|
|
|
14-Aug, FINAL:
[3] Simon Carruthers bt [Q] Chris Ryder
11/6, 11/3, 11/10 (2-0)
Carruthers Cleans Up
in Auckland ...
Australia's Simon Carruthers collected his second PSA title in a week as
he ended the run of English qualifier Chris Ryder in the final of the
Royal Oak Open in Auckland.
|
|
  Royal Oak Roundup
by Daniel Zilic |
Simon Carruthers bt Chris Ryder 3/0
Carruthers Collects
Another
The men's final saw Carruthers winning yet another New Zealand title after
winning in Remuera
last week.
Ryder looked a bit tired right from the start, whereas Carruthers was his
usual smooth moving and great retrieving self.
Despite some long rallies Carruthers seemed to have the edge and just be
that much sharper than his 24-year old opponent Ryder, who towards the end
of the second game was going in short very early in the rallies and was
looking pretty desperate.
The third game saw Chris stepping up and rallying far better, making Simon
work very hard for his points. Chris was 10/9 up and it seemed like the
tide was turning, but Carruthers showed just why he is so hard to beat at
the moment, and ground home victory 12/10 in the third.
 "This
is great, especially winning in three. Towards the end I was made to
do a lot of work and I think if I would have lost that third I would
have taken a rest in the fourth.
"That was my tenth match in two tournaments and I am prepared for a
long rest now once I am back in Australia.
"This New Zealand trip was just great for me, especially winning a
Super Satellite Tournament. I will be flying up the rankings into a
low seventy or high sixties position, which will enable me to make
the main draw in bigger tournaments.
"My next plan, after resting, is to go to England for a bit and live
over there. Once I have sorted a league team out over there, I will
be over in no time."
Simon Carruthers |
|
Barnett encourages Ryder
 "I
don't really know what the big difference was between the two of us
today. I guess he was just that bit sharper than me. I was just too
tired and couldn't get myself pumped up in games one and two.
"I came out really determined in game three and started dominating
the rallies, which he had been doing earlier on. I feel that if I
could have sneaked that third game it might have gone to five, but
it was just not to be.
"All in all I am very happy with the whole New Zealand trip. Getting
back into a PSA final is a great feeling, especially after being ill
for a long time. I suffered from a fatigue syndrome for several
years and thought I would never play squash again to that level, but
now I am back and am strong enough to beat PSA top 100 players and
get into the finals.
"It is obviously great getting some well-needed ranking points, but
more importantly it has really boosted my confidence."
Chris Ryder |
|
Kitchen's Long Weekend
Shelley Kitchen bt Louise Crome
9/1, 9/1, 9/2
Shelley managed to beat Louise Crome fairly comfortably in three games
today in the women's final. She played the men's tournament (the non-PSA)
and reached the finals there too, so she has had her work cut out for her
this weekend.
 "I
played quite well today but playing Shelley is very hard. She puts
you under so much pressure and hits the ball very hard. She is
playing well at the moment and is very sharp on court.
"I am still off work until the Nationals, so I can concentrate on my
squash for the time being. After that I am back to work full-time
again though."
Louise Crome |
|
 "I
play the men's events too so I get some really hard matches in these
tournaments.
"Against Louise I was starting to get tired towards the end of the
third game, so I just tried to get on top of her and finish it
before she could take advantage of it.
"I am staying here in New Zealand for the time being as we have the
National Championships coming up in three weeks.
"After that I will be heading off to Seattle, the next stop on the
WISPA tour."
Shelley Kitchen |
|
  So,
that's all. We would like to thank John Endean for putting on the
tournament and taking care of us, it has been a good couple of weeks over
here.
Most players are flying back home tomorrow, a couple are off to
Papua New Guinea
and some, well only me, are touring round New Zealand for a bit.
Cheers, Daniel Zilic
|
Semi-Finals:
[3] Simon Carruthers bt [1]
Kashif Shuja 11/3, 3/11, 11/7, 11/10
[Q] Chris Ryder bt [14] Luke Margan
11/6, 9/11, 11/10, 11/9
CARRUTHERS IN 8 DAYS, FOUR
YEARS FOR RYDER ...
