SEARCH

HOME
Archive
Calendar
Tournaments
Kaleidoscope
Forum
Players
Interviews
Coaching
Links
Useful Info
Clubs
Photos
Shorts
In the Papers
Contact
UK
FRANCE
USA
SEARCH

[4] James Willstrop
 

16.30

[7] John White

11/9, 11/7, 11/6 (31m)

[11] Olli Tuominen

19.30
 

“I was full of rage, I thought I would burst. I thought the referee was disrespectful in the way he spoke to me. For the last few months I have been playing good squash but I was so angry it affected my movement,” El Hindi said after the match.

WHITE SLAYS THE GIANT KILLER

John White of Scotland, the seventh seed, took on yesterday’s giant-killer, Olli Tuominen of Finland and gave him a lesson in fast accurate racket work. White was in sizzling form and effortlessly slotted in the winners while all Tuominen could do was chase shadows. It was a short sharp execution taking just 30 minutes, a performance that White judged later was 9½ on a scale of one-to-ten.

When the 34 year old White was asked what he was thinking during one very long rally, he replied: “He was doing all the running, I was just standing there hitting the ball, so I was quite happy. “

THE FRENCH RESOLUTION

After the all-Egyptian match there was the all-French match as Thierry Lincou tried to get revenge over Gregory Gaultier, who had beaten him in the British Open last year. It was a ding-dong battle which kept the spectators in their seats to the last point. Gaultier seemed to have it all under control as he took the first two games, but Lincou knew how to subdue the tricky Gaultier, slowing the ball down and using the lob. It paid off as he took the next two games forcing a deciding fifth.

Gaultier opened up a lead – but it wasn’t easy; the rallies were long and there was a real battle in the front corners as they traded counter drops. Gaultier maintained his supremacy to take the game 11-3 and emerge the victor after 54 minutes.

“I knew Thierry still had yesterday’s hard games in his legs so I was making him work. He came back very well when he slowed the game, but I think he finally got tired,” Gaultier said between gasps of breath after the match. He will now meet White.
 

Round One, Bottom Half:
Lavigne Survives While
Chifunda Cheered In Virginia

The first round of the 2008 Davenport Professional Squash Championship held at the University of Richmond provided a mixed bag of players and competition. In the most competitive match of the day Renan Lavigne of France survive a spirited comeback from Ireland’s Liam Kenny, who pushed the Frenchman to extra points in the fifth game.

Despite the gap in rankings – Lavigne is world number 26 while Kenny has slipped to 52 - the players were equal in most things and played a similar game, matching each other in both defence and attack.

Kenny looked the better armed and often seemed on the brink of breaking away, but Lavigne always managed to contain Kenny’s spirited attacking. In the decider, Kenny came back from 0-3 down to lead 6-4 - but the 30-year-old from Dublin could not stop Lavigne’s constant supply of energy.

Kenny saved two match balls, then got to match ball himself at 11-10, but it was Lavigne who persevered that little bit more to win in 88 minutes.

It took Patrick Chifunda, a wild card local entry, to get the crowd roaring - even before he’d struck a ball. Born in Zambia, educated in South Africa, Chifunda now coaches at the Country Club of Richmond. His popularity had the packed galleries roaring him on as he tried to bamboozle world number 26 Cameron Pilley, the lanky Australian.   Chifunda’s speed and acrobatics almost paid off in the third game as he led 7-4 and then was tied at 9-9 with a real chance at taking the game. But an error put Pilley at match ball and he took the final point with a backhand drop. The players left the court to more roars of approval.

“I just play my best squash and don’t worry about the rankings,” said the smiling 32-year-old Zambian. “I just like to hassle these players as much as I can and try enjoy myself.”

English qualifier Robbie Temple managed to give Thierry Lincou a bit of a fright in their first round match. Temple had knocked out the up and coming Ryan Cuskelly of Australia in the qualifying round - a good win for a player who has just entered the top 100. Left-handed Temple plays his backhand with two hands, a la Peter Marshall - and like Marshall, can keep his opponents guessing as to which way the ball is going.

Lincou, now ranked seven in the world, had it all his own way in the first two games - but suddenly found himself 6-1 down in the third. The Frenchman managed to climb back into the game only because Temple made four unforced errors which allowed Lincou to draw level and then go on to take the game to close out the match.

“Concentration,” responded Lincou when asked what happened in the third game. “I just lost my concentration and when he got five quick points, I panicked.”

Australia's David Palmer, who now lives in Boston, cruised to a two game lead over Mexican Eric Galvez, ranked 36 in the world. But the world number four and former world champion suddenly lost his flowing game in the third to allow his opponent to hustle and bustle his way to win it 11-9.  One of the most experienced men on the circuit, Palmer firmly shut the door on the Mexican in the fourth to assure his second round berth.
  

