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08-Feb-09, Finals:
Darwish withdraws from men's final
Malcolm Willstrop at the Swedish Open
 The
bad news for Linkoping is that Karim Darwish has an ankle injury
which prevented him playing the Swedish Open final against Nick
Matthew.
This is hard on ActiPro who have run a tournament of which they can
feel justifiably proud. I was looking forward to this afternoon's
final, so the disappointment of Fredrik Johnson and his team can
hardly be imagined. There will no doubt be alternative
entertainment, but the Women's final, Line Hansen v Victoria Lust,
becomes the centre of attention.
Both girls began confidently, accurate approach play and neither
hesitating the chance to attack when it arose. Lust led 4-3, but
from then on the more experienced Hansen always led, albeit
narrowly. She served for the game at 10-8 and won it at the first
attempt. The second was less competitive and from 8-6 Hansen drew
away to win 11-6. Lust was showing a few minor signs of the
temperament she used to have as a junior, but she continued to
battle, using her not inconsiderable rackets skills.
She stayed with Hansen to 8-8 in the third, but that was the end of
it and the Danish girl deservedly took the game and the title 11-8.
In the most trying of circumstances the ActiPro team did their very
best to provide the splendid Linkoping crowds with some
entertainment on Finals day. Happily for them James Willstrop,
Mohamed El Shorbagy and Omar Mosaad were all ready and available to
help. So two Anglo-Egyptian challenges were arranged; Nick Matthew v
Shorbagy and Willstrop v Mosaad, not a bad line-up, and they gave
the crowd value, getting the balance right between trying and
entertaining.
Matthew bt Shorbagy 14/12, 10/12,
11/7
Willstrop bt Mosaad 11/8,
7/11, 11/7
The crowd forgot their disappointment and showed their approval of
racket skills and movement of a spectacular order. Shorbagy was in
his element and he certainly won over some new fans. Fredrik Johnson
publicly thanked the three players who stepped forward to help.
We should all take pleasure that we belong to a sport where players
have not got too big for themselves. So an end to a wonderful
championship and in the end not a sad one. Small wonder that player
after player promised to come back next year, and they will.
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Malcolm's Roundup
Actipro, Fredrik Johnson's company, can be justifiably
proud of the Swedish Open. It combines efficiency and
friendliness as well as any tournament in the world. The
players, too, are made to feel as if they matter ... not always
the case.
Apart from the many volunteers, special mention goes to Bo
Pettersson and Henrik Strombom [case] for their active
support; Fredrik and wife Louise, Michael Berbbren and
Frederick Garveman [ActiPro] to excellent compere Peter
Bengtsson, to Daniel Angvik, who provided a splendid
selection of music.
Stefan Edberg, of Wimbledon fame, is a keen and capable
squash player and he was a major attraction, being a resident of
Linkoping. Match of the championship was undoubtedly the semi
final between Nick Matthew and James Willstrop. It looked a
problem for James at 2-0 down, but he fought back, levelled it
and it was anybody's in the fifth, Nick finishing it with a
perfect forehand straight drop. It was heavyweight stuff and the
crowd loved it.
Some of the leading players seemed to be playing a little less
positively than is their preference and the quick front wall may
have been the explanation. There were several Eastern European
girls in the women's championship and they looked distinctly
promising. There is surely a lot to come from that part of the
world.
John Masarella and Roy Gingell were present all week, to
help to assess and help referees. Most of the refereeing was let
rather than stroke orientated, which suits me, but there were
frequent incorrect calls of the score [one serious in the
women's final, which was ultimately rectified] and hasty and
incorrect interpretation of referees' signals.
I would have thought, too that the two world referees should
have been in action for such matches as the Matthew -Willstrop
semi final. Players of that standard deserve the best refereeing
available and to feel confident about the referees. ..more
likely,though by no means certain, if they know them.
Gingell was in action for the exhibition doubles, but more as a
comedian!
