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Presence Open 2015
05-10 Oct, McLean, Virginia, Usa, $10k |
10-Oct, Final:
By Amy Madison and Hunt Richardson
 The
last dance began with each player displaying silky smooth movement,
lighting-quick reversals, power and deft touch. Instinctive
movements took them forward, back, diagonally, scurrying around like
squirrels in autumn with no ball out of reach. Numerous reverse
angles kissed the front wall and died noiselessly. The players
shadowed each other, staying artfully within inches of the other
without touching. Each player took several turns as cat and mouse,
the crowd oohing and ahhing at their gymnastic skills. These two had
defeated their previous opponents with the fastest feet and softest
hands in the tournament. It was impossible to predict the winner as
the points added up. Time to find out who had more skill, who wanted
to win more?
In Game 1 both players were in good humour and frequently smiled
after long rallies and good shots. The gallery admired the frequent
split-second changes of direction. Several times the players hit
what looked to be certain winners, only to have the opponent exhume
the ball just before the second bounce. Zaman executed a few
full splits which elicited gasps and winces from the crowd.
Tamimi secured a 2 games to love lead by often using
deceptive cross-court flicks which sent Zaman in the opposite
direction. Zaman in the middle of the third game Al Tamimi volleyed
a ball over his shoulder and back to himself in the center. The
resulting penalty point irritated him. He argued that there was no
way Zaman could have hit the ball. That would have been correct
about a club player but Zaman - whose uncle Qamar is renowned for
his racquet wizardry - had demonstrated all week that he also
possesses the family's gifted hands. The crack in focus was the
first indication that the match could be slipping through the cool
Qatari's fingers. Al Tamimi lost a couple more points and the 3rd
game went 11-6 to Zaman with the packed crowd roaring in
appreciation.
In the 3rd game the score was knotted until 5-5 when suddenly Zaman
ripped several audacious volley and drop winners enabling him to
close the game 11-6. In the 4th game Al Tamamim strutted to leads of
4-1 and 7-4 only to see Zaman storm back to 9-7 with more outrageous
gets and winners. 11-9 Zaman
In Game 5 there were a few long, withering rallies, neither player
giving in until 5-5 when Al Tamimi slid in the back right corner and
stubbed his racquet on the right wall, knocking himself hard in the
face and hitting the ball into the tin. This appeared to slow his
momentum for two more rallies: 8-5 Zaman. After a Let to Zaman, Al
Tamimi opened the door and said to the Referee, “Come on, everyone
is tired...no cheap lets!” Al Tamimi had never appeared to fade all
week but now it was apparent that the prior twisting and lunging had
significantly depleted his energy and that Zaman was slightly
fitter. Al Tamimi composed himself and got to 6-8, then Zaman hit a
winning drop and Al Tamimi hit the tin again, match ball 10-6.
Both players resumed spinning around the T like electrons. At 9-6
Zaman hit a winner which Al Tamimi dived and slid on his stomach to
dig up. No only was he unsuccessful, he scraped his knuckles on the
floor which caused a break in play to treat some bleeding. 10-6
match ball. The rest period favored Zaman who had more in the tank.
