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 Virginia Pro Championships
2005
Richmond, Virginia, 12-15 Jan,
$20k |
15-Jan, FINAL:
 Zaman
Victorious in Virginia ...
Bruce de Wet reports from Richmond[5] Shahid Zaman (Pak) bt
[8] Bradley Ball (Eng)
11-5, 5-11, 11-4, 11-9
Early action in the Virginia Squash Racquets Association’s amateur event
had The Country Club of Virginia’s courts warmed up by the time we got set
for the final match in the 2005 Virginia Professional Squash Tournament. |
Draw &
Results
Reports
En Français
2004 Event
|
Virginia Pro Championships
2005
Richmond, Virginia, 12-15 Jan,
$20k |
Round One
Jan 12 |
Quarters
Jan 13 |
Semis
Jan 14 |
Final
Jan 15 |
[1] Dan
Jenson (Aus)
11-7, 11-4, 11-5
[Q] Alister Walker (Eng) |
Alister Walker
11-7, 11-7, 11-8
Liam Kenny |
Alister Walker
11-6, 11-9, 11-4
Bradley Ball |
Bradley Ball
11-5, 5-11, 11-4, 11-9
Shahid Zaman |
[6]
Shahier Razik (Can)
9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 3-11, 11-9
Liam Kenny (Irl) |
[4] Rodney
Durbach (Rsa)
11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 11-3
[Q] Stacey Ross (Eng) |
Rodney Durbach
11-9, 11-7, 5-11, 11-6
Bradley Ball |
[8]
Bradley Ball (Eng)
11-7, 11-7, 4-11, 5-11, 11-3
[Q] Viktor Berg (Can) |
[Q]
Jean-Michel Arcucci (Fra)
12-10, 16-14, 11-6
[7] Hisham
Mohd Ashour (Egy) |
Hisham Mohd Ashour
11-8, 8-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7
Mark Chaloner |
Mark Chaloner
11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 12-10
Shahid Zaman |
Tommy Berden (Ned)
12-10, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9
[3] Mark
Chaloner (Eng) |
Patrick Chifunda (Zam)
11-9, 11-5, 11-8
[5] Shahid Zaman (Pak) |
Shahid Zaman
11-8, 11-7, 13-11
Renan Lavigne |
Raj Nanda (Aus)
11-5, 11-6, 13-11
[2] Renan
Lavigne (Fra) |
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Qualifying:
Finals, 11-Jan:
Alister Walker
(Eng) bt Reggie Schonborn
11-6, 11-8, 11-9
Viktor Berg (Can) bt Imran Khan
11-4, 11-5, 11-7
Jean-Michel Arcucci
(Fra) bt Beau River (Usa) 13-11, 11-2, 11-5
Stacey Ross (Eng) bt Kumail Mehmood
11-4, 11-1, 11-2
Round One:
Alistair Walker (bye)
Reggie Schonborn bt Ben Howell 12-10, 12-14, 11-9, 11-4
Imran Khan bt Dylan Patterson 11-6, 11-7, 11-6
Viktor Berg bt Mohamed Elkeiy 11-8, 11-2, 11-4
Jean-Michel Arcucci bt Ben Gould 11-3, 11-9, 11-6
Beau River bt Armando Olguin 11-1, 11-1, 11-4
Kumail Mehmood bt Lefika Ragontse 11-8, 11-7, 11-4
Stacey Ross (bye)
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14-Jan, Semis:
Ball
& Zaman in Richmond Final ...
Bruce de Wet reports from Virginia
The galleries filled early on Friday night and the fans were not
disappointed by the efforts of the players, nor the great spread provided
by the hosting club, The Country Club of Virginia.
[8] Bradley Ball bt [Q] Alister Walker
11-6, 11-9, 11-4
[5] Shahid Zaman bt [3] Mark Chaloner
11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 12-10 |
ZAMAN SHOOTS
DOWN CHALONER
 The
semi-final match between Mark Chaloner and Shahid Zaman was
a real clash of styles, and ended in controversial fashion.
As they traded exchanges it was clear that Zaman wanted to rely on his
winning shots while Chaloner was content to rally till an opportunity
presented itself. Zaman reeled off 5 points to end the first game on a
strong note.
At the start of the second game Zaman snatched a lead and although
Chaloner fought his way into the game, Zaman managed to hold on to his
lead.
Zaman was tiring and in the third game there were several more of his
shots that clipped the tin. Chaloner pressed his advantage to win 11-7.
Matters turned frantic as the players snatched at shots when they
restarted. Chaloner eased away to lead 10-7 thanks to the effect of some
long rallies. Zaman won a number of points with game ball against him and
it was at this point in the match that the referee made a controversial
call – the entire gallery thought that Chaloner had put away a solid
overhead shot into the nick for an exclamation point indication that he
was in control of the match now.
However, a lone voice called “Down”, amid the applause that had erupted.