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 Swedish
Open 2009
03-08 Feb, Linkoping, $60k |
Round One
05 Feb |
Quarters
06 Feb |
Semis
07 Feb |
Final
08 Feb |
[1]
Karim Darwish (Egy)
8/11, 11/8, 11/6, 11/7
[Q] Simon Rosner (Ger) |
[1] Karim Darwish
12/10, 11/2, 11/1
Davide Bianchetti |
[1] Karim Darwish
11/3, 11/8, 11/9
[8] Mohamed El Shorbagy |
[1] Karim Darwish
w/o
[3] Nick Matthew |
[8]
Mansoor Zaman (Pak)
6/11, 13/11, 11/7, 11/2
Davide Bianchetti (Ita) |
[4]
Aamir Atlas Khan (Pak)
11/5, 11/3 11/7
[Q] Bradley Hindle (Aus) |
[4] Aamir Atlas Khan
11/6, 11/5, 11/6
[8] Mohamed El Shorbagy |
[8]
Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egy)
11/6, 11/4, 11/7
[Q] Rob Sutherland (Wal) |
[Q] Aaron Frankcomb (Aus)
6/11, 11/8, 11/5, 11/7
[6] Omar Mosaad (Egy) |
[6] Omar Mosaad
11/5, 11/6, 11/9
[3] Nick Matthew |
[3] Nick Matthew 11/8, 11/2, 7/11, 3/11, 11/9
[2] James Willstrop |
Saurav Ghosal (Ind)
11/9, 9/11, 11/6, 11/6
[3] Nick Matthew (Eng) |
Joey Barrington (Eng)
11/6, 11/6, 11/3
[5] Farhan Mehboob (Pak) |
Joey Barrington
11/9, 13/11, 11/7
[2] James Willstrop |
Badr
Abdel Aziz (Swe)
11/7, 11/9, 11/7
[2] James Willstrop (Eng) |
04-Feb, Qualifying Finals:
Bradley Hindle (Aus) bt Mark Krajcsak (Hun)
11/6, 5/11, 11/9, 11/7
Simon Rosner (Ger) bt Jens Schoor (Ger)
11/7, 11/6, 13/11
Rob Sutherland (Wal) bt Chris Simpson (Eng)
4/11, 11/9, 12/10, 7/11, 11/8
Aaron Frankcomb (Aus) bt Dylan Bennett (Ned)
11/8, 13/11, 8/11, 11/5
03-Feb,
Qualifying Round One:
Mark Krajcsak (Hun)
bye
Bradley Hindle (Aus) bt Foad Hammouni (Swe)
11/4, 11/1, 11/9
Simon Rosner (Ger)
bye
Jens Schoor (Ger) bt Siddharth Suchde (Ind)
11/3, 6/11, 13/11, 11/3
Rob Sutherland (Wal) bt Christian Drakenberg (Swe)
11/4, 11/6, 11/8
Chris Simpson (Eng) bt André Wikström (Swe)
11/4, 11/6, 11/7
Dylan Bennett (Ned) bt Carl-Johan Löfvenborg (Swe)
11/2, 11/5, 11/3
Aaron Frankcomb (Aus)
bye"Jens
played better and I think that the third game was the crucial
one and all credits once again to Jens for a good game."
"I was nervous in the beginning but it got better as it went on,
and the third game was the important one for me to win. I tried
to keep the pressure up and play him out to all the four corners
of the court. I'm looking forward to playing Simon tomorrow, we
have played each other a lot of times and I hope the better
player wins."