The final of the Royal Oak Open will feature Australian third seed
Simon Carruthers, playing his second final in eight days, and English
qualifier Chris Ryder, who, after a three year break for University
studies, last played a final in the Alcatraz Open in 2001. |
[3]
Simon Carruthers bt [1] Kashif Shuja
3/1
Carruthers conquers
Kashif again ...
The Carruthers v Shuja match was, as expected, pretty brutal for both. The
two players put in a tremendous effort and both looked absolutely drained
towards the end.
It was exciting squash and it looked as if Kashif, despite starting
terribly, could sneak the fourth game, but Carruthers showed just how
tough to beat he is right now by retrieving every shot and slotting a
couple of winners himself.
Full credit to Kashif though, who had the crowd behind him and played very
well.
|
 "I
am well and truly knackered. It was just so hard and I am so happy I
could close it down in four.
"Kashif started terribly, hitting errors off every shot, but I
retaliated by doing the same in the second. You know, once you reach
a certain level of exhaustion you just have to push through the pain
barrier and I was just about able to do that. But now I really need
a rest.
"I am happy to play Chris tomorrow. It looks like he has a very
strong game, especially at the front of the court, and I am ready
just to push myself for one final match."
Simon Carruthers |
|
Ryder finally reaches
another final ...
Chris Ryder
bt [14] Luke Margan
3/0
It was rather niggly to start off with
since both players were asking for a lot of lets. So there was heaps of
discussion with the referee, to whose decisions both players objected
regularly.
Margan seemed very nervous at first but settled down and displayed some
fast and furious squash, whereas Ryder showed some great skill and shot
selection.
The third was once again the deciding game and was very close, but Ryder
was able to edge it. Both players were getting desperate in the fourth and
retrieved awesomely, but Ryder ultimately prevailed. |
"It is so great to be in a PSA
final again. Not that I am looking forward to it physically, because
I am just absolutely shattered after that game. I guess Simon is
too, so it could be a shotplayer's final tomorrow.
"In my match it seemed like whoever was able to step up just a bit
more would win the game, and I think I was able to just do that.
"It was very close and we were both tired and not clearing the balls
very well, which created a lot of interference on both sides. It was
still a good match and I'm very confident in my game at the moment."
Chris Ryder |
|
That is
all for now. The non-finalists, which includes me, are off to watch the
rugby and head off to Auckland afterwards ...
Daniel
Zilic |
Quarter-Finals
[1] Kashif Shuja bt [5]
David Barnett
11/8, 10/11, 11/6, 11/9
[3] Simon Carruthers bt Chris Simpson
9/11, 11/4, 11/9, 11/2
[14] Luke Margan bt [4] Bader Al Hussaini
11/9, 10/11, 11/3, 11/6
[Q] Chris Ryder bt [7] Robin Clarke
11/9, 11/1, 11/3 |
|
Carruthers rolls into semis
Simon Carruthers bt Chris Simpson
3/1
I missed out on most of the first quarterfinals but was able to watch the
third and fourth game between Simon Carruthers and Chris Simpson.
The third game was really, really tough squash between the two and both
were working hard.
Simpson could not capitalise on a 9/8 lead and went for some pretty risky
shots towards the end, which unfortunately for him did not pay off. The
fourth was clear cut and Carruthers seemed to be relieved getting this one
home in 47 minutes.
 "It
was a good match and I am disappointed to lose the vital third game
after being 9/8 up on him. At times I ended up just running
everything down
instead of imposing my own game.
"I feel that I have learned a lot from this game, more so than from
any other match I have played over here in NZ. I didn't think there
was much I could learn or change about my game, but this match has
shown me that there is."
Chris Simpson
|
|
"Oh
man, I am really tired now. It was a really hard match. The first
two games were extremely tough and I think we both knew that whoever
won the third was going to win the match.
"I didn't really know Chris before New Zealand but the guys told me
about him and that he is England's number one junior, so I thought
he would be pretty good.
"The last tournaments and games are slowly taking their toll and I
am beginning to feel tired. I have played eight matches in the last
nine days so it is hard to keep going.
