Mayacamas Ranch
North American Open 2007 presented by NetSuite 21-26 May, San Francisco, $25k
26-May, Final: [3] Azlan Iskandar (Mas) bt [1] John White (Sco) 14/16, 11/8,
11/2, 11/7
Iskandar takes Frisco title
Malaysia's Azlan Iskandar claimed his second higher-ranked scalp
in two days when he beat favourite John White in four games to win
the North American Open at the Bay Club in San Francisco.
The event marks a notable return to form for the 24-year-old from
Kuala Lumpur who has slipped seven places down the world rankings
since achieving a career-high #12 position more than a year ago.
The Sarawak-born third seed made his Californian breakthrough in
the semi-finals when he beat England's second seed Adrian Grant,
and in his 14th PSA final - yet, remarkably, his first ever
meeting with John White - Iskandar recovered from losing a long
opening game to beat the world number nine.
This was Iskandar's 9th PSA title, but the first since he won the
Kuala Lumpur Open on home soil in February last year.
25-May,
Semi-finals:
[1] John White (Sco) bt [7] Shawn Delierre (Can)
11/9, 11/6, 11/5
[3] Azlan Iskandar (Mas) bt [2] Adrian Grant (Eng)
11/4, 21/19, 4/11, 11/7
Iskandar ousts Grant in
North American upset
England's No2 seed Adrian Grant was denied his anticipated place
in the final after losing to Malaysia's Azlan Iskandar in a
dramatic semi-final clash at the Bay Club in San Francisco.
Third seed Iskandar made his breakthrough in the second game,
edging through 21-19 after one of the longest 'tie-break' games
since the introduction of 11-point scoring three years ago.
Left-hander Grant recovered to take the third game, but the
24-year-old from Kuala Lumpur - ranked four places below his
opponent in the world top 20 - extended his advantage to win in
four games.
Iskandar
is celebrating his 14th PSA final appearance - but his first since
October last year.
Top seed John White ended the brief 'giant-killing' run of
Canada's Shawn Delierre, comfortably beating the No7 seed to mark
up his 31st PSA final appearance - and the eighth in the USA since
the former world number one from Scotland moved to Philadelphia
two years ago.
24-May, Quarters:
[1] John White (Sco) bt [Q] David Phillips (Can)
11/4, 11/6, 11/8
[7] Shawn Delierre (Can) bt [4] Shahier Razik (Can)
12/10, 8/11, 11/3, 3/11, 11/9
[3] Azlan Iskandar (Mas) bt [8] Chris Simpson (Eng)
11/9, 11/3, 11/4
[2] Adrian Grant (Eng) bt Miguel Rodriguez (Col)
11/9, 11/7, 11/5
Delierre
deposes Razik Chris Walker reports
It
was Shawn Delierre's night at the Bay Club in the Mayacamas Ranch
Quarterfinals.
Delierre, the french-Canadian, was the only player to over throw a
higher seeded opponent in an other wise night or relatively
one-sided matches.
In ring with him was fellow Canadian Shahier Razik, the defending
champion.
It may have been the local rivalry that produced a high contact
match that could have been settled by two submissions and a
knock-out had it been another sport. Delierre was in no mood to
let it slip.
After winning a close first that went to the
tie-break, Razik came back strong to win the second before Delierre
stamped his authority on the fourth game winning that comfortably.
Razik was not to be out done and proceeded to give Delierre the
same treatment in the fourth winning that in a similar fashion.
So it
went to the fifth and final round where Razik eventually succumbed
to the fierce Delierre attack.
The other three matches proved tame by comparison and all the
higher seeds came through unscathed. The number two seed, Adrian
Grant put his 5 set battle from yesterday behind him and closed
out his match against Miguel Rodriguez. The No.3 seed, Azlan
Iskandar, set up a semi-final clash with Grant after dispensing
with Englishman, Chris Simpson, and the wirey Scot John White, our
No.1 seed, closed out David Philips of Canada in a fine display of
quality Squash.
23-May, Round One:
Two seeds fall in round one
The North American Open reached the quarter-final stage in San
Francisco, with two seeds falling in differing circumstances.
Fifth seed Liam Kenny lost out in a five-game thriller to Canadian
qualifier David Phillips, while Miguel Angel Rodriguez
progressed thanks to a walkover against Latin American rival Eric
Galvez.
