Sept 21 Nash Cup
NASH CUP DAY 6 – MEN’S PSA FINAL
The final’s evening started off with an innovative “squash challenge”. Milou Van Der Heijden and Cecelia Cortes played some of the better players in the club, with a challenge involved. For example, they had to touch all four walls before winning the rally, or play with a racquet that had only six vertical and horizontal strings. The crowd loved it, the players loved it, and it was a great prelude to the men’s PSA final.
JOE LEE (ENG) vs SHAWN DELIERRE (CAN): 11-3; 11-7; 11-7 (47 mins)
Head to head, Joe led Shawn 2-0 on the PSA tour, but the last meeting was in 2011. This match was another one that was very hard to call, having seen both players throughout the week. Joe has been solid throughout the week, but Shawn has been explosive.
Joe took first blood compliments of an error boast by Shawn, but Joe returned the compliment with the very next point. The next rally showed that both players were feeling their way. It was long and ended up with a backhand volley drop winner from Shawn. Joe then made another error to give Shawn a 3-1 lead. The pace was high, and both players were seriously working the ball. Shawn then gifted Joe a point to make it 2-3. So far in this game there have been 4 errors and 1 winner – clearly a nervous start for both. Joe then did what he does best – builds around a good length, forces the boast, plays a good straight drop, and then attacks the inevitable cross court with a punishing volley to the back. The next rally was a long one (40+ shots) which Joe finished off with a backhand volley drop winner. Shawn followed this with an error to give Joe a 5-3 lead. 5-3 soon became 9-3 (a few errors from Shawn and some lovely winners from Joe). Joe went 10-3 up with a drop from a boast and then Shawn gave Joe the game with a tin.
Shawn came out strong in the second game like a wounded warrior and quickly won the first 2 points. Joe responded with 2 winners to bring it back to 2-2. Joe is doing something that not many players have done against Shawn until now – he is dropping from Shawn’s working boast and reasserting the advantage – and this is good. A great length from Joe which results in a boast error from Shawn and Joe has a 3-2 lead. The next rally ends with Shawn expecting a cross court, but Joe goes straight, 4-2 Joe. Winner Shawn, error Shawn, 5-3 Joe. They exchange beautiful drops in the front right, with Shawn having the final answer to bring it back to 4-5, but he follows it up with another error and its 6-4 Joe. Joe then makes 2 unforced errors, advantage gone, 6-6. They share winners to make it 7-7. Joe then puts together 4 wonderful, well-constructed rallies which result in either winners or errors from Shawn, to win the game 11-7 and lead 2-0.
It was all Joe at the start of the third and he built up a 6-2 lead. Joe has definitely got the bit between his teeth, but I know from talking to him that he is not going to take this for granted. He knows Shawn is dangerous and has a “never say die” attitude. Not trying to tempt fate (this comment was made before what happened next), Shawn pulled it back to 5-6. Joe settled down and went back to what he did best and went through to 10-6, match ball. Shawn managed to pull 1 back but Joe finished it off with a trademark cross court volley drop that left his opponent stranded.
In their speeches, both of the players acknowledged the hard work that had gone into the tournament, the phenomenal hospitality of the billets, the organization team (Jay and Dave), and how much they appreciated the crowd support.
A final message from the tournament host, Jay Nash.
“We made some changes for 2013 by doubling the purse (we increased the men’s purse by $5K and introduced a $5K WSA, and I couldn’t be happier with the way things have turned out. I don’t understand why all tournaments don’t’ include a WSA and a PSA tougher, as the interaction between the men and women enhanced our members experience immensely. We look forward to many more years of The Nash Cup.”
So we finally come to the end of a phenomenal week of squash. Everybody that has been a part of this tournament has enjoyed every moment of it. A huge thanks must go to Jay Nash for his meticulous planning and attention to detail that has definitely been acknowledged and appreciated by the players.
The tournament is not over yet though – there is an amateur event running alongside the pro event with 135 players in 11 different categories. Finals are tomorrow (fortunately I don’t have to report on these so I should get an early night)!
– David Morrish