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32nd German
National Championships
24th – 28th January, Muelheim an der
Ruhe
Barry Dodson reports |
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Day Five, Finals:
Men’s-Final:
Simon Roesner v Stefan Leifels
15:30 saw the players enter the arena for their warm-up. Everyone
could see straight away that they were focused and determined to
give their very best today so at 15:07 it was game on! Unlike the
ladies the first rally was of a 26 shot length finishing with a
stroke to Stefan and a broken string in Simons racket. The second
rally followed with 55 hits of the ball and a no let decision
against Stefan score 1/1. In the remaining 14 rallies that I was
able to follow their were 3 lets and then with a score line of 8/5
for Simon the Live stream broke together on my computer and that was
sadly the last I saw of this match. The 342 hits I was able to see
showed the strengths of both players, but left me believing that
this was most probably going to be Simons Day.
Having now seen the result in internet I can confirm that Simon went
on to take the match in 50 minutes with a final score line of 11/9,
11/9, 11/5 and has made it a day where Germany has now two new
Champions. If and when I see the DVD of the match I might be able to
finish my report???
Well done Simon as one of the real Gentlemen of German Squash and a
person who has dedicated the last 5 or more years of your life to
our sport I wish here to personally congratulate you and I also
raise my hat to you!
Simon being just 19 years old and Kathrin only 23 could lead to some
more national titles for them in the coming years but I am sure that
Pamela, Sandra Sina and Astrid for the ladies will not just sit back
and look on and that Jens, Tim, Patrick and André will want to put
up a new fight in the coming years! Congratulations to the
organizers of these Championships; it seems your success was my
downfall with the men’s-final, but very well done in attracting so
many viewers to your live stream.
 I
hope there is just as much interest in the DVDs that are available
for purchase.
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Women's Final:
Kathrin Rohrmueller V Katharina Witt
14:00 was the scheduled start for this final and at 4 minutes past
it kicked off; In a 37 rally first game with 5 lets the ladies did
not seem to want to spend too much time on court today so that the
rallies were short and very aggressive with the longest one being
only 19 shots and only 3 or 4 being longer than 10 hits of the ball.
This kind of game tends to favour Kathrin and therefore it was she
that took the lead 9/6 after just 14 minutes. The 28 rally and 5 let
second started in the same fashion with either winners or mistakes
deciding the proceedings. Katharina either having no help from her
coach or too angry to listen raced into a 0/4 position and was first
able to settle at 1/5 with a 23 shot rally, and then 8 hand-ins and
outs. Unfortunately for her to little to late and once again it was
Kathrin that chalked up a 9/4 score after 9 minutes to take the
game.
Third game saw a slightly too relaxed start from Rohrmueller which
Witt took advantage of to go 3/1 up but once again with ever
decreasing length of the rallies Kathrin started to take control. At
7/4 Rohrmueller, the longest rally of the match took place (25)
which was ideal for Witt and she was able in the next 5 rallies to
draw level at 7 all. Next rally caution to the wind she then tinned
on only her second shot, Kathrin then took the next point (5) to go
to match ball, then followed a 16 shot let rally and a 6 shot winner
for Katharina 7/8. Four rallies followed two of which ended in lets
where the ball was only struck 18 times in all and then the score
line read 9/7 and match over.
On the German website at the start of this tournament it was billed
as who shall be Germanys next Pop Idol or roughly translated Germany
is seeking a superstar, now they have their new one in 23 year old
Kathrin Rohrmueller. Well done Kathrin a truly deserved victory in
just 33 minutes enjoy the rest of your day!
PS. in case anyone is wondering why Karin Berière did not take part
this year “baby break” maybe back next year? Sabine Tillmann retired
last year! |
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Day Four, Semi-finals:
The Ladies Semis unfortunately never really showed any real
competition and were disappointingly short but the Men lived up to
the expected performances, hard fought and spectacular, but as your
reporter expected led to an all Paderborn Final.