No such worries for the top seeds, but while John White
overcame Wade Johnstone in straight games, second seed
Adrian Grant had to battle back from two games down against
another Australian qualifier, Raj Nanda.
Defending champion Shahier Razik eased past new Atlanto
Open champion Yasser El Halaby, and fellow Canadian Shawn
Delierre ended the comeback of veteran Chris Walker, although
it took five games to subdue the former world number four.
Mayacamas
Ranch
North American Open 2007 presented by NetSuite 21-26 May, San Francisco, $25k
Round One 23 May
Quarters 24 May
Semis 25 May
Final 26 May
[1] John White (Sco)
11/8, 12/10, 11/5
[Q] Wade Johnstone (Aus)
Finals, 22-May: SFBC Chris Walker (Eng) bt Stewart Crawford (Sco)
11/9, 11/5,
12/10
SFBC David Phillips (Can) bt Mark Allen (Eng)
11/4, 11/9, 11/6
OC Raj Nanda (Aus) bt Robin Clarke (Can)
11/5, 11/8, 11/6
OCm Wade Johnstone (Aus) bt Jose Becerril (Mex)
7/11, 11/9, 11/9, 11/7
Round One, 21-May: OC Stuart Crawford (Sco) bt Jorge Ferriera
11/6, 10/12, 11/8, 15/13
SFBC Chris Walker (Eng) bt Ian Power (Can)
11/6, 11/6, 11/4
OC David Philips (Can) bt Armando Olguin
11/1, 11/2, 11/6
SFBC Mark Allen (Eng) bt Patrick Bedore (Can)
11/7, 11/5, 12/10
BCM Robin Clarke (Can) bt Marco Olguin
11/0, 11/4, 11/8
BCM Raj Nanda (Aus) bt Regardt Schonborn (Rsa)
11/3, 11/13, 11/7, 11/6
SFBC Wade Johnstone (Aus) beat Jonathan Perry
11/9, 11/8, 11/9
BCM Jose Becerril (Mex) bt Andrew McDougall (Can)
11/7, 11/13, 11/9, 11/5
Round One:
The Big Boys Arrive Chris Walker reports
The first round of the event proper got under way today.... and
what a feast for the eyes it was for the San Francisco fans.
The matches at the Bay Club opened with Liam Kenny and David
Philips (the Canadian Qualifier). Philips was on fire from the off
and gave Kenny a real handful of challenges with his attacking
style and tremendous use of short, hard cross-court kill shots
that really unsettled the Australian born Irishmen. Control of the
match switched several times between the two as Philips took the
first, Kenny sneaked the second in a tie break and then Philips
replied winning the 3rd convincingly before Kenny proved his metal
and claimed the 4th to level the match. It was inevitable that the
match should go the distance and indeed it did. As the 5th game
progressed the players traded point for point until it reached
10-10 and it was anyone's match. It was Philips day, after
battling through qualifying he held his nerve and clinched the
match 13-11 in the first game much to the crowds pleasure. A great
match to really kick the tournament off.
Second match on was Shawn Delierre, the seeded French-Canadian,
who was up against the several times retired Chris Walker
(ex-world No.4 from England) 2 weeks shy of his 40th birthday. An
intriguing battle, Delierre won the first game without much fuss
but then Walker got the better of the Delierre onslaught to the
front of the court and played himself back in to the game by
stepping up the court. Delierre suddenly found that his frontal
attack was being countered with drops and lobs from the
experienced Walker. Walker took the 2nd and worked hard to notch
up the 3rd to lead 2-1 after a tie-break. The extra efforts of the
tie-break took it's toll on Walker as Delierre continued to attack
and keep the pressure on through the 4th and 5th games. Closing
out the match, never relinquishing the lead again, in the 5th
11-6.
Then the crowd was treated to a display of Squash by the world
No.9 (and ex-World No.1), John White, that moistened the taste
buds for what might be coming later in the week. His opponent,
Wade Johnstone, competed well and certainly game John and good run
but the highlights were some world class shots and creative angles
by White that left Johnstone searching for answers. White's pace,
power and use of the angles always seemed to give him the edge in
an entertaining match which White closed out in three games. The
thought of more John White at the Bay Club is something the
sell-out crowds are looking forward to over the next few days!
