Cristina Gomez (ESP) playing Enora Villard (FRA)

Wednesday Match Results

A packed crowd was out to take in the 16 matches tonight and came away extremely happy. A handful of upsets reminded everyone that nobody is safe in these draws.

The quarter finals begin tomorrow at 4:30pm.

Wednesday Match Results

Court 2 3pm [1] Melissa Alves (FRA; 45) bt. [16] Eva Fertekova (CZE; 93) – 3-0 – 11-4; 11-6; 11-2

Court 1 3pm [7] Nikki Todd (CAN; 62) bt. [11] Anna Kimberley (ENG; 75) – 3-1 – 11-6; 11-3; 8-11; 11-9

Court 2 3:45 [1] Vikram Malhotra (IND; 63) bt. [11] Alex Noakes (ENG;182) – 3-0 – 11-5; 11-5; 11-3

Court 1 3:45 [7] Reiko Peter (SUI; 116) bt. [15] Fernando Magdaleno (MEX;241) – 3-1 – 10-12; 11-8; 8-11; 5-11

Court 1 4:45 [8] Donna Lobban (AUS; 64) bt. Hana Moataz (EGY; 142) – 3-1 – 11-4; 11-3; 8-11; 11-8

Court 2 4:45 [3] Enora Villard (FRA; 55) bt. [12] Cristina Gomex (ESP; 76) – 3-2 – 8-11; 9-11; 11-7; 11-7; 11-4

Court 2 5:30 [5] Christopher Binnie (JAM; 96) vs. [14] Cory McCartney (CAN;217) – 3-0 – 11-9; 11-1; 11-5

Court 1 5:30 [4] Leonel Cardenas (MEX;79) vs. [9] Tristan Eysele (RSA;142) – 3-0 – 11-6; 11-7; 11-8

Court 2 6:30 [4] Emilia Soini (FIN; 57) bt. [15] Marie Stephan (FRA; 83) – 3-1 – 11-6; 6-11; 11-7; 11-6

Court 1 6:30 [10] Cindy Merlo (SUI; 74) bt. [5]Sarah Cardwell (AUS;59) – 3-2 – 6-11; 11-7; 6-11; 11-6; 11-4

Court 2 7:15 [3] Alfredo Avila (MEX; 71) bt. [16] Daroshem Khan (CAN;266) – 3-0 – 11-9; 11-3; 11-6

Court 1 7:15 [8] Cameron Seth (CAN; 126) bt. [10] Noah Browne (BER;147) – 3-0 -11-4; 11-8; 11-6

Court 2 8:15 [13] Alison Thomson (SCO;78) bt. [6] Nicole Bunyan (CAN; 61) – 3-1 – 6-11; 11-8; 13-11; 11-5

Court 1 8:15 [2] Jasmine Hutton (ENG;54) vs. [9] Catalina Pelaez (COL;73) – 3-1 – 11-8; 8-11; 11-5; 11-6

Court 1 9:00 [6] Lyell Fuller (ENG; 108) vs. [14] Ben Coates (ENG;211) – 3-0 – 11-8; 11-6; 11-6

Court 2 9:00 [2] Auguste Dussourd (FRA; 68) vs. Guy Davidson (USA; 353)

Wednesday Match Stories:

Those exiting the men’s draw tonight leave 30 points (equivalent of a top 160 average). 10 of the 16 men playing are ranked above this tonight.

Those exiting the women’s draw tonight leave with 51 points (top 51). Only Melissa is ranked above this so even those who lose will come out ahead.

Court 2 3pm [1] Melissa Alves (FRA; 45) vs. [16] Eva Fertekova (CZE; 93)

After getting into the 2018 NASH Cup at the last minute, ranked 194 in the world, Melissa Alves returns in 2019 as the #1 seed in the women’s draw with a rank of 45. However, the rankings among the women are tight and everyone knows they have a chance. Eva Fertekova would like to shake things up quickly.