Liam Kenny bt Arturo Salazar
     11/4, 11/5, 11/3 (34 mins)

Kenny started in very dominate mood and maintained this throughout the whole match. He never let Salazar get into a rhythm and Kenny’s anticipation was key to the match.

Eventually the very quick and athletic Mexican succumbed to the control and accuracy and had no answer for the tactical assault he sustained as Kenny eased in to the main draw.

Yann Perrin bt Ryan Donegan
     11/6, 11/5, 11/7 (40 mins)

A similar story for the next game. Perrin started strongly and was only ever behind twice in the whole match. His speed and control around the court was the telling story, with better shot selection and a calmer approach on the ball when under pressure.

Donegan’s strength and consistency has improved over the past 12 months and he held Perrin well in some good exchanges but he didn’t quite have the finishing touches when any openings appeared. At this level you have to be able to take your chances when they are presented.

David Phillips bt Arthur Gaskin
       11/9, 11/5, 11/6 (49 mins)

This game started well and looked like it could have been a contender for match of the round, with Gaskin putting some nice rallies together and eventually was the first one to look like taking the first game. However the experienced Canadian put a few nice shots away into the nick at very telling times and secured the opening game at the first time of asking.

After this Phillips never looked back and even though Gaskin chased well and remained competitive he never quite got back in touch with Phillips who looked more in control as the match progressed. Gaskin should be proud of this maturing performance though as has game has shown considerable improvement in the past 12 months

Tom Richards bt Jens Schoor
      9/11, 11/8, 11/8, 12/10 (60 mins)

This match had five sets written all over it – however Richards had other ideas and after narrowly losing the first, he started to take the ball a little earlier and use his attacking boasts to full effect often catching the German off guard in the second.

There were moments in the third where Richards looked a little rattled having apparently worn Schoor down with some great variety, moving the German around the court very well.

Schoor’s shot play however was still very much alive & Richards took nothing for granted and had to fight tooth and nail to the end for his victory.

Wade Johnstone bt James Snell
     11/6, 11/8, 8/11, 11/5 (45 mins)

It was fairly one-way traffic in the first two and a half games with Johnstone dictating the play and pushing the ball around the court well. Snell is a determined character though and never gives in and just kept hanging in on the rallies to see what would happen.

Snell did take a few opportunities when Johnstone seemed to switch off and make a few simple mistakes & there was a great example of this mid-way through the third. At two games & 6-2 down a lot of players would be close to throwing in the towel but Snell dug deep and took the opportunity with both hands and stepped up to take the game 11-8.

However in the fourth Johnstone got the bit back between his teeth and closed out the match with some very tactically sound squash, eventually coming out on top. Snell acquitted himself well here in Virginia and he should be pleased with his maiden Davenport appearance.

Robbie Temple bt Ryan Cuskelly
    13/11, 1/11, 8/11, 11/9, 11/2 (90 mins)

After the first few points this was obviously going to be a humdinger of a battle - both left-handers who love cracking the ball to the back with the odd boast thrown in for fun (oh and one or two drops shots in the fourth and fifth!).

Neither player looked like they were going to tire until Cuskelly right at the last few points in the fifth. The rallies were fast, hard and long but temple looked to have the freshness in his legs at the end to make the telling difference.

Temple had a blank in the second and just seemed to forget what he could do with his racket only getting one point, but soon found his rhythm in the third and even though he narrowly dropped the game it seemed to light a fire in his belly and this took him through the fourth and into a strong position in the fifth – and he never looked back, taking the final game 11-2.

Jethro Binns bt Chris Gordon
      11/8, 12/10, 4/11, 11/6 (49 mins)

Another aggressive battle with Jethro the more stylish, orthodox of the two taking the first two games after some very hard fought rallies. Gordon is a very fit and strong athlete though and dug deep finishing off some well constructed rallies to take the third.

Gordon has the reputation of being a very physical player and he always plays the ball whenever possible. This sometimes this can be the undoing of the young American, as he often would play a ball that would be a clear point/stroke – but he is nothing if not fair and this cannot be held against him.

Binns took his chances in the fourth and put away some great opportunities when they were presented – good job really as everyone's money was on Gordon if had gone to five – as Binns’ legs looked very tired towards the end of the match.

This was a great scalp for the young Welshman and he now looks forward to the main draw with eager anticipation.

Julien Balbo bt Josh Greenfield
      13/15, 11/8, 11/8, 11/4 (44 mins)

This match started like a whirlwind with Balbo covering a huge amount of court in the first and Greenfield flashing winning shots from everywhere. The New Zealander seemed to know no fear in where to attempt winners from and it paid off taking the game 15-13.

This was the format for the whole match with Balbo playing some very consistent tight squash and covering the court with incredible speed but often falling prey to Greenfield’s audacious shot play.

The pace of the match stayed at such a high tempo however, that eventually Greenfield started to try for one too many winners and made far too many mistakes off the back of some very physically tiring rallies.

