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Day
THREE,
Wednesday 6th April:
Round Two, the Last 16:
 White gatecrashes top eight
Framboise reports on the second
round
plus the players' views ...
[1] Thierry Lincou (Fra) bt
[10] Amr
Shabana (Egy)
6/11, 11/7, 11/10(2-0), 11/3 (53m)
[6]
Jonathon Power (Can) bt [9] Gregory Gaultier (Fra)
10/11(0-2), 11/1, 5/11, 11/3, 11/2 (72m)
[12] John White (Sco) bt
[4]
David Palmer (Aus)
7/11, 11/9, 11/4, 11/6 (68m)
[7]
Nick Matthew (Eng) bt Ong Beng Hee (Mas)
11/8, 11/9, 11/9 (72m)
[5]
James Willstrop (Eng) bt [11] Anthony Ricketts (Aus)
11/6, 11/8, 7/11, 3/11, 11/8 (97m)
[3] Peter Nicol (Eng) bt Azlan Iskandar (Mas)
11/10(3-1), 11/5, 11/9 (45m)
[8]
Karim Darwish (Egy) bt Olli Tuominen (Fin)
11/5, 11/5, 11/7 (37m)
[2] Lee Beachill (Eng) bt [13] Graham Ryding (Can)
11/4, 11/7, 11/2 (40m) |
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LINCOU:
SWITCHING WAS THE KEY…
There were two distinct games within a game while Thierry Lincou
and Amr Shabana were battling for a place in the quarters (yes,
already…). First, The Prince of Egypt was of a lethal precision in his
length, leaving the Frenchman powerless, left to suffer under the
relentless pushing around from the Egyptian. Then, in the second part of
the second game, starting at 7/2 to Shabana to be exact, Thierry was
finding precision, length, and eventually later in the fourth, his
unreturnable volley drop shots, backhand in particular.
 At
7/2 in the second, I wrote in my notes, “Amr disconnects his brain”.
Because it’s what it felt from outside. In fact, it’s probably a
combination of physical tiredness, lack of focus, an unsettling feeling
caused by the change of tactics from his opponent…
One day, James Willstrop said after one of his matches, “Squash is such a
mental game it’s a joke”. Yop. With the same opponent, during the same
match, a few minutes apart, first, Shabana was going for killers, and
would find them, and then, in the fourth, it was the Frenchman that went
for his, in particular a backhand volley drop shot from the back of the
court at 4/3 on his serve, a shot that was so bold and well executed, that
whistles of amazement and admiration fused from the knowledgeable crowd.
Confidence is the name of the game…
As the two players mention it in the aftermatch interview, I thought I
would explain what happened in the third. At 11/10 Thierry serving, Amr
was asking for a let, but appeared to still play the shot. To tell you the
truth, I’m not exactly sure of what happened really, I was confused by the
commotion, but the referee ruled no let, and that decision gave Thierry
the third game.
And Amr was not a happy bunny…
Lincou must have been glad to “avenge” his defeat against his mate that
occurred in the semi final of the last British Open, and is now marching
on to play Jonathan Power.
Fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride…
Thierry Lincou (Fra) bt
Amr
Shabana (Egy)
6/11, 11/7, 12/10, 11/3 (53m) |
 "I
started very badly, it was a horrible feeling, I just couldn’t do
anything, he was perfect, his length was perfect, on both sides! I
couldn’t control anything, I couldn’t step in front, I couldn’t react…
"I took the heat for a game and a half, I was only reacting, not
proactive at all, and suddenly, I relaxed, as I knew that from my
relaxation would come
my precision. And I started to hit the ball early, I volleyed, I hit as
hard as I could, because I know he doesn’t like when you attack him short.
It’s his game, he doesn’t like when it’s done to him.
"By accelerating the picking up of the ball, I was able to return the
situation. And then, we had the decision from the ref on the game ball in
the third. I’m a bit unsettled with it, not sure what to say except I wish
it had finished differently, but it was the ref’s decision.
