taking the ball short more trying to get his opponent off the tee more. Azana is really placing his drops tight on both sides of the court and creating problems for Jaume. Azana has taken this game to extra points and a clipped tin gives Jaume the second game 12-10.
Game 3 – Azana definitely coming out with e sense of urgency in his game. Jaume had a shirt change and is looking a little more tired as the 3rd game has some long rallies and Azana is keeping that short game pressure on. Azana is counter dropping and really stretching out Jaume and it looks like it is taking a toll a Jaume. Jaume is digging deep and an attacking more trying to make sure it doesn’t go to 4 games. Jaume with An incredible tight drop and a slotted nick off the serve and it’s tied 9-9. Azana with an absolutely insane backhand drop from mid court with a broken string has this game going to extra points again. Jaume hits a perfect length to the backhand stuck to the wall deep has Azana struggling to return it and is 1 point away from taking the match. A long rally and loose cross court from Azana as Jaume licking his lips as he slots a backhand drop into the nick for the match 12-10.
RD
Court 1 – 3:45pm – Saran Nghiem (ENG; 92) VS. Nikki Todd (CAN;213)
Nikki Todd doo doo doodoo doo doo, Nikki Todd doo doo doodoo doo doo, Nikki Todd!!
Both ladies playing well, great length and making each other twist and turn very tight and precise shots by Todd. This is her 10th NASH Cup, the only player to have played in every women’s draw and a crowd favourite. First half of the game was pretty even. Nikki turned it around to take the game 11-6
Second game sees Saran making some greats shots keeping Todd on her toes. An amazing nic serve by Nikki for an even 5-5. Ladies trading point back and forth. Saran making precise shot placement forcing Nikki to dig deep. Saran catches Nikki heading the wrong direction and takes the game 11-9
Third game and Nikki comes out strong. Nikki takes a decisive lead with a sweet front court drop. Saran fighting hard to remain in the game with a nice back court rollout. Saran getting herself back in the game with some tight shot placement. But it’s a little too late and Nikki finishes with a drop for game 11-6.
Fourth game starts with some tight shots by Saran forcing mistakes by Nikki and getting out to a 3-0 lead. Half the diamond dog wolf pack debates if this will go 5 or not as Nikki comes back to take the lead 5-4. The ladies are back to trading point for point. Nikki with a decisive drop now leading 9-6. Nikki with another drop….amazing. Saran fighting hard but sadly ends the game with a stroke called on her. Nikki takes it 11-7.
Diamond dog wolf pack out oowww wowowowowooow
LD
Court 1 – 4:30pm – Andrew Douglas (USA; 55) VS. Sanjay Jeeva (MAS; 119)
Court 2 – 4:30pm – Cindy Merlo (SUI; 61) VS. Wen Li Lai (MAS; 110)
Court 2 – 5:15pm – Faraz Khan (USA; 53) VS. Edwin Clain (FRA; 89)
I’m back in effect and ready to share my well-intended, but likely misunderstood views of what had possibly happened! This writer is a self-taught junk dawg who can’t hit a ball straight, but is gifted with the pens. Or in this case, the iPhone keyboard.
Game 1 saw Clain jump out to a fast lead in the first, only to find Khan settle in and battle back to tie break, and then go on to seal the game 12-10. Full disclosure I didn’t see that game but I know a guy who knew a knew a girl who I can reasonably almost trust.
In the 2nd: The trend repeated but Clain kept the gas on sizzle. To this untrained eye, it felt like his shots were more patient, and higher quality, which kept Khan moving very aggressively over all 4 corners, while the French player stayed solid in the middle, keeping his counterpart moving and forcing more reaching shots, stretching framers and more. We’re locked at 1-1.
In the 3rd, I feel the pace of the previous games started to show and the compact and speedy Khan fought ahead in the first half of the game. Going short started to appear more effective, if not at least forcing some hard lunges and reaching gets. Clain clawed back to 8-6 by going short himself and both players wiped their sweat. Or modelled their towels synchroniciously (not a word). Lots of trickle boasts, lots of effectiveness. After a particularly nasty trickle from the backhand Clain exerted and dove to no avail, we are back and tied up at 10-10. Speaking of towel men there was a large applause while GAAARY tidied up the resulting mess. This writer was then struck with an errant towel which was aimed at an aging member nearby who was angrily confused and berating his cell phone ala old man yells at clouds. Riveting of court action! Anyways, after the mopping Khan quickly scored 2 points via quality shots and a fortunate tin from Clain. 2-1 for the US of A!
