24-Sep, Final:
DELIERRE CLINCHES A THRILLER AND BECOMES FIRST CANADIAN TO WIN THE NASH CUP
Dave Morrish reports

The crowd was eagerly anticipating this final having watched the boys play all week. Asking around the members, the views were mixed as to who they thought would win.

I spoke with the players before the match and asked them their game plans and thoughts.

“I need to keep it straight as Shawn likes to open up the court a lot," said Jan. "He is not that tight on his backhand and that is one of my strengths. I will be looking to attack straight both short and deep. I will be looking to get onto his short balls early and hold him. This game is definitely going to be interesting!

“I will have to play well tonight, that is for sure," admitted Shawn. "I don’t really have a game plan - I am going to go with the flow. Just hope I can play my best… I am ready.”

SHAWN DELIERRE (CAN) bt JAN KOUKAL (CZE)
      9-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8 (91m)

Game 1: 11-9 KOUKAL

Jan definitely kept to his game plan in keeping it straight. The rallies were long and Jan mixed it up well at the front with tight straight drops (which Shawn mostly got back) but then attacked the open space. He led 10-6 but then proceeded to 3 unforced errors with the drop from mid-court to give Shawn a sniff at the game at 9-10. A let followed and then Jan played his trademark cross court kill dying before the service box to clinch the first game 11-9.

Game 2: 11-9 DELIERRE

Jan took the momentum of the first game into the 2nd and established a 5-2 lead. Shawn played some good attacking and aggressive squash to get back to 4-5, but in “no let” at the front of the court (tight drop) gave Yan the initiative again at 6-4. Jan used the lob well in the game when under pressure and to break up Shawn’s rhythm. A few mammoth rallies later it was 7 all. Anyone’s game at this stage. Shawn led 9-8 but an unforced error evened the scores at 9 all. A winner from Shawn and an error from Jan gave Shawn the game 11-9.

Game 3: 12-10 DELIERRE

Shawn started well in the 3rd to build a 4-2 lead. Jan dug deep to make it 5 all and the match totally square. He then edged ahead 6-5 with another one of his trademark cross courts, but before he knew it he was 10-7 down. Through uncharacteristic unforced errors, 2 quick winners from Jan made it 9-10. 5 lets followed before Shawn made an error in the front right with a trickle boast, 10 all. A “no let” gave Shawn another game ball (11-10), and then 4 more lets followed before Jan was denied a let to give Shawn the game 12-10 and lead 2-1.

Game 4: 11-8 DELIERRE

Shawn definitely looked the stronger physically at the start of the 4th and built up a 3-1, and 4-2 lead. Jan looked to be on the back foot but persevered to lead 7-6. An error from Jan and it was 7 all, then 8-7 complements of a lovely tight drop in the front right. But suddenly before he knew it , it was 10-8 match ball for Shawn, and a great cross court dying length gave him the match.

“Relieved! I really wanted the first game and really wanted to impose my game, but he stole that right from me, and my hope. In the 2nd he came out firing and led for most of the game, but I tried to slow things down. I’m not sure how, but I managed to win the 2nd.

"In the 3rd I decided to straighten things up – Jan’s shots were on and I felt like a retriever, but I also felt like I was placing the ball well. I scraped that game 12-10. The 4th was tough until 8 all, but I hung in there and managed to take it 11-8.”

“Really disappointed. Started well doing what I wanted to do and did it well. I really had to keep up with that game as he breaks the rhythm – there were so many lets. In the 2nd I felt good and thought I made him work hard, but he hung in there and didn’t break.

"The 3rd was a close one too. I started cramping in the 4th and started going for it a bit more, and actually played some great shots but wasn’t able to keep it up. Shawn is not hard to play, but he’s hard to beat.”

 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6 (88

[3] Shawn Delierre

 9-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8 (91m)

[2] Jan Koukal

 11-9, 9-11, 7-11, 12-10, 13-11 (79m)

[2] Jan Koukal

Qualifying Draw:

2010 Event    2009 Event    2008 Event 

SHAWN DELIERRE (CAN) bt MARTIN KNIGHT (NZL)
            11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6 (88 MINS)

This match had everything and was a battle from start to finish. I have to admit that my money was on Knight as he looked the tighter and more solid player over the past two days.

But Delierre is deceptively good! He is an extraordinary athlete and after taking the sting out of Knight he used his working boast to punishing effect. Knight mostly sent the ball back deep and one could only wonder what if..... he countered the ball in short more with a straight drop.

It was a great match which thrilled the crowd and at the end of the day squash was the winner.

Shawn Delierre:
" I wanted to impose my game, because in my previous matches I felt I was just reacting and that was key, it was tight tonight throughout, but I was able to capitalize on his errors.