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 Swedish
Open 2009
05-08 Feb, Linkoping, $6k |
Round One
06 Feb |
Quarters
06 Feb |
Semis
07 Feb |
Final
08 Feb |
[1]
Annelize Naude (Ned)
11/3, 11/5, 11/3
[Q] Linda Hruzikova (Svk) |
[1]
Annelize Naude
12/10, 9/11, 11/8, 9/11, 11/8
[7] Victoria Lust |
[7] Victoria Lust
9/11, 11/6, 11/8, 10/12, 11/7
[8]
Olga Ertlova |
[7] Victoria Lust
11/8, 11/6, 11/8 (23m)
[2] Line Hansen |
[7]
Victoria Lust (Eng)
11/5, 11/5, 11/7
Irina Assal (Rus) |
[4]
Lauren Selby (Eng)
11/4, 13/11, 11/4
[Q] Carrie Hastings (Eng) |
[4] Lauren Selby
11/9, 11/7, 7/11, 14/12
[8]
Olga Ertlova |
[8]
Olga Ertlova (Cze)
11/5, 11/5, 11/5
Leonie Holt (Eng) |
[Q] Amanda Cranston (Nzl)
11/3, 6/11, 11/9, 3/11, 14/12
[7] Lotte Eriksen (Nor) |
[Q] Amanda Cranston
11/7, 11/4, 11/7
[3] Deon Saffery |
[3] Deon Saffery
8/11, 11/4, 11/5, 11/2
[2] Line Hansen |
[Q] Anna Detter (Swe)
11/6, 11/7, 11/5
[3] Deon Saffery (Wal) |
Kerri Lancaster (Irl)
11/2, 11/4, 11/8
[5] Lucia Fialova (Cze) |
[5] Lucia Fialova
11/3, 11/8, 13/11
[2] Line Hansen |
Anna-Carin Forstadius (Swe)
11/8, 11/3, 11/6
[2] Line Hansen (Den) |
07-Feb-09,
Semis:
Egypt v England final in
Linkoping ...
As befits a tournament as splendidly staged and well run as the Case
Sweden open a large crowd had already assembled for the first of the
afternoon's semi-finals, Line Hansen v Deon Saffery. With
Annalize Naude out of contention, Hansen is the tournament favourite
and she was no doubt surprised to find herself a game down to
Saffery, especially as she led 6-2.She lost it 11-8,but came back
strongly in the second to lead 6-1,winning it 11-4. Saffery competed
in the third, but the fourth ran away from her and Hansen was the
first of the eight semi finalists to reach the final.
When Karim Darwish took to the court with the world Junior
champion, Mohamed El Shorbagy, the crowd had swelled to about
600.El Shorbagy is hardly diffident and though he was taking on the
World no.1,he did not seem likely to be overawed. Nor was he. He
began well enough, but from 5-2 in the first Darwish took control,
helped by a series of unforced errors.
Shorbagy held together well in the second, led 6-3 and 8-6, at which
point Darwish fell over. Undeterred he got up, pressed on, took the
lead 9-8 and went two up 11-8. The pace was quick, Shorbagy
attacked, Darwish counter-punched, which is his style and after some
electric exchanges in mid game, reached matchball at 10-6, finally
getting home 11-9. The crowd certainly enjoyed it and it was squash
of a high order. They would have welcomed another game, though I'm
sure Darwish would not.
The second ladies' match, Victoria Lust v Olga Ertlova, began
tentatively with a series of lets, almost all at Lust's asking. The
neat and compact Ertlova, another promising Eastern European, always
led and won the game 11-9. Lust improved after Ertlova had led 3-1
and gradually assumed control with some well executed shots to draw
away to win the second 11-6.
Both girls were now playing attractively, but it was the English
girl who led 2-1. At 7-3 in the fourth Lust appeared to have the
match won, but Ertlova is uncomplicated, kept battling and her
reward was two games all after a 12-10 tie break. Nor was Lust ever
behind in the fourth and although it never looked secure she stayed
ahead this time and won her place in the final 11-7.
The tournament deserved a classic and they got a match not far short
of that in the James Willstrop v Nick Matthew semi-final.
Matthew is generally a quick starter and though there was never much
in the first he edged it 11-8. The second was a non-event: Matthew
reached 6-0 to easily and 11-2 and two love down, Willstrop was
looking down the barrel. He came back though determinedly in the
third, took it 11-7 and then dominated the fourth in the same way
that Matthew had the second.
The squash was high quality: chances had to be earned and then taken
and the crowd were enthralled. Willstrop had deserved a fifth, but
Matthew doesn't lie down and reached 10-7. Willstrop was not done
with, recovered to 10-9, but Matthew settled the issue with a
straight forehand drop which Willstrop couldn't reach. It was, as
Matthew said afterwards, "as tough as it gets," and there was 70
minutes of it. If Matthew comes up fresh and I suspect he will the
new World no.1 will have a fight on his hands.