Last match on the main court was Shahier Razik from Canada and the
recent Princeton graduate, Yassar El Haliby from Egypt. Shahier is
one of those players that just won't go away and today was no
exception. A great demonstration of smooth movement and patience,
Razik was able to control the pace and enthusiasm of his younger
opponent answering most of Yassar's attacks with exceptional lobs
and counter drops. In the end Yassar ran himself in to the ground.
Shahier simply absorbed all the pace and pressure that Yassar
could offer before closing out the match in 3 games.
At the Olympic Club the crowd had the pleasure of another great
match between the Aussie Qualifier, Raj Nanda, and the No.2 seed
Adrian Grant. Nanda, the under dog on paper surged to a 2-0 lead
and was looking strong. However, Grant kept his cool and used his
experience to hang in there while Nanda continued to press for the
victory.
Grant's patience paid off as he diligently worked his way back in
to the match and took the last 3 games to claim victory - much to
Raj's frustration as he has now played in San Francisco the last 3
years and squandered 2-0 leads every time ... let's hope next year
proves to be different!
Meanwhile at Bay Club Marin, Azlan Iskandar the Malaysian No.3
seed, was faced with Omar Elborolossy who was finalist in the
Atlanta PSA event last week. After a slow start and dropping the
first game, Azlan found his game and took control to claim a 2-1
lead. The fourth game proved to be the game of the night for the
Marin crowd. Reaching 10-10 the tie break ensued and Elborolossy
extended the Malaysian to 12-12 before going down 14-12 in the
closest finish of the evening.
The final match was between Chris Simpson and the US wild card
entry, Ryan Donegan. Simpson was in fine form and confidently put
Donegan in his place with a comfortable win. Donegan gaining
experience, Simpson gaining a second round position in the draw.
A great night's squash across the San Francisco Bay!
Local star Allen finds it
a bridge too far Chris Walker reports
Mark Allen's challenge on the Mayacamas Rach North American Open
came to an abrupt halt last night when he faced the Canadian David
Philips in the last round of Qualifying. Even with some vocal
support from his home crowd, Philips maintained his composure and
kept the game under control. Allen had a glimmer of hope in the
second game when he held Philips at 9-9 but the Canadian answered
the challenge and closed out the game 11-9.
The other match at the Bay Club also had a local flavour as it was
me, Mark's old PSA tour training partner from England (we go back
some 30 years now!), and I was up against the Scot, Stuart
Crawford. With a little help from the vocal section of the crowd I
played my best game for about 3 years to win in 3 games - nervous
about keeping the match going too long I was happy to save 3 games
points against me in the 3rd before closing out 12-10 after a
couple of surprising errors from Crawford.
The Olympic Club paid host to the other two final-round qualifying
matches.
Wade Johnstone the Australian, who yesterday took out Decathlon's
own Jon Perry, carried on the charge with a convincing 3-1 win
over the talented Jose Becceril.
In the second of those matches Raj Nanda, the tall mild-mannered
Australian, took out Robin Clarke from Canada in a 'no-messing
around' 3-0 victory.
First day and the local
star stands strong Chris Walker reports
Mixed fortunes at the first days play for the locals at this
year's Mayacamas Ranch North American Open.
Spectators at the Bay Club had the pleasure of seeing two of their
local Squash stars compete in the first round of the qualifying
last night. First on court was Decathlon Club's own Jon Perry. Up
against Wade Johnstone, a regular on the tour, Jon played with
conviction and gave Wade some serious challenges (especially with
his forehand cross-court flick drop shot from the front right
which saw Wade sailing in the wrong direction at least half a
dozen times much to the crowds delight. However, just when Jon
really needed one more of them Wade started to read and return
them with interest. Three close games but Wade came out on top
with superior fitness and the ability to 'hang-in' against Perry's
front court attacks towards the end of each game. Johnstone came
through 11-9, 11-8, 11-9.
Top of the bill for the night was the Bay Club's own Head
professional Mark Allen, who only got in to the draw because one
of the PSA players didn't show for the qualifying draw. After a
heavy day in his office as tournament organizer, on the computer
and arranging player transport and the sponsor's beer supplies he
managed to make it to the court on time and produce some great
Squash against the younger, less experienced Patrick Bedore.