When Al Tamimi returned, Zaman closed out the spectacular
demonstration of professional squash, triumphing 3-2: 8-11, 8-11,
11-6, 11-9, 11-66. (Match length 69 minutes) |
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Presence Open 2015
05-10 Oct, McLean, Usa, $10k |
Round One
07 Oct |
Quarters
08 Oct |
Semis
09 Oct |
Final
10 Oct |
[1] Olli Tuominen (Fin)
11/5, 11/5, 11/4 (19m)
Fred Reid (Can) |
[1] Olli Tuominen
9/1 rtd (6m)
Jaako Vähämaa |
Jaako Vähämaa
11/8, 11/3, 11/6 (28m)
[3] Farhan Zaman |
[3] Farhan Zaman
8/11, 8/11, 11/6, 11/9, 11/6 (69m)
[4] Abdullah Al Tamimi
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[8] Joe Chapman (Bvi)
11/4, 13/11, 12/10 (50m)
Jaako Vähämaa (Fin) |
[5] Eric Galvez (Mex)
9/11, 11/2, 2/11, 11/4, 11/5 (62m)
[Q] Anthony Graham (Eng) |
[5] Eric Galvez
11/9, 13/15, 11/9, 11/5 (50m)
[3] Farhan Zaman |
[3] Farhan Zaman (Pak)
5/11, 13/11, 13/11, 11/7 (60m)
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[Q] Ahmad Alzabidi (Jor)
6/11, 11/4, 13/11, 11/8 (48m)
[4] Abdullah Al Tamimi (Qat) |
[4] Abdullah Al Tamimi
11/4m 11/2, 11/2 (26m)
[8] Arturo Salazar |
[4] Abdullah Al Tamimi
11/7, 11/8, 3/11, 12/10 (55m)
[2] Shawn Delierre |
[wc] Nosherwan Khan (Pak)
9/11, 11/4, 11/5, 11/9 (45m)
[8] Arturo Salazar (Mex) |
Amaad Fareed (Pak)
11/7, 12/14, 11/5, 11/6 (58m)
[5] Shahier Razik (Can) |
[5] Shahier Razik
11/9, 5/11, 11/5, 8/5 rtd (70m)
[2] Shawn Delierre |
Clinton Leeuw (Rsa)
11/8, 11/8, 4/11, 12/14, 11/? (88m)
[2] Shawn Delierre (Can) |
06-Oct, Qualifying Finals:
Ahmad Alzabidi (Jor)
3-1
Edgar Zayas (Mex)
8/11, 11/8, 11/8, 11/7
Jaako Vähämaa (Fin)
3-0
Dylan Cunningham (Usa)
11/8, 11/9, 11/9
Anthony Graham (Eng)
3-0
Kevin Chen
11/5, 11/5, 11/4
Clinton Leeuw (Rsa)
3-1
Syed Hamzah Bukhari (Pak) 11/9, 11/7, 2/11, 11/6
Lucky Loser: Edgay Zayas
05-Oct,
Qualifying, Round One:
Edgar Zayas (Mex) 3-0
Mubaraj Mohsin (Pak)
11/7, 11/7, 11/2 (25m)
Ahmad Alzabidi (Jor) 3-0 Jahangir Naseem
11/4, 11/8, 11/6 (30m)
Dylan Cunningham (Usa) 3-0 Abdullah Bashir (Pak) 11/8,
11/5, 11/6 (35m)
Jaako Vähämaa (Fin) bye
Kevin Chen
3-0 Victor Garcia
11/4, 11/4, 11/3 (20m)
Syed Hamzah Bukhari (Pak) 3-0 David Cromwell (Usa) 11/4, 11/6,
11/7 (35m)
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09-Oct, Semis:
Amy Madison reports
Farhan Zaman (PAK) Vs. Jaakko Vahamaa (FIN)
Two 22 year olds in the semifinals of a professional squash
tournament makes for fantastic squash. 68th-ranked Zaman prevailed
over Vahamaa , ranked 162, in three hard-fought games. Vahamaa
seemed slightly on edge, with a higher percentage (still remarkably
low) of unforced errors than displayed in his previous matches. His
bleeding knee injury called for a break, Vahamaa treated by his
national teammate Olli Tuominen. Once again n court, Zaman proceeded
to whip audacious cross court volley and drop winners for which the
Flying Finn could only shake his head as the audience hooted in
approval. 11-8, 11-3, 11-6 Match length: 28 minutes
Abdullah Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) Vs. Shawn Delierre (CAN)
The legendary stamina of Shawn Delierre, currently world-ranked at
56, was thoroughly tested in this game of wills. 71st-ranked
Abdullah Mohd Al Tamimi possesses catlike agility. He executed
clinical and spinning drop shots to match Delierre’s speed and kept
the spectators hanging on every rally. During the first game,
Delierre was uncharacteristically focused and quiet. The following
games brought out the emotional professional to whom the squash
world has become accustomed. Both players pulled out all the stops
as they fought, resulting in a broken racquet for Al Tamimi during
Game 3. As the match progressed, the ball hardly reached the back
wall, so aggressive was each player in retrieval. Al Tamimi’s quick
hands ultimately got the best of Delierre. Tension was always high,
the gallery breathless, then cheering when the match finally
concluded and Al Tamimi won. 11-7, 11- 8, 3-11, 12-10 Match length:
55 minutes
08-Oct, Quarters:
Amy Madison reports
Jaakko Vahamaa (FIN) Vs. Olli
Tuominen (FIN)
Sadly, this match was forfeited during the first game due to a calf
injury to Finland’s #2-ranked Tuominen. Vahamaa, #4 in Finland,
moves on to the semifinals. 9-1 (Retired) Match length: 19 minutes
Farhan Zaman (PAK) Vs. Eric Galvez (MEX)
This was a tense, passionate game from the get-go, with tempers
flaring and numerous disputes between the players. Galvez’ charging,
bull-like style was a contrast to Zaman’s litheness and nimbleness.
