Nash Cup Tuesday September 18th
NASH CUP DAY 2: CLEAN SWEEP FOR CANADIANS IN QUALIFYING FINALS
It was a great night for Canadian squash in the qualifying finals at the Nash Cup. Fred Reid beat Mikah Franklin 3-1, Adrian Dudzicki beat the higher seeded Tom Pashley 3-0. Tyler Hamilton beat Eric Dingle 3-2, and to complete the evening, another 5 setter, Matt Serediak beat Mike McCue 3-2. The quality of squash was phenomenal and what potentially on paper looked like some one-sided matches ended up being a real treat for the enthusiastic London Squash members.
FRED REID (CAN) vs MIKAH FRANKLIN (BER) 4-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4 (32 MINS)
In the first game, Mikah played a good steady game with few errors, and kept a good length. Fred was impatient and forced the points resulting in errors or opening up the court, which Mikah pounced on. Fred came out strong in the second game, but again, a few errors let Mikah back in. It was close, but towards the end of the game Mikah lost his length and allowed Fred space and time to wield his magic wand and close the game out. The third saw Mikah go 8-3 up, and to cut a long story short, he didn’t score another point. Credit to Fred for some brilliant racquet work from all corners of the court to which MIkah had no answer. This seemed to be Mikah’s breaking point as Fred closed the match 11-4.
FRED: I was nervous, even when warming up – I was even shaking. I know I was impatient in the first game and didn’t have much length. My discipline got better in the second and my nerves started to leave me and I got into a groove. I don’t know how I got 8-3 down in the third, but I steadied up and started to use my openings. After winning the third I went into the fourth very confident and felt I played a great game. I hope I can take this momentum into the main draw, as any lapses in concentration like I had today will get severely punished.
MIKAH: I started off well, taking the ball early, and felt sharp. I felt my length was good and was surprised how quickly I won the first. He tidied it up in the second and played less “silly shots.” In the third, 8-3, I guess I took my foot off the gas – why? I don’t know. I went into a daze and couldn’t snap out of it, and it was downhill from there. He’s a dangerous player when he gets confident, and I gave him that confidence. I’m very happy with the tournament, the points I get will improve my ranking. Still very keen and looking forward to training with Jamie Hickox in the fall.
ADRIAN DUDZICKI (CAN) vs TOM PASHLEY (ENG) 11-8, 11-9, 11-6 (34 MINS)
Dudzicki got off to a great start, and Pashley found it difficult to fire himself up, and only did so halfway through the game, when he started to play well, but Dudzicki kept the court closed and finished off the game. Dudzicki started the second as he finished the first, but with Pashley playing a lot better, it was nip and tuck all the way. Some great retrieving from both, very few errors, could’ve been anyone’s game, but Dudzicki snuck it. Dudzicki got a good lead in the third and stayed in front. He did appear to get a bit nervous towards the end when he saw the finishing line, but Pashley’s head was already down, and he was able to close it out.
ADRIAN: Some of the best squash I have ever played. I felt physically good, and made the rallies hard. I felt my length and my width was good, and that forced him into coughing up openings. Gary Waite told me I needed to shorten my swing and quicken my hands, and that certainly paid dividends tonight. Jamie Hickox (national coach) has been working on my pace and taking the ball earlier – this definitely paid dividends tonight. Right now I’m one very happy bunny!
TOM: Never felt so bad! Couldn’t move, felt heavy and slow. Don’t know why because I felt good coming into this tournament. I tried to play my game at a high pace, but it just didn’t feel comfortable. Credit to Adrian – he played so well. I didn’t make many errors, but I didn’t feel he gave me much to play with. Two weeks ago, I was playing so well, got to the semis of Nottingham, and came here full of confidence. Can’t explain my performance – back to the drawing board, and hope things will go better next time.
TYLER HAMILTON (CAN) vs ERIC DINGLE (CAN) 11-6, 11-13, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7 (44 MINS)
Tyler started off strong and set the tone of the game. He exerted his authority and forced Eric into a lot of unforced errors. Maybe the effort of yesterday’s marathon was already taking its toll! Eric had other ideas, and turned things around. He was much tighter and his retrieving was superb, lifting the ball when under pressure, and forcing errors out of Tyler. Maybe Tyler felt Eric was spent and took his foot off the gas. Eric wasn’t finished, and proved that in the third. He actually led 7-3, but Tyler drew it back to 7-all. A few errors at the business end of the game led Eric to clinch it and lead 2-1. The fourth was close up until 5-all, then Tyler won 2 points to Eric’s 1, to take it to a decider. The fifth was a great battle, and Eric gave his all. He actually led 5-2 at which point Tyler made sure Eric had to fight for every single ball. His length was superb as was his width and that was probably the deciding factor.
TYLER: After the first game I felt super confident and felt like I was controlling most of the points. I still felt comfortable, but he got some amazing returns and forced me into some errors. Even at 2-1 down, I still felt that if I straighten my game up and stay disciplined, I would come through, and fortunately, I did. Credit to Eric – he stuck in there until the bitter end, even after yesterday’s immense effort. I’ve never seen him fight like that. It was a great game and I’m very happy to have got through to the main draw, and am really looking forward to tomorrow.
ERIC: A lot of positives to take out of this tournament. 48 hours ago I wasn’t even in this event! I certainly didn’t think I would play so well. I was within a sniff of winning this, but I have to say we both played well. I’m delighted with my performance and will definitely be back next year. The points I got will improve my ranking and that’s a big bonus.
MATT SEREDIAK (CAN) vs MIKE McCUE (CAN) 11-9, 7-11, 11-2, 5-11, 11-0 (67 MINS)
Matt held a one point lead for the most part of the game. He volleyed more, and kept the pressure on Mike. The rallies were long and hard fought. Mike came out in the second with a better length and really attacked the front. This was helped by Matt’s loss of length and slightly loose play. The stage was set. Matt came out in the third strong and authoritative and never really let Mike into it, keeping him away from the front with superb length. Mike was beginning to look tired and played too short too soon, and Matt punished him accordingly. The fourth was a different story. Mike got his length back and his movement, and his confidence, and forced Matt into making some uncharacteristic unforced errors. At 2-all, it was anyone’s guess who would win, but Matt had other ideas! He played the perfect fifth, as the score line would suggest.
MATT: Bit of a roller coaster! At the start I felt very confident, but he was playing well, and gradually ate into my confidence. I was fortunate to always be a game in front in this match. After the fourth I got some words of wisdom from the number 1 seed Julian Illingworth – he told me to go back to basics with my length and width and that certainly paid dividends. Really looking forward to tomorrow and really excited to get through today. It has been a great day for the Canadians.
MIKE: I I had a plan to keep it straight both with my length and the short volley. He is so strong across the court. I felt like I was always playing catch-up, but thought if I kept fighting I could stay with him, and I did so up to 2-all. The fifth! Was there one? It happened so quickly. I played the wrong shots at the wrong time and as the score line would suggest, I got bageled! The second time this has happened to me in PSA and no doubt I will be reminded of it for a long time to come. It’s been a great tournament and I’m happy with my progress.
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Photo Credit: Kim Atkinson