The first game was one everyone the crowd would have hoped for. Strong rallies and a tight score all the way through. More points were won than lost as each player showed they could hit a winner from just about anywhere. Melissa took it and we are expecting to see a shift in strategy for game two as both players now have a read on things.

The second game offered two very different halves. The first half was tight and Eva jumped to a quick 2-0 lead maintaining control of the court and forcing Melissa into some uncomfortable shots. Then things seemed to swing. Eva’s shots got a little looser and Melissa’s got tight. From 6-6 Melissa was in control taking the second game 11-6.

In the third game Melissa found the 18 inch mark (an inch above the tin) and hit it again…and again….and again. It didn’t seem to matter where she was standing or the height of the ball. There really wasn’t anything Eva could do to stop it. If this is a sign of things to come the fans are going to have some amazing rallies to watch in the coming rounds from Melissa. Melissa takes the match 3-0.

Court 1 3pm [7] Nikki Todd (CAN; 62) vs. [11] Anna Kimberley (ENG; 75) – (note: This was their second PSA match. Nikki took the first 3-0 at the 2018 JC Women’s Open in Ottawa)

First match of the day for court 1 saw the leader of the “muchachas” (aka Nikki Todd) up against Anna Kimberly of England. The first rally of the match both had gals set their stalls out with a brutal 40 shot rally. In the mid point of the first game Toddles found her length, putting a lot of pressure on her opponent with some classy straight lines. This coupled with a couple of cheeky backwall nicks put her in the driving seat going into the back end of the game which she duly capitalised on with a severe backhand volley drop to close out the first.

Kimbo responded quickly at the start of the second volleying everything and imposing an intimidating pace on the game. Toddles stuck to her guns though and methodically worked her opponent corner to corner with the crowd being treated to some superb shot making from Todd and scandalous athleticism from Anna who threw down a few full splits into the front left corner. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to break Toddles stranglehold on the game, 2-0 to the muchacha.

The third game was a highly contested affair, with the high pace AK enforced in the second game perhaps paying dividends as Toddles lines started to go a little wayward which enabled AK to hold the middle and hit some wonderful kills. It was a brilliant game of fast paced attacking squash that kept the large crowd captivated and excited. Kimbo’s slice delivered a huge knockout blow, closing the game out by pouncing on the volley and hammering a huge forehand volley kill.

The fourth game was anyone’s, with long rallies of very open squash. Lots of angles being used and the full front wall in play. The length of the points appeared to take its toll mentally on Kimbo as she hit a couple of errors in the mid patch of the game, amazingly her movement showed no sign of breaking down, continuing to get low and keep her back leg close the T as an anchor. After saving four match balls AK stopped midpoint as the Toddlers shoelace came untied citing a safety concern with the refs giving a ‘no-let’ and leaving the crowd not only speechless but ever so slightly shortchanged on what could have been a dramatic finish. A brilliant match from both girls who undoubtedly will both be a fixture in the PSA top 20 in the coming years. Congratulations to Nikki on a great win and a strong start on her comeback from a bad hamstring injury late in 2018.

Written by Stu Hadden

Court 2 3:45 [1] Vikram Malhotra (IND; 63) vs. [11] Alex Noakes (ENG;182)

Malhotra comes back to NASH Cup as the number 1 seed. He lost a semi-final heartbreaker to eventual 2018 NASH Cup champion Alfredo Avila last year. Vikram avenged that loss with a win the following week in PEI, but he is hungry for local redemption.

Noakes is fresh off a win over local hero Jayden Shortt. He has an opportunity on paper – Vikram is coming off bilateral ankle surgery earlier this year. Will this provide the challenger the window he needs?

First game starts with a backhand length clinic. The players trade nick winners and it’s even early on. Noakes is a gazelle on the court – lean, fluid, mobile. Vikram is an experienced pro. He moves the ball around the court in a four corner drill. Noakes lunges, slides, drives. He is up to the task. Vikram prevails with superior footwork, shot making, and game strategy.