Both players had remarkable ball control, with split-second
direction changes that kept the audience enthralled. Galvez remained
fierce with ball retrieval and many points ended after lengthy
shootouts. Zaman’s strategic game paid off as he took the match
three games to one. 11-9, 11-13, 11-0, 11-5 Match length: 50 minutes
Abdullah Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) Vs. Arturo Salazar (MEX)
This 26-minute match saw Al Tamimi defeating Salazar 3-0. It was
fast and intense between these two skilled players, Al Tamimi
repeatedly utilizing a killer volley sidewall nick which won him
several points. 11-4, 11-2, 11-2 Match length: 26 minutes
Shawn Delierre (CAN) Vs. Shahier Razik (CAN)
Delierre’s protesting, vocal style contrasted with Razik’s quiet
intensity in this powerful match. Every stroke was hit with such
intensity; hits along the side wall skimmed it as if in a vacuum.
Nick shots reigned supreme, whether to the side or back walls. It
seemed to be second nature to both players exactly where to place
shots to the back of the court – they either nicked or simply died,
tripling their strategic effectiveness. They punished the ball for
70 minutes, after which Razik conceded the match after a
three-minute injury timeout. He had twisted his ankle and could not
continue a close battle with Delierre in which neither player had a
clear advantage. 11-9, 5-11, 11-5, 8-5 (Retired)
07-Oct, First Round:
Amy Madison reports
Olli Tuominen (FIN) Vs. Fred Reid (CAN)
Tuominen, seeded #1 with a current PSA rank of 49, set the pace of
this match from the beginning. Reid played well but a series of
unforced errors crept into his game and victory slipped from his
grasp. 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 Match length: 19 minutes
Jaakko Vahamaa (FIN) Vs. Joe Chapman (IVB)
Both players started authoritatively in this dynamic match. Of
similar builds and playing styles, they kept the ball traveling at
remarkable speed with great accuracy. Each player combined total
focus and lightning-fast reflexes, Vahamaa’s racquet head moving so
quickly as to be invisible. The players made many impossible gets,
eliciting gasps from the gallery. Chapman rallied but could not slow
the Flying Finn,who bested him 3-0. 11-4. 11-13, 11-10 Match length:
50 minutes
Eric Galvez (MEX) Vs. Anthony Graham (ENG)
Charge, charge, charge! The energy and emotion on the court were
extreme as the two players slammed the ball and raced all over the
floor. Graham kept up with Galvez’s intimidating style of play. Lets
and strokes were hotly contested, resulting in more than one intense
discussion with the referee. The tension between the two players was
palpable but they were still able to embrace each other in warm
respect a couple of times. Grahamgave 100% but Galvez wore him down,
9-11, 11-2, 2-11, 11-4, 11-5 Match length: 62 minutes
Farhan Zaman (PAK) Vs. Edgar Zayas (MEX)
Zayas, ranked 459, surprised many with his solid skills against
Pakistan’s more experienced Zaman, ranked 68. The match was a
contest of wills, the wiry players seeming to be everywhere on the
court at once. Zaman triumphed 3-1, with scores of 5-11, 13-11,
13-11 11-7 Match length: 60 minutes
Shawn Delierre (CAN) Vs. Clinton Leeuw (RSA)
This fiery match was intensely physical from the beginning. Tempers
flared as Leeuw constantly played through minor interference rather
than appeal. This was a cliffhanger as the momentum of the match
built and players became increasingly aggressive in their shots.
