Sept 20 Nash Cup
NASH CUP DAY 5: LADIES WSA FINAL + PSA SEMI FINALS
We were treated to just under 200 minutes of top class squash today. We started off with the men’s semis and left the ladies final till last.
In the PSA semis there were 3 possible combinations – an all English final, an all Canadian final or an English / Canadian final. I am not sure how the bookmakers work out their odds but I think the later would be the safer bet……. And that was the case!
First up we had Joe Lee and Shahier Razik. After yesterday’s performance, no one would have bet against Shahier, and at 5-5 in the 4th that was still the case. Sadly Shahier had to take a 3 minute injury break and was unable to continue.
Ben Coleman and Shawn Delierre followed and this was another hard call, purely because Ben had just played 2 of the best games of his life to reach the semis. He tested Shawn big time but the higher ranked Shawn prevailed 3-1 in 101 minutes.
And then to the first ever Nash Cup WSA finals between Milou Van Der Heijhden and Maria Toorpakai Wazir. This was an exciting game and the score does not really do it justice. Maria ended up winning 3-0 to become our first champion.
JOE LEE (ENG) vs SHAHIER RAZIK (CAN): 11-8; 6-11; 11-6; 5-5 rtd (66 mins)
Going into this match, Shahier had beaten Joe on their past 5 PSA meetings…… but the last one was in 2011!
Joe started well and took an early 2-0 lead with a volley boast winner and an error from Shahier, who responded with a winner and squeezed error from Joe, 2-2. The next rally was superb – 40 shots, with Joe finally playing his trade mark cross court kill that had perfect weight and width. Winners and errors exchanged hands and then Joe pulled away to lead 8-4. I might add that none of these rallies were cheap or short! Shahier brought it back to 6-9 a little later and then8-9 before Joe caressed a backhand cross court volley drop into the nick to lead 10-8. Joe took the game with an exquisite backhand drop into the nick.
I spoke to Delierre in between games and asked him what he thought. He said a lot would depend on the next game as Shahier gets more dangerous as the game goes on and his “engine” warms up”. Well he looked be talking sense as Shahier built a 7-3 lead. He was moving as well as ever and playing steady but positive error-free squash and Joe was making a high number (by his own standards) of unforced errors. 7-3 soon became 11-6. One game all!
Joe took the first point of the 3rd but the next rally (long) ended with a tin from Joe and then another. 2-1 Shahier. Shahier gives nothing – he makes you have to win points and this often drags his opponents into “forcing” shots, which Joe was starting to do. Joe re-grouped and built up a 4-2 advantage but a few rallies later (and a few errors from Joe) it was 5-5. The next rally was one of the best of the match – Joe had Shahier all over the court, but his ability to absorb and recover are second to none and he finished the rally with a perfect cross court drive. He was now 6-5 up. Shahier made an uncharacteristic error to bring it back to 6-6, after which Joe put together 4 lovely rallies to lead 10-6. Another error from Shahier and Joe was 2-1 up
The fourth was nip and tuck to 5-5 – very few lets, both players trying to play the ball. Something happened and shahier pulled up and asked for a 3 minute injury break. Sadly he was unable to continue after the break. When I spoke to him afterwards he said he hadn’t played 3 hard games in months and it took its toll on his knee. Sad way to end a game, but Shahier can leave this tournament with his head high and the utmost respect from all who had witnessed his play. I for one thoroughly enjoyed watching him play. At 35 it is incredible to see the way he can still play at such a high level. One mustn’t take anything away from Joe though, he is playing some great squash.
Joe “ Felt like I played really well in patches but I lost my way at times and that’s partly because of the way Shahier plays. If I could have cut out the errors, I may have done more. He showed last nightthat he is much better than his ranking. I have played him before (5 times) and although I had lost them all, it didn’t play on my mind – I actually felt the pressure was more on him! I have done so much work over the summer, both physically and technically, that I feel like a new player. I am in the final and have not spent too much time on court, so I am pleased. Looking forward to tomorrow – it’s a final, how can you not look forward to it! Played him twice
before and won both but that means nothing. New day, new player. Its on the day”
Shahier “it was shaping up for a good match but unfortunately my left knee gave way on me in the 4th. I believe it was due to being out of action for 5 months. But I am very pleased to be competing again and look forward to the rest of the season. The Nash Cup is a unique and lively event, and very well run. Hope to be back next year”.
SHAWN DELIERRE (CAN) vs BEN COLEMAN (ENG) 11-7; 9-11; 12-10; 11-6 (101 mins)
This was always going to be a long drawn out battle! 2 very fit players with 2 good matches behind them!