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06-Feb-09, Quarters:
Egypt v England final
assured in
Linkoping ...
Malcolm Willstrop at the Swedish Open
Lucie
Fialova impressed against Kerri Lancaster earlier, but playing
Line Hansen was A significant step-up in class and her
experience on glass must be limited. However she did not help her
cause with a series of tins in the first, which she lost 11-3. She
made a much better fist of the second, although the experienced
Hansen always had marginal control, eventually winning it 11-8,
Fialova still showing glimpses of what she is capable. The third was
even closer and at 10-9,the Czech had a game ball. She couldn't
capitalise, however, and Hansen won the tie break 13-11 to remain a
main contender. Fialova looks feisty,but there is a lot of squash in
her.
The first of the men's matches, Aamir Atlas Khan against
Mohamed El Shorbagy, two of the world's best youngsters, was
perhaps the most interesting of the night, at least beforehand.
There is a saying that a good big un will always beat a good little
un and that's how it was in the first game as the powerful Shorbagy
overpowered Atlas. Nothing much changed in the second, as the
Egyptian took it 11-5. Nor did matters improve for Atlas: it was men
and boys and El Shorbagy romped to a 3-0 win and a semi final
against Karim Darwish. As a competitive match it was a
disappointment, but the world Junior champion was impressive.
Davide Bianchetti was well in contention in the first game
against world number one Karim Darwish, with Darwish playing
more conservatively than usual and he did well to come from 9-6 down
to give himself a game ball at 10-9. He couldn't take it, though,
and Darwish won the tie break 12-10. Surprisingly on what had
happened so far, he ran away with the second with the Italian
offering very little. Nor did matters improve in the third.
Darwish's dominance was total, Bianchetti's resistance minimal.
So two disappointing matches to start the evening: Darwish and El
Shorbagy played, but Atlas and Bianchetti played below expectations.
Nick Matthew started sharply and aided by two tins from
Omar Mosaad quickly reached 6-1.The well organised Egyptian
settled, recovered to 5-6 before Matthew ran through to 11 in one
hand. To get to 8-5, though he withstood a sapping rally, eventually
winning after being under all sorts of pressure. The second game was
even for a while ,but from midway Matthew ,defending purposefully
whenever necessary, pulled gradually clear to win it 11-6. The
scoreline hardly flattered Mosaad who played some quality squash
without being able to cope with Matthew's persistence. The third was
close in all respects and at 8-all Mosaad was still very much alive.
Matthew thrives on such situations and he took the last three
crucial rallies, though not easily. Mosaad remains a player of high
promise, he addresses the ball well and will have other days.
James Willstrop and Joey Barrington generally provide
watchable matches, probably because they enjoy playing each other.
Barrington is as fair a player as there is on the tour and the first
game reflected all this. Willstrop edged it 11-9 and did the same in
the second 13-11, in which there were a couple of massive,
crowd-pleasing rallies. He won the third , too, 11-7 to book a place
in the semi final, after an enjoyable match in which Barrington
played a full part.
The semi finals, Darwish v El Shorbagy and Willstrop v Matthew,
guarantee an English Egyptian final. An Interesting statistic is
that Darwish[Milan 2000], Willstrop[Chennai 2002], and El Shorbagy
[Zurich 2008] all won World under 19 titles. Matthew missed out in
1998 in Princeton, but won the British Junior Open. The Women's semi
finals are from four different nations: England, Czech Republic,
Wales and Denmark. With top seed Annelize Naude having fallen by the
wayside, Line Hansen looks to have a favourite's chance.
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06-Feb-09:
Friday in
Linkoping
Malcolm Willstrop at the Swedish Open
Friday
began with women's matches at the Linkoping Squash Club and Fredrik
Johnson's pro-am. There was a good turn out of pros, led by
Karim Darwish, James Willstrop and Nick Matthew and the amateurs
were led by Freddy himself and tennis great Stefan Edberg, no
mean squash player himself and looking as fit as in his Wimbledon
days.
