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 Coastal
Contacts Open 2005
Vancouver, Canada, 01-06 November, $10k |
06-Nov, Final:
[2] Borja Golan (Esp)
bt
[3] Scott Handley (Eng)
11/8, 11/9, 11/9 |
Jericho Club
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Borja's Dream Run Goes On
Lee Drew reports from Vancouver
 Finals
day, here in Vancouver has just come to an end, with a 3-0 victory to
Borja Golan the Spanish number 2 seed over Scott Handley.
The tournament win is his second in a row and keeps Borja's amazing run of
never having lost in a final going, making it ten out of ten.
Scott tried to move Borja around the court as he did in his match
yesterday, but found that if he opened the court up, Borja would pounce
and punish him. Once again it was Borja's length and precision which won
him the first game.
The second was a closely contested game, which had the enthusiastic crowd
on the edge of their seats. Golan however had his nose in front and
Handley couldn't quite catch up with him.
At the beginning of the third game Scott tried to change the pace and
break up Borja's rhythm. It seemed to be working and Scott raced to a 6-1
lead. Borja as resolute as he is, never gave up and clawed his way back
into the game. Golan's pace was electric, and he seized upon any shot that
wasn't taken in with deadly accuracy. Golan won the game 11-8 with some
great shots, and subsequently took the first Coastal Contacts Open.
I hope this is the first of many tournaments to be held here in Jericho,
as the club crowd and sponsors were great and loved every minute of the
squash they witnessed. I've had a number of players ask me to say thank
you to everyone involved in the event, from their hosts to the club and to
Shauna for organising such a fantastic event. We are all desperate to
return again soon.
Lee Drew |
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05-Nov, Semi-finals:
[3] Scott Handley (Eng) bt [1] Rodney Durbach (Rsa)
7/11, 11/10(2-0), 11/8, 11/8
[2] Borja Golan (Esp) bt Daryl Selby (Eng)
11/2, 11/10(2-0), 11/7
Semi-Finals -
Scott too hot for Rodney
Lee Drew reports from Vancouver
Semi-final
day today, which promised two hard and compelling matches.
The first was between Borja Golan and Daryl Selby. The first
game had long and hard rallies, which Borja won most of, to win it 11-2.
The second was a really tight affair which could have gone either way,
with both players playing good lengths and working shots, rather than
outright winners. In the end Borja managed to produce two fine lengths to
set up a winning position, which he duly took with some aplomb to take the
game 12-10.
Daryl needed the second, as he looked slightly jaded in the third, maybe
the five setter from yesterday was beginning to take it's toll. Borja's
length was the key, as not only did it set him up to hit winning shots,
but it also gave him a number of outright winners. Daryl come back at him
towards the end, but left himself slightly too much to do. Golan walking
away with a good 3-0 win.
The second match was between the number one seed Rodney Durbach and
Scott Handley the number three seed. The first game was won by
Rodney 11-7, with him playing good solid squash and dominating across the
middle.
The next game was tense with some great squash, both players rallying well
and working the ball. Rodney led with some great finishing shots and was
within touching distance of the game's finishing line. A number of errors
from Durbach however allowed Handley a chance at levelling the match,
which he took well, one apiece. The third game was hard, with some brutal
rallies, Scott's confidence was up, and he was beginning to stroke the
ball around the court nicely. Handley took the game and was looking
favourite for the match as Durbach was beginning to blow. Scott came out
in the fourth and was working Rodney well with some gut-wrenching boast,
and some deft flicks. Durbach would not lie down easily though and kept
battling right until the end, and only just lost the game 11-9. The crowd
loved every moment of the match and rally appreciated the effort the
players had put in.
So we wait now for the final tomorrow, which should be a tight affair.
With Golan playing well and Handley's confidence up.
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Borja
Golan
Scott
Handley |
04-Nov, Quarter-finals:
[1] Rodney Durbach (Rsa) bt [5] Shawn De Lierre (Can)
11/6, 11/ 8, 11/2
[3] Scott Handley (Eng) bt [Q] Luke Margan (Aus)
11/7, 11/8, 11/5
Daryl Selby (Eng) bt [4] Lee Drew (Eng)
10/11(0-2), 11/6, 11/10(2-0), 9/11, 11/ 3
[2] Borja Golan (Esp) bt [Q] Simon Rosner (Ger)
11/5, 11/6, 11/8
Top Three Through in Vancouver
Shauna Flath reports
Top-seeded South African Rodney Durbach took down the last Canadian
flag in the $10,000 USD Coastal Contacts Open presented by Patch
International.
