Nash Cup Wednesday September 19th
NASH CUP – DAY 3 :
TITLE HOLDER DELIERRE CRASHES OUT IN FIRST ROUND
What a night of squash! 3 of the 8 matches were won in straight games, with a further 4 matches going 3-1, and a marathon 3-2 at the end of the night.
We decided to get the view of the spectators tonight, so they analyzed the matches and interviewed the players. Here is their story:
JAN KOUKAL (CZE) vs ADRIAN DUDZICKI (CAN) 12-10; 11-6; 11-4 (30 MINS)
BRAD HANEBURY REPORTING:
After a good warm up, both players were attempting to find their rhythm. Dudzicki was playing good length but was unable to finish the rallies. Koukal seemed content to move Dudzicki around and play a retrieving game. Unforced errors from Adrian saw Jan take the game 11-7.
There was a debatable call for Koukal but he managed to keep his cool. Jan’s speed was forcing Adrian to lose focus and Jan raced through the 2nd game 11-6. On a positive note, the break between games is the perfect opportunity to fetch a beer. Hydration is important!
In the 3rd game, Adrian was looking a little slower and getting stretched out by Jan’s excellent width. Dudzicki was on the receiving end of several difficult rallies and allowed Koukal to build momentum. Koukal took the game for a 3-0 win. A solid performance from Adrian, he should be pleased with how he played.
JAN KOUKAL:
I was a bit shaky in the first game, but settled down after that and found the shots I wanted. My next match is against Andrew Schnell and I’ll be looking for revenge!”
ADRIAN DUDZICKI:
I didn’t feel too bad out there, but a little shaky especially at 10-10 in the first and mid-point through the 2nd game. Parallel to last night, it could have gone either way at the start of the game. I’m feeling good to head off to the next even in Ottawa.”
ANTHONY GRAHAM (ENG) vs DAVID LETOURNEAU (CAN) 7-11; 11-6; 11-4; 11-7 (55 MINS)
NICOLA CRICH REPORTING:
In game 1 Graham was looking for the volley more often and was more aggressive with his movement. Letourneau was more patient with the rallies and cut down on the unforced errors. He was also able to disguise his holds with Graham’s front court game giving him openings. David took the first game 11-7.
In the 2nd game Letourneau began looking for the volley, but his target was off which allowed Graham to have an advantage over him with position. Graham upped his game and was more intense, which heightened the pace of the game. Letourneau was looking for the winner too soon and I felt he should have been more patient.
In game 3 the length was coming up short, but the players were more patient. Letourneau seemed tired and needed to tighten up his game. Every chance Graham got he seemed to capitalize on the opportunities and end the rally.
In game 4 the length was still a bit short from both players. Letourneau had better angles, but he was rushing, which led to unforced errors. He seemed tired and wasn’t getting to as many drops as he was in the first game. Anthony dictated most of the play to seal the victory.
ANTHONY GRAHAM:
“I needed to find more length and was giving too much up the middle in the beginning. I tried to put the pressure on by volleying more and having tighter length. I felt I had good movement and was physically strong and more confident as the game went on. I was happy that I changed things up to pull out the win.”
DAVID LETOURNEAU:
Felt good and comfortable in the beginning. My mental game lapsed after the first game. I wasn’t patient and didn’t put enough pressure on him. I should have volleyed more and not over think his shots. I should have hung back attach and played more length.”
ANDREW SCHNELL (CAN) vs TYLER HAMILTON (CAN) 11-5; 11-2; 15-13 (30 MINS)
ERIK WEBBER REPORTING:
Game 1 – Both players were fresh and quick to the ball. I found Schnell to be a little quicker and tighter with his shots, which gave him some momentum halfway through the game. Hamilton seemed to be a little uneasy and couldn’t get a rhythm going.
Game 2 – Schnell carried on the momentum from the first game. His shots were still tight and footwork was quick. Hamilton was forced to try to make some winners which resulted in unforced errors.
Game 3 – Hamilton started to settle into the game and in return Schnell looked like he was losing focus. Hamilton reduced his unforced errors, by hitting nice tight shots and seemed to gain some momentum. Schnell was starting to make some unforced errors that he didn’t make in the first 2 games. However Schnell regained focus and managed to win the 3rd game going to points.
ANDREW SCHNELL:
“It was great to get back into playing. Felt the first 2 games I started out strong and very focused. From not playing as much I lost some focus in the 3rd game and was impatient with my shots. I was able to regain my focus 9-4 and was able to pull out a tight 15-13 win.”