Leeuw clawed out of a 0-2 games deficit but Delieree finally worn
him down: 11-8, 11-8, 4-11, 12-14, 11-8 Match length: 88 minutes
06-Oct, Qualifying Finals:
Amy Madison reports
Ahmad Alzabidi (Jor) v Edgar
Zayas (Mex)
In this ferocious match, spectators got their money’s worth of
drama, both opponents highly charged and fighting for every point.
Interference was hotly contested with several warnings and one
conduct stroke. There was a sharp contrast in the player’s sizes,
Alzabidi being the larger of the two players.
Zayas compensated for his smaller frame by having some of the most
nimble feet in the tournament, with extraordinary lunges and dives
extending his reach. Alzabidi’s combination of power and deft touch
enabled him to control the ball. Emotion was high and arguably cost
both players valuable points. Alzabidi prevailed 8-11, 11-8, 11-8,
11-7 in 59 minutes
Dylan Cunningham (USA) v Jaakko Vahamaa (Fin)
This USA v Finland match was battled by two very cool-headed and
skilled players. Each point was played with great intensity and few
unforced errors. Similar in playing style even during marathon
points, their shots were accurate and powerful.
Several memorable front court shootouts showed each athlete’s drop
shot prowess. Each player inched forward neck-and-neck point-wise,
with ties broken as the games neared completion. In the end it was
Vahamaa who prevailed, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7 in 41 minutes
Kevin Chen (USA) v Anthony Graham (UK)
This match featured a rapid pace of play between two great athletes.
Chen’s scrambling and superior retrieving skills made for intense
points but Graham’s control of the T and presence in every corner
allowed him to best Chen 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 in 27 minutes
Hamza Bukhari (Pak) Vs. Clinton Leeuw (RSA)
21-year-old Lahori Hamza Bukhari was beaten by 33-year-old South
African Clinton Leeuw in a four-game battle of wills. Leeuw, with a
PSA ranking of 180, fought calmly and repeatedly utilized traveling
airborne lunges to retrieve and power the ball out of reach.
Not to be outdone, Bukhari displayed precise, fleet footwork and
magnificent front-of-court work. A broken racquet butt and a warning
for dissent broke Bukhari’s rhythm, and although he rallied and took
game 3, Leeuw triumphed 11-9, 11-7, 2-11, 11-6 in 65 minutes
05-Oct, Qualifying Round One:
Amy Madison reports
Jay Naseem v Ahmad Alzabidi
Left-handed Jordanian Ahmad Alzabidi defeated Jay Naseem in three
games: 11-4, 11-8, 11-6. Naseem, founder of Jahangir Squash and
Director of Squash at McLean R&H and Potomac Squash Club, kept pace
with Alzabidi through many long and skillful points.
In addition to seeing great squash, the gallery was treated to many
moments of levity as Alzabidi protested numerous lets. Ultimately,
several unforced errors clinched Naseem’s defeat, though he remained
smiling throughout.
Abdullah Bashir v Dylan Cunningham
Viewers were treated to a breathtaking match between two well-suited
opponents, full of marathon points and expert shots.
Every corner of the court was in play; drop shots died, rail shots
stayed within millimeters of the side wall and dropped in the back
corners. Every spectator hung on every point. Germantown Cricket
Club’s Cunningham, 21 years old, prevailed.
Kevin Chen v Victor Garcia
McLean Racquet & Health Club’s Victor Garcia had a rousing match
against Kevin Chen, displaying great ball-handling technique and
footwork. The points were energetic, with a great deal of skill, but
Chen bested Victor.
Hamza Bukhari v David Cromwell
This match paired two skilled players who thrived on running each
other on every possible path around the court. Points were long and
hard-fought, keeping the gallery on tenterhooks.
Early on, Pakistani showman Bukhari kept Cromwell on the defensive,
with a second game rally by Cromwell before a third game defeat by
Bukhari.
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