 The
world's No. 35-ranked player eliminated Montreal's Shawn De Lierre, 11-6,
11-8, 11-2 in 30 minutes in quarter-final action Friday at the Jericho
Tennis Club.
Durbach led the top three seeded players into Saturday's semi-finals. Also
advancing were second-seeded Borja Golan of Spain and third-seeded
Scott Handley of England.
 Results
did not go according to form in the longest match of the evening and the
tournament a 69-minute marathon battle of English countrymen and training
partners.
In that match, unseeded Daryl Selby upset fourth-seeded Lee Drew,
10-12, 11-6, 12-10, 9-11, 11-3.
Selby parlayed the upset win into a semi-final showdown Saturday against
Spanish national champion Golan.
Golan needed 54 minutes to post an 11-5, 11-6, 11-8 decision over unseeded
Chris Simpson of England. Elsewhere, third-seeded English professional
Scott Handley beat Australian qualifier Luke Margan, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5. |
Rodney Durbach
Scott Handley |
Coastal
Contacts Open 2005
Vancouver, Canada, 01-06 November, $10k
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Round One
Nov
03 |
Quarters
Nov 04 |
Semis
Nov 05 |
Final
Nov 06 |
[1]
Rodney Durbach (Rsa)
9-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-6 (36m)
[Q] Mike Corren (Aus) |
Rodney Durbach
11/6, 11/ 8, 11/2
Shawn De Lierre |
Rodney Durbach
7/11, 11/10(2-0), 11/8, 11/8
Scott Handley
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Scott Handley
11/8, 11/9, 11/9 Borja Golan |
[5]
Shawn De Lierre (Can)
11-7, 11-6, 11-7 (41m)
Keith Pritchard (Can) |
[3]
Scott Handley (Eng)
11-3, 11-6, 11-3 (17m)
Callum O'Brien (Nzl) |
Scott Handley
11/7, 11/8, 11/5
Luke Margan |
[8] Laurent Elriani (Fra)
10-12, 11-9, 11-8, 4-11, 11-8 (67m)
[Q] Luke Margan (Aus) |
Daryl
Selby (Eng)
12-10, 11-9, 11-4
[7] Nick Kyme (Ber) |
Daryl Selby
10/11(0-2), 11/6, 11/10(2-0), 9/11, 11/ 3
Lee Drew |
Daryl Selby
11/2, 11/10(2-0), 11/7
Borja Golan |
Aaron
Franckomb (Aus)
11-4, 11-7, 11-5 (67m)
[4] Lee Drew (Eng) |
[Q] Simon Rosner (Ger)
7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-5 (64m)
[6] Simon Carruthers (Aus) |
Simon Rosner
11/5, 11/6, 11/8
Borja Golan |
[Q] Chris
Simpson (Eng)
11-4, 11-8, 11-9 (54m)
[2] Borja Golan (Esp) |
Qualifying:
Finals, 02-Nov:
Mike Corren (Aus) bt Ryan Thompson (Nam)
11-2, 11-5, 1--6 (46 min)
Simon Rosner (Ger) bt Jesse Engelbrecht (Zim) 11-6, 8-11, 11-8,
11-9 (44 min)
Luke Margan (Aus) bt Andrew Lynn (Can)
11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 12-10 (41 min)
Chris Simpson (Eng) bt Viktor Berg (Can)
14-12, 11-8, 11-3 (31 min)
Round One, 01-Nov:
Mike Corren (Aus) bt Ryan Donegan (Usa)
11/7, 11/6, 11/8 (38m)
Ryan Thompson (Nam) bt Jason Giuffre (Can) 11/5,
7/11, 11/9, 11/6 (50m)
Jesse Engelbrecht (Zim) bt Jarryd Senick (Can) 11/2, 11/5, 11/2
(17m)
Simon Rosner (Ger) bt Joe Forrester (Can)
11/4, 11/7, 15/13 (29m)
Andrew Lynn (Can) bt Pat Bedore (Can)
11/4, 7/11, 11/5, 11/6 (37m)
Luke Margan (Aus) bt Bertrand Tissot (Fra)
8/11, 11/9, 11/4, 11/7 (46m)
Chris Simpson (Eng) bt Rob Sutherland (Wal) 11/3,
11/7, 11/7 (39m)
Viktor Berg (Can) bt Winston Cabel (Can)
11/8, 11/8, 11/5 (31m)
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Round
One -
Quality Qualifiers
Lee Drew reports from Vancouver
Here is the review of today's first round matches, I didn't watch a
great deal as I was concentrating on preparing for my match ...