"Against Kashif however I feel like I have the edge right now,
although having home support, especially if it is as strong as it
was in Remuera, does not help the cause. I will try and up the pace,
make him work hard. He hasn't been liking that in the past so it
will hopefully work for me tonight."
Simon Carruthers |
|
Shuja still on course
Kashif Shuja bt David Barnett 3/1
Carruthers will meet top seed Khasif Shuja for their second
Trans-Tasman semi-final in consecutive tournaments.
Shuja beat David Barnett in four games and 38 minutes,
although the New Zealand number one Shuja did seem a little tired
towards the end. |
 "I
played really well. I was getting loads of balls back he
didn't expect me to. I had a good chance today especially
being 8/4 up in the fourth, but he kind of lulled me in and
won 11/9.
"All in all my results over here have been pretty steady. I
have played to my ranking every time and lost to strong
players, who made at least the semis in each event."
David Barnett
|
|
Ryder on Fire
Chris Ryder
bt Robin Clarke 3/0
Chris Ryder was again on fire playing against Robin Clarke.
Clarke got off to a good start, hitting some nice winners and going
up 9/4.
Bryan Byrne who was watching from the beginning said I just missed
the best drop he had ever seen played by Clarke, so I thought Chris
would be in for a hard time.
Chris amazingly reeled off 17 points in a row after that and went
from 4/9 in the first straight to 10/0 in the second. He was in
total control and won the match comfortably. Robin did not seem
happy about his game today, but Ryder just seemed a bit too sharp in
the 28 minute match.
This will be Ryder's first PSA semi final in four years, due to a
break while at University. His last outing to the final stages of an
event was in December 2001 when he won the Alcatraz Open title in
Switzerland.
|
"I stepped
up the court a bit after going 4/9 down in the first and from
then on it just all clicked.
"I was rather annoyed until then because he hit some good
winners and got some lucky bounces to go up to 9/4. We had a
brand new ball to start off and it went off like a rocket.
Once it slowed down things started going my way.
"I don't think Robin played his best today and did not make
best use of his height advantage, but he is only young and I
am sure it will be tougher next time around."
Chris Ryder
|
|
Margan makes
the last four
Luke Margan bt Bader Al Hussaini 3/0
Luke is very bouncy and fired up on court and started off in that
style.
Except for the second game he seemed to be in control and showed
some great athleticism and volleying.
 Not
that Bader played badly, but Luke just seemed to be a bit sharper.
He finished off the match with a spectacular cross court volley nick
jumping of the T, which even Bader applauded.
the Poker Party |
 "I
was nervous to start off with but it got better once I won the
first, I
started to relax and feel better.
"In the second I started playing his game, floating the ball
around, which did not really work out for me. That was the
kind of game which won him two games last time we played, so
in the third I
tried to up the pace, put him under pressure and chopping it
in short whenever possible. He didn't like that.
"The last shot of the match was great. Up until my back injury
two years ago I never really went for nicks, but now I try and
take the opportunity when it arises. I had a bad back injury
which forced me to retire for a year.
"Then I started to see the same physio as Stewart Boswell, and
since then things are way better. I will probably move back to
Brisbane and play and train in the Australian Institute of
Sports. Currently I am living back in Adelaide, but I do not
get enough hard matches there.
"I have not seen Chris Ryder play yet but he seems to be
playing very well at the moment. A good start will be vital so
I will try and grind out the first game and put him under
pressure right from the start."
Luke Margan
|
|
Crome takes
on Shelley ...
That is all from the quarters. In the women's event I saw Louise
Crome beating Jackie Hawkes 10/8 in the fifth, which was
pretty good squash and quite exciting.
She is playing Shelley Kitchen in tomorrow's final.
I managed to talk to Louise, who is 27 years old and very nice, so
here we go:
"Jackie
and I play loads against each other, as we both play at the
same club. Its probably 50-50 between us, so after two losses
in a row I was happy winning today, especially after being 2/1
down.
"I played well today and am looking forward to playing Shelley
tomorrow, as we haven't played in about a year.
"I am not playing full-time at the moment, I have a job at Air
New Zealand right now. I have gone full-time in the past, but
got a bad wrist injury after six months which forced me to
retire for a while.
