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IN the Crucible ...
with Malcolm Willstrop |
22-Aug:
FINALS DAY
There are many combinations of the world's
leading players which make for exciting finals, but if Eventis could have
chosen theirs, Peter Nicol and Nick Matthew might well have
been their two.
Both came into the Mamut English Open with matchplay under their belt:
Peter from a significant and convincing win at the World Games, Nick
having just lost in the fifth in Karachi to Anthony Ricketts.
Peter continued his run of 3-0 wins, defeating Simon Parke, Joe Kneipp and
John White. Nick had a more difficult passage, the returning Stewart
Boswell, holder and top seed Lee Beachill and James Willstrop. No-one
wanted Stewart, he had never beaten Lee and James has a good enough record
against him.
His 3-2 win from 2-0 down over Lee was a classic and deserved the standing
ovation it was given. To come up again and beat James is credit to him.
Most of his matches threatened to be one too far, but it was not until the
final until that became a fact.
Nicol back on Top
For two games he moved well enough, may have been a little short, but
didn't seem it to me. Peter was hitting the length and width as only he
does and moving with all his old enthusiasm, and at 2-0 he was never going
to lose. In fact for the first time Nick showed that that was as far as he
could go and the third was quick, all over in a flash.
Nick will not feel disappointed in any way. He could hardly have performed
better throughout. The improvement in his squash has been there to see and
he looked in excellent physical shape.
It is marvellous for the sport to have its major figure back to something
close to his best and talking himself up. Welcome back to the top, Peter.
A Women's Treat
In the new women's event, Jenny Duncalf and Vicky Botwright
showed just how good women's squash is nowadays. Much more competitive,
much more worked out, these two athletic and skilful players gave the
crowd a treat.
Jenny prevailed in the fifth, having started slowly, dominating the second
and third with her astute shot-making, losing her way in the fourth and
then stabilising in the fifth to edge home.
Dream Sponsor
Alan Moody, representing Mamut, must be an Eventis dream. He
watched every match, fronted up in the commentary box, was ready to be
interviewed any time, and let's hope he and Mamut continue their
association with the English Open.
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Malcolm's
video interview
with Peter Nicol
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The
MUSIC |
21-Aug:
The
MUSIC
Semi-Finals Day
If Eventis could have dreamed up a final they could hardly have done
better than Peter Nicol v Nick Matthew. Peter, one of the excellent Eventis team and Nick, local boy made good.
In
truth the two had looked the most in-form players from the outset and the
semis proved it. Peter had been moving exceptionally and mentally
fortified by his success in Germany, he looks like the Nicol of old. Nick
should have beaten Anthony Ricketts in Karachi from all accounts, not
Nick’s, and that is fair form.
Simon Parke and Joe Kneipp could not trouble Peter and Nick saw off the
resurgent Stewart Boswell and then had his first ever win over Lee
Beachill, after being outplayed to go 2-0 down,
White puts on a show
 John White, like Beachill short on matchplay, never looked at ease in his
match with Olli Tuominen, and he was never coping with the rejuvenated
Nicol.
At 2-0 down he knew the game was up and gave the crowd some real
entertainment in the third with spectacular dives and retrieving. He’d
better enjoy the diving now – he won’t be able to do that forever. How the
crowd loved Big John the entertainer.
Nick on fire again
 Beforehand it might have seemed that James Willstrop would profit from
Nick’s heavy encounter of the night before. But he knew that was unwise
thinking since Nick is on a high, at home, playing his head off and
running on adrenalin.
It was a thoroughly absorbing match. Nick went off like a shot, but James
held together and although he went 2-0 down there was little in it. Both
are attack-minded and not missing much, although James did tin one or two
crucial shots.
The third was nip and tuck and as Nick began to show marginal signs of
weakening, James held together and won it on a tie-break.
It seemed as if there was a match on now, since James did not look spent
by any means. But it was Nick who controlled the fourth and James will be
disappointed, no so much by the match, but by the fourth game.
So a final with massive possibilities: Can Nick come up again? The Lord
Mayor was in the crowd and if Nick does, his freedom of the City of
Sheffield is guaranteed.
Quality from the Girls
The girls did their stuff too, and Vicky Botwright and Madeline Perry
showed just how tough the women’s game has become – 3-0 in an hour, with
the rallies worked out and competed for. Athletic, too, are these girls
and fiercely competitive, as only girls can be.
Vicky won through, revealed some of the tour secrets in her post-match
interview, and will play that other young star Jenny Duncalf,
step-daughter of David Pearson, who beat the improving Alison Waters, in
the final.