Today yielded a number of upsets with three 5/8 seeds tumbling out of the
draw, two of which were against qualifiers (which just goes to show the
great depth we have in squash at the moment, and adds up to a pretty
unpredictable and exciting event)
First up today were Daryl Selby and Nick Kyme, Daryl has
been in fine form of late and has duly risen rapidly up the rankings this
month. The form and self belief that comes with good results, showed today
when he came back from 10-6 down in the first to win it 12-10, Nick on the
other hand has been struggling slightly, which also showed when he lost
the aforementioned game and conceded a 6-0 lead in the second. By the
third Daryl had grabbed the match by the scruff of the neck and scampered
clear to close out a 3-0 win.
Next up was Callum O'Brien of New Zealand vs Scott Handley
of England, Scott took the ascendancy from the off, and Callum couldn't
quite claw his way back into the match. The end result was a 3-0 win for
Handley.
I didn't see much of Simon Rosner vs Simon Carruthers, as I
was due on court next. But have been told that it was a hard competitive
match, with both players playing very well. The end result being a 3-1
victory to qualifier Rosner.
I played next versus young Aaron Franckomb and managed to edge a
3-0 win.
The following match was between Laurent Elriani (the number 8 seed)
and Luke Margan (qualifier). This match was very hard and long, and
got the until then quiet capacity crowd very vocal indeed. By the time I
sat down to watch the game, it was in the 5th and very tense. As happens
quite often the game gets slightly scrappy in a tight and tense 5th when
both payers are trading point for point. In the end though Luke clung on
to a good victory, and both players left the court to a well deserved
standing ovation.
I missed the next match between Borja Golan (the number 2 seeded
Spaniard) and Chris Simpson (England's number 1 junior). Chris dug
in and made Borja work for every point, which to Chris's misfortune he
duly did. The match however lasted 50mins or so for a 3-0, which indicates
just how close it was.
I also missed the next match between an in form Shaun De Lierre and
the wildcard entry Keith Pritchard. The end result being a 3-0
victory.
Last but not least was the number 1 seed Rodney Durbach vs Mike
Corren. This game was played at furious pace, but lost none of it's
accuracy because of it. Mike was moving the ball around the court well,
and Rodney looked in trouble. Corren took the first game 11-9, the second
game was much the same but with Rodney's quality getting better. Both
players were now being moved around the court and it would only be a while
until one conceded an edge. The pivotal point of the match came for me
when it was neck and neck, and a brutal rally took place, Corren dominated
it with Durbach retrieving some great shots. In the end it took a spinning
ball which Rodney scraped off the wall, to win the point. This in turn
shifted the match into Rodney's favour. He took the 2nd game to tie the
match. Durbach then proceeded to play impeccable squash against the
slightly tiring Corren, to win the match 3-1. But a very enjoyable match
it was to watch.
Thus ended the day's play, and the exhausted crowd and players were aloud
to return to their respective homes in order to recuperate for tomorrows
matches, which should be just as tense.
Lee Drew
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Daryl's Diary
 The
tournament continues to go from strength to strength.
The amateur players have started their tournament and due to there being
so many players and only 4 courts there were still guys hacking out a
fifth game at 11.30 last night!
The club is continually busy and more and more people are wondering down
to the squash courts, so much so that I could only see a quarter of the
court when Rodney and Mike were playing.
The first rounds ran with success yesterday with some tough, entertaining
games and due to there not being a lot of room to watch, the atmosphere
was buzzing. Obviously there were winners and regrettably some losers. But
the losers kept their heads held high and headed to the bar area to
socialise with some of the members, which went down great as it culminated
in what I can only assume is a Kiwi drinking game involving a lot of
clapping, shouting, and of course drinking. The members from both the
Tennis and Squash clubs seem to take to the guys and a good night was had
by all.
