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 Companion
Challenge 2006
21-26 April, Sao Paulo, Brazil $10k |
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26-Apr, Final:
[2] Rafael Alarcon
(Bra) bt [6] Tarek Momen (Egy)
8/11, 11/7, 5/11, 11/9,
11/5 (75m) |
25-Apr, Semis:
Semi Final Reports
From Laura Malta & Silvia Mathieson
[6] Tarek Momen (Egy) bt
[1] Jean-Michel Arcucci (Fra)
11/4, 11/7, 11/6 |
 The
first semi-final of the tournament was between the French
first-seed Jean Michel Arcucci and the junior Tarek Momem.
The Frenchman had difficulties
imposing his rhythm. He showed tiredness from the earlier
matches played during the tournament.
Jean-Michel was unable to keep up with the speed and
better physical condition of the talented junior Egyptian
who won the match in straight games.
[2] Rafael Alarcon
(Bra) bt [3] Sabir Butt (Can)
11/7, 11/4, 11/6 |
 The
second semi-final was a déja vu of the Verão Open with
Rafael Alarcon meeting for the second time his coach Sabir
Butt. The only difference was that Rafael played a lot
more aggressively and showed more control of
the match.
24-Apr, Quarters:
Quarter Final Reports
From Laura Malta & Silvia Mathieson
[1] Jean-Michel Arcucci (Fra) bt Roberto Pezzota
(Arg)
7/11, 11/4, 11/6, 11/8 |
Jean-Michel started wslowly losing the 1st game, but
recovered during the break, coming back to court with more
energy and concentration closing the match in 3x1.
[6] Tarek Momen (Egy) bt [Q] Luciano Barbosa
(Bra)
3/11, 11/7, 11/4, 11/8
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The
first game was closed easily by the Brazilian Luciano
Barbosa.He started the match with a strong rhythm, giving no
chance for the Junior Tarek Momen to play. From the 2nd game
on, the Egyptian showed why he was the champion of a big
tournament back home. With an incredible front game, Tarek
ended closing the 2 following games. On the last game,
Luciano was leading 8/7 when Tarek recovered with 4 amazing
shots to win the match in 11/8.
[3] Sabir Butt (Can) bt [5] Tony James (Aus)
11/8, 12/10, 11/8
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The
game ran well for the almost Brazilian, Canadian Sabir Butt.
Tony James didn't demonstrate the expected level of game.
With a contested decision, Sabir Butt closed the match in
3/0.
[2] Rafael Alarcon (Bra) bt Ronivaldo Santos
(Bra)
11/4, 11/7, 12/10 |
This
match is a classic of the Brazilian circuit. Rafael led the
entire match closing in 3/0, but this isn't a problem since
the players are good friends outside the court.
23-Apr, Round One:
Barbosa Upsets Johnstone
In Companion Opener
Brazilian qualifier Luciano Alves Barbosa delighted
local crowds at the Companion Challenge Cup when he upset
Australia's fourth seed Wade Johnstone in the new PSA
Tour event in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The 29-year-old former Brazilian National Champion now meets
Tarek Momen in the quarter-finals after the sixth seed
from Egypt beat another Brazilian, lucky loser Bruno Bolzan.
All eyes will be on an all-Brazilian clash at the bottom of
the draw when second seed Rafael Alarcon takes on
Ronivaldo Santos, the No8 seed, in the match that should
have been last November's Brazilian national final. Alarcon,
who reclaimed the title in 2005 after Santos conceded the
match, took five games to overcome Argentinean qualifier
Rodrigo Pezzota while while Santos beat Egypt's Mohamed
Elkeiy.
First Round Reports
From Julio Caseiro & Silvia Mathieson
[6] Tarek
Momen (Egy) bt
[LL]
Bruno Bolzan (Bra)
12/10, 11/3, 11/8 |
The
first round started with Egyptian junior Tarek Momen against
the Brazilian lucky loser Bruno Bolzan. Tarek had no
difficulties winning the match.
[8]
Roberto Pezzota (Arg) bt
[Q] Matias Valenzuela (Arg)
11/4, 11/6, 11/7 |
For
the second time this year the two Argentinian friends played
against each other here in Brazil. Their first match was in
Santos during the Verão Open. Roberto didn't have
difficulties winning the match in three games.