Malcolm Willstrop |
  
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The Music |
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Squash, like any other sport, needs to update its thinking in entertaining
crowds and having worked with Tim Garner to provide music after the semis,
I was thrilled firstly that it happened and secondly that the musicians
gave those who stayed - and there were many – a night to remember.
 Sylvan
Richardson, formerly with Simply Red and avid squash fan, organised
the musicians and singers, which we have gathered between us. We have done
squash and music nights all over the place, but this was the first time
after a major squash tournament.
Lee Beachill, emerging guitarist, seeking alternative employment
after his quarter-final loss, was there smiling and enjoying himself, and
James Willstrop was due to perform, vocally, but squash, and worse a dope
test after a defeat, prevented this.
However the brilliant Andy Proctor, the excellent Martin
Sunderland from Queen’s Halifax, and the talented 14-year old
Rachel Crisp from Huddersfield were singers enough and how they
responded.
My thanks to all the musicians, singers and to Tim for seeing how
necessary music is to squash occasions.
Everyone I spoke to loved it and marvelled at the excellence of it all.
It was so good I almost forgot that Lee and James both lost, and I hear
Michael Todd, Pontefract ‘boss’, has banned Nick for life!
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20-Aug:
Quarter-Finals
Willstrop maintains the edge
First up were the English youngsters, who for what seemed years were prime
rivals at under 19 level. In the World , European, British Open and
British Closed finals, James Willstrop and Peter Barker had
done battle and always Willstrop had won, notably in the world U19
Championship in Chennai 2001 when he was in devastating form.
Since then they have both made their mark at senior level: Willstrop at
the highest levels, Barker on the way up but a notch or two lower.
Despite the Essex man’s impressive win over Shahid Zaman, the script read
much the same. Willstrop, controlling matters, won the first comfortably;
Barker threatened with substantial leads to win the second but Willstrop
coolly hauled him back and won it on a tie-break. Moving swiftly onto the
attack, the third was over in a flash and he was in the semi-final for the
second year in a row.
Nicol's back ...
Peter Nicol has definitely recovered motivation from somewhere and
how good is that for the game. He’s talking about World Teams,
Commonwealth and even regaining his no 1 slot. When he moves well, no-one
moves better and despite Joe Kneipp’s best efforts, he never looked
like making much impression on the impressive Nicol.
Finding the length of the court, as only he does, moving around busily and
chasing up as if his life depended on it, he had the capable and skilful
Australian under pressure throughout and won, going away, as they say,
3/0.
With David Palmer already gone, Nicol will be seriously fancying his
chance of winning an Eventis staged event. In the event John White awaits
him and that is a match to anticipate.
Matthew wins a Classic
The match of the night, and indeed of the championship and a match that
will be talked about and remembered, was that between champion and world
no 2 Lee Beachill and Sheffield’s Nick Matthew, world no 9,
eager to impress on home ground.
Beachill came to the Crucible with no match play to his name, whereas
Matthew had played in Karachi, losing narrowly and, from all unbiased
accounts, unluckily, to Anthony Ricketts.
Beachill began as he does, containing Matthew, forcing errors out of him
and at a comfortable 2-0, all looked routine. But greatly to his credit
Matthew decided to go out, if he was going out, with a bang, not a
whimper.
Suddenly he attacked with real assurance; Beachill’s intensity appeared to
drop and Matthew was now 2-1 and not 2-0 down. He took a long lead in the
fourth, but this time Beachill attacked and pulled back to 9-10, as he
surprised Matthew. But the Sheffield man clinched it and at two-all the
momentum was with him.
The large, appreciative crowd were totally gripped; the squash was intense
as each sought ascendancy.
Beachill reached match ball first, didn’t convert them; tie-break, that
centre of tension, as if any was needed; match balls either way; even the
neutrals were out of their seats. And it was Matthew who struck the final
blow for his first win over Beachill.
What a time and place to do it! What a match and how the crowd loved it,
standing as one to acclaim two players who had given their all.
Anthony Ricketts and Peter Nicol in 2003, John White and James Willstrop
in 2004, and now Nick Matthew and Lee Beachill, three classics. Three
losers, yes, but squash is the winner.
Olli keeps White up late
John White and Olli Tuominen had seemed to be the most
competitive match beforehand, but following what had just gone was no easy
matter.
Neither player reached great heights; the quality was missing and there
were too many decisions, not to my taste.