As modest and unassuming as ever his fitness didn't look quite so
impressive after the world no. 1 had given him the run round.
Members of the sponsoring company, Case, were in action and Bo
Petterson showed he can play in his match with James Willstrop,
though his fitness was suspect, both before and after. Freddy's
seemingly random organisation of the pro-am matches, in complete
contrast to the organisation at the Sportshalle, did not spoil the
enjoyment of the participants or the large and enthusiastic crowd
who had gathered to watch.
I doubt if the quarter finalists would have chosen it as a
preparation for what was to come later, but they all entered into
the spirit of it and appeared to enjoy themselves, as their
opponents most certainly did.
Meanwhile in the women's event the top seeds Annelize Naude
and Line Hansen eased their their way to the quarters, Naude
beating Linda Hruzikova, whose movement was clearly hindered by a
knee problem, and Hansen beating local favourite, Anna Carin
Forstadius. Two English girls, Victoria Lust and Lauren
Selby and Wales's Deon Saffery all won 3-0 and 5th seeded
Lucie Fialova [Czech Rep.] looked promising in her victory
over Ireland's Kerri Lancaster.
Fialova struck the ball with power and intent and has scope to get
better. Several ot the younger women, even in defeat, looked
technically secure and clearly their greatest need is wider
experience. There must surely be, if women's tennis is any guide, a
massive untapped resource of squash players in Eastern Europe.
The closest match ot the day saw New Zealand's Amanda Cranston
beat 7th seeded Lotte Eriksen 14-12 in the fifth to meet Saffery in
the quarter finals.
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05-Feb-09:
Round One
in Linkoping
Malcolm Willstrop at the Swedish Open
Arriving at the Linkoping Sportshalle for the first round proper,
yesterday's busy scene is now transformed into the real thing. It is
about as good as it gets: the court, with its extensive seating
looks splendid and there is a feeling that nothing has been
overlooked. Add to that that the hotel is a five minute walk away
and the attractive town centre likewise. Amidst the efficiency there
is no lack of friendliness and understandably I am glad I came.
First match on was between World and British under 19 champion
Mohamed El Shorbagy and qualifier Rob Sutherland, who
beat Chris Simpson 3-2 in the final qualifying round. It is easy to
see why Shorbagy is making an impression at world senior levels: not
only can he play he is very strong and developed for one of his age.
In truth Sutherland may be quite a lot older, but it looked a
physical mismatch and at no time did the Welshman's neat and tidy
game threaten the power of the Egyptian.
Shorbagy led 9-2 in the first; Sutherland fought back to 9-6, lost
it 11-6; he led 3-1 in the second, then was overpowered 11-4; the
third was much the same story and Shorbagy took it and the match
11-7 in just over 20 minutes. It was like watching a heavyweight
boxer fight a lightweight and we all know how that would end.
Shorbagy will face harder tasks in Linkoping and in the future and
may well be up to some of them immediately.
The second match between Farhan Mehboob and Joey
Barrington promised more and indeed looked the most interesting
match of the first round from a competitive point of view. Mehboob
may be flattered to be ranked several places above Barrington, since
a lot his successes have been in Pakistan without strong
international opposition. Certainly Barrington was dominant in the
first game, forcing errors from the left-handed Pakistani, running
out an easy 11-6 winner.
Barrington, fortified by his early success,
moving well, as he does, held sway in the second to 9-6 until
Mehboob recovered to 9 all with three well executed winners.
Nevertheless it was Barrington who took it and a 2-0 lead to leave
Mehboob with an uphill task. So it proved and Barrington romped away
with the third 11-3 ,assisted by more unforced errors, mostly from
deeper in the court. Mehboob will be disappointed with his
performance. Barrington, conversely, well pleased.
He will be looking forward to his quarter final. Not surprisingly he
may not lived up to his illustrious father as a player, but in his
post match interview he showed that he matches Jonah for articulate
humour..