He pushed my fitness, but I was able to stay focused. Martin is a solid player and when he is on he is dangerous.

Martin Knight:
"He played very well tonight - he moved the ball around well, and for someone who moves the ball around as much as he does, he didn't make mistakes.

The first 2 games were crucial and going 2-0 down left me with an uphill battle. I played a good 3rd but he got a good start in the 4th and left me with too much to do. Too good tonight.

JAN KOUKAL (CZE) bt ANDREW WAGIH (EGY)
        11-9, 9-11, 7-11, 12-10, 13-11 (79 MINS)

This was a match between 2 evenly matched guys. They both tried to take the game to the other from the word go. The rallies were aggressive and the retrieving was breathtaking from both.

Wagih had a match ball in the 4th but Koukal saved it and then found himself behind again in the 5th but his experience showed through and he built up a 7-3 and 10-7 lead........ but Wagih had other ideas and got back to 10 all. Koukal eventually won 13-11 and yet again the crowd were treated to some spectacular squash.

Jan Koukal:
"Very intense and aggressive match. The court was pretty dead at the front so you tended to be more aggressive taking it in short. I deserved the first and he definitely deserved the 2nd. I felt I gifted him the 3rd. I had a bad start in the 4th but was lucky to hang in there and scrape it.

The 5th was pretty close all the way and I eventually got a little lead. I didn't feel I played better than him today, I was just a little more patient with the big points. I felt I had the edge as he had had some really tough matches leading into our game. He has improved alot in the past few months, especially his fitness. He impressed me.

Andrew Wagih:
"So close yet so far! I felt he had an advantage over me as I had played some really tough matches before him. I could feel his experience on the critical points.

I tried to be patient by mixing it up with long and short but I made too many mistakes at important times. I had a 4-0 lead in the 4th and if only I could have won a couple more points to lead 6-0 or 6-1, it would have been difficult for him to come back.

Good player. the crowd have been amazing all week. they really appreciate squash and I felt like I was in a platinum event rather than a $10k event! Lovely memories and I will be back for sure.
 

Birthday Boy ...

22-Sep, Quarters
TOP SEEDS COME THROUGH
IN NASH CUP QUARTERS
Dave Morrish reports

The tournament is reaching the business end now and the top seeds came through. There was some very entertaining squash which the crowd loved (they are a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic crowd at the London Squash Racquets Club.

Martin Knight, top seed, got the evening going with a very clinical performance against Dave Letourneau. Next up was Eddie Charlton against Shawn Delierre and agreat match was anticipated but Eddie was forced to retire after the 3rd after being up all night with a sickness bug. Fellow Englishman Oli Pett could not capitalize on a 2-0 lead against Andrew Wagih, and Jan Koukal, defending champion, closed proceedings with a clinical straight games win over Andrew Schnell.

MARTIN KNIGHT (NZL) beat DAVID LETOURNEAU (CAN)
       11-4, 11-2, 11-4 (41 MINS)

It will be hard to find a match between two nicer guys who are also exceptionally fair. As the score would suggest, Martin had too much for David, but what it doesn’t show is how competitive each rally was. This was a great match and the crowd loved it.

Martin Knight:
“really happy with the way I played tonight. Dave had 3 matches prior to this compared to my 1 so I set out to make it as hard as possible for him. I kept the ball low and flat as he is a superb volleyer. He was in each rally and I felt towards the end of each game that he dropped off a fraction and I was able to close it out. Good player. Very happy to be in the semis.

David Letourneau:
“Every rally was so long and played at such a high pace. He was so quick onto the ball that I felt I lost my first step. He really took it out of me. I did my best to slow it down but it dint change much other than to give me some respite! He made about 2 errors in the whole match. I felt I played well – he was just too good. I played four matches here and had an amazing time – Jay Nash has put on one hell of an event here!”

SHAWN DELIERRE (CAN) beat EDDIE CHARLTON (ENG)
    9-11, 11-8, 11-3 RETIRED (44 MINS)

This match was a potential thriller and it certainly started off that way. It became clear to those of us that know Eddie that something was not right – he was slowing the game down a lot more that he usually does and seemed lethargic. He sneaked the first and narrowly lost the second and then it was all down hill. It later transpired that Eddie had been up most of the night vomiting. Nothing should be taken away from Shawn though – he looked strong and looked like he could stay on court all night!

Shawn Delierre:
Never nice to win like that but I felt food tonight and felt I could have closed it out. Some of my A game was there tonight! Feeling really fit and have been preparing well for each match. I have come here to do my best and am really looking forward to the semis tomorrow”

Eddie Charlton:
“I was up all night vomiting and felt really weak going into the match (I couldn’t even warm up properly). I sneaked the first by slowing the game down and was close in the 2nd but then I was spent. I hate retiring from a match as I believe that when you step on court, you should see it through but I really had nothing left and didn’t want to make it worse. Credit to Shawn though, he is looking good.