But the issue was always in doubt and who was going to win was pure
conjecture throughout. Tuominen grafted throughout, seemed to be unlucky
with decisions – he certainly thought so. White hit it like only he does
but spasmodically .
In the event White prevailed in another tie-break in the fifth and he may
well feel the match will have done him good, except for the lateness of
the hour.
So no Beachill, no Palmer. But no-one will mind.
Matthew v Willstrop. Nicol v White. That’s a good enough semi-final lineup
for anyone.
Malcolm Willstrop |
 
 
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Fri 19-Aug:
Looking at the Quarters
Nick Matthew’s 3-1 win over
Stewart Boswell, a match of some fascination, and Peter Barker’s
convincing victory over Pakistani no 1 Shahid Zaman mean that the top half
of the draw is all-English.
Peter Nicol flies the flag for England in the other half with and
Australian, Joe Kneipp, a Finn, Olli Tuominen, and an Aussie turned Scot
perhaps about to turn American, John White, as opposition.
Junior rivalries revisited
James Willstrop and Peter Barker provide the start to the
evening and they are no strangers to each other, having contested the
World, European, British Open and British Closed U19 finals. Since their
junior days Willstrop has become established in the world’s top ten whilst
Barker is rapidly moving in that direction.
Both have had recent match play, Willstrop in Karachi and Duisburg, Barker
winning twice in South America.
The Yorkshireman is entitled to start favourite, but can expect a worthy
challenge.
Matthew tested again
Having come through the test that no-one wanted, Nick Matthew has
another severe one tonight when he squares up to Lee Beachill. But
he will certainly feel happier having survived, and survived well.
Beachill looked comfortable yesterday in his first competitive match,
moving well against an edgy Bradley Ball, who hardly did himself justice
[although he was unwell up to just days before hand].
The Sheffield player will be looking to play as he did in the last British
Closed Championships in Manchester when he played exceptionally well,
losing 3/2.
There should be plenty to enjoy in this match, both looking in good enough
form and again although Beachill would be favourite, Matthew has proved
more than once he can live with the best.
Nicol looking lively
There is a spring in the step of all-time great Peter Nicol at
present. His outstanding performances at the World Games, which he won,
clearly gave him much satisfaction and with this season’s World Team
Championships and Commonwealth Games in view, he seems invigorated, even
talking two years ahead.
He looked very lively in the first round, moving with freedom and pace,
and playing like that will make him very hard to beat.
The easy to watch Joe Kneipp had, on his own admission, an
unsatisfactory last season, but he has performed well, remains full of
intent and will not lie down tonight despite never having beaten Nicol.
His skill with the racket means he is always dangerous, but Peter in
current vein has to be favourite and indeed he will be seriously looking
for a first win in an Eventis promoted event.
Save the closest till last
The final match of what promises to be a fascinating evening is the most
competitive on paper.
Olli Tuominen caused a major upset when putting out no 2 seed David
Palmer, but was value for the win, have no doubt about that. He moved,
battled and played well and if he repeats that performance John White,
who won the inaugural English Open, will have to be on his guard.
White has moved recently to the USA and confirms that his physical
preparation has been good. In his match in the first round, his striking
of the ball and accuracy improved as the match went on and he ended up
well in control against Mansoor Zaman.
Tuominen, however, has done well against White in the past and the signs
are that he will perform tonight. It is the hardest of the four matches to
call, though PSA matches have an ability to make us all look poor judges.
Malcolm Willstrop |
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Thu 18-Aug:
Day TWO at the Crucible
Highlight of last night’s four
remaining first round matches was the meeting of world no 9 and local boy
Nick Matthew and Australian Stewart Boswell, the former
world no 4, returning from a long career-threatening injury. Boswell had
been winning minor events with ease as he headed back to the big time,
this being his first serious test.
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3-2 win over Davide Bianchetti in the final qualifier brought him to the
Crucible last night, rumour having it that he was already playing to world
top ten standard. The rumours were not far out either, Boswell showing all
the quality associated with him as he took the first game, playing
adroitly into the front left.
Gradually, but by no means easily, Matthew assumed marginal control and in
the end won a well-contested match 3-1.
Obviously after such a long back injury, onlookers were looking for
restricted movement, the only signs being into the front right. Boswell
took one heavy fall, but happily and unfussily he was soon back on his
feet.
Matthew, carrying Sheffield and England hopes, will be happy enough with
his performance and glad to have survived well. The squash was quality
enough, but Matthew will find extra tightness as a result of the match.
