Sept 24 Nash Cup 2014

Day 3–2014 NASH Cup

PSA First Round & WSA Quarter Finals

Another busy and exciting day with 12 matches being played between the WSA and PSA events.

PSA

[1] Joe Lee (ENG; WR 32) beat Lewis Walters (ENG; WR 110): 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3 (53 mins)

March reporting from Dave Morrish via on-line streaming

Intro – what a pleasure to be asked to report on a match and congratulations to Jay Nash for taking this tournament to a new level with live streaming.

The match started out with Lee [WR 32] finding his length early and pulling out to a big lead. Walters settled down in the second half of the first game drawing close to 6-7. They exchanged point for point for several long rallies before Joe showed his experience pulling away to an 11-8 first game win.

Joe started the 2nd with a couple of uncharacteristic unforced errors but soon went back to the drawing board with solid and disciplined squash (which he needed to as Lewis in my opinion was dictating the play).

The rallies got longer, but not in a boring way – both players were using the whole court (drop and volley drop at the front) and covering the court like the fine athletes they are. Joe then started to move away from Lewis, getting onto the ball early and chopping in a good short straight ball. Lewis was not done though and brought it back from 5-8 to 8-8. The pace was still high from both players, and so was the retrieving. We are definitely at the “business end of the game”. As so often happens, the higher ranked and more experienced player closes it out from here and Joe did just that. Lewis didn’t do much wrong….he was still playing his shots, getting everything back and generally playing great squash. Joe was doing the same but capitalized on the vital openings he was presented with at the end of each rally which he duly put away into the open spaces. Great game!

Both players started off the third game where they finished and exchanged points up to 6-6. It was very hard to choose between the 2 players. Both making the odd error, and playing winners, great retrieving, long rallies….who would make the break? At 6-6 a long rally resulted in a “no let” which Lewis disputed and Joe acknowledged and asked the ref to play a let. I have been watching Joe play squash since he was 10 and he has always been a fair player. Good to see he still has this attitude. Lewis thanked him by winning the next 4 points to take a 10-6 lead. Joe got one back but Lewis closed it out 11-7. Game on!

With both players starting off like they did the game before, taking the ball early, exchanging points to 3-3, it looked like we had a match on our hands. Sadly for Lewis (happily for Joe) this was not the case – Joe reeled off the next 8 points with some solid squash (and a few gifts from Lewis) to take the match 3-1. Great match!

I was following the scores from the game next door between Peter Creed and George Parker, both of whom I have known for a number of years. Would have loved to have seen it!

Lewis: Started slow but made my way back into it. Bit left it a little late in the first! Overall happy with how I played.

Joe: We’ve known each other since we were young and perhaps that showed a bit in our play. Happy to have won against a tough opponent.

[7] Peter Creed (WAL; WR 79) beat [Q] George Parker (ENG; WR 197): 8-11, 11-3, 6-11, 11-5, 11-5 (46 mins)

Match reporting by Karlis Zauers

What a see-saw battle this turned out to be. Peter [WR 79] started the slower and with him failing to hit his lines in the first game George took full advantage by taking the ball in short with vicious but also accurate cut, especially on the left hand wall, from some of Peter’s ¾ length shorts. Moving into an early lead he maintained it for the rest of the game despite Peter’s great efforts. And some efforts they were! At 9-5 to George and after playing a wonderfully disguised short boast Peter dived from the back court to retrieve it! At 9-6 to George, Peter shapes up to hit a cross court but at the last instant somehow turns his racket over to hit the ball straight into open space. But George had his own reply and off Peter’s serve at 9-8 George hit a thunderous roller. 10-8 to George! After a loose right wall overhead that just clipped the side wall, George showed excellent court craft by positioning himself for a backhand shot, therefore taking more court space and boxing Peter in and playing a reverse angle boast into open space. Great tactics from George and he takes the game 11-8.

Peter quickly got into the lead in the second helped by some errors from George. Both players moving well and showing their skill. Peter picking up many of George’s balls taken in from the back of the court as before but with Peter on them quickly he was able to counter drop them and often into the knick. Peter now hitting better length than in the first and hitting straight, especially off some of George’s short boasts and straight drops. Peter takes it 11-3.

George comes roaring out of the blocks early in the 3rd game taking the first 4 points and forcing Peter into some errors. Both players keep hitting winners and tins in equal measure and George maintains his lead until serving to Peter at 8-4 Peter powers his return into the knick! But another couple of errors from Peter gives George a game ball and George seals the game when, after a long rally, he leaps up and plucking an overhead from a great height he sends it into the knick for another roller! 2-1 to George.

