NASH Cup 2015 – Day 4 Recap
September 17th – Women’s Semi Finals and Men’s Quarter Finals.
Quite unusual, but a good idea – the Nash Cup tries to make sure that the ladies get all the attention they deserve and not get lost between some of the men’s matches. To accomplish this we have an afternoon session solely for the ladies semi’s including a BBQ for guests helping to raise money for student squash programs. It’s mid-September, but the weather is gorgeous and touching 30 degrees! The ladies have a pretty much full house all for themselves.
Maria Toorpakai Wazir beats Cyrielle Peltier 11-4, 11-7, 11-9 (22mins)
Reporting: Jay Francis
1st game Cyrielle looked pretty stiff on her taped hamstring, after last nights marathon match. Maria shows no mercy and powers through to an 11-4 Victory..2nd game is close but Cyrielle is still not moving great. It was close upto 7-7 due to Cyrielle’s tenacity. Maria suddenly shifts up a gear and with some great attacks to the front powers through to a 11-7 win. Amazing start from Maria for the 3rd as she plays a xcourt drop from behind into the nick – was very shabanaesque!! But a great response from Cyrielle using strong boasts to move Maria around and opens up a 5-2 lead. Maria starts using her hard quick forehand drop more and more and powers through to a 8-6 lead. The finish is in sight at 10-6 with Cyrielle struggling. But Cyrielle lets loose and closes to 9-10, a slightly lucky nick at the back has Cryielle on her bottom and the match is over.
Maria “I felt confident that I’d win. Never played her before and that helped me focus. My shots were going well and where I was nervous yesterday, today was great. Really happy to win in 3 games and be fresh for tomorrow”.
Millie Tomlinson beats Victoria Temple-Murray 11-6, 11-2, 11-7 (33mins)
Reporting: Melina Turk
A series of let balls along the backhand wall started the 1st game. VTM hits 3 winners to lead 5-4. However,a couple of errors by VTM and some solid length by MT gives the game to Millie . VTM was playing aggressive squash,taking her opportunities; but MT using deep length and good width to minimize opportunities….MT playing more aggressively at the start of the 2nd jumping to a 5-1 lead. VTM still taking her shots into the front, but MT is retrieving well. MT hits 2 volley drop winners to take an 8-1 lead. Overall, MT controlling the points and moving well..comfortable 11-2……VTM working hard to try and control the T in the 3rd; but MT’s length is too good. MT jumps to a 6-2 lead. VTM hits a beauty backhand drop from behind the service box to make it 5-7. VTM pushing hard to get back into the match, but MT is way too strong in the end taking it 11-7..Overall,MT used her length & speed to control the T for a majority of the match – forcing VTM to make a few too many errors…..so both ladies will be fresh for tomorrows final!
Between matches many of the professionals who are no longer in the draw took to the doubles court at London Squash for a little hard ball…many for the first time ever. Very entertaining to watch.
The evening Session brings the men’s quarters and the club is packed to the rafters with the pros who lost last night sitting on the sofas after what was obviously a good night out in London Ontario!!!
Richie Fallows beats Henrik Mustonen 11-7, 6-11, 9-11, 15-13, 11-7 (65mins)
Games 1&2…Amit/Sujai Shah…Great coverage by both players but errors from RF gives Henrik 4-0 lead. Henrik is playing more attacking and RF lots of length. RF back to 4-4. At 6-5 RF tries a shot between the legs and hits the wrong ball!!! But he wipes his eyes and recovers to take the game 11-7. Richie starts using the drop more and HM uses the back to try to gain control of the T. Injury timeout for RF..at 5-7 there’s another dust-up for room, but HM capitalizes on the conflict to win 11-6…..
Game 3…Marcus Plowright…..RF defense shows up early. Fast point exchanges and it’s quickly 5-5. 8 or 9 unforced errors defines the game! RF takes the lead for the 1st time at 8-7. But a couple of errors gives 10-8 to Henrik. RF saves one but a great volley takes the game for Henrik..
Games 4&5….Jeff Tudhope……quick 3-0 for RF, he looks determined…a stroke for HM gets him on the board at 5-1!! A couple of errors and winners from RF makes it 10-6. But HM fights back to 10-10. Match ball Henrik, but saved by RF, then game ball…its tense up to 14-13..they are both desperate and both looking for an easy stroke…but HM tins and it’s 2-2!!! A couple of tins start the 5th and 3 quick points make it 5-2 for Henrik. A stroke for RF then 2 quick points make it 5-5! Couple of great drops and Richie leads 8-5. Henrik is getting a bit aggressive and it’s 9-6 Richie. A stroke and another drop winner and it’s match for Richie.