Welcome back, Stewart!
Barker too much for Zaman
Peter Barker, a top class junior who is rapidly becoming a high
class senior, beat the durable Rodney Durbach 3/1 to qualify and faced the
Pakistani no 1 Shahid Zaman.
Zaman’s improved form last season suggested that he had worked on his
fitness, but his shape, like mine, is not flattering and in truth the
athletic Barker always looked too mobile for him.
Having come to the Crucible with his recent wins in South America, Barker
looked confident and assured, save for an error-ridden third game.
Quickly back on track in the fourth, he deservedly won a place in the
quarters for another shot at James Willstrop.
Willstrop & Beachill win through
 Willstrop
began his match in fluent style against wildcard Ben Garner.
Leading 1-0 and 6-2 in the second, all looked routine, but suddenly Garner
put together a string of positive, attacking rallies to get back into
contention. Running into the wall at 11/10 in the tiebreak Garner needed
attention, took a break, but when they came back it was Willstrop who
settled it.
The third was straightforward enough and the young Yorkshireman was
through to tonight’s quarters.
Bradley Ball, Super League player of the year, doesn’t look
comfortable against world no 2 Lee Beachill. Both know it and it
causes the Suffolk player to get edgy and tetchy.
Despite Beachill admitting to some nerves, this being his first match for
a long time, it didn’t show as he eased his way around the court, with
trademark delay and plenty of variety.
He looks well set up for his quarter final with Matthew and will no doubt
be looking for the same vocal support given by his young son, Ben, who was
in the crowd and didn’t we know it!
Malcolm Willstrop |
 
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Wed 17-Aug:
Day ONE at the Crucible
Alex Stait had done outstandingly
well to reach the first round with qualifying wins over Laurens Jans
Anjema and Alister Walker. Facing the seasoned Australian Joe Kneipp
he was by no means disgraced and took the first game on a tie-break.
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effort did him little good though, as he quickly lost the second 11/1 and
then went 2/1 down, though still competing well.
Kneipp is a skilful operator though, and always appeared to have a little
in hand, eventually running out a 3/1 winner , quite happy with his
performance.
Nicol looking Good
Peter Nicol’s return to the Crucible was much anticipated, after
his outstanding performance at the World Games in July, where he disposed
of Karim Darwish, James Willstrop and world no. one Thierry Lincou, all
3/0.
No-one will have been disappointed as he saw off last year’s runner-up
Simon Parke 3/0 in convincing fashion.
Looking well beforehand and moving fluently he was well in control, even
though Parke had his moments and chased as readily as he does.
Nicol has never won at the Crucible or Canary Wharf, tournaments he is
involved with as part of the Eventis team. He claimed in the post-match
interview to be very focused this time, and no-one should take that
statement of intent lightly.
Surprise for Olli
 Invariably
these days results on the men's PSA tour are surprises and the third of
Wednesday evening's 4-match programme provided a big one. Not that Olli
Tuominen is a pushover: he invariably gives a good account of himself,
never stops trying and in Detroit last season beat Amr Shabana and Karim
Darwish in succession.
But I doubt if many in last night's crowd saw him beating David Palmer,
who proved his well-being in Karachi, losing narrowly to Thierry Lincou in
the final.
From the beginning Tuominen was competitive and as Palmer waged war with
referee Wendy Danzey, he took a 2-0 lead. The Australian seems not to have
learned from his recent problems with referees and several times left the
court in a futile attempt to discuss his grievances. It didn't do him a
lot of good, may indeed have been a distraction, and where he goes astray
is that he doesn't seem to believe he could ever be wrong, even though his
opinions have to be more subjective than any referee's.
As everyone knows, however, he is not a prolific winner for nothing, and
he took the third and maybe thought he would go on to win.
Tuominen though, was having none of it and fought tenaciously and
skilfully in the fourth, as Palmer seemed to feel the pace a little and
lose a little of his natural obduracy.
The Finn took the match for what must be the best win of his career. He
showed Scandinavian reserve in victory, but said in a post-match interview
that it's what you feel inside that counts, and that I agree with. It was
a well-deserved win.
White Eases Through
The last match saw the popular John White back in England taking on
qualifier Mansoor Zaman.
The Pakistani is skilful enough, won the first, but he is not a
deep-rooted competitor and as White hit better width and grew more
accurate, Mansoor's resistance weakened.
White cruised home and presumably will be happier to play Tuominen than
close friend Palmer.
Malcolm Willstrop |
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