In the fourth it’s Peter who takes an early lead. 5-0 becomes 7-2 becomes 9-3 with Peter’s great play forcing George into some mistakes. A left wall squeeze from Peter brings up game ball at 10-4. A stroke to George save one game ball – 10-5. Great retrieving now with superbly taken in balls being picked up by both players. With the front court being covered so well Peter elects to drive the ball deep for another cross court winner. 2-2 and we’re into a fifth!

Peter opens up an early lead in the 5th taking the first 3 points. But George replies to tie it at 3-3. A straight drop off a serve gives Peter the lead again, 4-3. Some loose play ends with George hitting the tin. 5-3 and a bellow erupts from George. A well taken forehand straight kill from Peter off a loose-ish crosscourt from George now has Peter leading 6-3. But a no let makes it 6-4! Another frantic rally. Straight and crosscourt drives mixed with working boasts and opportune straight drops ends with Peter clipping the tin off a tight left hand wall drop by George to bring it back to 5-6. But this was as close as he got. Tiredness perhaps, a loss of concentration by George, whatever is was, Peter took advantage in the next 5 rallies hitting some excellent length which gave him the opportunity to play a forehand drop for 7-5, too good for George to retrieve. 8-5 from some great straight hitting. 9-5 from a great cross court kill! A ¾ length drive from George is taken by Peter for a great straight kill. 10-5 and 5 match balls to Peter. He only needed one after George hits the tin on a left wall drive. Game to Peter. Commiserations to George after a great match. He certainly is one to watch!

Peter: I was a bit edgy in the first and wasn’t hitting my lines. Once I relaxed I tightened up my play and played a lot better. Looking forward to my next match.

George: Disappointed of course not to have won. But Peter played well at the end to take it. Congratulations to him.

[5] Raphael Kandra (GER; WR 59) beat [Q] Nick Sachvie (CAN; WR 218): 11-0, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6 (38 mins)

Match reporting by Keith Sequeira

Raphael came out of the gate at full speed. He cut balls off adeptly, his anticipation, power and finesse were overwhelming in games 1 and 2. Nick did not know what hit him and looked weary from two prior nights of 5 set matches (and four match points against him), physical squash (and who could blame him). Nick somehow found a way to summon a reserve for the third game and it created a great squash game with great ball movement, power, holds, changes of direction and pace. Nick squeezed out the third and looked revived. However, on this night, Raphael was too much. It was a competitive fourth game but Nick’s legs could not handle the punishing pace and great skill administered by Raphael and the lingering impact of the past two nights.

Nick: He was unbelievable in the first two games. The entire match, he made very few errors and was extremely tough. I am pleased with my performance in this tournament. I had a great time and thank the tournament committee.

Raphael: I tried to keep the pressure on from start to finish. Nick has great racket skills and I needed to give him as little time to prepare and be deceptive. I am very happy with my game tonight and look forward to the quarters.

[4] Eddie Charlton (ENG; WR 55) beat [Q] James Van Staveren (CAN; 407): 11-7, 11-4, 11-7 (35 mins)

Match reporting by Messrs Amit & Sujai Shah

This was a highly anticipated match, as James had showed tremendous poise, patience and racquet strength as he dispatched two much higher ranked opponents in qualifying for the main draw. As Western Men’s Team Captain, he had the home crowd on his side. Eddie is at the Nash Cup for the fourth time: he is a known and appreciated as a competitor also, and the crowd readied for a battle. The first game started with intensity and quality from the opening rally. James demonstrated an exceptional ability to get behind deep balls and make quality returns. Eddie kept him guessing with holds that lasted just a fraction of a second longer than one thought possible. After going down 4-1, James patiently constructed two lengthy rallies and capitalized on them both. At 3-4, he produced a lovely backhand reverse boast to tie the game. James showed he had no intention of being satisfied with an opening round berth only. The crowd saw the potential for a major upset and was thrumming. Now level, the next point also went to James as he shaped a backhand crosscourt, sold the deception to Eddie, and then nailed a straight backhand drive to take the lead. Eddie came right back with a strong return and resulting stroke call. He then showed some brilliance of his own with points from a forehand crosscourt kill followed by a forehand nick. At 9-6 for Eddie, James needed to take back control, but Eddie’s serve died in the backcourt corner and put James into a tremendous hole. Nonetheless, James fought back with an entertaining series of exchanges that included a hotly disputed let call. The purple tide was rising as the Western player brought it to 8-10, but Eddie finished with emphasis and game 1 was taken by the Englishman 11-8.