"Right now I have taken a couple of weeks off work to play a
couple of tournaments. I played in Hong Kong and the South
Australian Open before playing here. I am pleased to have done
so and despite being the underdog in tomorrow's final, I will
give it my best shot."
Louise Crome
|
|
Poker Party rages on as
Gaskin serves an Ace ...
Poker has been going good, but Arthur Gaskin and
Simon Carruthers split the pot.
Irishman Gaskin entered the Tennis Doubles competition which
is going on at the club with his billet.
Despite being distracted by some pretty Tennis ladies on the
next-door court, he managed to beat a couple of older guys in
convincing style.
He was receiving a lot of cheers by most of the squash
players, who applauded his every shot.
|
|
|
ROYAL
OAK
ROUNDUP
Qualifying & Day one reports from Daniel
... |
 Royal
Oak Open
2005
New Zealand, 11-14 Aug, $3k |
Round One/Two
Aug 12 |
Quarters
Aug 13 |
Semis
Aug 13 |
Final
Aug 14 |
[1] Kashif
Shujah (Nzl)
8/11 11/8 11/8 11/7
[16] Ali Alramezi (Kuw) |
Kashif
Shujah
11/8, 10/11, 11/6, 11/9
David Barnett |
Kashif
Shujah
11/3, 3/11, 11/7, 11/10
Simon Carruthers |
Simon Carruthers
11/6, 11/3, 11/10 (2-0)
Chris Ryder |
[5]
David Barnett (Eng)
11/4 6/11 8/11 11/5 11/2
Robbie Temple (Eng) |
[3] Simon Carruthers
(Aus)
11/4 11/5 7/11 11/5
[13] Scott Arnold (Aus) |
Simon Carruthers
9/11, 11/4, 11/9, 11/2
Chris Simpson |
[Q] Chris
Simpson (Eng)
11/2 8/11 11/6 11/8
[15] Sam Atkins (Nzl) |
[14] Luke Margan
(Aus)
11/10 (2-0) 11/3 10/11 (2-0) 11/7
[6] Campbell Grayson (Nzl) |
Luke Margan
11/9, 10/11, 11/3, 11/6
Bader Al Hussaini |
Luke Margan
11/6, 9/11, 11/10, 11/9
Chris Ryder |
[11] Josh
Greenfield (Nzl)
9/11 11/5 10/11(2-0) 11/4 11/7
[4] Bader Al Hussaini (Kuw) |
[12] Mohammed Hajeyah (Kuw)
11/8 11/10(2-0) 11/6
[7] Robin Clarke (Can) |
Robin Clarke
11/9, 11/1, 11/3
Chris Ryder |
[10]
Martin Knight (Nzl)
11/4 11/7 11/8
[Q] Chris Ryder (Eng) |
|
Round One:
1. Kashif Shuja (Nzl) bt Q. Chris Lloyd (Nzl)
11/3 11/6 11/4
16. Ali Alramezi (Kuw) bt Q. Rik Smet (Bel)
11/9 8/11 11/8 11/9
5. David Barnett (Eng) bt Michael Elford (Eng)
11/5 11/5 11/5
Robbie Temple (Eng) bt 9. Arthur Gaskin (Irl)
11/6 6/11 11/5 11/2
3. Simon Carruthers (Aus) bt Q. Paul Tuffin (Nzl)
11/2 11/7 11/2
13. Scott Arnold (Aus) bt Q. Yasunori Ishiwata (Jpn)
11/6 11/6 11/9
Chris Simpson (Eng) bt 8. Nasser B Al-Ramzi (Kuw)
8/11 11/10(2-0) 11/2 11/4
15. Sam Atkins (Nzl) bt Q. Mike Weston (Nzl)
9/11 7/11 11/5 11/8 11/5
14. Luke Margan (Aus) bt Brian Byrne (Irl)
11/5 10/12 11/5 11/8
6. Campbell Grayson (Nzl) bt Daniel Zilic (Ger)
11/10(3-1) 11/2 11/5
11. Josh Greenfield (Nzl) bt Harinder Pal Sandhu (Ind)
11/7 8/11 3/11 12/10 11/4
4. Bader Al Hussaini (Kuw) bt Nick Smith (Aus)
11/7 11/9 11/7
12. Mohammed Hajeyah (Kuw) bt Q. Stuart Crawford (Sco)
5/11 10/11(2-0) 11/4 11/9 11/9
7. Robin Clarke (Can) bt Graeme Wilson (Nzl)
11/0 11/0 11/0
10. Martin Knight (Nzl) bt Parthiban Ayappan (Ind)
11/5 11/5 11/8
Chris Ryder (Eng) bt 2. Abdullah Almezayen (Kuw)
9/11 11/6 11/10(2-0) 11/7
Qualifying
Rik Smet (Bel)
BYE
Chris Ryder (Eng) bt Josh Thom (Nzl)
11/6, 11/0, 11/5
Chris Lloyd (Nzl) bt Stephen Preefer (USA)
11/10, 11/2, 11/3