Kahn jumped out quickly to 2-0. Clain countered and went short, then even shorter. Khan went longer and shorter, across and straight. I’ve realized the impressive breadth of shots these players need to masterfully control just to get a point. A bit of a see saw battle brings us back to a tie, 6-6. The crowd is hoping it goes to 5. This writer is overwhelmed by his own personal shortcomings but forces himself to watch each entertaining rally with a profound introspection. Clain worked to re-establish his space and the shot selection was strong which resulted in a 4 point run, topped by a stroke with a good accompanying hip thrust dance from Khan. The dance loosened the hips and shouts of ‘sick shot’ from the crowd pushed us to 10-8. I honestly missed game ball as it happened so quickly, I’m not sure why but Clain was pumping his fist, relieved as we are going to 5!
Ah, Game 5. Us large framed gents rarely make it this far, but both players look focused and limber. Back and forth score wise, before Clain rattled off 3 straight to push to 7-3. A contentious call up front results in a let that motivates Khan to fight back for 2 quick points. A close stroke is called in Clain’s favour who follows it up with a sick backcourt volley nick. We are nearing the end and some contact and stroke in the front corner pushed Clain up 10-6 who quickly tinned the next rally, and Khan went short fast and outlasted the next rally to bring it to 10-9! Next an insane no look cross court Nick from Khan erupted the crowd! 2 big calls bring us to 11s, and Clain claims the 12th but Khan retrieves 4 near winners in the front court before an untimely tin. A little contact to the face of Khan draws a let, and we are all tied up again. An insanely precise backcourt drop nicks out for Khan, and the next punishing rally moves the players across the court many times before a backhand straight from Khan dies and becomes irretrievable in the back corner. 14-12, 3-2 for Khan!
JR
Court 1 – 5:15pm – Laura Tovar (COL; 88 )VS. Kenzy Ayman (EGY; 51)
Kenzy is in her first NASH Cup and favoured. Laura is back for a 4th time and all that can be said is that she is not the same player we have seen in the past. Her speed and power have increased and her court movements are more fluid. She never lets up and is able to take the match 3-0. All three games are close and both played well.
Court 1 – 6:30pm – David Baillargeon (CAN; 51) VS. Spencer Lovejoy (USA; 72)
David is playing in his 6th NASH Cup and will tell you that the tournament has not been kind to him historically. He enters this match with Spencer Lovejoy determined to break any curse that exists and is able to push through all 3 games with great consistency of speed and precision.
Court 2 – 6:30pm – Salma Eltayeb (EGY; 50) VS. Riya Navani (USA; 123)
Game 1. Navani from the USA vs Eltayeb from Egypt. Both players at the NASH Cup for the first time and pretty even early on during the opening game. Navani with a slight lead heading into the later half of this opener. Both players do a great job of giving each space to make and clear their shots, it has been a very textbook first game so far. Eltayeb strikes to tie it up at 9 all. Navani quickly counters to get two game balls. 10-9. 11-11 a few minutes later, both players do not want to drop this first game. After two quick rallies, one stopping for just a “yes” let call, Eltayeb takes the lead 12-11 and the quickly scores again to take the first game 13-11.
Great opener! Second game is underway with Eltayeb jumping to an early 3-1 lead. Eltayeb gets a “yes” let call that she clearly is not happy about and exchanges a few words with the referee. Navani showing some signs of fatigue entering into the business end of this second game and makes a few unforced errors as result. Navani still giving it enough to hang in this game and is keeping the score close. Eltayeb continuing to keep the pressure up while continuing to rally with Navani. Eltayeb strikes making the score 10-9 giving her another 2 game balls however she only needs to score once to take the game and a two game lead over Navani, from the USA!