"In my head, I knew I had to attack at all costs, but to do that, I had to
find my length, and then, only then, I was able to play my volley drop
shots. I’m quite happy with the way I played in the fourth, but it was
hard work to arrive at that wining position…"
Thierry Lincou |
 "I
was playing well, but I was getting too deep into the match, I started to
get a bit excited.
"Then, in the middle of the second, he switched his game, I was
destabilised, and was unable to react.
"I was unlucky in the third, on the last shot, so that was not easy to
deal with, but you know, it happens…
"Thierry played very well today..."
Amr Shabana |
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BENGY: GETTING BETTER
Nick Matthew bt Ong Beng Hee
11/8, 11/9, 11/9 (72m)
 "I
was up in nearly every game but I still lost. Every time we were very
close, like 9-all, but Nick played the crucial points better than I did.
"I feel so much better at the moment, I'm starting to enjoy my squash
again, for the first time in two years. Today was a big step for me ...
this tournament is a big step for me, I'm really happy."
Ong Beng Hee |
 "I
feel great, obviously. I had to play my best squash to beat him.
He beat
me the past four encounters, I only beat him in a non PSA event, the
Canary Wharf Classic. And when you play Thierry, Lee, all the players in
the top 16, you’ve got to be at your best.
"I had to try and keep the pace up, but still play John White’s game,
because that’s the way I play. My lengths were really good, it’s the best
I’ve played for a long time…
"The
court is a fast court, and to hit the perfect length, you’ve got to
control your shots, you can’t just hit the ball. Because I was getting
good control, David started to hit a few tins, I succeeded to take him out
of his comfort zone, and he started to get frustrated. Once you get him
out of his game, he goes for silly shots, unorthodox shots, and you’ve got
to keep him in that frustrated state as long as you can.
"I was so glad to get a good start in each game, it’s always important to
get ahead when you play against David, as he is so strong physically, and
can get everything back.
"I’m very pleased, especially as that confirms the result of Canary
Wharf… My family
life is coming together, my squash is coming together, all is well…"
John White |
WHITE, ROYAL, PALMER, FLUED…
You will not have a “real report” on this one, as I was actually
commentating the match live on PSA Streaming, the new marvel from PSA/Horizon
that allows you to watch the matches live and on replay all over the
world.
 So,
although I was still watching the match, I was not taking notes of any
kind, I therefore can only give you my general feeling about the match.
I know that the first rally lasted FOREVER. And I mean forever. We were
talking, and talking, and they were playing, and playing… Palmer
eventually won the rally, but it must have dug into his reserves a lot…
I also remember clearly that I was stunned by David’s body language, to
the point I actually said that something was wrong with the Australian,
that the way he was dropping his shoulders, the way he left John caracole
in front 7/0 in the third without really reacting, were the obvious signs
that he was not physically well.
John White was quite the contrary. His family now safely back in America,
surrounded by Suzy White’s brothers and sisters, the title of Canary Wharf
Classic in the bag somewhere in storage, the Scot was ready to fire.
Concentrated, volleying, hitting hard, playing some perfect lengths that
rolled off the floor, he was at his best.
A tired and frustrated Palmer, a brilliant White (ok, I just realised what
I wrote, but I’m keeping it…), and you have a logical result. 3/1 for
White.
At the end of the match, I saw David asking if the door right behind me
was going outside, opened it, and away from the world, away from the press
and public, roared a long shout of pain and frustration.
I was later told by several close sources that David has had the flu all
of last week, and that he was still on antibiotics. And it all made sense.
Then again, it doesn’t take anything away from John White, who played
superbly, patiently, precisely, lethally.
Welcome back, John, welcome back to the top where you belong.
John White bt David Palmer
7/11, 11/9, 11/4, 11/6 (68m)
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NICOL MASTERS ISKANDAR
Peter Nicol bt Azlan Iskandar
11/10(3-1), 11/5, 11/9
(45m)
 "I've known Azlan
since he was16 years old, we used to train together in East London, I know
what he is capable of, I know his potential. As you could see, it was very
hard to beat him today.
"I felt OK, but I didn’t feel great, once again, I wasn’t happy with the
way I got into the ball, the way I step into the ball, meaning that my
short game was not good enough. And if I don’t sort it out, the rallies
are going to last forever! So tomorrow morning, I’m going to work on that
particular point with David Pearson.
