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"Rosner played well and I had to
run a lot. I enjoyed the game, but in the fourth game I felt a
little edgy.
"Luckily I crossed the finishline."
"I had a hard time getting started in the first game. Now I’m
looking forward to the next game but I need to keep me focused
because tomorrow is another day."
“I’m looking forward to the game tomorrow and hopefully I have
to be sharper in that game so that can help me staying focused”.
"We know each other very well and we often play against each
other. Both of us were tired after the first long game and I'm
happy to get to play again tomorrow."
 |
[3]
Peter Barker (Eng) 3-1 Simon Rosner (Ger)
11/8, 5/11, 11/9, 11/9 (70m)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (Fra) 3-0 Tom Richards (Eng)
12/10, 11/5, 11/3 (53m)
[1] Nick Matthew (Eng) 3-0 Cameron Pilley (Aus)
11/7, 11/6, 11/5 (37m)
Tarek Momen (Egy) 3-0 Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy)
20/18, 11/3, 11/9 (55m)
Quarter-finals in Linkoping
 Well,
that was a nice start of the day for those quarters. Our
favourite Salmon German number 1 (for those who never saw
Simon, he wears a Salmon shirt that's been the talk of the town
for a few months now) started by playing right into Peter
Barker's hand when he played long, very long rallies (I
counted at least 3 over 2 minutes!). At that game, Simon lost a
lot of energy - not to mention the game - that he came to regret
in the 4th!
After that typical "going to kill my opponent off in the first
game", Peter looked as fresh as a rose, but Simon started
volleying more and more, taking the game to the Englishman, and
win a relatively easy second, 11/5.
The third was absolutely crucial, with the German looking good,
8/8, but Peter suddenly finding some energy out of nowhere,
pushing hard, and finding that extra oomph, two game ball, 10/8.
Simon saved one, but not the second, Peter now 2/1, 11/9.
The fourth seemed over and out when the German found himself 8/1
down. But turning the racquet on Peter, he clawed back with a
few nicks that left Peter without any answer.
At 7/9, everything was still possible. A stroke after a drill in
Simon's racquet, match ball, 10/7. Simon, not happy with losing
a point that crucial in that manner, saved two match balls, but
what a squeeze from Peter on the last point, perfect length,
Match Peter, 11/9 in a long 70m match.
 Greg
Gaultier, full of confidence and playing probably the best
squash of his life, is again very relaxed today. Tom Richards,
having nothing to lose, is playing extremely well, finding good
length and great variety of choice, put the French man under a
lot of pressure, 5/5, 6/6, 7/7, 9/7, Greg closing down 9/9, game
ball for Tom, 10/9!!
Greg didn't panic, came back to 10/10, and Tom was kind enough
to concede two strokes to the Frenchman, allowing him to take
the game 12/10. Frustration from the Englishman was obvious,
quite rightly. He was extremely close indeed. Game was 19m.
The second was still long, 13m, but Tom didn't ask the same
questions. Having troubles to get pass Greg, he was doing a lot
of work, while the Frenchman kept his position on the T,
despatching the shots. 11/5.
And the third was about the same story than the 2nd, a blood
injury for Tom probably didn't help his concentration. The
Frenchman takes the third 11/3...
The third match of the night was Nick Matthew versus Cameron
Pilley. And no offence to the Australian, but Nick dominated
95% of the rallies, was controlling the shots and never let his
opponent really get in the match. Another "too good" for Nick in
my opinion...
 Now,
Tarek/Karim. A nice easy first game, 5 game ball each,
20/18 for Tarek in 30m. Nice... They actually passed the service
line - doesn't happen often, only kidding! If I add to that
Tarek had one of his great starts, down 6/1, you have a pretty
good idea of the ups and down of this opening game!
Karim never showed up for the second, a "mélange" of
disheartening and exhaustion, but was fired up again in the 3rd,
thank you very much. Nice rallies, still an excellent movement
and atmosphere between the two players, but it's Tarek that gets
match ball at 10/7. Karim, exhausted, still kept pushing, and
only bowed, 11/9 in the 3rd, 54m.
Really great match to finish the evening, thanks guys. |