Centre Court 15:00; Kathrin Rohrmueller entered accompanied
by Carola Weiss for the first match today. Kathrin looking
slim and lean for this tournament along side Carola who with the
help from her coach Uli Brennstuhl has changed just about everything
from her appearance to her movement on court, both looking for their
first National Championship title this year. Kathrin started well
and always looked confident whereas Carola showed signs of not
really believing in her self and this led to a clear 9/2 first game
for Rohrmueller. The second was to be the game of the match with
both ladies having their chances but with a score line of 10/8 it
was now 2/0 for the NR.1 seed. The third followed on with a 9/4 and
match for Kathrin in just 26 minutes and showed that winning starts
with believing; Carola still has to learn this!
15:45 saw Stefan Leifels and Tim Weber take to the
court for their match. The first game 11/5 booked Stefan
nonchalantly on to his account where Tim making too many mistakes
and Stefan experience and composure were the deciding factors. The
second and third both went to the tie break and on both occasions it
was Tim that benefited from a 12/10 score line. Stefan dug in in the
fourth and the rallies were contested at their best once again
Stefan’s composure and solid play that brought him back in the match
and the game closed with an 11/6 triumph for him. Down to the fifth
it was youth and fight against experience and composure; Stefan
playing now at his best worked Tim around the court but Tim found
the right answers and the game looked very even, but as in the first
the errors came started coming from Tim so that Stefan and the
referee then finished the job with an 11/7 score line and a victory
that took 77 minutes.
17:45: 2nd Ladies Semi-final. This match brought together the
reigning champion and Nr.2 ranked player Katharina Witt who
looks determined to defend her title against a very well prepared
from her coach Ralf Brandt, Simone Korell and currently
ranked Nr.6. The pace, aggression and determination of the first two
games from Katharina left Simone shaken and apprehensive and led to
a 9/2, 9/4 score line. Perhaps the overconfidence or impatience was
to blame for the 1/9 loss of the third set to Simone but these
mistakes opened up a match that should have long been over. The
fourth saw both ladies throwing their all efforts in to this game
which was the best of the match and at the end the 9/7 success went
to the reigning champ and the 3/1 victory in just 24 minutes.
18:30 last match of the day: Simon Roesner v Jens Schoor
As I said yesterday this is a repeat of last years semi where Jens
was able to score a 3/1 victory 11/7, 8/11, 12/10, and 11/6. New day
game on!
The first set lived up to what I think everybody was hoping for
point for point rally for rally both players very even. At the end
though it was Simon that succeeded with an 11/9 start. After a short
call with his telephone Joker Jens went back to work and in a once
again tight and suspenseful second it went down to the tie-break
where Jens was able to grab the game 5/3. Once again quick chat to
reinforce game plan and everything sounds good. Third and as often
the case deciding game was hard fought and sooooo close until 8/7
but it was Simon that left the court with an 11/8 under his belt!
Telephone time; player sounds ok but sounding somewhat weaker. Final
game started well for both but as the game approached its middle
Simon grew more in confidence and Jens slowing the match then became
very one-sided and it was Simon that raised his hands as he won this
game 11/5 and the match 3/1 to take the second place against his
Paderborn team mate in tomorrows final!
These results underline the current German ranking positions as:
14:00 Kathrin Rohrmueller (1) v Katharina Witt (2)
15:30 Simon Rosner (1) v Stefan Leifels (2)
make up the order of play for the finals on Sunday 28th January.
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GERMAN NATIONALS
LIVE
STREAMING
MEN'S DRAW & RESULTS
WOMEN'S DRAW & RESULTS
Barry's Details:
Professional Squash Coach
Skype: courtmonster
Mail: barry@courtmonsters.com
Website www.courtmonsters.com
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Day three:
Friday started off with the ladies last 16 where 7 top seeds were
able to make it clearly into the quarter finals. Only Astrid Kern
(8) was unable to stop Jessica Reese (9) from scoring a very close
3/0 victory 9/6, 9/7, 9/7. Top seed Kathrin Rohrmueller lost her
first set to the top German junior and BJO semi-finalist Sina Wall
(16) 10/9 but then went on to win 3/1. Danielle Schumann (4) and
Sandra Krueger (7) also lost their first game of their matches
before going onto 3/1 victories. So now both competitions were down
to the quarter-finals and perfect for your cold ridden and laid-up
reporter as all matches were being shown over the internet through
live streaming.