ANDREW WAGIH (EGY) beat OLIVIER PETT (ENG)
        9-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8 (78 MINS)

This was a real crowd pleaser! The game was really played in 2 halves with the first half belonging to Oli with his discipline squash. He really closed the court down and forced Andrew into a number of unforced errors. Andrew started to cut out his errors and played some scintillating squash, full of “Egyptian flare”. Oli was definitely not out of it but lacks of concentration let Andrew back in after having leads in both the 4th and 5th, and Andrew reeled of 4 or 5 points on the trot each time. Great game.

Andrew Wagih:
“I have done a lot of work on my fitness and feel like I can compete with the better players now. My coach Hossam has done some great work with me and I thank him for that. I felt I made far too many errors in the first 2 games but Oli played well and forced me to try things. I tried to cut the errors out and be more patient and got more and more confident as the game went on. Oli doesn’t play your typical English game, he plays more like us (Egyptians). He moves the ball around well. Very happy and can’t wait for tomorrow!”

Oli Pett:
“Very disappointed – let that one get away. I was 2-0 up and playing well but then lost focus and started to open up the court and made errors – too many! I still felt I could win – he looked tired but somehow he managed to hang in there. My errors gave him momentum and confidence. Should have kept the door closed. Disappointing.

JAN KOUKAL (CZE) beat ANDREW SCHNELL (CAN)
           11-9, 11-8, 11-8 (33 MINS)

This was the last game of the evening. At times the players looked like they were doing training routines! They were good routines though! Andrew is as quick as his name would suggest but Jan just had that little bit too much at the end of each game. He won quite a few points with his hard low cross court that died just before the front of the service box. The rallies were good from both players.

Jan Koukal:
“I watched Andrew play in the world teams and he played well so I knew I needed to be on my game tonight. It was tough and there were a lot of hard rallies. There was not a great deal of difference between us tonight, I just felt I played the big points better. Very happy to have won in 3!”

Andrew Schnell:
“I came here with high expectations after a great summer’s training and the experience I gained at the world team championships with Canada. I was in each game and was even 7-2 up in the 3rd, but each time I got close to the finishing line, Jan made the rallies harder and played tighter. He definitely played the big points better than I did. I have a lot of respect for him, he is a class player.
 

Tom Panabaker (Manager of London squash club), Stefan casteleyn (Belgium), Dave Morrish (Club Pro), Thomas Brinkman (Canada), Yann Perin (France), Jay Nash (Host and founder of Nash Cup)

THE FRENCH CORNER Petit mot de London (au Canada !) où Yann et moi sommes très bien accueillis. C'était ici pour nous le premier PSA de l'année après une bonne prépa physique cette été. En ce qui me concerne, l'objectif premier était d'atteindre le draw. J'ai eu un bon tableau de qualifs, notamment au deuxième tour. Alors je savais qu'il fallait à tout prix que je gagne ce premier match contre Serediak! Je n'étais pas favori, j'ai gagné, mais je n'ai pas si bien joué que ça. Les interventions de Yann entre les jeux m'ont permis de construire cette victoire en jouant avec ma tête. Dans l'ensemble j'ai été trop irrégulier, et ce fut la même chose contre Kouki, sauf que contre un gars comme ça, quand tu construis pas les points et que tu mets la balle trop rapidement devant, tu te fais tuer parce que tu cours beaucoup plus que lui, et qu'il a quand même des coups dans la raquette ! Dans le troisième, petit déclic, je joue enfin un bon squash, mais juste le temps d'un jeu, et c'est frustrant. Dans le dernier je prends 11 points d'affilé, la tête n'a pas suivi. Quand je te dis trop irrégulier... ! Bon vu que j'en ai mis 11/0 en qualifs mardi soir ça annule celui-là non ;) ? Je plaisante, pas d'excuse pour ça. Maintenant l'important est de tiré des leçons de ces matchs, pour repartir sur de bonnes bases à Barcelone, dans 4 jours.

Tom Panabaker (Manager of London squash club), Stefan casteleyn (Belgium), Dave Morrish (Club Pro), Thomas Brinkman (Canada), Yann Perin (France), Jay Nash (Host and founder of Nash Cup)

Tom Panabaker (Manager of London squash club), Stefan casteleyn (Belgium), Dave Morrish (Club Pro), Thomas Brinkman (Canada), Yann Perin (France), Jay Nash (Host and founder of Nash Cup)

Tom Panabaker (Manager of London squash club), Stefan casteleyn (Belgium), Dave Morrish (Club Pro), Thomas Brinkman (Canada), Yann Perin (France), Jay Nash (Host and founder of Nash Cup)