Bedore I am sure didn't know what had hit him.... Mallen used all
his knowledge of the game to control the match and, after a late
flurry from Patrick really tested his composure and aerobic
capacity, he was able to close it out in double quick time (much
to the relief of lungs, pump and knowing spectators!).
In the other matches around San Francisco last night:
At the OC (being the Olympic Club) Stuart Crawford from Scotland
beat the favored Jorge Ferreira 11-6, 10-12, 11-8, 15-13 to meet
Chris Walker (author of this blog) who won his first PSA match in
3 1/2 years against Ian Power 11-6, 11-6, 11-4.
The Canadian David Philips, beat another local and Bay Club
favorite Armando Oliguin, again at the OC. Meanwhile, at Bay Club
Marin, Armando's brother, Marco Olguin was accumulating more
points than his brother (despite losing the first game 11-0)
against another Canadian, Robin Clarke, going down 11-0, 11-4,
11-8. Canada 2, Olgiun's 0.
The second match at Bay Club Marin was between Raj Nanda, of
Australia, and Regardt 'Reggie' Schonborn of South Africa. The
Aussie pulled through in 4 games.
The third and final Bay Club Marin match was between Jose Becceril
and Andrew McDougall. The Mexican Becceril proving too strong in
the end winning in four.
San Francisco
set for
North American Open Mark Allen previews the 2007 event
Judging from our tournament entry list our 2007 PSA tournament
looks like being the most exciting yet. Favourite for the event
will undoubtedly be former world #1, John White. We are
thrilled to welcome John, particularly as it’s the first time that
our PSA event has attracted a player ranked in the top 10 on the
world rankings.
Seeded two and in the bottom half of the draw will be London born,
left-hander, Adrian Grant. Adrian has been one of
England's most industrious performers on the PSA Tour - and in
March 2007 he won the COAS International in Pakistan to secure his
13th Tour title since 1999.
World
#19 Azlan Iskandar of Malaysia will be our #3 seed, and
Canadian, Shahier Razik will be #4. Shahier was a finalist
in our 2004 event, and champion in 2005.
His game of attrition is
well suited to our ASB courts and he will get plenty of support
from our local, and very vocal, crowd. We are very pleased to
welcome Shahier back again and I thank him for supporting our
event every year since its inauguration.
Liam Kenny, Eric Galvez, and Shawn Delierre;
three of our four predicted quarter finalists, are returning
visitors too. Eric is one of the fastest and most dynamic players
on the tour, and he has played a couple of thrilling matches here
at the club.
His quarter final loss to Alex Gough in 2005 was
arguably one of the best matches of the tournament. I would love
to see Eric have a strong run in this year’s event and will be
making a point of watching all of his matches.
Once again we have a strong presence of up and coming younger
players in the draw, the highest ranked being Chris Simpson
of England. Chris made his breakthrough on the PSA tour in
November 2006 when he beat world top 20 ranked player, Graham
Ryding, in the Merritt Properties Open held in Baltimore. He will
be hoping for another giant killing if he makes it through to
Thursday’s quarter final matches.
U.S. hopes rest entirely with Ryan Donnegan, our wild card
entry. The valuable PSA ranking points that Ryan will collect will
add a significant boost to his current ranking of 135, and a first
round win would push him up into a career high ranking inside the
top 100.
The depth of talent in this years tournament is impressive,
however few people will be betting against the hard hitting, #1
seed, John White – a player who has appeared in a total of 30 PSA
event finals.
Our bay area squash enthusiasts will enjoy their
last chance to get so close to the action, as our $50,000, 2008
North American Open tournament will move to theglass court
in the centre of Justin Herman Plazain San Francisco.
We are proud to announce that the
2007 North American Open charitable recipient is St. John’s
Educational Threshold Center of San Francisco. With a matching
challenge grant of $25,000 from The San Francisco Bay Club’s
parent company, Western Athletic Clubs, we hope that through
ticket sales and the generosity of our sponsors, our tournament
will raise at least $50,000 for St. John’s, which was chosen for
their dedicated work with youth and families in the historic
Mission District of San Francisco.
Mayacamas Ranch
World
#19 Azlan Iskandar of Malaysia will be our #3 seed, and
Canadian, Shahier Razik will be #4. Shahier was a finalist
in our 2004 event, and champion in 2005. 
