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1-2-3 for Barrie Athletic
22-23 Feb 2008, Barrie, Ontario, Canada |
 France's
Gregory Gaultier has won the $32,000 Nexgen Invitational
men's squash tournament.
Gaultier defeated world No. 1 Amr Shabana of Egypt in the final
11-9, 13-11, 11-8 and pockets the $7,000 first prize.
"I'm pleased I was able to come back and play at my top level," said
Gaultier, ranked third in the world. "I saw that Amr had a lot of
trouble moving and I tried to capitalize on that."
In the third place match, world No. 2 Ramy Ashour defeated Shahier
Razik of Toronto 11-4, 13-11, 6-11, 11-6.
"I had a slow start, as usual," said Razik, ranked 22nd
internationally. "But I was pleased with my finish. At this
tournament, I saw that I could play with the top guys. I had a
feeling I was in every match. I was right in there."
In the fifth-place match, Hisham Ashour of Egypt defeated Shawn
DeLierre of Brossard, Que., 11-4, 11-8, 11-8.
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Top Three in Barrie
Lucas Watson reports from Barrie
The Nexgen Invitational continues to inspire in Barrie ...
The second round of matches were no exception to the rule this
evening, and each of the semi- and semi-consolation matches were
well fought and uniquely exciting. On the consolation side, the
first match featured Robin Clarke and Hisham Ashour in an tight
match that saw Ashour prevail 2 games to love. The first game was
closely contested, Ashour winning 11-6 thanks to some
no-holds-barred shot-making, which included a tight behind-the-back
trickle boast that left Clarke flat-footed. Clarke came on strong in
the second game, but was forced to take a time-out to nurse an
injured finger. Although he fought hard to even things up in the
second, Hisham got the best of him again, advancing to the con-final
tomorrow.
The second consolation match saw an all-Canadian run between
recently-retired and legendary Graham Ryding, and young Shawn
Delierre. The match was well fought on both sides, Ryding relying on
his epic determination and skill, Delierre on his vigour and youth,
both men abiding an incredible tempo, both savouring the contest.
The forst two games were drawn one apiece, the third showcasing
beautiful rallies - hard, but exquisite - volleys-off-boast
intensity, and Delierre eventually came out on top in the third,
11-7. The match was hugely appreciated by the fans at the BAC, that
appreciation expressed in a long and well-deserved ovation after
Delierre carved his way into the con final.
The next match was the first of the semis between top Canadian
Shahir Razik and number one PSA ranked Amr Shabana of Egypt. Things
began intensely, the effort obvious, the gets incredible, a
drop/retrieve game being played in the opening few points of a first
game that eventually went to Shabana 11-7. Razik came out swinging
in the second, capitalizing on early tins by Shabana, and thriving
on the support of an appreciative crowd. He took an early 6-2 lead,
and through a punchy, playful, and highly entertaining game, held on
for an 11-6 victory in the second.
The third held the crowd of 100+ enthralled, 20th-ranked Razik
holding his own, challenging the world champion and showing he might
be equal to the task. In an intense third and final game, Shabana
eventually showed his dominance, coming through with another 11-7
win, moving him on to the final tomorrow.
The final showcase of the evening pitted number 2-ranked Ramy Ashour
of Egypt against number 3-ranked Gregory Gaultier of France. In a
riveting exhibition-style match that brought to life the essence of
Squash Racquets, the rallies were brilliant, the retrieval
astounding, the entertainment as good as it gets. Ashour took the
first game 11-9 in a close one, but was slow to start in the second
after Gaultier's seemingly on-command, serve-return nicks.
Ashour attempted to match the Frenchman in his shot-making, but soon
realized the game plan in the first was where the pudding was. He
faltered momentarily, and Gaultier eventually took the second game,
sustaining the crowd with his ever-present wit and humour. In the
third and final game, the two commenced to put on a spectacular show
that would provide Shabana with an opponent in Saturday night's
final. Ashour with his deft racquet work, Gaultier with his
fake-telegraphs, both revelling in the thorough appreciation of the
hearty crowd at the BAC, showcased the extent of the possibilities,
the pinnacle of athleticism, and the beauty of the game.