Declan James beats Shawn Delierre 4-11, 11-2, 11-3, 10-12, 11-7 (95mins)
Great start for Shawn Delierre, finding some strong shots and retrieving some amazing returns. Declan James is not really at ease. But he starts volleying more in the middle of the game, and is looking a lot better. Some great rallies but a lead of 8-3 for SD is enough and he closes it out 11-4.. Better start from DJ, playing a lot more freely. DJ finds some great winners to get the 6 point cushion..11-2 Declan. Tense start with both finding some good game. DJ gets the 3 point cushion. Great volleying by DJ to edge away. DJ looks in control of the T and the pace. He takes the game quite comfortably 11-3..Close start to the 4th with lots of decisions for the refs…Both are working hard but Shawn is showing some great physicality. Couple of errors from Shawn so 5-6. Amazing drop from DJ to win a rally, wow! End of the game and DJ got 3 or 4 bad calls against him to lose 12-10! The 4th game alone had 26 let calls! 5th game and the refs finally start to take control! they are forcing the players to play through the interference. DJ leads 8-5 volleying more and more and Shawn with a few errors gifts DJ the 5th 11-7!
Declan: Knew it would be difficult,so just tried to stay focused and not get involved in the traffic issues. I was varying well, but lost that in the 4th. Really happy with the 5th and how I played and control of the T. Tomorrow against my great friend and roommate so should be a fun clean great game for the packed house :).
Abdullah Mohd Al Tamini beats Eddie Charlton 11-7, 11-7, 11-8 (44mins)
Reporting: Micah Franklin
Strong performance from AMAT showing his flair and attacking options. Keeping Eddie moving and running diagonals. AMAT wins the 1st. 2nd game starts like the 1st ended, except for EC playing better length and keeping AMAT impatient. Score close at 6-6. Great intensity from both players. Tremendous displays of athleticism. Abdullah kept the pace and tempo focused to manage and take a 2-0 lead. 3rd is the best game of squash so far this evening! Great rallies from both players and great athleticism again. Abdullah wins 3-0 after easily one of the best rallies in the tournament…rightly so there is a standing ovation from the packed London Squash and Fitness Club.
Abdulla: I lost last week in 4 to him, so really happy to win 3-0. I played really well, but still lots to improve. I still make too many mistakes as I like to attack..Hoping the next match will be a long one(and it was)…Jay: How is it having a legend as Geoff Hunt in your corner?….Abdulla: well I work with him for 8yrs now, and it’s incredible. He just understands the game so well and everytime he is teaching me something you, I can’t speak highly enough of him.
Kristian Frost Olesen beats Diego Elias 12-10, 11-6, 3-11, 7-11, 11-8 (91mins)
Reporting: Richie Fallows / Jay Francis
Tentative start by Diego and making lots of mistakes. But he stays in the game by hitting some outrageous winners! A fist pump from Frost at 4-4 shows how much he’s up for it! Another one comes out to take him to game ball and slots a crosscourt nick to take the game. He keeps the momentum up in the next game and wins it 11-7. Diego is not moving well with a strapped lower right leg..it looks like it’s all over!! 3rd game the young guy shows how tough he is and turns the tide and moving Frost around the court like a puppet…he takes the game 11-3 and Frost looks tired. Diego just carries on and moves Frost around more and plays some beautiful shots to take it 11-7; Frost is really tired..it must be all over!! The 5th is a monster…they are diving, hitting nicks,50 shot rallies..very free flowing squash..but diego is starting to falter and moving poorly off his leg..Frost smells blood and goes for it..he’s pumped and flying..taking the incredible game 11-8 with Diego diving in vain to the back corner and smashing his racket..Frost roars with delight..he’s done it!!
Kristian: One of my best victories ever, I don’t think Diego was at his best, But he is class, so young and at that level,wow! Last couple of years I’ve lost so many of these 5 set matches and I wanted it soooo bad. Results like this can make rankings and draws so much better. At some point you have to take the chance when it’s there and tonight I didJ. I’ve been 10yrs on tour and feel like I needed this. Great tournament, it’s so busy it’s amazing. Looking forward to tomorrow.