Second game moves faster. Vikram is done with warm-up – his mobility is on full display. Noakes plays some brilliant balls, Malhotra keeps them all in play. Noakes may be a gazelle, but he is facing a Jedi … at the full height of his powers. Noakes chances vanish like Obi-Wan Kenobi on the Death Star. Players take their rest. Sarnia squash legend Gary Delavigne comments “If you look with right light, you can see one drop of sweat on Vikram’s cheek.”

Third game and Malhotra pulls out the full arsenal. Perfect working boasts, complete command of the T. Noakes puts out a terrific effort, but he can’t plug this dam. 3-0 and Vikram is moving on.

Reporting by Amit Shah

Court 1 3:45 [7] Reiko Peter (SUI; 116) vs. [15] Fernando Magdaleno (MEX;241)

Reiko and Fernando are both in the NASH Cup for the second time. They have never met in PSA competition and their rankings would suggest that Reiko has a strong advantage. That isn’t the way things started out though as Fernando jumped to a solid 7-4 lead. Reiko has the height, but Fernando is remarkably fast and seems to be able to get his racquet on everything. Reiko has to work to gain control of the T where is has some level of control. Fernando’s clean crosses are a major factor in these rallies as Reiko can’t get comfortable. 10-7 and the pace seems to change in Reiko’s favour. 9-10. A tough “no let” on the right wall makes it 10-10. Another tough call at the end and the game goes to Reiko 12-10. From a main floor vantage point both calls could have gone the other way…but from upstairs (where the ref’s are) it must have been clear.

The second game is tight right from the start. After such long rallies in the first both players seem more willing to push for a kill shot. Fernando takes the early lead again working to 6-3. Reiko seems to have two gears and, so far, he hasn’t made the shift. 9-5 and the good money is on some long rallies. Fernando hits a brilliant drop in the front left to go 10-5. Fernando is ALL OVER the court and Reiko is pushing the rally to every corner. 8-10. Fernando is looking for that one great bounce. Back right corner and Reiko digs it out…..back left corner and Reiko digs it out. Finally, a front left drive proves to be enough and we have a 1-1 tie.

There was a delay as Reiko needed to bandage a hand between games (non-racquet hand). He came out strong in the third maintaining a lead throughout. Fernando never get him get ahead by much but struggled to get the T and fell 8-11.

Reiko uses the same approach in the 4th getting an early lead; extending the rallies. He’s trying to use his size to advantage. 6-3. Perfect drops for each of them and we are 7-4. This is a gentlemen’s game, and Fernando is quick to call a lift on himself bringing things to 9-5. A perfect closer ends it 11-5.

Court 1 4:45 [8] Donna Lobban (AUS; 64) vs. Hana Moataz (EGY; 142)

This could prove to be one of the most interesting matches of the night as Donna is an experienced veteran while Hana is just getting going and currently training at a US College. Hana hasn’t been competing in many PSA events, but she has been playing college and may be a dark horse in this tournament.

Experience takes control early as Donna jumps to a 4-0 lead before Hana can find a winner. Donna is unlikely to make many errors meaning the Hana is constantly needing to go for the tight shots. 5-1. Hana’s outfit is unique and quite stylish with an open collar sleeveless top and headband. Like her college counterpart Olivia Fiechter who played in 2018 there is almost a custom look. Donna is up 9-4 and seems to have control with some great low drives. A beautiful cross drop from mid court ends the first game 11-5.

Hana has changed the pace in game 2 favouring longer rallies which this commentator believes is probably the right approach. Donna is in amazing shape, but when you have an age advantage you might as well try and use it. Donna is relentless. She has 11 PSA titles to her name and the experience keeps shining through. 9-3. She closes out the last points quickly and takes a 2-0 lead. It’s going to be interesting to see what Hana comes back with in game 3.