It was clear that there was no intimidation factor in the first game, and James had come to play. But Eddie had come to Canada on a mission also, and he brought a laser like focus to rapidly take the lead in game 2. He punished the ball and showed a plasticity of joints reminiscent of Elastic Man. James’ returns had depth, quality and variety, but Eddie’s long reach and deep lunges meant that nothing less than perfection would give James a point. James fought back into the game with a dead nick drop and some fantastic length that defeated even Eddie’s coverage. But Eddie showed his experience and dialled in for two crosscourt nicks to put him at 9-4. James at this point was under tremendous pressure and was showing fatigue from the punishing rallies. The game closed at 11-4 for Eddie.

Game 3 and James pulled out all the stops. He briefly took a lead at 4-3 through more brilliant rally construction, but an impeccable lob by Eddie tied up the game. At 6-4 for Eddie, the players jostled and circled each other for control of the T – these two elegant players briefly looked like they were in a wrestling match. Intensity remained high, and Eddie produced a drop that appeared to be sucked into the side wall. James was undeterred and won the next point with a tremendous boast. Eddie played a rare unforced error to bring us to a 1 point game, and the crowd got behind James yet again. Eddie took the next two points. Down 9-6, James responded with a masterful reverse boast. The dream died here however, as Eddie once again showed his pace, length and quality and he patiently took advantage of James’ fatigue to close out the match 11-7.

James: The first game was a close one … he took that one and it hurt me … I had already played in two matches and he was fresh and got lower to the ground.

Eddie: I had seen James play, he is talented with the racquet … I could feel he was tiring at the end and I took advantage … Nice to be back for the 4th time, I love this tournament.

Sujai: My Dad wouldn’t stand a chance in there!

[LL] Sunil Seth (GUY; WR 149) beat [WC] Albert Shoihet (CAN; WR 373): 8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-4, 11-8 (63 mins)
Match reporting by Bobbert Doherty

Wow, what an impassioned affair. Albert, with a large Western and Canadian Squash following taking on lucky loser Sunil who, due to a late withdrawal from Shawn Delierre (due to injury) was given a second chance in the draw.

No mythical mizuki shots today. This one was serious with a spot in the quarter finals going to the winner.

Albert started the better of the pair leading 5-1 and 10-5 before eventually winning the first game 11-8. Rallies were long and attritional with both players displaying similar levels of speed and athleticism.

But in the second game Sunil came into his own. The hard work of rallying with Albert for 1 and a half games had paid off and with perhaps a slight dip in concentration by Albert Sunil seized his chance and hit a rick vein of form going from 1-3 to winning 10 of the next 11 points with super clean drives and crisp hitting. Also nicking out when the opportunities presented themselves kept the pressure firmly on Albert.

With the games standing at 1-1 the third would be crucial in term of match momentum. The battle started early in the third with attritional rallies punctured by some remarkable shot making when opportunities presented themselves. This was gladiatorial stuff. Balls being forced past players with great pace only to be retrieved from the back of the court with skill of battle hardened been in this position before players. Albert gained an early lead 4-2. And pushed on to 7-3 with some great cross court hitting. The next 4 points were shared with Albert leading 9-5. Sunil took the next 5 points to lead 10-9. And Albert, lifted by the enormous support of his following in the gallery took the next 3 points to win the third 12-10. Breathtaking squash from both players!

But credit to Sunil, he didn’t let his head drop after the third. Working straight lines and keeping attacking opportunities for Albert to a minimum he took an early lead in the fourth game. Albert was a little flat after the exertions of the third game but he still hung in there. 3-0 to Sunil became 4-1 and players traded points up to 6-4 for Sunil. With the hard work paying off for him Sunil had Albert moving and chasing the ball instead of attacking and with a number of side wall squeezes he won the last 5 points to take the fourth 11-4.

I didn’t fancy Albert to regain his earlier momentum but somehow he did and started the start of the 5th very positively taking the first 3 points. Both players traded points 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 7-7. Attritional squash with both players somehow still covering every inch of the court with great efforts being made to keep their shape and poise. 3 points in a row to Sunil and 3 match balls! 10-7. First match ball saved by Albert! 10-8. Another long rally and finally a tired boast, the ball clips the tin and Albert turn to offer Sunil his hand. 3-2 in 63 mins to Sunil.

Sunil: No mizuki shots today! That was a hard game of squash. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Albert: No complaints, I had my chances. Well done to Sunil.