Mike Weston (Nzl) bt Chris McEldowney (Nzl) 11/7, 11/8, 11/7
Paul Tuffin (Nzl) bt Brent Lewis (Nzl)
11/5, 11/8, 11/10
Stuart Crawford (Sco) bt Michael Bill (Nzl)
11/6, 11/3, 11/5
Chris Simpson (Eng) bt Nigel Lloyd (Nzl)
11/4, 11/6, 11/3
Yasunori Ishiwata (Jpn)
BYE |
|
12-Aug
Royal Oak Roundup
from Daniel Zilic
A very busy first day today in the Royal Oak Squash Club in
Auckland for all but Robin Clark, whose first round opponent Graeme
Wilson turned up late for his match, so Robin received a bye.
 Chris
Simpson had a bit of a fright in the first round finding himself 0/1
and 7/10 down to Kuwaiti Al-Ramzi, but he showed he is yet another tough
Englishman winning the second in a tie-break and conceding only four or
five points in the last two games.
I have to say that his game improved a hundred percent after some coaching
by Robin "the self proclaimed master-coach" Clarke.
The only major first round upset came, as predicted by many, from Chris
Ryder. He beat Almezayen in four.
One has to say that this young Kuwaiti fellow is probably one of the
quickest players on the circuit and hits the most random shots at times.
He certainly loves big crosscourt drops, which found the nick quite
regularly. Chris, no slow man himself on the court, was very happy to get
home in four anyway.
Apart from that Stuart Crawford was close to upsetting Hajeyah but
the Kuwaiti closed down on a two game deficit with some good racket
skills.
Second Round
 In
the second round Kashif was smooth as ever just about doing enough
to win in four and Dave Barnett worked hard to beat Robbie Temple
in five games. Both had their bump-ins with the referee throughout the
sixty minute match.
Simon Carruthers is the man of the moment and high on confidence
putting on a good display against up and coming Aussie Scott Arnold.
Thankfully Simon has not displayed the same skill playing poker, but there
are still a couple of hands to be played. He is playing Simpson tomorrow,
who overcame a spirited challenge from Kiwi Sam Atkins.
 Luke
Margan could afford to miss out on three matchballs in the third
against local boy Campbell Grayson, but finished him off in the fourth.
His match against sole surviving Kuwaiti Bader Al Hussaini promises
to be a tough match, after Margan managed to beat him in five games when
they played in Auckland last weekend.
Chris Ryder finished off the evening with some great squash against
Martin Knight. Despite Glen Wilson being in Knight's corner, Ryder was
just a bit too good on the day I would say. Ryder is playing Robin
Clarke for a place in the semis tomorrow.
Clarke beats Hajeyah
Not much else going on otherwise. Still spending our time playing poker,
pool, and talking about the cricket, which I am slowly getting the hang
of. You see, it isn't really that popular in Germany ...
More news tomorrow hopefully , cheers,
Dan Zilic
Ps I lost at Poker. Oh, and at squash! |
Auckland
12-Aug:
Shuja & Carruthers on track in
Auckland
Gary Denvir
reports
New Zealand's Kashif Shuja and Australian Simon Carruthers
remain on track for another showdown in the semifinals of the Barfoot and
Thompson Royal Oak Open in Auckland.