The referee remained adamant that the shot was down and Zaman shot at
everything, managing to close out the game and match: 11-8, 11-9, 7-11,
12-10. |
BALL WINS
ENGLISH BATTLE
 Our
opening semi-final featured Alister Walker ( by the way, he said
“Hi there, Lyndsey”) and Bradley Ball, two Englishmen who had
upset the seedings to reach this stage.
These gentlemen were ready to play from the start and they worked the
ball around the court with determination. In the initial exchanges there
was little to choose between them but Ball put together two runs that
earned a lead he would not relinquish – first game to Bradley Ball,
11-6.
The second game saw Ball taking aggressive chances that were executed
well enough to keep him in the points. Despite leading for a significant
part of this game, Walker saw it slip away in the end as Ball won 11-9.
The third game started at a blistering pace and the ball was mostly kept
low. Walker seemed to lose an edge somewhere during this game and the
points against him piled up as Ball was leading 4-0 and 9-2.
It was not too long thereafter that Ball had finished off Walker in
three straight, 11-6, 11-9, 11-4 |
13-Jan, Quarters:
Upsets
Continue
in Richmond ...
Bruce de Wet reports from Virginia
Thursday brought us to the round of eight, more clinics, more spectators,
more action, and more upsets. When the dust settled players and sponsors
descended on Banditos to enjoy some beverages and the blazing “Wings of
Fury”. The social occasion was well received and some of the locals were
clearly infatuated with the pros. |
Ball
Betters Durbach
In the first match, Bradley Ball faced Rodney Durbach in a
hard hitting contest. Durbach slipped behind and then fought back to even
things at 9-9, but his efforts proved fruitless when Ball won the final
two points to take the lead.
In the second, the players traded points until Ball put together a 4 point
burst that effectively won him that game as well. Durbach started
positively in the third and the momentum carried him to a win.
Unfortunately for Durbach, he was unable to repeat this feat in the fourth
and Ball won 11-9, 11-7, 5-11, 11-6.Walker's Run
Continues
Our two upset match winners from Wednesday, Alistair Walker and
Liam Kenny, took the court for the second match of the day.
The start of the match was not auspicious for Kenny when he stood on
Walker’s foot and turned his ankle.
Fortunately it was not serious and play continued apace. Walker continued
his run of fine form and managed to control the rallies when needed,
thereby taking his place in the semi-finals as he won in three again,
11-7, 11-7, 11-8.
So three Englishmen are through to the semi-finals, with Ball taking on
Walker and Chaloner meeting Zaman. |
Chaloner's Pressure Tells
Mark Chaloner and Hisham Mohd-Ashour played each other to
decide the third semi-finalist. Both players worked hard but seemed
somewhat off their best.
Mohd-Ashour, in particular, had a number of situations where he worked
to get Chaloner out of position but then committed an error.
After they split the first two games, Mohd-Ashour went ahead by virtue
of a six point run that finished the third game in his favour.
Chaloner continued to apply what pressure he could and Mohd-Ashour’s
error rate crept up, eventually costing him the final two games.
Chaloner won in five games, 11-8, 8-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7.
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12-Jan, First Round:
Top Seed Toppled
in Richmond ...
Bruce de Wet reports from Virginia
The crowds filled out somewhat as the First Round of the main draw was
played out on Wednesday. Some sponsors and most of the players also
enjoyed a social visit and some food at tournament director Gus Cook’s
invitation. All-in-all, the evening served up tension, drama and
entertaining squash at a fine venue. |
Bradley wins Roller-Coaster
First on court were Bradley Ball and Viktor Berg. The
momentum favored Ball for two games and then it switched to Berg’s
advantage for the next two.
There must have been a two game limit on each player because the advantage
flipped again after the fourth as the Englishman took the fifth game
decisively. What a great start to the competition, a tough long match with
each player having things his way for some of the time! In the end Ball
won 11-7, 11-7, 4-11, 5-11, 11-3.
Durbach on course for Quarters
On the court next door last year’s winner, Rodney Durbach, was
playing Stacey Ross. In the first two games the players traded
points but Durbach managed to get ahead and stay ahead in each.
In the third Ross worked to gain an advantage that he pressed home, but
during the fourth Ross became distracted by a call that he disputed.
Durbach turned this to his advantage and ran out the winner, 11-9, 11-5,
9-11, 11-3.
Durbach faces Ball in the next round, two players who know each others
game well.
Walker Wallops Top Seed
 The
next match pitchedAustralian Dan Jenson, the number 1 seed
and world number 18, against English qualifier Alister Walker. This
was the second week in a row that they had drawn each other in the first
round.
Jenson had turned a two game deficit into a victory last week, and Walker
repeated his early success in this match, and went one better by mounting
a comeback in the third game. Our first upset and it was as big as they
get – Walker won in three straight, 11-7, 11-4, 11-5.
