11-Nov, Final:
Yaser takes Baltimore Cup ...
Ben Garner reports

Yasser El Halaby captured the Baltimore Cup in a thrilling final. It was a topsy-turvy match, and one which held the capacity crowd enthralled. After losing the first game the Egyptian came storming back to take a 2-1 lead against an increasingly despondent looking Illingworth.

However, the second seeded American would not give up without a fight and the fourth game turned into a classic. Towards the end of the game there were some superb rallies, with both players attacking and retrieving in equal measure.

Illingworth won the game, but the effort took its toll and El Halaby always looked the stronger in the fifth, to deservedly capture the title having beaten both the top seeds.

10-Nov, Semis:
An almost all-American final ...
Ben Garner reports

It was a bad day for Colombia at the Baltimore Country Club today.

Top seed Miguel Rodriguez was put out of the tournament after an inspired display from Yasser El Halaby. Rodriguez has been on great form recently, rising to #36 in the world and reaching the final in Montreal last week. The Colombian looked set to continue his run after taking the first game today. However, from that point on El Halaby started playing superb squash, moving Rodriguez around the court before dispatching winners into all four corners.

Rodriguez began to look a little jaded, and even his trademark speed was not enough to halt an increasingly confident El Halaby.

In the final El Halaby will face Julian Illingworth, who beat Bernado Samper in a close four game contest. The players were very even for the first three games, before Illingworth pulled away in the fourth.

The final between Illingworth, the highest ranked American ever, and El Halaby, the best player to ever go to college in America, is one the members are eagerly anticipating
  

Roland Park Clubhouse

Under way in Baltimore
Ben Garner reports

Qualifying began today for the Baltimore Cup, held at the Baltimore Country Club.

Match of the day was between Lefika Ragonste, who lives in Baltimore and is the former head pro at the BCC, and American youngster Chris Callis. Callis took a 2-1 lead, but Ragonste’s greater experience showed in the last two games as he unsettled his younger opponent with lots of drop-lob combinations.

All the other matches were decided in three games. However, it was a memorable day for Taylor Tutrone, a 14 year old who plays at the BCC. Tutrone, who is ranked no.3 in the USA under 15, won through a competition amongst club members to receive a local spot in the qualifying.

Whilst he lost to Cesar Salazar, Tutrone put in a great performance and will have learnt much from the experience.

07-Nov:
Qualifying complete in Baltimore
Ben Garner reports

Qualifying was completed tonight at the Baltimore Country Club, with three of the top four seeds progressing to the main draw.

The only upset came when South African Jacques Swanepoel defeated Lefika Ragonste, the second consecutive day he had beaten a higher ranked opponent. Despite arriving late due to being caught up in a huge traffic jam, Baltimore resident Ragonste rushed on court and won the first game. However, Swanepoel levelled and then clinched the crucial third game on a tie-break before closing out the match.

The match of the evening took place between Reggie Schonborn and Gilly Lane. It was a high quality match, both in terms of the standard of play and sportsmanship, with Schonborn’s greater consistency eventually proving the difference.