Early on the in the third game Eltayeb starts strong and continues to pressure Navani, looking to go into the later half of this game with a convincing lead. Despite her efforts, Navani just won’t go away and is not going anywhere. And just like that Navani is within one. Eltayeb starting to step on the gas now and has 4 game balls but only takes one to take the game and match 3-0 Egypt over the USA.
Court 2 – 7:15pm – Rui Soares (POR; 57) VS. Finnlay Withington (ENG; 100)
Court 1 – 7:15 – Diana Garcia (MEX; 83) VS. Karina Tyma (POL; 109)
Diana Garcia returns for her 4th NASH Cup, her first as a seeded player. Karina is back for the 3rd time. These players have faced off twice in the PSA with a match going each way.
Game one went to Tyma. Game two is underway and is 6 all. No call on a ball that appears down gives the lead to Garcia 7-6. The crowd is not happy after that call but one has to remember that the officials stand at an elevated position from the balcony. The polish player quickly responds with a very intentional back wall nick making the score 7-7. Both players exchange a few points and just like that the score is 9 all. However, Garcia proves to want it more, striking and making it 10-9 to give her one game ball. Garcia claims the second game 11-9 and the match is tied up at one game a piece.
In the third game, Garcia strikes first but Tyma counters immediately. Tyma is dominating the “T”, controlling the rallies and the over all pace of this 3rd game! Garcia is determined to go up 2-1 heading into the fourth and has mounted a pretty impressive comeback against the polish player. Tyma seems to have a similar game plan going into the fourth and scores a few quick points giving her a 2 game balls and proves successful, only needing one to take the game. 2-1 Poland.
Poland looking to close out the match in this fourth and possibly last game between these two. Tyma begins extremely strong and jumps to a 6-1 lead over Garcia! It’s going to be an up hill battle all the way to the end if Garcia is going to turn this around and force a 5th game. 8-2 Tyma and this one is all but over at this point. With everything to lose, Garcia is putting forth an effort for the ages and has climbed back into the game making it 7-8, Garcia. Tyma quickly puts a stop to Garcia momentum and makes it 9-7, hoping to collect a few game balls to wrap things up. 10-7, Tyma, three game balls for the match. Tyma sends Garcia the wrong way to take the game and match with an epic finish.
Court 1 – 8:00pm – Curtis Malik (ENG; 56) VS. Dillon Huang (USA; 122)
Court 2 – 8:00pm – Marina Stefanoni (USA; 59) VS. Sofia Mateos (ESP; 115)
Both players are in the NASH Cup for the 4th time and both have come a long way since their first appearance. For Marina the NASH Cup was her first PSA event outside of the USA, she now plays for Harvard and the experience shows. Sofia has stepped up her game with more speed and power. The rallies are long and deep. Both players are able to reach any drop, but it’s Marina who make more winners and she is able to push the game in her favour 3-0.
Court 1 – 8:45pm – Nick Wall (ENG; 39) VS. Salah Eltorgman (CAN; 140)
This was a tough match to watch and one can only imagine the challenge it was to play. Western’s captain, Salah Eltorgman, emerged as the surprise first round victor and came to face Nick Wall who is currently #39 in the world and fresh off a victory in Charlotteville. The crowd was on Salah’s side, but Nick had watched Tuesday’s match with Tom Walsh and entered with a fairly clear game plan. Salah plays a very physical game but can be found in a position where he obstructs his opponent from the next shot. Nick tested this early and found that the official was in agreement. If Salah didn’t clear a stroke would be called.
The rallies were long and both players showed that they were capable of hitting the ball incredibly hard. One spectator was heard to question why the ball didn’t make that noise when he hit it….no response was required.
As a spectator it’s not satisfying to see multiple rallies called with a stroke or no let. The game progresses, but both players get frustrated. Nick Wall was the clear beneficiary of the tactic. Salah has been gaining experience against top players. In August he faces Youssef Salomon (world rank #9), but this was a little different. In the 3rd game he appeared to find an approach that worked adjusting the length of his drive to the point that what had been strokes become no let, but it was too late. Some loose boasts which came to the center sealed his fate.
Court 2 – 8:45pm – Lucy Turmel (ENG; 29) VS. Alina Bushma (URK; 101)
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