Ben made the best start with patient rallying and “not forcing” the game to lead 2-1 but Shawn came back strong and dominated most of the middle part of the game with his ferocious pace and explosive speed around the court to take an 8-3 lead. Ben dug in and managed to pull it back to 6-8 but Delierre continued to dominate, stay in front and had the first game ball of the night at 10-7, which delivered the final punch to take the game 11-7.
The match continued I the same vain – long gruelling rallies, played at a high pace, combined with unbelievable retrieving from both players. Shawn moved to 9-6 before an error, 2 no lets and a conduct stroke (not sure why), suddenly made it 10-9 Ben. He only needed the one opportunity to take the game and did so with a winning drive to the back. One all, game on!
The 3rd was long. Both players shared winners and errors, retrieved and fought, up to 8 all. Shawn pounced on a forehand cross court and killed it with a back hand straight volley winner to the back. He followed this up with a trickle boast winner to lead 10-8. A no let and a perfect length winner from Ben and it was 10-10. Big points at steak as a 2-1 lead awaits the winner of this game. Shawn “won” the nest 2 points rather than Ben losing them and took the 2-1 lead.
Just like yesterday, Shawn came out strong. He was actually moving as well and quickly now as he was at the start of the game, if not quicker! He stayed in front and built up a 9-5 lead. Ben
managed to pull one back but Shawn reeled off the next 2 points to take the match 3-1.
Shawn “Happy with tonight. Felt Ben played beyond his ranking, and I told him so. Ben pushed me to the end. Even at 10-6 match ball I was not convinced that I would win. No one has given me an easy ride in this tournament to get to the final. I feel physically in the best shape of my life – I did a lot of work in the summer and playing in Columbia earlier gave me a tournament under my belt. Very thankful to have made it this far and right now I am enjoying the moment.
Ben “I can not complain about this tournament! I beat 2 people I have never beaten before and produced some of the best squash I have ever played. It was tough against Shawn tonight. I gave my all but it just wasn’t quite good enough. He played well and I am content with my performance. This tournament has given me a lot of confidence. The club have really taken care of the players and I would like to thank everyone involved in the tournament – great event guys!”
MARIA TOORPAKAI WAZIR (PAK) vs MILOU VAN DER HEIJDEN (NED) 13-11 11-3 11-9 (27 mins)
This was a special game as it was the first ever WSA Nash Cup event. It was nice to see the top 2 seeds reach the final (despite both beating Canadians in their respective semi finals!). Also, Maria brought her coach down for the final – none other than Mr Jonathan Power!
Milou had got better as the tournament had progressed and she started out well against Maria. Maria was always going to play at a high pace so it was important for Milou to take space away from her opponent. She led 3-2, 5-3, 7-4 but Maria strung a couple of good points together to get back to 6-7. It was now Milou’s turn to sting some good points together and she marched to 10-6 game ball with patient but positive squash. Maria then took it to Milou and played 3 winners and got a stroke to bring it back to 10-10. They shared points to 11-11 then Maria played 2 boasts to win the game – a volley boast and a trickle boast.
The second game was all Maria. The high pace won its fair share of winners but also forced a number of errors from Milou. 11-3 Maria.
The 3rd was very keenly contested. Maria maintained her momentum and went 2-0 up. Despite a big fight back from Milou, Maria built on this to lead 5-2. That became 7-3 and 9-5. So close to the finishing line. Did Milou have anything left to throw at her opponent? Answer – yes! She went from 5-9 to 9-9 in one hand and one had to ask why she hadn’t played this quality of squash throughout the match (simple answer is that Maria was not letting her). Maria stayed calm and won the next 2 points with a volley boast and a cross court drive winner to become the inaugural WSA Nash Cup Ladies Champion.
Maria ”when I win a tournament, I feel that I am moving forwards towards my goals.so winning today means a lot to me. I was nervous. I played well and that helped control my nerves. I love London Squash – the people are lovely and very enthusiastic about squash – they understand it! I would love to come back next year but a lot will depend on where I am with my ranking”
Milou “Obviously disappointed to lose. At 10-6 in the first, I got 3 “no lets” and this unsettled me. After the first she played much better. She is a very physical player. After going 2-0 down I was not going to just lie down without a fight but she did play better than me today. I am still happy with the tournament. London Squash is a great place. I don’t get to play in front of big crowds that often like there was today. I had a lovely billet (Jay Nash and his family) and met some lovely people, and hope to be back next year.