The Quarters
The men’s quarter-finals began 13:45 with a clear win for Simon
Roesner (1) against Moritz Dahmen 3/0 8,2,6 to be
followed by what should be the oldies “match of the day”, Stefan
Leifels and Simon Baker, both soon to enjoy their
34th birthday. The last time they met just two weeks ago in the
national leagues, Paderborn against Stuttgart, they both had a
victory against the other, Simon on the Friday and Stefan on the
Sunday. In a hard fought match Stefan started very powerfully and
strode to a confident 2/0 lead. Simon pulling out everything he had
then took the third against a slower and weaker looking Stefan. Then
in a fabulous fourth set Stefan dominated from the start and went on
to destroy Simon and book his place in the semis. 11/6, 11/5, 10/12,
11/6. Exit the 2006 champion and one step further for the 2004
champion both most probably looking for their last national title.
15:30 was then the scheduled start for the first two ladies
quarter-finals and like the men first on court was Nr.1 seed
Kathrin Rohrmueller against Jessica Reese (9). The first
hard fought game went to Kathrin 10/8 and as too often the case the
second much easier 9/4. Jessica then threw everything in that she
had for the third and won 10/8 but having nothing left went down
sadly 9/0 in the fourth. Next up Carola Weiss (5) and
Daniela Schumann (4) both team mates from Germanys’ 2006 world
women’s team championships team. Daniela looking nervous and uneasy
lost the first to the immensely improved Carola, then took the
second, but the new look Carola (lighter and quicker) then showed
strength and determination to give her opponent no chance and
clearly ran out 3/1 winner 9/1, 5/9, 9/3, 9/2. Well done Carola and
congratulations to your coach Uli Brennstuhl for finally helping you
at last to get the best from yourself.
Mobile Coaching ...
17:00 was to be an all time first for me in my many years as a coach
as Jens Schoor entered the court to play Patrick Gaessler
and I would be coaching using the internet and cell phone. Jens
and I had already discussed his game plan and mental attitude to
this match 2 hours earlier and just a quick call before the start
had everything perfectly aligned ... First set 11/8 Patrick.
Coaching with a minute to 90 second delay in the internet is strange
plus the occasional restart! Second set Jens finally stuck to the
original plan and in a tie break was rewarded with a 13/11 win.
Small chat - thank goodness for flat rate telephoning - saw Jens
step up a gear and with an 11/6 score line go two one up. Having
heard how easy everything was going from Jens I started to feel
uneasy and as Patrick scored the first five points and finished 11/7
winner I knew that things were no longer as easy as somebody
thought. Telephone joker to the rescue! Jens settled once again in
the fifth led well and at 10/6 it must be over? No call? 90 second
delay? What is happening? With the score line of 10/9 not looking
good for Jens, his brother Carsten rings during the last rally and I
hear that Jens has won 11/9. Three lets later and then finally I can
see the match ball on my Computer!
What an experience for us both and now Jens can look forward to his
Semi-final match against Simon Roesner which shall be a replay from
2006 where Jens scored a wonderful but unexpected victory over Simon
at this stage of the competition.
Third ladies quarter brought old against new in the court Pamela
Hathway (3) against Simone Korell (6). Pamela a member of
our all time most successful junior team and just turned 19 against
the 38 year old ex national team player who as I reported from our
last ranking tournament is looking stronger and quicker than I have
ever seen her. Pamela led well in the first but it was Simone that
left the court 10/8 in the led, then 9/7 in the second to go two up.
Pamela rallied well the whole match and got her just rewards in the
third with a 9/5, but it was always Simone that looked more composed
targeted and at the same time relaxed and therefore she was able to
finish the match in the fourth 9/6.