Though they both proved deserving, it was Gaultier who was
victorious, overcoming the Egyptian in a monster game that ended
11-8, and sending Gaultier to face Shabana in tomorrow's final.
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Event Poster
The Draw
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22-Feb, From the Canadian Press
Shahier Razik of Toronto
took world number-one Amr Shabana of Egypt to a deciding game
on Friday in semifinal action at the inaugural $32,000 Nexgen
Invitational men's professional squash tournament.
Shabana eventually won the match 11-8,
7-11,11-9. Earlier Friday, Razik opened the tournament defeating
Hisham Ashour of Egypt 11-4, 5-11, 11-9 in the opening round of the
eight-player tournament.
''It was great to get a game off
Shabana, I was happy with my playing tonight," said Razik, ranked
22nd in the world. ''We had a very close match but he was able to
pull away in the end. Ashour had a slow start to our match and I was
able to capitalize on that."Shabana and Razik learned the sport
together in Egypt before Razik moved to Canada at age 12.
''Shahier is tough to play against
and we know each other's game inside out," said Shabana. ''He has a
lot of good moves. The key for me was to stay in control of the
rallies."
In the other semifinal, world
number-three Gregory Gaultier of France defeated world
number-two Ramy Ashour of Egypt 9-11, 11-8, 11-8. Gaultier is
a on a comeback mission after injuring his wrist.
Therefore on Saturday, Shabana and
Gaultier will battle for the title and Razik and Ramy Ashour for
third place.
In the fifth place playoff semis,
Shawn DeLierre of Brossard, Que., defeated Graham Ryding of Toronto
10-12, 11-7, 11-5 while Ashour knocked-off Robin Clarke of Ottawa
11-4, 11-6.
The most memorable moment for Clarke
was his opening round match against Shabana in which he also took a
game losing 11-9, 9-11, 11-5. DeLierre lost his opener to Gaultier
11-4, 11-6.
The matches on Saturday start at 6
p.m. at the Barrie Athletic Club.
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Top-three players in the world confirmed for inaugural Nexgen
Invitational February 22-23 in Barrie, Ont.
Amr Shabana and Ramy Ashour, both of Egypt, and
Gregory Gaultier of France, the top three players in the world,
are confirmed for the inaugural $32,000 Nexgen Invitational
squash tournament set for February 22-23 at the Barrie Athletic
Club.
 "This
is a tournament that we hope can be included as a Canadian stop on
the Professional Squash Association tour,’’ said Shahier Razik
of Toronto, Canada’s top player and one of the tournament
organizers and promoters.
"There is a big hunger for this level of squash in this area. And
here in Barrie, there is a keen group of supporters for the sport."
The draw for the eight player field has been set. The quarterfinals
go on Friday (February 22)afternoon starting at 4 p.m. Shabana opens
against Robin Clarke of Ottawa, Ashour faces veteran
Graham Ryding of Toronto, Gaultier takes on Jan Koukal of
the Czech Republic and Razik, the fifth seed and ranked 22nd in the
world, challenges Hisham Ashour of Egypt.
The semi-finals go Thursday evening at 8 p.m.. The placement matches
including the championship match are on Friday February 23 starting
at 6 p.m.
"This event is great for our club and for the city of Barrie," said
Paul Ryan, owner of the BAC. "We have been fortunate enough
to have some of these great players here before and they have always
enjoyed the club and the reception they get from the fans here in
Barrie."
In addition to the matches squash clinics will also be held
throughout the week.
Nexgen Lasers is a local company that distributes cosmetic laser
equipment.
For more information, including ticket info:
Paul Ryan Tel: (705)722-4792 E-mail:
pryan@barrieathleticclub.com
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Event Poster
The Draw |
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