Tonight sees the quarter finals starting at 5pm, with sold out seats and
standing room, Both downstairs and on the balcony so I think the players
will have to sit on each others laps if they want to watch. This is going
to be followed by a Mexican buffet for members, players and sponsors. The
organisation here has been fantastic and the players have been treated
like royalty.
Just want to say a quick hello to Lucie as I will be hung, drawn and
quartered if i don't!!
Speak again soon
Daryl Selby
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Qualifying
Finals
Lee Drew reports from Vancouver
I thought I would take this opportunity to pen a few notes on the last
round of qualifying (or on the matches I watched at least).
I've been very impressed with the interest there has been in all the
matches to date. All the available viewing has been filled for all of the
matches so far and I am reliably informed that the main draw is also a
sell out, unlike the English premiership football league - I know they
have a few more seats to fill but a sell out is a sell out. It's great to
have high interest in the games as it creates a nice atmosphere for the
players to compete in, which invariably brings out the best in the players
performance.
Anyway to the squash I watched, I missed the first match between Ryan
Thompson and Mike Corren which ended in a 3-0 victory to Mr
Corren.
The next match on was between Simon Rosner of Germany and Jesse
Engelbrecht of Zimbabwe. The match was played at a high tempo, and
ebbed this way and that. Right until the end it was difficult to see who
would win, with both players dipping in and out of form (hitting a number
of winners, and then just as they were pulling away, the other would come
back at them with there own string of winning shots). In the fourth and
final game, after a spell of exchanging points Rosner came away with a 3-1
victory, finishing the match off with a great forehand volley into the
nick.
The crowd definitely enjoyed the squash played by these two. I also missed
the next match between Luke Margan and local favourite Andrew
Lynn, this match resulted in a 3-1 win for Margan.
 The
last match of the evening featured Victor Berg (playing at his home
club) and Chris Simpson. Victor flew out of the traps with a number
of good attacking shots, delaying the ball where possible, and trying to
stop Chris from getting into any form of rhythm.
The first game was a tight one, which Simpson got the better of by
weathering Berg's attacking storm, and then by countering with fast paced
tight squash, which reduced Berg's angles to work from. This pattern
continued for the next two games, with Berg hitting some outrageous
winners, but Simpson coming out on top with high paced squash. The end
result was 3-0 to Simpson, which left the crowd slightly downbeat, as the
local boy was out.
Lee Drew
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Jericho Club
QUALIFYING
RESULTS
Daryl's
Diary
Qualifying
Day One
Shauna Flath reports
The first round of qualifying at the Coastal
Contacts Open presented no upsets as the top players moved through the
draw.
Local qualifier Andrew Lynn and Patrick Bedore ended up being a fairly
contested match but Andrew out played Patrick and took the match 3-1.
Jesse Engelbrecht continued his impressive play from Saskatoon by taking
out top BC Junior Jaryd Senick in 17 minutes.
Another notible performance was by Bertrand Tissot against Luke Margan who
continued to dive and dig out balls from all areas of the court and
provided a very entertaining match for the spectators but unfortunately
couldn't continue to do it every rally and went down to Luke 3-1.
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Daryl's
Diary ...
Hi guys.
Sorry
I couldn't send you much from Saskatoon
but such limited internet access unfortunately, but it looks like
the other Daryl had it covered. Anyway we are in Vancouver now, and
luckily lovely Shauna has let me use her computer.
Arrived at the club on Sunday and all I can say is 'what' a club.
Jericho tennis club, (www.jericho.ca
if anyone wants to have a look) the club looks out over the water
across to the north side of the city. There are 25 tennis courts and
4 squash courts with a gym, spa, steam, pool, table tennis etc. The
food is amazing, and not disrespecting any other clubs I have
visited on my PSA travels but this is the nicest club I have been
to, in my humble opinion. The people are very friendly and so
helpful.
For
example we waited an hour for a taxi from the club and when it
didn't come the receptionist (Jane) said she could give all 5 of us
a lift. So out we went expecting a big 4x4 to fit us all in and
instead there is a Golf cabriolet waiting! We somehow got us all in
with the roof off and umbrellas up because of the rain! We were an
absolute sight.
Qualifying has started today and there has been a good size crowd,
including some of the tennis lot having a nose about. Everything
here is fantastic, spirits are in the sky, the only thing that's
letting Vancouver down is the weather, as it's been pouring with
rain since we have been here. But apart from that this is the place
to be!
Daryl Selby
Coastal Contacts Open |
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