[Q] Luciano Barbosa (Bra) bt [4] Wade
Johnstone (Aus)
12/10, 11/9, 9/11, 13/11 |
The
first upset in the tournament was Luciano beating Wade in 4
games. Luciano is the 2004 Brazilian Professional
Champion but rarely plays PSA tournaments outside Brazil.
[5] Tony James (Aus) bt Manoel Pereira (Bra)
10/12, 11/5, 11/7, 11/6 |
Even
though Tony lost the first game, he had no difficulties
winning the match against the Brazilian Manoel Pereira.
| [1]
Jean-Michel Arcucci (Fra) bt [Q] Jorge Gutierrez (Arg)
11/4, 11/8, 8/11, 13/11 |
The
crowd had the opportunity to see one of the best matches
played in Brazil. The Argentinian Jorge can be a handful on
court, and Jean-Michel - 43rd in the World Rankings - had to
use all his experience to win the match in four games, after
failing to capitalise on his first three match points.
| [2] Rafael Alarcon (Bra)
bt [Q]
Rodrigo Pezzota (Arg)
11/4, 11/3, 7/11, 11/13, 12/10 |
The
big rivalry between Brazil and Argentina made the match very
tense in the fifth game and every point was a big battle.
The match was decided on the last point in favour of the
Brazilian player.
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DRAW & RESULTS |
"Everything ran well: I felt
much better, I was used with the court, all my shots went to
the right place.
I'm very happy !! "
Tarek Momen |
 "
I think I played well. Tarek was just to good in the front.
There was nothing to be done.
Now I can drink caipirinha !!"
Jean-Michel Arcucci |
 "I'm
happy to be consistent !!"
Rafael Alarcon |
"I tried to put pressure on
Rafael but he has better physical condition than me.
I was tired and unable to control the match."
Sabir Butt |
"I'm
not used to playing on the glass court, so I wasn't feeling
comfortable in the beginning of the match.
"I train six times a week and am doing my first year of
Engineering School. It is my first time in Brazil.
Even though I haven't seen much of the city São Paulo looks
a nice place with lots of green.
"I want to see more, especially the Brazilian girls ..."
Tarek Momen |
 "I
had the match under my control all the time but I wasn't
able to open a comfortable difference in the score. He is a
consistent player."
"From half-way in the second I noticed that he was having
difficulties with his footwork. That gave me the chance of
setting my own style of playing, which worked very well in
the fourth game."
Luciano Barbosa |
 "It
was a hot day but I didn't feel the temperature because it
is similar to Australia. I was feeling flat and with a lack
of concentration as I had to wait a long time to play ...
playing cards helped me to pass the time.
"It is my second time in Brazil. In February I came to play
the Verão Open in Santos. I like to play here, when
will the the next tournament be ???
Tony James
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"It's
my second time in Brazil, I played four years ago in
Campinas in the interior of São Paulo.
"It was a tough match. I was tired due to the time
difference. I did my best and I'm happy I won in the fourth
game".
Jean-Michel Arcucci
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"I
started the match with a strong rhythm and confidence, but
in the third game I lost my concentration and slowed down,
and he started to play better and be more confident.
"Rodrigo is a very good junior with good physical and
technical potential."