The third match between Davide Bianchetti and Mansoor Zaman
might well pose the question, before it started "What happens next?"
- the volatile Italian and the indeterminate Pakistani, who is given
to bouts of non trying.
Certainly there was no negative intent in the first game: shots
abounded, as did errors. Mansoor didn't chase a ball at 6-4,but that
was all. Encouraged by leading, he ran after the ball, guessed well
and in four minutes wrapped the game up 11-6,without Bianchetti
saying a word.
The second was nip and tuck, Mansoor hoping for a two nil lead and
Bianchetti, fearful of going two nil down, keeping calm. That
enabled the Italian to win the tie break 13-11 and level the score
after 20 minutes.
Mansoor's response was now a matter of interest. In fact the third
game illustrated both players' wayward tendencies: at four all
Bianchetti started talking to the referees for no particular reason,
strange, when he looked to be in the ascendancy; Mansoor didn't try
twice and guessed more irresponsibly. He always looked likely to
lose the game and did 11-7.
It was hard now to imagine a way back for Mansoor ... he is not
someone to be in the trenches with! So it proved as he offered no
resistance and Bianchetti won the match 11-2. Mansoor may be able to
use a racket, but his lack of persistence - a polite way of saying
non-trier - is to be deplored. Official bodies should sanction
against lack of effort.
One of the best games of the first round was between Nick Matthew,
fresh from his TOC final, and Saurav Ghosal, the Indian no.1.
Ghosal began well, moving quickly, as he does, and he gave Matthew
plenty to do in the first game, losing it narrowly 11-9. He
continued to give a good account of himself and played well enough
to win the second game by a similar score, Matthew having to keep up
to the mark.
Ghosal was still in contention up to the middle of the third game,
when the rallies suddenly became disjointed. Matthew then took
control to win the third 11-6 and continued in the same vein in the
fourth, winning that by the same score and move to a quarter final
against the promising young Egyptian Omar Mosaad.
He expressed himself happy to have got past Ghosal, whom he saw as a
dangerous opponent. Ghosal will be pleased to have competed well
against one of the world's best players.
James Willstrop began his defence of the title against
wildcard Swedish no.1, Badr Abdel Aziz. He was no doubt
surprised to find himself 6-0 down in the first, as the Swede began
brightly. Willstrop caught up though, won the game 11-7, took the
second 11-9 and the third 11-7 in twenty minutes. He hit a few tins
and he will be aware of the need to be sharp for the heavier demands
of the quarter finals, as will all those involved.
Karim Darwish, recently elevated to world no.1 ,made his
first appearance against German qualifier Simon Rosner, and there
was a large crowd to watch him. Apart from the obvious confidence,
Darwish looks stronger and harder trained than ever before. Rosner,
though, is strong and capable, and by no means overawed he won the
first game 11-8 entirely on merit.
He continued to prosper, leading 7-5 in the second, looking
comfortable at that, with the world no. 1 doing less and less with
the ball. Darwish, however led 8-7 and finished the game off with
his trademark forehand straight drop, which he executed to
perfection. From the middle of the third the German just dropped off
the pace a little and that was enough to give Darwish more attacking
opportunities. He was always ahead and eased away to win it 11-6.He
quickly led 4-0 in the fourth, looking more confident than at any
time in the match. 4-0 became 6-2, but Rosner, aided by five
backhand cross court nicks off the serve, stayed in contention to
10-7 when Darwish won on his first match ball.
The Egyptian will be a little relieved to come through quite a
severe test and Rosner will be thrilled to bits wit his performance.
The quarter finals are an intriguing combination of older
experienced players and three of the best young prospects in the
world. Darwish, Willstrop and Matthew represent top world standards,
Barrington and Bianchetti, two highly able older players and the
three young challengers are Omar Mosaad, Aamir Atlas Khan and
Mohamed El Shorbagy, of whom great things are reasonably expected.
Mosaad faces Matthew, whereas Shorbagy and Atlas take on each other.
Darwish and Willstrop face Bianchetti and Barrington in what should
be a fascinating day's play. The Women's event also moves into
action with the first round, qualifying now complete.