Jens Schoor (GER; 87) beat [6] Charles Sharpes (ENG; 67): 5-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-9. (58 mins)

Match reporting by Robbert Doherty

With Jens winning their previous matches on the PSA tour he perhaps was a slight favourite dispite Charles superior PSA ranking. Charles started the brighter winning the first 4 points but Jens retaliated winning 4 of the next 6 pints to just trail 4-6. Another good run of points to Charles with the aid of some excellent length and squeezes and pulls away 10-4. He takes the game 11-5.

The second game was over 20 mins long and was hard level pegging squash with both players playing superbly. 3-3, 4-4, 5-5… Jens takes it 13-11 after a number of tense rallies and some tough decisions for the referees.

The third was similar but at 6-7 Jens pulled away to take the last 5 points to win it 11-7. Both players were playing well with Jens perhaps playing with some better tactics and certainly taking his chances when the presented themselves.

In the fourth Jens continued his good form to take an early lead 5-1. Charles recovered to 4-5. More tight rallies with both player working each other looking to create openings. 6-4 became 8-6 and 10-6. 4 match balls to Jens! Charles saves the first 3 but not the 4th. Jens wins the fourth 11-9 and the match 3-1. Charles will be disappointed not to have saved the last match ball.

Jens: Glad to get the win!

Charles: Jens played well. Got to work on how I finish games better.

Declan James (ENG; 81) beat [Q] Jan Van Den Herrewegen (BEL; WR 167) 11-8, 11-6, 13-11. (37 mins)

Match reporting by Brad Handebury

Declan started very well hitting good length. Jan started slowly but he did pull the game back to 6-8 after going 8-1 down. Declan did well to regain his focus at the end of the first game.

The second game was much better by both players. Both are tall guys and didn’t let a lot of balls past and both were volleying very well. Declan took it 11-6 but Jan was playing well.

The third was really close. Jan managed to get to game ball at 10-9 after being 6-9 down. A number of lets and tight play where Jan had some chances but none of them were easy. Physically Jan looked to be tiring but he still covered the court with great strides. Declan kept the play tight and always away from Jan moving him more and more until he could work an opening. Once he drew level there was only going to be one winner in the 3rd but Jan did pull one back but Declan took it 13-11.

Declan: Had a healthy lead in the first which he pulled back. Have to work on closing out games. Happy to win in 3.

Jan: Happy with the game. Declan played well. I started badly but after I relaxed I got into the game in the 2nd and 3rd games when I was a bit more confident. He’s a big guy with a big reach and difficult to get the ball past!

[2] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY; WR 46) beat Dane Sharp (CAN; 89): 11-6, 11-9, 11-8. (55 mins)

Match reporting by Garry Sullivan & Aaron Stilson

The first game saw an extremely high pace. Karim came out with some solid deep court lengths and snap crosses, catching Dane leaning too far in the wrong direction. Dane battled back with some excellent recovery shots and deft touch, but it wasn’t enough as Karim took the game.

The second game saw a close battle with both players stepping up on the court and making aggressive plays. An important mid game rally saw over 30 shots with Dane eventually winning on endurance (and a timely stroke call). Dane used the rally to propel to a 9-6 lead but Karim managed to battle back with some well placed winners and a loose ball from Dane to win the game 11-9.

The third game was a tight affair with Dane again taking an early lead. Karim looked off his game only to battle back and find his length as the game went on. The match came down to the wire with a controversial end, where a questionable call caused Dane to speak up and receive a conduct stroke to lose the third game and the match.

Dane: I thought I played well. Spend 2 days looking at video analysis and knew what I needed to do. But as I tired my strategy slipped a little bit. I should have kept attacking when he was lifting but that was hard and my mental tiredness hurt me in the end. Left too much in the referee’s hands.

Karim: It was a good match. Dane is a very good player. I wish the refereeing was more consistent. My strategy was to play the ball quick. His game was pressure on the back. My crosscourt worked well for me tonight but his length from the backhand side did a lot of damage.

WSA

Cecelia Cortes (USA, WR 70) beat [8] Nayelly Hernandez (MEX, WR 101): 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 (26 mins)

Match reporting by Srinivas Krishnamorthy via on line streaming
The match between the left-handed Cecilia and the right-handed Nayelly made for an enthralling spectacle because of the constant switching of play between the two walls. It started with both players finding the corners with consistency and accuracy. There was nothing to choose between the two of them halfway through the first game when the score read 6-5 in favour of Cecilia. However, one felt that Cecilia could always take her game up a notch and sure enough she won the next 5 points to close out the game. Her signature shot was a hard hit back hand cross court into Nayelly’s weaker side. As an aside, Cecilia’s backhand swing is fascinating to watch because of the way she puts her body weight through the shot – something the coaches constantly preach to juniors.