Rafael Alarcon |
Arcucci v Gutierrez |
Tarek Momen |
Pezzota v Valenzuela |
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Companion
Challenge 2006
21-26 April, Sao Paulo, Brazil $10k |
Round One
Apr 23 |
Quarters
Apr 24 |
Semis
Apr 25 |
Final
Apr 26 |
[1]
Jean-Michel Arcucci (Fra)
11/4, 11/8, 8/11, 13/11
[Q] Jorge Gutierrez (Arg) |
Jean-Michel Arcucci
7/11, 11/4, 11/6, 11/8
Roberto Pezzota |
Jean-Michel Arcucci
11/4, 11/7, 11/6
Tarek
Momen |
Tarek
Momen
8/11, 11/7, 5/11, 11/9, 11/5
Rafael Alarcon |
[8]
Roberto Pezzota (Arg)
11/4, 11/6, 11/7
[Q] Matias Valenzuela (Arg) |
[4] Wade
Johnstone (Aus)
12/10, 11/9, 9/11, 13/11
[Q] Luciano Barbosa (Bra) |
Luciano Barbosa
3/11, 11/7, 11/4, 11/8
Tarek
Momen |
[6] Tarek
Momen (Egy)
12/10, 11/3, 11/8
[LL]
Bruno Bolzan (Bra) |
Manoel Pereira (Bra)
10/12, 11/5, 11/7, 11/6
[5] Tony James (Aus) |
Tony James
11/8, 12/10, 11/8
Sabir Butt |
Sabir Butt
11/7, 11/4, 11/6
Rafael Alarcon |
Edilson
Nunes (Bra)
11/7, 11/4, 11/4
[3] Sabir Butt (Can) |
Mohamed Elkeiy (Egy)
11/7, 11/5, 11/8
Ronivaldo
Santos (Bra) |
Ronivaldo Santos
11/4, 11/7, 12/10
Rafael Alarcon |
[Q]
Rodrigo Pezzota (Arg)
11/4, 11/3, 7/11, 11/13, 12/10
[2] Rafael Alarcon (Bra) |
Qualifying Finals:
Rodrigo Pezzota (Arg) bt Bruno Bolzan ( Bra)
11/9, 11/6, 11/8
Jorge Gutierrez (Arg) bt José Pedro Escobar ( Bra)
3/1
Matias Valenzuela (Arg) bt Antonio Christovam ( Bra) 3/1
Luciano Barbosa (Bra) bt Vinicius Costa (Bra)
3/1
Qualifying round one:
Rodrigo Pezzota (Arg) bt Roni Duarte (Bra)
11/8, 11/7, 11/2
Bruno Bolzan (Bra) bt Julio Caseiro (Bra)
11/6, 11/6, 7/11, 11/9
José Pedro Escobar (Bra) bt Conrado Ramos (Bra)
5/11, 3/11, 11/5, 11/9, 11/5
Jorge Gutierrez (Arg) bt Diego Bolzan (Bra)
11/4, 12/10, 8/11, 11/4
Antonio Christovam (Bra) bt Guilherme Mello (Bra)
11/8, 11/3, 11/5
Matias Valenzuela (Arg) bt Roberto Sciencia (Bra)
9/11, 3/11, 9/11
Luciano Barbosa (Bra) bt Luis André Couto (Bra)
7/11, 11/5, 11/7, 11/7
Vinicius Costa (Bra ) bt Lucky Odeh (Ngr)
11/2, 11/6, 11/6
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23-Apr, Round One:
Barbosa Upsets Johnstone
In Companion Opener
Brazilian qualifier Luciano Alves Barbosa delighted
local crowds at the Companion Challenge Cup when he upset
Australia's fourth seed Wade Johnstone in the new PSA
Tour event in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The 29-year-old former Brazilian National Champion now meets
Tarek Momen in the quarter-finals after the sixth seed
from Egypt beat another Brazilian, lucky loser Bruno Bolzan.
All eyes will be on an all-Brazilian clash at the bottom of
the draw when second seed Rafael Alarcon takes on
Ronivaldo Santos, the No8 seed, in the match that should
have been last November's Brazilian national final. Alarcon,
who reclaimed the title in 2005 after Santos conceded the
match, beat Egypt's Mohamed Elkeiy, while Santos took five
games to overcome Argentinean qualifier Rodrigo Pezzota.
More photos and reports (in Portuguese) on
Virtual Squash
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22-Apr, Qualifying:
Companion Challenge Under Way
Qualifying is complete in the Companion Challenge in Sao
Paulo, with three Argentinians winning through to the main
draw of the $10k event, all beating Brazilians in the
qualifying finals.
Rodrigo Pezzota joined his brother Roberto in the
last sixteen, where he faces Brazil's second seed Rafael
Alarcon.
Jorge Guttierrez is rewarded with a meeting with top
seed Jean-Michel Arcucci, while Matias Valenzuala
meets Roberto Pezzota, guaranteeing an Argentinian in the
quarter-finals.
The fourth qualifying final was an all-Brazilian affair,
with Luciano Barbosa overcoming Vinicius Costa to
earn a meeting with fourth-seeded Aussie Wade Johnstone.
More photos and reports (in Spanish) on
Virtual Squash
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