"About James, he is young and fit, he will have recovered from today’s
match. He’ll expect to beat me, I’ll expect to beat him… With James, you
can’t expect to make the rallies short, that's the biggest mistake you can
make, he would dwell on that... you’ve got to play very simple squash,
good length and send the ball into the back corner as much as you can, and
wait for the opportunity to attack…"
Peter Nicol |
 "I’m always
missing something, always missing something to win these matches… I was so
close, and I lost again… I felt good, I felt strong, but you know, when I
play my tight shots, the other players don’t volley them, but Peter does,
it’s quite amazing.
"I have the feeling that I can play against the top guys, but that I'm
missing that little bit to beat them, so I will have to play them more and
more to get used to their game. I’m going to train very hard, and I’m
actually looking forward to next season.
"You know, I was watching Thierry and Shabana, and I realise that I’ve got
a long way to go, a long way to go…"
Azlan Iskandar |
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DARWISH DESPATCHES OLLI
Karim Darwish bt
Olli Tuominen
11/5, 11/5, 11/7 (37m)
"I’m so happy to win, it was my revenge from the ToC. I’ve been training
very hard for the past two weeks for this tournament.
"I played well today, I also played well yesterday… I’m looking forward to
playing the winner of the Graham/Lee match, and I’m really looking forward
to winning it too…"
Karim Darwish |
BEACHILL BREEZES
PAST RYDING
Lee Beachill bt [13] Graham Ryding
11/4, 11/7, 11/2
 "Graham
is always so hard to beat, a three love victory against him is a massive
bonus… I was feeling good, I was happy with the way I moved, it was a good
match for me…
"The confidence in myself I have today comes some bloody hard work… When I
was a junior, my coach Malcolm Willstrop set up a routine for me, I stuck
to it through the years, and it has worked so far, I hope it will make me
a better player, and a better person…
"I’m going to prepare for my match tomorrow against Karim the same way I
prepare for all my matches. That’s what I’ve learnt along the years, not
to prepare differently for any match …
Lee Beachill |
"I made too many errors tonight, I was extending the rallies like I
should, but I didn’t finish them well."
Graham Ryding
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WILLSTROP'S MARATHON
REVENGE WIN
James Willstrop bt Anthony Ricketts
11/6, 11/8, 7/11, 3/11, 11/8 (97m)
 "Playing
on this court is like going back to the old times, to the times of Jonah
Barrington ... it's a different game altogether.
"After yesterday's pretty dull performance the first two games were
everything I could have hoped for. But it's very hard to keep up that
level of game in front of someone like Anthony Ricketts.
"In the end I just pulled it off. It wasn't pretty, but I had to do what I
had to do to win. I can't play my game on that court, it's like banging
your head against the wall. You've got to be so patient, and accept
playing up and down the walls.
"How long was it? 97 minutes? Brilliant ... I can't wait for tomorrow!"
James Willstrop
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"It was not easy to play on that court. James
played very well in the first and the second, but still I feel I should
have won the second. Then the third and the fouth were long, we couldn’t
really attack, I found myself being at the back more than I would have
wished for… It was not the best of matches…"
Anthony Ricketts
Malcolm reports ...
Anthony Ricketts and James Willstrop played a massive match
in New York and they followed with an even bigger one in Bermuda.
Willstrop didn't impress against Durbach, but his squash in the first two
games was quite outstanding as he put the ball to every good part of the
court.
Ricketts, in between his ranting at referee John Masarella for being
English, ran much down, but Willstrop took a two games to love lead quite
deservedly and after several monumental rallied.
Ricketts, as he does, sought to impose himself physically and although
Willstrop resisted, he lost the third and then the fourth quite easily.
At two-all, although Ricketts had run a long way, the odds seemed markedly
in his favour. But the youngster has shown resilience before and he took
an early lead which he held throughout to reach his first match ball at
10/7. Ricketts saved it, but Willstrop won a well-deserved victory after
97 minutes of high quality squash. |
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