The second game followed a similar script with the first few rallies being evenly fought. At 3-3, Cecilia imposed her play to run away with the next 6 points. One felt that Nayelly was tiring; on a couple of occasions she failed to move for the straight drop after being forced to play a boast.

In the third, it seemed like Nayelly had decided to put one last effort. Her drives were more positive and she managed to keep pace with her higher ranked opponent. At one point Nayelly was actually leading 6-4, partially because of a series of four lets in a row that seemed to upset Ceilia’s composure and rhythm. However, the southpaw regained her focus to put together a series of severe backhand drives followed by perfect volley drops from loose balls popped up by Nayelly. With that Cecilia closed out the match. A professional performance from her with not too much energy expended. Nayelly, on the other hand, will look back and try to figure out how to keep her game up for the second half of games. After all, that makes the difference against higher ranked opponents.

Cecelia: Nayelly has always been a great player so I was lucky to win in 3. She moves so fast and hits the ball really well.

Nayelly: Cecelia managed to finish each game very strongly. I wish her well in the rest of the tournament. She played well today.

[4] Hollie Naughton (CAN, 75) vs. [6] Antonella Falcione (ARG, 82): 11-3, 9-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5 (54 mins)
Match reporting by Arden McKillop

This was a great game of squash. Hollie was hitting the ball really well in the first game and getting winners from deep back hand drives. She won the first 11-3. Antonella came back in the second and both girls were hitting the ball really hard and having long rallies. Antonella won the second 11-9. But it was all Hollie again in the third. Crisp backhand shots were getting her outright winners or forcing weaker returns from Antonella which Hollie capitalized on. She won the third 11-3. Another big game where the score remained close throughout. Antonella played really well and retrieved superbly which along with her own great ball striking gave her the opportunity to win 11-9. Anotonella seemed a bit tired in the 5th but the score was close until Hollie pulled away from 5-4 to 8-5 and eventually won 11-5.

Hollie: Played well, happy to win the battle! Been having them recently and losing in the 5th. Happy to be on the winning side this time. Credit to my opponent for pushing me.

Antonella: Tough match! Hollie played really well. I lost focus at times which is disappointing. She played better today.

[7] Nikki Todd (CAN, 84) beat [3] Thaisa Serafini (BRA, 71): 11-6, 11-7, 11-6. (19 mins)

Match reporting by Dougal McKillop

Both players arrived promptly for their match looking intense and eager in the warm up. Todd sporting a flattering black one piece dress while Serafini looked resplendent in an orange top and blue skirt combination.

As the early phase started it was apparent both women were trying the establish a length game. As the rallies built, Todd showed superior patience and also shots when appropriate to take the first game 11-6.

Pace and pressure were the order of the day as both women battled for control of the ‘T’. Todd exerted her influence with a solid 11-5 victory in the second.

Game three saw Serafini keeping pace with Todd during the early going. She was now minimizing her earlier errors and loose hitting. But Todd was able to reestablish her length coupled with some crafty drops and she pulled away to win 11-6. This was a great result for Todd who was the lower ranked player in this match.

Nikki: It was a good clean game. Both of us moving well around each other. Many of the rallies were very intense. My countering worked well today.

Thaisa: I am disappointed of course but congratulations to Nikki. I was a very fairly played game of squash.

[1] Kanzy Emad El-Defrawy (EGY, 68) beat [5] Diana Garcia (MEX, 80): 11-4, 11-1, 11-4 (18 mins)

Match reporting by Graham Leitch

In game one Kenzy’s agility, power, and accuracy right from the beginning of the game allowed for an early lead. This trend continued as she kept control of the ‘T’ and she moved into a 7-1 lead. Despite Diana’s best efforts Kanzy took Game one 11-4.

The Egyptian opened game two in the same fashion as the first, attacked early in rallies and she gained a 6-1 lead. She continued to use her power and accuracy and cruised to an 11-1 second game win.

Strong drops and quick feet allowed Kenzy to keep the pressure on Diana which forced her to make costly errors, providing El-Defrawy with the 11-4 victory in the third game. 3-0 to Egyptian Magic!

Kanzy: I had a long trip from Hartford yesterday but my legs felt good today. I really tried to focus on length and build from there. In game 3 my shots were maybe a little loose so I want to wake up and play with better concentration tomorrow. This is my first time at the Nash Cup. It’s a great event and so well run. I’d love to come back again. The people I’m staying with are so funny. He keeps giving me advice, telling me to play with Egyptian Magic! I’m trying my best!

Diana: It was a tough game for me today. Kanzy hits such a good length that it’s hard to attack from. She played fantastic and I wish her the best in the rest of the tournament.

 

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