Sept 17 Nash Cup

NASH CUP DAY 2: LADIES FIRST ROUND MAIN DRAW + MENS 2ND ROUND QUALIFYING

Another great day of squash at the London Squash and Fitness Club, which saw a number of upsets. Young Alyssa Metha pulled off one of them in beating senior compatriot Alix Younger in 4 but the biggest upset of the night was local girl Nikki Todd taking out the number 3 seed Carrie Ramsey. Micaala Seth nearly caused another but went down in 5 to Julia Lecoq. The other seeds came through.
There were some great boys matches too. Up for grabs were 4 qualifying spots. Scott Arnold, Lewis Walters, Dave Letourneau and Declan James won their battles and a place in the first round.

MILOU VAN DER HEIJDEN (NED) vs SOPHIE METHA (CAN): 11-3; 11-5; 11-4 (16 mins)
Milou showed why she is the number 1 seed in this event – she was very solid in all her play, varying the pace well and with excellent shot selection. Sophie tried hard to stay in the rallies but it was a David and Goliath affair. Sophie will have gained a lot of experience from this Nash Cup adventure and I am sure she will be back.
Milou “I felt good out there today. I was a bit nervous to start with bit once I settled down I felt I played well and am happy!”
Sophie “A really good learning experience! She was a great player. I have loved this and will for sure be back next year, a year older and wiser!)

HOLLY NOUGHTON (CAN) vs ENORA VILLARD (FRA): 6-11; 11-8; 11-6; 11-5 (37 mins)
This was a great battle. Hollie looked to be nervous at the start and snatched a few of her shots. Enora looked comfortable and in control, and took the first game. Then the match began! Both players were looking to stay in front of the other, volleying well and moving well. Hollie focused more on her forehand side, holing the volley well and taking the ball in short when space was available. Both players covered the court well and played out some superb rallies. Hollie made the fewer errors in the end and managed to stay in front and close it out.
Hollie “It wasn’t a pretty game, but credit too Enora for making me feel uncomfortable. I didn’t feel I was able to use the front like I normally like to as anything loose was pounced on and put away. I had to revert to a longer game but my forehand short volley worked for me today. Really happy to come through a match like this”
Enora ”I started well but got tired and lost my length which allowed Hollie to put pressure on me. I am of course disappointed because I had my chances, but it was a great experience.)

ALEXANDRA NORMAN (CAN) vs GISELLE DELGADO (CHI): 11-7; 11-4; 11-3 (22 mins)
The first game was competitive and Giselle stayed in it virtue of some great retrieving. As the game went on, Alex took more and more control, waiting for the loose ball and putting it away with finesse. Giselle fought to the end but at the end of the day, squash was the winner!
Alex “I felt a little nervous at the start but as the match went on, I got more confidence and felt more comfortable”
Giselle “This was my first WSA match so I was nervous before going on court! I had seen Alex play at the nationals so already had great respect for her. Overall I am happy with how I played, and wish Alex the best for the rest of the tournament”

 

JULIA LECOQ (FRA) vs MICAALA SETH (CAN): 11-5; 10-12; 9-11; 11-7; 11-8 (51 mins)
This was an amazing match – a real see-saw event! Julia started the better and forced Micaala into a number of unforced errors or loose shots which she calmly put away. Julia had game balls in the second to take a 2-0 lead but Micaala’s trade mark is never say die and she worked her way back and won a tight game. The errors were less, the intensity of the game was higher, as was the quality. The third followed a similar pattern and Micaala found herself 2-1 up. Julia re-grouped and played a really solid fourth to take it to a decider. In the 5th, Julia managed to just stay in front and won the decider. A great match played in a great spirit.
Julia “I was very nervous as it was my first tournament of the season. It was a tough match and I am really happy to have come through and win”
Micaala “I’m pleased with how I played overall. I came out of the gate a little slow…. Maybe nerves. I had energy to the end and even pulled out a roll out nick! Julia played very steady and forced my errors. Wish her luck for the rest of the tournament”

ALYSSA METHA (CAN) vs ALIX YOUNGER (CAN): 11-6; 11-6; 5-11; 11-9 (32 mins)
A closer first game than the score would suggest with both players using good pace to control the T. Errors eventually cost Alix the first game. The second continued to be a high pace affair. Alix was much more patient and cut her errors out, but Alyssa had the upper hand at the front of the court which was probably the telling factor. Alix stepped it up in the 3rd and took the space away from Alyssa, and started to throw in a gut-wrenching boast which caught Alyssa on the back foot. She continued to use this to good effect in the 4th but it was not quite enough for her younger opponent, and Alyssa got the first upset of the day.
Alyssa “Felt I played really well. She put so much pressure on me with that boast! This match could have gone either way so I am really happy to have won. Nothing to lose tomorrow so I am going to go out there and enjoy it”
Alix “Alyssa played very well and put me under a lot of pressure. Today was not my day but I do wish her good luck with the next round”

