Sept 26 Nash Cup 2014
Day 5–2014 NASH Cup
WSA Final & PSA Semi-Finals
Predictions from Dave Morrish:
Joe Lee vs Eddie Charlton 
This is a mouth watering match to look forward to! Although Joe leads their head to head 2-0 (both 3-0 incidentally), Eddie looks to be in some pretty special place right now. I thought he would win yesterday, but not like that. If he is feeling strong he is going to be very difficult to beat. Predicting a first win for Eddie here in the battle of Britain. 3-1 to Eddie.
Karim Ali Fathi vs Jens Schoor Tough one to call for the simple reason that Karim may have a few more gears and weapons that he hasn’t shown us yet. Jens is clearly playing well. He is strong physically and with 2 straight games victories under his belt I am gong to give him the nod to upset the second seed tonight. 3-1 Jens
Kanzy El Defrawry vs Hollie Naughton I thought Hollie played well yesterday. She will her coming into this match on a high having reached her first WSA final and I believe she will play well…but I am going to say Kanzy because she has this ability to reel off 5 or 6 points in a row at will, and that is a sign of class. 3-1 to Kanzy.
WSA Final
[1] Kanzy Emad El-Defrawy (EGY, 68) beat [4] Hollie Naughton (CAN, 75) 11-7, 11-5, 11-5 (23 mins) 
The Egyptian Kanzy, currently world ranked 68 but has been as high as 27 in the world before entering university defeated the Canadian Hollie Naughton, WR 75 in a high paced match that featured excellent shot making and retrieving on the part of Kanzy and hard accurate hitting by Hollie.
After sharing some early exchanges Kanzy increased the pace through a mixture of accurately hit shots plus a high court position. This pressure reduced the time that Hollie had both to play her shots and crucially to decide in a split second where to place the ball. This proved crucial as Hollie sometimes elected to play the wrong shot at the wrong time which Kanzy capitalised on. 2-2 swiftly became 9-3 and Kanzy won the first game 11-7.
In the second game Kanzy raced into a 9-0 lead through a mixture of pressured play and wonderful shot making. This is the Egyptian brand of squash people have come to love – hitting dead nick winners when the opportunity presents itself. After finishing the second game 11-5 Kanzy again charged into an 7-1 lead in the 3rd game. Hollie managed to claw some points back but Kanzy ran out the game 11-5 and took the match 3 games to 0.
After the match Hollie spoke of her nerves since this was in fact her first PSA final. She felt tight and wary of her shot selection. In an instinctive game like squash with split seconds making all the difference this was a big disadvantage to young Hollie.
Kanzy on the other hand has been in these positions many times before from world junior days to top tier PSA events. Speaking after receiving the NASH Cup trophy, she thanked her hosts who “fed me me poutine and that’s why I won!”
Report by Kárlis Zauers
PSA Semi Final [4] Eddie Charlton (ENG; 55) beat [1] Joe Lee (ENG; 32): 11-8, 11-5, 3-11, 2-0…retired (59 mins) 
The potential matchup between Joe and Eddie had been talked about in the London squash club for days as the early rounds played out. Even though Joe had the lifetime 2-0 match and 6-0 game lead, this had all the makings of an epic battle.
The first game was a cat and mouse affair on both sides, neither person wanting to give the other the upper hand. There was great sportsmanship from the onset with this battle, with players giving up points handed to them by officials, to ensure fairness. By the end of the first two games, it was Eddie’s great holds and hands that edged out Joe’s diverse arsenal. The first went 11-8 and Eddie gained momentum in the second with an 11-5 showing. Both games showed splendid shot making, holds, power, retrieval and at times, magic. But, by the end of it, all spectators still expected this match to go five.
The third held true to form with Joe dominating 11-3, as one would expect when a player of his caliber has his back against the proverbial wall. He looked revived and invigorated to go the distance.
The fourth started out in Joe’s favour 2-0 when he sustained an unfortunate injury. In an attempt to stop from barreling into Eddie, he twisted his body, landing awkwardly and injuring his left ankle, going down. The warrior that he is, he got up and tried to return. He needed an injury time out and assessment by medical personnel. His ankle was treated and taped, but sadly, it was not meant to be on this night. He sustained a severe ankle injury that prevented him from returning.
The disappointment on Joe and Eddie’s faces was palpable. Neither gladiator wanted it to end this way. To both competitors’ credit, they were ultimate sportsmen throughout. Take nothing away from Eddie on this night though. He deserved the win for a spectacular game of squash that bedazzled the crowd and had many admiring “how did he do that”.
Match report by Keith Sequeira
Jens Schoor (GER; 87) beat [2] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY; 46): 11-7, 6-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-7 (58 mins) 
Many thought that this would be Karim’s match with 31 places between them in world rankings and having come though earlier rounds relatively easily winning 3-0 in each game.
Jens, however started very well taking an 6-0 lead. Despite taking some points back Jens ran out the game 11-7. The style of play very much suiting the German.
The second game Karim played more like himself and he increased the pace dramatically. With Jens still throwing in superb backhand drops and keeping Karim ‘honest’ it wasn’t enough to stop the Egyptian.
It was a similar affair in the third with Karim taking it 11-4. And then began a more measured game from both players with Karim fighting to push a higher pace and Jens working the front of the court, throwing in back hand drops at will. Jens took the 4th …just.
The fifth was anyone’s game but with Jens back hand drop working so well he kept firing it in and is there can be any criticism of Karim it was that he kept giving him the opportunity. Jens took it 11-7 in the fifth.
Karim: Very disappointed with my match today. Jens: When it went to 5 it was anyone’s game. I am happy that I prevailed today.
Report by Karlis Zauers