Tomorrow morning will see a pro am in which Stefan Edberg may be
taking part.
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04-Feb-09:
Qualifying Finals in Linkoping
Malcolm Willstrop at the Swedish Open
Two of the men's qualifying finals were played at the Linkoping
Squash Centre: Mark Krajcsak v Bradley Hindle and an all
German clash between Jens Schoor and Simon Rosner.
28 year old Australian Hindle, based in Amsterdam, is by no means a
heavy striker of a squash ball and the pacelessness of his game
served him well on the bouncy centre court, where severe hitting was
not appropriate. He led 6-2 in the first, settling better than the
Hungarian no.1 and won it comfortably 11-6. However Krajcsak, now
more at ease, quickly went 5-1 up in the second, always called the
tune and levelled at 11-5.
The third, as it often does, was to prove crucial. Hindle led 6-2
and 10-5, but Krajcsak took four points in a row before Hindle won
it with an outstanding rally, the best of the match. The fourth was
well contested, but the Australian always had the edge from midway
through the game and clinched his place in the first round proper
11-7.
Simon Rosner admitted that playing a fellow countryman is not ideal
and Jens Schoor provided capable opposition throughout. He lost the
first two 11-7, 11-6, though did better than the score might suggest
and battled all way to a tie break before Rosner sneaked it 13-11.
The referee for both games had to listen to players' disagreements
about decisions ... the enclosed court meant that the players had to
come off to say their piece. If it means anything to him, I thought
he did a good job, disagreed with only one marginal decision, when
oddly neither player objected.
The qualifiers will face Karim Darwish, Atlas Khan, Mohamed El
Shorbagy or Omar Mosaad for their pains, but no doubt they will be
happy to be there.
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 "It
was just not my day, I couldn't find my rhythm and shots. Normally
my speed is my strength but it just didn't feel like today. Brad
slowed down the pace and I got more frustrated about it."
 "It
was a good game of squash, really competitive and I tried to keep it
tight and went for the short shots at the right moment. He's a
strong opponent and I enjoyed my win today."
 "I
felt a bit sick this morning and felt it a bit during my match, so
it was
tough playing. In the third game there were some really crucial
rallies and Simon got the better of it. He had me under a lot of
pressure and didn't let me in to the match."
 "I
played well, not my best but when I went 2-0 up I got a confidence
boost and my plan went the right way by getting Jens of the T
a lot and breaking his pattern. He got back pretty good in the third
but I managed to get the upper hand of it."
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04-Feb-09:
Almost ready in Linkoping
Malcolm Willstrop at the Swedish Open
The last time I was in Sweden was many years ago in the days of the
first World Junior Championships in Sundsval and in the days of
Chris Dittmar and Anders Wahlstedt. It is a pleasure to be in
Linkoping for the Case Swedish Open, a tournament about which I have
only heard favourable things.
Arriving at the Linkoping Sportshalle it was easy to see why: the
arena is impressive with seating for 1300 and there is a feeling of
energy and efficiency about the whole place.
Add to that that I was greeted with warmth by Fredrik Johnson
and his team, who mastermind the whole event. Everyone around him
shows the same warmth and friendliness. He has been well rewarded
for his efforts with the entry, having attracted World no. 1
Karin Darwish, current Swedish champion James Willstrop
and Nick Matthew, in form and heading back up the rankings
where he belongs.
The winner is almost certain to come from those three, though there
is plenty of worthwhile and youthful opposition in Omar Mosaad,
Aamir Atlas Khan and Mohamed el Shorbagy. Ong Beng
Hee, seeded 3,has not recovered from his New York illness and has
withdrawn and the third seeded woman, Dipika Pallikal, has also
withdrawn with a hamstring problem.
Annelize Naude tops the women's draw with Demark's Line
Hansen at two. Badr Abdel and Anna Carin Forstadius
represent Swedish interests. Qualifying is underway and this
afternoon's matches see the men's qualifying finals.
Tomorrow's action for the men begins on the glass court at one o'
clock.
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