TYLER HAMILTON:
“I never felt comfortable in the first game, and wasn’t able to settle down and take the T. In the 2nd game I lost more focus and just couldn’t get anything going. In the 3rd game I settled down and was able to take it to a tight game where it could have gone either way. Andrew played a great game.”
JULIAN ILLINGWORTH (USA) vs SCOTT ARNOLD (AUS) 11-6; 11-6; 11-5 (36 MINS)
DEREK MOORE REPORTING:
Game 1 – Both came out attacking. Fast pace on a fast court. Scott not being run over in the first half of the game by the much higher ranked Illingworth. Illingworth pulled away in the middle of the game showing his class. The rallies were short and aggressive through the entire game. Both players going for attacks in the first consistently.
Game 2 – Julian controlled the rallies from the outset of the second game. Arnold just getting balls back and not putting Julian under much pressure. Arnold’s attacks picked up and both continuing to take the ball in short in the middle of the second game. Cross court nick attempts not coming off which set up for fast paced rallies with a lot of variety. Plenty of front court drop and re-drop battles.
Game 3 – Scott came out much more focused in the third. Momentum of the rallies were with Scott but too many unforced errors kept Julian with the lead. Arnold wasn’t volleying any balls through the middle and didn’t utilize his height advantage. Julian closes out the match without much trouble.
JULIAN ILLINGWORTH:
“It was a big decision to play the Nash Cup as even if I win, the points I get will be less than my current average but I wanted toe hard games, which the Nash Cup regularly guarantees, to prepare me for the US Open next month where I am a qualifier. I was happy with my performance tonight and glad to win in 3.”
SCOTT ARNOLD:
He didn’t really let me in the game tonight and as a result I tried to force the points and this led to too many errors. Julian is a good player, no doubt about that, but it’s a shame I got the number 1 seed for the second year running!
CLINTON LEEUW (RSA) vs SHAWN DELIERRE (CAN) 9-11; 11-7; 11-9; 9-11, 13-11 (97 MINS)
AMIT SHAH REPORTING:
This was a raw, physical match that proved to be the gem of the week so far at the Nash Cup.
Leeuw established himself early with two sharp drops that let Delierre know he was here for business. Delierre responded with a backhand reverse that carved past Leeuw with no visible room to spare. As is typical with Delierre’s game, multiple let calls prolonged the game and led both players to try to establish a physical presence in the central court. Fluidity gave way to a charging, contested style. Delierre prevailed 11-9 in Game 1.
Leeuw appeared fatigued at the start of game 2. He went down by 4 points quickly, then mounted a spirited comeback. He took the lead with a well placed front drop, and a punishing forehand cross and overhand backhand smash both were winners to give him command of the game. Game 3 also went to Leeuw despite an early 4-1 Delierre lead.
Game 4 featured more physical play and a grinding, quality effort from both players. Multiple lengthy rallies were capped by let calls, prolonging the physical effort that was clearly wearing both players. Delierre prevailed 11-9.
Game 5 was a battle of wills. The seesaw battle balanced on a razor’s edge, and little separated the two players as they closed to a 10-10 draw. Leeuw had 3 match points but could not put Delierre away, as each player stretched in superhuman efforts to rescue what appeared to be guaranteed winners. At 12-12 Leeuw stopped play when he was struck in the ulnar nerve (or “funny bone”) of his racquet hand. Despite this he secured 13-12 with a massive effort that left him roaring to the crowd, and then completed a 14-12 victory to finish this classic match.
CLINTON LEEUW:
“I have known Shawn for 6 or 7 years, and he has climbed high in the rankings. I have a lot of respect for him and have been psyching up for him all week. Spectators will see me drawing on the court wall briefly between points in what is clearly a personal ritual – I am only writing the score of the next point I want to attain! Very very happy with tonight – bit battered and bruised but hopefully will feel ok in the morning!”
SHAWN DELIERRE:
“I feel like a big mop, with only the handle working. I had to use the head of the handle because the legs weren’t working. I was happy with the B game that I brought. Credit to Clinton for not letting me play my A game tonight”.