Donna is unstoppable. “A unique offensive boast” is what her shot is called by Paula Jenkins and Trish Fulton who are watching from the front row. Very few players are able to use the shot the way she does. She jumps to a 3-0 lead….just a quickly it slips to 3-3. A weak cross into the tin and Hana has the lead for the first time at 4-3. Hana is on a roll and builds a 7-3 lead before nearly going down as she changes direction. 7-4. Two more “offensive” boasts and things are getting tight. Hana holds on to an 11-8 win to push things into a fourth game.

The 4th starts with a perfect winner from Donna at the 18-inch mark. Almost no bounce and inches from the wall. Hard fought opening points and were 5-5. Donna’s winners are certainly a strength as she closes to go 6-5. A high wall burner by Donna gives Hana a 7-6 lead. Unforced errors and Donna is up 9-7. Hana gets a great bounce in the back right corner to go 8-9. Donna hits one final boast for an 11-8 victory.

Court 2 4:45 [3] Enora Villard (FRA; 55) vs. [12] Cristina Gomex (ESP; 76)

The 2013 NASH Cup was one of Enora’s first PSA events, and she’s been back every 3 years since. These players met up in the 2018 Simon Warder (Sarnia) with Enora coming out as a 3-1 winner.

Game 1 had both players starting the match developing length and feeling each other out. Gomez starts the attacking with some great mid court boast to jump to early lead. Villard a little more hesitant on the attacking as her first couple chances at winners hit tin. Gomez is out front in this game but Villard fights back with great length and width to stretch out Gomez and comes back to get to 8-10 but Gomez retrieves a great drop by Villard and delicately cross drops it for the game, 11-8. Game 2 Both players really quicken the pace and start attacking the ball. Some great touch and power nik winners has them trading points back and forth and no one has more than a 1 point lead the whole game until they hit 9-9 . A pickup by Villard was called down, who was shocked with the decision and is followed by a quick tin gives Gomez the second game, 11-9. Game 3 Looks like Villard has changed things up a bit and is hitting a lot of straight lengths and is keeping the ball from crossing the middle of the court. The seems to be working ,keeping Gomez stretched out and not allowing her to volley attack as Villard jumps to an 9- 5 lead. Villard keeps to the plan even as Gomez hits some fantastic winners and battles back but the plan was victorious as Villard takes it 11-7. Game 4 Both players come out hitting incredible length and looking for their openings . Gomez hits some great volley winners and soft touch just to mix it up to take a 6-4 lead. Villard isn’t going to give it away and starts to move Gomez to every inch of corner and comes back to take a 9-7 lead. An incredible drop and rail on the wall and Villard comes back to take the fourth 11-7 and push a fifth game. Game 5 Game starts with Villard pouncing on a few loose shots to jump to an early lead. Gomez gets back serve at 3-7 & tries to stem the attack of Villard. A great attacking boast and a few tins give Villard match ball at 10-4. Villard finishes the match with a great straight drop and completes the comeback from 0-2 down.

Rob Doherty Reporting

Court 2 5:30 [5] Christopher Binnie (JAM; 96) vs. [14] Cory McCartney (CAN;217)

Game 1… It’s the runner up from last year’s NASH Cup and Caribbean legend Chris Binnie versus Canadian Cory McCartney (unfortunately no relation to Paul). Early strategy seems that McCartney is being pushed around the court as Binnie jumps and cuts off most balls. McCartney’s defending holds up for most of the game as no player had more than a 1 point lead until 11-9 for Binnie.

Game 2… Binnie is really pushing the pace. Cutting balls off and forcing the Canadian to chase and defend. All Binnie here as he takes a quick game, 11-4.

Game 3… Game starts as game 2 ended. McCartney under all sorts of pressure and working real hard for every point. A valiant fight, but the Canadian saw another level here. Binnie with a 11-5 win.

Mark McLean Reporting

Court 1 5:30 [4] Leonel Cardenas (MEX;79) vs. [9] Tristan Eysele (RSA;142)

Leonel has climbed the ranks quickly cracking the top 100 for the first time in March. He has 6 PSA titles.