Kenny Shocks Shahier
The top half of the draw was rounded out with Shahier Razik taking
on Liam Kenny. Both players applied themselves and the quality of
the play was excellent.
 After
splitting the first two games, Kenny was able to squeeze out the third and
give himself a 2-1 advantage. At the restart Razik went on a tear and
leveled matters soon thereafter. The fifth was intensely competitive as
each player strived to find a chink to exploit.
It was anyone’s match when Kenny worked to recover to 9-9. After several
lengthy lets, Kenny managed to close out the match 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 3-11,
11-9 for our second upset of the round, and a meeting with Walker in the
quarters. |
Ashour Aces Arcucci
The bottom half of the draw started off with Hisham Mohd-Ashour
versus Jean-Michel Arcucci. This match seemed more physical than
any of the earlier ones, but even so, the players were entertaining.
Mohd-Ashour won in three, 12-10, 16-14, 11-6. |
Zaman Zaps Chifunda
When the other players tell you that Patrick Chifunda ‘beats the
heck out of the ball’, you can bet the ball will be moving as fast as it
did when he took on Shahid Zaman.
Chifunda is amazingly athletic and he put a great deal of effort into
this match. However, Zaman had too much on offer today as he finished
the match in the minimum number of games, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8.
Shahid is now meeting the Frenchman Renan Lavigne. |
Chaloner Chops Tommy
Tommy Berden played the next match against Mark Chaloner.
Each player was willing to wait for an opportunity in the early going
and they split the first two games. Chaloner, the PSA President, got the
bit firmly between his teeth and won the third to give himself a 2-1
cushion.
During the fourth game, Berden hurt his ankle and was unsure about how
extensive the damage might be. The Dutchman's whole game plan was more
tentative after the injury timeout, and he was behind 1-5 in a flash.
Chaloner’s concentration flagged slightly and Berden found himself at
8-8 quite suddenly, but the Englishman recovered his composure to win
12-10, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9. |
Take Two for Renan
The night’s competition ended with the second seed, Renan Lavigne,
taking on Raj Nanda in a repeat of their Apawamis first round
encounter.
The Frenchman came on much too strong for Nanda and the spectators
could quickly tell who the probable winner would be. A tight conclusion
to the third game hinted at what pressure the Aussie could bring to
bear, but it was too little and too late. Lavigne moves on as he wins
11-5, 11-6, 13-11. |
REPORTS
11-Jan, Final Qualifying:
Qualifying Complete
In Richmond
Bruce de Wet reports from Richmond
With the anticipated increase in intensity, the final qualification
matches were completed this evening.
 In
the first match the young Englishman Alister Walker was given
arguably the toughest challenge of the evening by Reggie Schonborn. Even
so, Alister hardly looked troubled as he won 11-6, 11-8, 11-9.
Victor Berg faced Imran Khan in the second match. The fans were
entertained and overheard to exclaim that Berg possessed some
unconventional racquet skills, like some of his illustrious Canadian
team-mates. Berg won comfortably 11-4, 11-5, 11-7.
 In the third match the USA's own Beau River met Jean-Michel Arcucci
in a tall versus short matchup. River gave a strong showing in the first
game but eventually succumbed to the Frenchman in three games 13-11, 11-2,
11-5.
The
final qualification match pitched another Englishman, Stacey Ross,
against Kumail Mehmood and from the start Ross appeared cool and
determined to weather the storm. He prevailed in three controlled
games 11-4, 11-1, 11-2.
10-Jan, Qualifying Round One:
Professional Squash returns
to the Commonwealth of
Virginia
Bruce de Wet reports from Richmond
 With an increased purse and even greater enthusiasm at the Country Club of
Virginia, play has commenced in the second Professional Virginia Squash
Tournament.
The first round qualification matches got underway after players arrived
(one at 2:00AM in the morning) and the draw was set.
Two players, Reggie Schonborn and Armando Olguin, are
participating in their inaugural PSA event, and two of the fourteen
qualifiers, Alistair Walker and Stacey Ross, had byes in the
first qualification round.
There was one match that went to 4 games before Reggie Schonborn
finished off a tiring Ben Howell, 3-1. Of the remaining matches
Jean-Michel Arcucci and Ben Gould provided great entertainment, as
well as throwing in some coaching for the referee! Arcucci looked to be
fading but won without dropping a game.
Four of the remaining matches featured players that have visited Richmond
as collegiate players to compete in the Price-Bullington Invitational.
Preview:
Virginia Doubles Up
Featuring a prize fund double that of last year's inaugural event, the
Country Club of Virginia again welcomes the PSA tour to Richmond in
America's South.
2004 Champion Rodney Durbach is back to defend the title, but the
South African is fourth seed this time, and faces a possible semi-final
against Australia's top seeded Dan Jenson.
In the bottom half of the draw PSA President Mark Chaloner and
France's Renan Lavigne are the seeded semi-finalists.
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"I thought I played good squash
today, and by the grace of God I was happy to win the
Championship."