YANN PERRIN (FRA) vs ANDREW McDOUGALL (CAN) 11-3; 12-10; 5-11; 11-3 (46 MINS)
DUNCAN McKILLOP REPORTING:
Yann came out very energetic, moving well and controlled the pace of the game. Andrew tried to keep a good length, but was maybe a bit negative. Yann won the first game 11-3. Yann continued his momentum in the 2nd and raced to a 10-5 lead. Andrew started to impose himself on the game more by volleying and cutting out the errors and got it back to 10 all. It was a very tight game, but Yann sneaked home 12-10 win. At 2 all in the 3rd Andrew went on a role, playing good steady aggressive squash, forcing Yann to lose his concentration and take risks. Andrew deservedly won the game 11-5. Any signs of cracking were quickly dismissed as Yann raced to a 9-0 lead in the 4th, showing his French flair. Despite a minor fight back Yann closed out the match by winning the 4th 11-3.
YANN PERRIN:
I had a really good start and got out of the gates early. I played my shots well, attacking well using the volley effectively in the front. I definitely lost focus in the 3rd , but got it together for the 4th and played some great shots. Looking forward to tomorrow.
ANDREW McDOUGALL:
I felt a bit outclassed tonight. Yann’s kills from the back hurt me badly. I lost a close 2nd and won the 3rd, playing good solid squash, but in the 4th I had no answer as he fired of 9 winners before I had tome to blink. Good player, lots to think about.
THOMAS BRINKMAN (CAN) vs MATTHEW SEREDIAK (CAN) 16-14; 11-5; 5-11; 11-7 (46 MINS)
DOUG GARSIDE REPORTING:
These gentlemen were a credit to the sport. There skill level, athleticism and sense of fair play (they almost called the match without a referee) was so impressive. You could tell right off the bat that the players knew each other well. They came out pressuring just the right areas of each other’s games to find which spots they were going to be able to score with. The first game was close with the players posturing through the early going. Winning the first put some wind in Thomas’ sails that helped him cruise until the third. In the third, Mathew increased his pressure and tightened his game for a very different result. Overall I saw that Thomas great retrieval, patience, and some incredible shots helped him force openings in Matt’s game.
THOMAS BRINKMAN:
“I knew going in Matt was going to be steady, so I knew I had to mix up my shots to catch him off his game.”
MATTHEW SEREDIAK:
“I thought Thomas moved the ball shorter with less errors. He held the tee and hit winners.”
OLIVIER PETT (ENG) vs FRED REID (CAN) 15-13; 9-11; 11-6; 11-9 (36 MINS)
SRINI KRISHNAMOORTHY:
The match was an exhibition of a contrast in styles – Olivier with his classical prep on his backhand and Fred with his short, punchy swing. Game 1 started with both players taking the initiative to volley and attack off half loose balls. The result was short exciting rallies with the players going point for point right till the end with Olivier squeezing the game win 14-12.
Game 2 continued in the same vein with the players thrilling the crowd with their attacking shots. Fred won a sequence of points with a series of ridiculous winning shots including an outrageous backhand drop off a ball that almost nicked off the back wall. That gave him game ball and a couple of rallies later he took the game 11-9.
In Game 3, Fred continued with his sharp shooting style but a series of inopportune errors when he went short from bad positions let Olivier off the hook. To his credit, Oliver kept his composure and took advantage of the Fred’s errors to win the game 11-6.
In Game 4, Olivier started off with his high percentage style – straight length and straight drops. It paid off with him taking a sizeable lead. He seemed to relax and went for some shots in response to Fred’s open style of squash. It led to a few errors that narrowed the points gap. Oliver berated himself and coaxed himself to focus and play basic squash for the next few rallies. It paid off and he won the game and match.
OLIVIER PETT:
“Fred is a difficult guy to play. He’s very talented and goes for his shots. There was no rhythm in the match for me. Playing my first match n the tournament I was hoping to get a feel for the court and get into my groove. Fred with his shot making, made it a tough match for me. Luckily his shots were either perfect or hitting the tin, which gave me a break. At some point we were playing almost exhibition squash, which looked great for the crowd but whenever I played basic squash it was rubbish. Happy with the win none the less!”
FRED REID:
“Olivier is a terrific player. I believe he’s a future top 10 player. I had nothing to lose, so I tried to impose my game on the match. There was some good shots, but some errors when I went short from bad positions, that let me down. Also my legs gave out towards the end. All in all, I’m happy because I don’t get to play players of this level often. Now it’s time to enjoy the hospitality at this great tournament. CHEERS!”
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Photo Credit: Kim Atkinson