A couple of very short rallies to start of this match as both players hit many errors. Leonel is controlling most of the rallies and gets off to a 5-4 lead after getting a couple of strokes in his favor. Eysele is defending very well but its no match for Leo’s incredible attacking and non stop pressure. Cardenas takes the first 11-5

A couple of strange calls in the start of the 2nd. Leo gets off to a very good start 4-0. Tristan is starting to get a little bit of momentum in the 2nd and brings the score to 4-6. He is not getting anything from the refs a couple of calls should have went in favour of Eysele but didn’t. Leo gets up 10-7 and serving with 3 game balls. Cardenas takes the 2nd game 11-7 and now leading 2 games to 0.

Tristan starts very well and is up 2-0. Loe gets to a 4-2 lead after a couple of lucky bounces and great attacking plays. Eysele is getting frustrated out there. He is really starting to move up the court and volley more. Its causing Leo a bit of trouble. For the first time in a while Tristan has a 7-6 lead. Leonel serving 10-8 match ball. Leonel takes the match 3-0

Court 2 6:30 [4] Emilia Soini (FIN; 57) vs. [15] Marie Stephan (FRA; 83) – (note: This is the second meetings of these players with the first going to Marie 3-1 at the 2016 Richmond Open)

Emilia’s retrieving and shot making was too much for Marie. The match was loaded with ‘let calls’ due to contact in this hotly contested match. For lack of a writers complete input we turn to Emilia for a few words – “I knew that I was going to have a tough second round and have faced Marie many times in Juniors — not sure I ever one – Things went my way early and then the ball went a bit sold changing things in the second. A bit thank you to Nikki Todd for some coaching between the second and third. I changed my approach, started hitting the ball straighter, and a bit softer which brought things back under control”.

Court 1 6:30 [5]Sarah Cardwell (AUS;59) vs. [10] Cindy Merlo (SUI; 74)

Game 1… the short story is Merlo made lots of errors. Cardwell showed too much experience and was dominant. 11-5 Cardwell.

Game 2… the short story is that Merlo turned the unforced errors into winners in this game and jumped to a big lead. Game two is a mirror image of game 1 with Merlo controlling almost every rally. Cardwell got a few points to end the game to make it closer than it was. 11-7 Merlo.

Game 3… Both players come out trying to wrestle for the momentum with some great rally’s early. Cardwell jumps out to a 6-2 lead with some great shots and forcing Merlo into some strokes and tin. This is beginning to resemble Game 1 again, lots of great pressure by Cardwell and lots of loose shots and tin from Merlo. Game to Cardwell, 11-6.

Game 4… As the match is basically a seesaw back and forth battle, this is all Merlo early, jumping out to a 7-2 lead. Cardwell with some good length, power and controlling shots to get it to 9-6. Merlo with a two great forehand winners to take it 11-6.

Game 5… Merlo starts with a few great attacking shots early to jump out to a 5-2 lead. A tough couple of strokes gets Cardwell back to 4-5. Merlo with a few more attacking drops and volleys to jump out to a 10-4 lead and then finishes it off with a forehand volley drive. Merlo wins 3-2.

McLean

Court 2 7:15 [3] Alfredo Avila (MEX; 71) vs. [16] Daroshem Khan (CAN;266)

Avila, the 2018 Nash cup winner, was the favourite going into this one. Having the upper hand regarding experience, Khan, a local junior was in tough! Khan tested Avila early on however, Avila’s experience shined through right off the hop! Both players hitting hard and putting on a show during game 1. Unfortunately, Avila’s intensity and experience was too much for khan and the experienced Mexican takes game 2 and 3 as well, sweeping Khan, 3-0!

