2015 Day FIVE - round two begins       open in new window

[6] Camille Serme (Fra) 3-0 [9] Dipika Pallikal (Ind)
               11-5, 11-3, 11-2 (26m)

Camille Commanding

A dominant performance from France's Camille Serme, who after being 3-0 and 4-1 down in the first game took total control with Dipika Pallikal unable to do anything about it.

The sixth seed was sharp around the court, and found any number of good lengths which caused Pallikal all sorts of trouble.

When Pallikal did get opportunities art the front errors cost her, as in the final two points of the match, although in truth it was over by then.

"Very happy! I was a bit nervous to start with as I haven't done well here in the last couple of years so I was keen to do well.

"I managed to quickly find a good length which was the key to the match, Dipika is very dangerous if you give her anything loose to attack.

"Looking forward to the quarter-finals now!"

[4] Nour El Sherbini (Egy) 3-0 [Q] Siyoli Waters (Rsa)
            11-2, 11-8, 11-5 (24m)

Sherbini safely through

Having survived a five-game first round yesterday after losing at that stage in the previous two years, 2012 finalist Nour El Sherbini was understandably pleased and relieved to win again today.

The 19-yesr-old Egyptian was dominant at the outset, taking the first 11-2 and going 9-2 up in the second. Siyoli Waters, who had been struggling - as most do - with Sherbini's shotmaking, particularly her boasts - started to find her feet though, got back to 8-10 before Sherbini closed out the game.

The South African continued to compete well in the third, but Sherbini was not to be denied this time, going 6-2 up and finishing it off 11-5 to set up a quarter-final with Serme.

"She's had some tough qualifying matches so she was going to be a little tired coming in to this match, but once she got used to the court she played well.

"For me, I'm just happy to win some matches here, I lost in the first round the last two years so I'm really happy to be in the quarter-finals!"

Mathieu Castagnet (Fra) 3-0 Marwan Elshorbagy (Egy)
              11-6, 11-3, 11-4 (41m)

Castagnet charges into Quarters

France's Mathieu Castagnet, having beaten an injured sixth seed Peter Barker in the first round, made it through to the quarter-finals with a straight-games win over Marwan Elshorbagy.

It was a tight and well contested opening game, but from 5-6 down the Frenchman took control, reeling off six points in a row to take the lead.

And he maintained that control in the next two games, the young Egyptian unable to make a real impression, unable tio knock Castagnet out of his stride, winning those to games for the loss of just seven points.

"Last time I played Marwan I was 1-0 and 5-1 up and lost, so I knew I had to keep my concentration and not let it slip this time, and thankfully it worked.

"It feels great to be in the quarters, now I'll watch tonight's matches and hopefully I can play my friend [Greg Marche] in the last eight!"

[7] Simon Rosner (Ger) 3-1 Fares Dessouki (Egy)
              11-9, 11-4, 12-14, 13-11 (91m)

Rosner 'so Relieved'

Simon Rosner survived the longest match of the tournament so far to reach the quarter-finals, but how Fares Dessouki made the German fight.

The seventh seed edged a close 16-minute first game, taking the last point as Dessouki half stopped claiming the German had stood on his foot - no let. Rosner romped through the second 11-4, and when he recovered from 4-8 down to lead the third 9-8 it looked as though he was on his way through.

From that point though it took probably half of the game's 41 minute duration to finish it. Rosner got match ball at 10-9, twice thought he should have had strokes but 'only' lets were given, had another chance at 12-11 but Dessouki simply wouldn't yield and took it 14-12 with a roar of delight.

In the fourth Rosner again had to fight back, coming from 6-8 down to get another match ball at 10-9, another at 11-10, and finally got through on his fifth opportunity (not counting the numerous replays!) with a dying drive that a last Dessouki couldn't get.

"After the second game his increased his level, and made it so so tough.

I had chances in the third but he just wouldn't give me anything, and seemed to play even better when he was match ball down.

"I had to fight back again in the fourth, and I just can't say how relieved I am to finally get through that one!"

[Q] Delia Arnold (Mas) 3-1 [11] Annie Au (Hkg)
         7-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9 (56m)

Delia Confirms

No, it was not a fluke! After her great performance yesterday against Alison Waters, Delia proves she is more than a one day butterfly! There were a few too many lets at times, “let-centred” as Aisling Blake described it on SquashTV, and not much rhythm between those two attacking players with a similar style that kept finding superb attacks that died very quickly.

Third was crucial after Annie took the first 11/7 (10m) and Delia the second 11/8 (8m). It lasted 12m, and was point for point the whole way. Delia had a game ball at 10/9, saved by Annie, who unfortunately, tinned the next two points, offering a crucial advantage to her opponent, 12/10, now leading 2/1.