Last men’s semi-final brought National player Andre Haschker
(3) and Tim Weber (6) together. For many people “match of the
day” with Tim (19) the winner of the tournament in Bornheim two
weeks ago and handled by some as at least if not more talented than
Simon and Jens. Had it not been for disciplinary action Tim would
have been a part of our European U19 Champions Team from Switzerland
2006.
Andre (23) ,who spent 1000 days working close with me until the
middle of last year, had during this time improved over forty places
on the national rankings to his current position. First two games
were tight with nothing between both players but it was Andre who
managed in the tie break 13/11 and 12/10 to go 2/0 up. Tim struck
back solidly and Andre seemed to lose direction, control and the
next two games 3/11, 6/11. The fifth saw Andre back as targeted as
at the start of the match and slowly and continuously he built a
10/6 led. Tim who never says die played from this moment on safe,
relaxed and clever and Andre did nothing to force the mistake from
his opponent. Six points and countless lets later it was Tim who
raised his hands high to score an unbelievable victory.
As the saying goes “clutching victory from the jaws of defeat” or
“defeat from the jaws of victory”? Now Andre knows what Greg
Gaultier must have felt like. This puts Tim in the Semi-final
against Stefan Leifels who he beat in the semis in Bornheim 3/1 two
weeks ago. Another day another story?
Final match of the day was the last ladies quarter-final between
Sandra Krueger (7) and reigning champion Katharina Witt
(2). Sandra started well against an uneasy looking Katharina and
with a 9/3 score line went one up. Typical for Katharina in the
second she came out with a drive and determination that many players
could and should learn from and then she steamrolled her way over an
ever increasingly nervous looking Sandra. With 9/4, 9/6 and 9/4 her
job was well done and she can now look forward to her semi-final
against Simone Korell.
Your reporter was planning to go up to the championships for the day
on Saturday but looking outside at an ever thickening blanket of
snow I shall have to make that decision in the morning. If not, at
least I can follow all the action on the live streaming and perhaps
you too?
Best wishes from a snow covered Ludwigshafen ...
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GERMAN NATIONALS
LIVE
STREAMING
MEN'S DRAW & RESULTS
WOMEN'S DRAW & RESULTS
Simon Rosner
SEMI-FINALS
Simon Rosner v
Jens Schoor
Stefan Leifels v
Tim Weber
Kathrin Rohrmuller v
Carola Weiss
Katharina Witt v
Simone Korell
Witt & Baker in 2006
Jens Schoor
Stefan Leifels |
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Day one:
The Championships for the men got off to a good start on Wednesday
with the Men’s qualification matches in the first two rounds. Apart
from Simon Baker, the 2006 Champion, there were no players in
contentions for winning these championships on court on this day.
Baker is currently ranked so low because he has not been taking part
in the ranking tournaments lately and plans to return home to
Australia this year.
Day two:
Thursday kicked off with the third round last 32 for the Men in
which two matches went against the seeding: Ex national junior
Lennart Osthoff (19) beat Martin Grahamer (14) in four sets and
Marc Hoerning (22) beat Heiko Schwarzer (11) also in four.
After the official opening of the tournament at 14:45 it was the
Ladies turn to take to the courts. In the first round of a 48 lady
draw the top 16 seeds do not have to play. The winners of the first
match then play the 9-16 seeds in the second round. The first round
gave only two upsets where lower ranked Kristin Schoch and Lena
Marie Sohl were able to score unexpected victories.
18:15 saw the start of the fourth round for the men. Down to the
last 16 one was hoping for some close fought matches and saw two
upsets to the seeding albeit no surprises: Moritz Dahmen (9)
beat the 2005 national champion Hansi Seestaller (8) in a quick and
clean 27mins 3/0 and Simon Baker (23) beat ex national player
Johannes Voit (7) 3/1. Roesner, Schoor, Gaessler,
Haschker, Weber and Leifels breezed through
their matches not dropping a game.
Last up on court for the day were the ladies for their second round
matches where there were no surprise and all seeds made in clearly
into the last 16.
Friday
the Ladies have two rounds the last 16 and quarter-finals, the Men
only one their quarter-finals.
Coming from a sick and laid-up reporter from Ludwigshafen in
Germany!!!
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