The trans Tasman rivals are both through to the quarterfinals, after wins
in the opening two rounds on day one.
Top seeded Shuja cruised past kiwi qualifier Chris Lloyd 11/3 11/6 11/4
first up, before edging out Kuwait's Ali Alramezi in four.
And third seeded Carruthers beat kiwi qualifier Paul Tuffin in three,
before battling to an 11/4 11/5 7/11 11/5 victory over fellow Australian
Scott Arnold.
Shuja and Carruthers have already met in tournaments twice in the past two
weeks, with the Australian coming out on top both times.
The big upset on day one saw second seeded Abdullah Almezayen from Kuwait
bow out in the opening round, going down 9/11 11/6 11/10 11/7 to English
qualifier Chris Ryder.
Ryder is joined in the quarter-finals, where he meet's Canada's Robin
Clarke, by two other Englishmen, Chris Simpson and David
Barnett. |
|
ROYAL
OAK
WELCOME
Daniel Zilic reports
from Auckland
All arrived at Royal Oak Squash Club on Monday and have enjoyed the
hospitality of our guests and billets so far. There has been more poker
than squash going on lately, so it's time to get back on court slowly.
 Today
qualifying began and I am happy to report that Stuart Crawford, the
Scotsman who flew the whole way to New Zealand only to be drawn against
Laurence Delasaux in the first tournament and not get into the second
tournament, just about slipped into the qualifying draw today.
Originally eight qualifying spots and eight local spots were taken, which
meant that Stuart would be the only reserve player to miss out. Luckily a
couple of local players did not turn up so Stuart got his well deserved
shot at qualifying.
This meant however that he had local status and was therefore to play a
PSA player in qualifying. This made the qualifying draw quite
nerve-wracking for some. He almost had to play Chris Simpson as it was
down to two names left in the hat, but ended up playing Michael Bill
after all.
But first things first.
Two more local players did not show so Rik Smet of Belgium and
Yasunori Ishiwata, the Japanese number one player, were given a bye.
Chris Ryder started off the afternoon thumping Kiwi junior Josh Thom
3/0 and dishing out a 11/0 in the second.
Ryder is a former PSA Top 100 player and back to playing PSA after
university. He is a bit of a dark horse and looks like he could do really
well in the bottom half of the draw.
Local Chris Lloyd beat young Stephen Preefer in three, the same as
Kiwi Mike Weston beating Chris McEldowney.
The second round of matches saw left-hander Paul Tuffin beat Brent
Lewis 3/0, Chris Simpson sliding around like a tennis player on
clay surface and scoring a convincing 3/0 win against Nigel LLoyd, and
finally Stuart Crawford putting on a solid performance against
Michael Bill winning 3/0.
Chris Ryder now has to play Almezayen, the Kuwaiti number two seed,
Chris Simpson is playing Al-Ramzi.
Both Englishman have decent draws and are btinitely forces to be reckoned
with. Apart from that the closest matches of the morning (we are starting
at ten tomorrow) could be Temple v Gaskin and Nick Smith v Al Hussaini.
Daniel Zilic |
Take
Three in
New Zealand
The third stop on the North Island PSA
circuit is at the Royal Oak Squash Club in Auckland, with New Zealand's
Kashif Shuja hoping to avoid a three-peat.
The kiwi number one is top seed for the event, and all going to plan will
meet Australian third seed Simon Carruthers in the semifinals.
The two players have already squared off twice in the last two weeks, with
the Australian coming up trumps both times.
Carruthers knocked Shuja out of the first round at the South Australian
Open late last month, and then repeated the dose in the semifinals of the
Auckland Open at Remuera last weekend.
Second seeded Kuwaiti Abdullah Almezayen, and fourth seeded
compatriot Bader Al Hussaini will also be looking for better things this
week.
Almezayen crashed out of the second round at Remuera, while Al Hussaini
failed to advance beyond the opening round.
The first round gets underway on Friday August 12.
Poker Party
Chris Lloyd & Stephen Preefer
David Barnett
|
|
North Island 2005 