Written by Mike McNeil

Court 1 7:15 [8] Cameron Seth (CAN; 126) vs. [10] Noah Browne (BER;147)

Court 2 8:15 [6] Nicole Bunyan (CAN; 61) vs. [13] Alison Thomson (SCO;78) – (note: This was their second PSA match. Nicole took the first 3-0 at the 2016 Nicola Wealth Open)

Right away it was obvious this one was going to be a long one! Sit down, strap in, because this one is going the distance! Both ladies were comfortable assessing their opponents game while extending the first few rallies. Nicole finds her groove first and takes the first game 11-6! Canada is on the board! 1-0.

Game 2 starts off even closer than the first! 7 minutes in, 4-4, nothing between these two ladies! Nicole is really starting to find her groove now! Making shots, digging balls, the momentum is really on her side early on into this second game! And then out of no where, Thompson takes flight in an attempt to pick up a ball from Bunyan, albeit successful, Nicole’s right there to smash it home for the point! The entire sequence draws a huge roar from the crowd! Late into the second, Allison turns up the heat, pulling away and winning the second 11-8. Games are tied 1 – 1

Game 3 kicks off with a bang and you guessed it, these ladies are neck and neck once again! Both ladies are hitting the ball very well and finding their marks. Ever since the first serve, these ladies keep exchanging points, right up to 11-10! Nicole has the lead and is serving for game point. After a fantastic tie break rally, the score is 11-11, Alison isn’t going anywhere! After a few more points, Alison takes the 3rd 13-11, incredible! 2-1 Thompson!

Alison comes out swinging and takes a commanding 4-0 lead over Bunyan, from Canada! Blood is in the water and the Scott can sense it – she’s looking to close out the 4th in a hurry! 7-3, Thompson’s in the business end of the match now and there is no sign of her letting up any time soon! It’s now 9-4 and Bunyan looks determined to make a come back but can she?!!! Both ladies are making incredible shots and getting to everything; however, after an incredible counter drop, Allison achieves match ball, 10-4! The last rally may have been the best of the match. Nicole does everything in her power to prevent a Thompson victory; however, is unsuccessful when Thompson makes an incredible 3 wall boast, off the serve, that finds the nick!!! Game, match for Scotland!

Court 1 8:15 [2] Jasmine Hutton (ENG;54) vs. [9] Catalina Pelaez (COL;73)

Hutton played simple yet effective squash. Cruising to a game one victory.

Hutton continued her attack as the second game started. At 6-6, Paelez found some magic and forced Hutton to hit some tin and make some mistakes in the business end of the match. Game 2 to Paleaz.

After early back and forth in Game 3, Hutton started to take control of the game and march again. With good length and attacking off weak shots, Hutton took game 3.

Game 4, was much like the game 3 as Hutton proved to have too much in her game tonight against Paleaz. Paleaz was defending most of the night and she withstood a lot of pressure for much of the match, but it wasn’t enough as Hutton advances with a 3-1 victory.

Written by Mark McLean

Court 1 9:00 [6] Lyell Fuller (ENG; 108) vs. [14] Ben Coates (ENG;211)

Court 2 9:00 [2] Auguste Dussourd (FRA; 68) vs. Guy Davidson (USA; 353)

Davidson enters into battle after a strong showing the night before to face the 2nd seed, an up and coming fresh faced French player who jumped out to a quick lead. Davidson pushed back with some well timed short shots, but Auguste hit some amazing deceptive crosscourt shots that took Guy by surprise. The first was in the books 11-5.

The strong play from the #2 seed continued in the 2nd, his stealthy movement seemed to help him get to everything Davidson put out there. After jumping out to a 7-0 lead, the crowd erupted when Davidson brought it back to 7-4. Unfortunately for him the game ended as the first did 11-5.

The third started out with a focused Davidson who hopped out to an early 5-2 lead, after returning quality shots from Doussard. Auguste evened up this fine evening in September and kept the gas on throughout the rest of the third to seal the match 11-5 again, and 3-0. The match was wildly entertaining regardless of the score line. We expect to see much more from Davidson in the future and for Doussard to provide some raucous entertainment though future rounds. Looking good!!!

Written by Jeremiah