NIKKI TODD (CAN) vs CARRIE RAMSEY (ENG): 11-3; 11-4; 10-12; 11-8 (39 mins)
Both started off playing loose, with a lot of errors but it was Nikki who moved into a different gear first and Carrie continued to make errors. It was suddenly 2-0 to Nikki. Carrie came into the 3rd a different player and soon established a 7-2 lead. Nikki is a “prairie girl” and they breed them tough out there- she dug seep and got it back to 8 all and then led 10-8, match point. Nikki then caught Carrie in the head with her racket, on (she thought) her backswing, expecting a stroke, only to be given a let. Carrie needed 3 minutes to recover from the knock and reeled off the next 4 points, and a life line. Nikki raced to a 5-1 lead in the 4th, only for Carrie to take a 6-5 lead. Nikki then reeled off 5 points in a row to go 10-6. Carrie clawed 2 back but Nikki closed it out. Nikki showed maturity in this match and played with good pace and moved well. Carrie made too many errors on the whole. I am sure Carrie would love to re-play this match another time.
Nikki “Sam (Cornett) was sitting outside with cookies so I figured I needed to win to have some! Jokes apart, I am so happy to have won this. I felt I played well.”
Carrie “I am pretty devastated right now. I have been working so hard on my length and it was not there for me today. Nikki played well – don’t want to take anything away from her. Got a headache!”

CECILIA CORTES (USA) vs JAYCEE SPAGRUD (CAN): 12-10; 11-7; 3-11; 11-6 (35 mins)
This was a great battle, where Cece controlled the T for the first couple games. The tides turned in the third when Cece slowed a bit, getting onto the ball slower and leaving the ball looser for Jaycee to take control of the T. Jaycee took the third, and looked confident at the start of the fourth. It started with long, hard rallies. But patient play from Cece and unforced errors coupled with loose length from Jaycee at the tail end of long rallies helped the American pull ahead, and the lead was too much, despite Jaycee digging deep at the end. Cece will be ready for the next round, getting a good match under her belt, and Jaycee can take a lot away from the loss.
Cecilia “Pretty happy to get through this. It was tough. I could easily have been 2-0 down. Very enjoyable game”
Jaycee “If only I could have taken that first, it could have been a different story. She played well. Would love to play her again”

MARIA TOORPAKAI WAZIR (PAK) vs MADDIE O’CONNOR (CAN): 11-4; 11-1; 11-4 (19 mins)
Maria began the match with an aggressive winner and never let up. Relentless attacking, which included several drops from the back court, together with her power, fuelled by her wrist, kept Maddie under constant pressure. Maddie played well and retrieved some great balls, but was extended too many times to make an impact. It’s hard to imagine that this is Maria’s first competitive match since January!
Maria “I was a bit nervous after a long lay off and knowing I was playing one of the top juniors in Canada. Great start to the tournament”
Maddie “I had fun and I will be back next year – out for blood!”

SCOTT ARNOLD (AUS) vs ALBERT SHOIHET (CAN): 11-6; 11-8; 11-2 (29 mins)
Albert decided to set the tone of the match with a cross court volley nick off the serve! A minute later it was 3-1 Scott as Scott kept the ball deep and wide and forced Albert into forcing the rallies. This was pretty much the pattern of the match. Albert dictated a lot of the play but made most of the errors. Scott was solid – great length, good retrieving and put the ball into good spaces. Albert should still take away a lot of positives.
Scott “I knew he was going to be tricky after watching him play Matt last night. Very talented lad. I felt I closed down the court pretty well so he didn’t have time and space to play his shots. Felt good today and looking forward to tomorrow”
Albert “He was strong and had an amazing length which didn’t give me too much to play with. I probably went for more than I should have. All in all I have had a good tournament”

LEWIS WALTERS (ENG) vs TYLER HAMILTON (CAN): 4-11; 11-6; 11-6; 11-4 (35 mins)
Tyler came out strong, playing tight length and forcing Lewis into playing some loose balls which Tyler capitalised on. This gave Tyler confidence and he started the second in a similar fashion but then Lewis found his length and movement. There was some breathtaking retrieving and the pendulum slowly swung in Lewis’ favour. Once Lewis got control of the match, he didn’t let go.
Walters “He played so well in the first and caught me by surprise. I started to find my way in the second and gained more and more confidence as the game went on”
Hamilton “Started so well! He got better as the game went on and took control. Played well and enjoyed it”

DAVID LETOURNEAU (CAN) vs MIKE McCUE (CAN): 13-11; 9-11; 11-5; 11-4 (52 mins)
Dave started off the match strong, controlling the rallies and forcing Mike to scramble. Mike played some incredible defense to stay in match. The first 2 could have gone either way as the score would suggest. Dave kept his composure and found his rhythm to control the full court and close out the match in the last 2 games. Mike might have created more pressure in the last 2 games had he been braver in taking the ball in short when Dave left it loose!
Dave “Great game. Mike played well and the first 2 could have gone either way. I felt I weathered the storm well in those first 2 games. I managed to work the ball in short well when the loose ball came my way. Looking forward to another tough one tomorrow – playing Razik!”
Mike “It was a good game of squash. I could have been 2-0 up instead of 2-1 down and the momentum may have made a huge difference. Happy with my game at the moment. Dave played well”

DECLAN JAMES (ENG) vs TOM PASHLEY (ENG): 11-9; 13-11; 11-8 (39 mins)
This was a fantastic game and the 3-0 score in no way reflects the quality of this game. The pace was high, both players covered the court incredibly well and there were some great winners played. Dec just managed to stay in front at the end of each game and that was the telling factor. A great match to end the night.
Dec “We both played well. I played with a lot of pace and felt I was volleying well. I haven’t felt this confident in myself in ages and this helped me stay in front”
Tom “Disappointed but also happy. I feel strong and was in there till the end. Maybe next time!”