Fourth was the longest game, 14m, Delia dominating the game throughout and Annie playing catch. The Malaysian girl had her first match ball at 10/7, Annie saved 2, but got a no let at 9/10, confirmed by the video ref, gave the match to a delighted yet already focused on the task to come Delia.

I’m very happy to win my match today. I played Annie last week in the Asians, and the same thing happened, I was up 10/8 match ball, and I lost the match in 5!

That's definitely one of my best wins. Now I’m just going to stay focused, and take one match at a time…

[2] Raneem El Welily (Egy) 3-0 [Q] Yathreb Adel (Egy)
           11-5, 11-5, 12-10 (29m)

RANEEM CLOSES IT IN THREE

Yathreb had to qualify for the event, it was not easy, hard matches, mentally and physically.

Yesterday, she beat a four time BO Champion, Rachael Grinham, again a very tough match, and probably today the legs were a bit heavy… Raneem bless her took full advantage for that in the first two games that lasted 5 and 6 minutes, I kid you not.

Yathreb found a bit of energy in the third, pushing Raneem to make a few errors, finding some superb attacks. As Raneem did as well. Raneem had match ball at 10/9, a long rally – didn’t have many of those – but Yathreb saved it by a superb volley drop shot.

Raneem still got her victory though, 12/10, third game was the longest, 8m. As for stats, 9 unforced errors for Yathreb, 5 for Raneem, and only 6 decisions…

Yathreb had a good tournament, it’s actually her second big good tournament, and she is definitely one of the players to watch….

Delia is obviously in top form, it’s not going to be an easy match, I hope it’s one we are going to enjoy…

[3] Nick Matthew (Eng) 3-1 Gregoire Marche (Fra)
           7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 (56m)

NICK, BETTER AND BETTER

If Nick’s movement looked a bit tentative on his first match against LJ, tonight, he showed tonight that he is back in form. Yes, he took a bit to time to warm up – not a spring chicken our Nick is, give him a break (that will go well with him I’m sure), and he was 7/1 in the 1st, only losing that one 11/7, and again 4/0 down in the 2nd, but just found his shots/movement to break the Frenchman’s rhythm/momentum, 11/7 in 13m (first game, 15).

Third, Nick just overpowered the Acrobat, who just couldn’t respond, still, hard work, 17 long minutes, 11/8 Nick. The fourth was closer in fact, with Greg finding his second wind, being much more positive, and finding the sharpness he had in the first game, 6/6. Nick felt the danger, big push, 11/7, just over an hour. Perfect for the three times World Champ, who will be happy with his performance.

Greg showed tonight that with a bit of calm and experience, he was start knocking at the top players door. It’s hard when you see your opponent being 5 times quicker than yourself, thankfully I’m 5 times more experienced than he is.

I’m really taking one match at a time, my starts are too tentative, and I get to 6, 7, 8 before I start making my strive. It’s all about getting confident with my movement, that’s what makes the game of squash so explosive and so entertaining. I just need to be sharper with my movement.

It’s so nice that the tournament gave us a flat in town for my family, it’s so great to have them with me. Today, during the Rosner/Dessouki match, I could hear her, not cry, but make herself heard… not sure who she is taking that from…

It’s such a great feeling to have my family and friend around, Mum, Dad, Joe, who has been helping me so much with the ankle, and also Rob and Richard who are here tonight, I am indebted to them that I can play tonight, less alone win…

[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (Egy) 3-2 Borja Golan (Esp)
        4-11, 11-8, 11-6, 1-11, 11-7 (67m)

Shorbagy survives Spanish challenge

If you remember the report from Mohamed’s first round against James – if you haven’t read it, what’s your excuse?? – I did mention that slip into a split position that actually cost Mohamed the second game if I remember well.

I saw him stretching “Ramy like” and it looked like his hamstring was damaged. Today, heavily strapped, he struggled a bit against a feisty/passionate as ever Borja who just played the perfect game at times – when he was not letting his frustration getting in the way of his squash.

It was close the whole way, except in the 4th, where Borja took such a good start that Mohamed never got into it, letting it go to concentrate on the 5th. It was a clever move, as Mohamed clinches the decider, looking at the skies at then and I’m sure a few Hamdoulillah were spoken there in thanks…

Borja played so well, he played so differently from the way he normally does, he attacked a lot, played the ball so early, and I think that’s the way he should play all the time. He made me really nervous taking the ball that short, especially in the 4th.

I really had to dig in very deep in the 5th to come back, I used a bit of experience there and I’m really lucky I was able to close it down.

I had a bit of a slip in the second game against James, and I had to take the whole day off yesterday. Hopefully, I can carry on, this is the last event of the year, you know me, even on one leg I’ll keep pushing!

I’m happy to be in the quarters, I need that rest day more than any other player, and I intend to take full advantage of it!!!

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