Eventually Balbo ran out the deserved winner in four but the crowd were entertained to some exhibition style squash.

23-Feb, Qualifying Round One
Qualifying in Richmond
Gus Cook and Hunt Richardson report ...

27 players showed up for the draw today therefore resulting in five byes.

Arturo Salazar beat Peter Goodings ( local )
     3-0 , 11/3, 11/6, 11/1 in 20 mins.

A very jet-lagged Goodings was not up nor ready for the pace of the speedy and younger player and the first of the Mexican twins makes it through comfortably. Now players Kenny

Ryan Donegan beat Joe Millman
     3-0, 11/0, 11/4, 11/1 in 23 mins.

Donegan looked sharp, focused and strong in this match and did not give Millman a chance to get comfortable by forcing a fast past with hard and low hitting. Now plays Perrin.

Yann Perrin beat Lefika Ragonste
      3-0, 11/3, 11/4, 11/6 in 24 mins.

The Frenchman has been in Richmond training hard and preparing for the past 3 days whilst Ragonste made the drive down from Baltimore just the night before the match. Although there were some very entertaining and well fought rallies throughout, there was only likely to be one winner today and that ended up to be the case.

Arthur Gaskin beat Jacques Swanepoel
       3-0, 11/2, 11/1, 11/4 in 22 mins.

In the middle of an evenly played first game, Swanepoel twisted his ankle, fell behind, lost it in 6 minutes and didn’t recover until the beginning of the third game. By then it was too difficult for him to extend the rallies or keep up with some of Gaskin’s basic tactical patterns beyond a few shots. Now plays Phillips.

Tom Richards beat Ahmed Hamza
        3-1, 11/9, 11/5, 5/11, 11/7 in 39 mins.

Creative shots streamed from both players’ racquets, Richards demonstrating the meaning of putting “English” on the ball with a topspin floating drop to the left nick from just inside the right quarter-court at 9-4 in Game 2.

The next game went to Hamza thanks to an inspired assault on the Englishman’s forehand peppered with drops to the left nick and deceptive cross court flicks. Richards’ experience in English League and tournament play was all too evident in the end. Now plays Schoor.

Jens Schoor beat Fernando Lopez
       3-0, 11/6, 11/3, 11/7 in 28 mins.

Schoor looked very impressive with this win giving his opponent no opportunity to get into his game and will prove difficult in his match against Richards tomorrow - certainly one to watch.

James Snell beat Jonas Laursen
      3-0, 11/6, 11/7, 11/6 in 27 mins.

Laursen had flown in from the UK one week early to help the tournament organizer and had become very popular amongst the members of The CCV who had been giving lessons to and getting to know well.

They will be sad to see him leave early but the Englishman had a more consistent game on the day and the error count for the man from Denmark proved costly. He will be hoping for better results in his National Champs next week. Now plays Johnstone.

Wade Johnstone beat John Street ( local )
       3-0, 11/2, 11/5, 12/10 in 20 mins.

This was a highly entertaining match to watch with Johnstone moving the slightly older Street around all four corners of the court time after time. In the end youth and experience prevailed although the former UVA star lacrosse player will have something to tell his children about one day.

Robbie Temple beat Cesar Salazar
      3-1, 11/8, 11/7, 9/11, 11/6 in 49 mins

A great match to watch between two extremely fleet players, with Temple showing the disciplines of English squash training, holding the middle and forcing Salazar to run extra yards on most of the rallies. Temple looked comfortable with a high-tempo game. Salazar never tired but his extraordinary speed and agility were outmatched by Temple’s length and width.

Salazar pulled a muscle in his quadriceps in Game 4 and hobbled through the last few points which was a disappointing end to a very fast-paced and entertaining match. Now plays Cuskelly.

Jethro Binns beat Philip Nightingale
      3-0, 11/8, 11/9, 11/5 in 34 mins.

Binns looked very solid and won a lot of points by making Nightingale stretch from the front left to the back right, which tired him out. If Nightingale can keep his opponents from exploiting this tactic then he will be a very handy PSA tour player but sometimes having to get down from his great height can take a while and so prove costly. Now plays Gordon.

Josh Greenfield beat David Hetherington ( local )
        3-0, 11/5, 11/7, 11/2 in 19 mins.

Hetherington, The CCV and Virginia State Champion took a while to get used to the pace and accuracy from the Kiwi player now based in Philadelphia and the first game was over in a blink.

However in the second he became more comfortable and some very good rallie followed, perhaps harking back to his days when on the Trinity team. In the third Greenfield stepped it up a notch and started slapping consistent backhand short drives to the front which the American could not return and that was the end of the first days action. Now plays Balbo.
 

Preview on Richmond.com

Tickets are available for Monday, February 25th to Wednesday, February 27th.

Matches for Thursday, February 28, 2008 to Saturday, March 1st are sold out.

There will be free parking for spectators in the Special Events Lot at the University of Richmond.

Preview on Richmond.com