|
|
 Atwater Cup 2011
28 Mar-02 Apr, Montreal, Canada, $25k |
|
THE
FRENCH CORNER
salut framb
Je suis verte de rage d avoir perdu contre Vanessa Atkinson, score
11.7 11.8 9.11 11.9 en 41mn, bien qu'elle soit tête de série numéro
1, et 10 mondiale, il y avait la place de gagner.
Je n'ai pas bien joué les deux premiers jeux, j'ai manqué
d'agressivité, mes coups n'étaient pas assez appuyés. Puis le 3eme
jeu bien meilleur, je maitrisais mieux mon sujet, et dans le 4eme
elle s'arrache pour éviter d'aller au 5eme jeu, car elle accusait le
coup beaucoup plus que moi.
Je gère mal la fin du jeu en jouant entre deux eaux; la faire courir
pour plus la fatiguer pour le 5eme et attaquer.
Je suis pas contente de moi, je dois et je pouvais gagner ce match.
Maintenant, je vais avancer, changer ce qui a fait défaut pour les
prochains matches, me tourner vers le prochain tournoi qui est dans
deux jours.... aux iles caymans où je suis dans les qualifs. Le
niveau est très relevé, les conditions changent!! On passe de
presque zero degre à 28!
a+
 |
|
31-Mar, Quarter-Finals:
Glen Wilson reports
Vanessa Atkinson v Isabelle Stoehr
This was an interesting match up with a couple of experienced
veterans opening up the first match of the evening.
Both these players have superb ball striking skills as the early
exchanges were tight straight drives and nice attacking drops
and boasts. Atkinson got the upper hand early keeping the ball
deep and away from Stoehr’s volley not allowing her to hit too
many winners. It enabled Atkinson to get forward and dictate a
lot of the rallies playing some nice points to tuck the first
game into her bag.
Both players started strong again in the second vying for the T
trying to gains some sort of authority over the other. Nice
tight drives, both players looking to attack. Atkinson couldn’t
get the width at times and Stoehr made her punish with some
superb volley winners. Atkinson played herself out of trouble
towards the death with some great counter attacking and lobs to
win the second in a tight one.
Stoehr came out with vigor in the third showing Atkinson she was
not about to lie down and give it away. She dominated most of
the points getting forward nicely and hitting some great shots
in awe of the 80 strong crowd. Atkinson came back but Stoehr
closed it out looking good going into the fourth.
There was little between the two. Atkinson keeping it tight
looking to work Stoehr to the front with her boast and Stoehr
trying to take the volley in.
It was point for point anyone’s game, both players playing with
thought and skill.
Stoehr was looking strong at times with Atkinson hanging in
there weathering a few mini storms. A couple of errors from
Stoehr, a backhand drop winner from Atkinson to match point at
that’s all she needed as she moves through in a fantastic match
played by both players in great spirit.
Samantha Teran v Joelle King
On paper this looked likely to be the closet match of the night
and the crowd was not disappointed. King ranked 14 and Teran 19
they both came out hitting the ball hard getting into their
rhythms early.
It was King though that setlled the better playing some nice
volleys and drops to take the first.
In the second Teran was playing great length and width getting
King off the T and being able to hit some nice shots of her own.
At 4 all Teran was not happy with a referee’s decision and her
focus slipped allowing King to race to 8/4. She settled herself
to come back to 8/9 and it was game on. A couple of errors from
King trying to close it out took Teran to game ball but King
tightened up and ran everything down to win the next point and
to level it at 10 all. More of the same from King in the tie
break as she played the ball deep hitting it hard, keeping the
pressure on and it paid dividends as it enabled her to get
forward and place the ball away. King wins a close second and
takes a two game lead
Everyone who knows Teran knows that a 2 nil lead doesn’t faze
her. The third she came out strong surprising King with a few
shots that took King by surprise. King tried to come back but
made too many errors and the game slipped away and before too
long, it was 2/1 King.
The third started fiercely as both players were hitting the ball
hard fighting for the T. A couple of collisions here and there
and tight exchanges had the 100 plus crowd on their feet with
every rally appreciating the determination by both players.
King managed to get in front towards the middle of the game as
she opened up a tender lead to finally get to match ball 10/8. A
winner from Teran then a tin from King and it was 10/all. King
had been here before and she new it as she tightened up and won
the next point on a perfect drive then another winner to win a
tough match against one of the tours fittest and quickest
players.
Natalie Grinham v Olivia Blatchford
Blatchford had played superbly the night before against Blake
but Grinham was a completely different prospect.
Grinham started a little slow allowing Blatchford to get forward
and cut the ball short putting it away nicely. A good lead at
6/3 heading into the middle of the first set. Something switched
in Grinham as she found her range and touch reeling off the next
5 points. Blacthford came back but Grinham was now in full flow
and closed out the first 11/8.
Maybe the last 3 days had caught up with Blatchford as she
wasn’t moving as well around the front but then again she was
playing the former world number 2 who looks to be back to full
fitness. The next two games were over pretty quick but
Blatchford will use this tournament as a stepping stone I’m sure
moving forward. As for Grinham she looks in nice form moving
into tomorrow’s semi final.
Jaclyn Hawkes v Amanda Sohby
The last match of the night Hawkes the world number 15 and
second seed against Sobhy the world junior champion, world
ranked number 17 and still only 17 years of age.
This match was a contrast of Hawkes playing it tight trying to
give Amanda nothing to feed off while Sohby was moving the ball
around, maybe too much at times as Hawkes is a very good counter
player. Hawkes won the first easy. The second was tightly
contested but Hawkes managed to play the big points better as a
few tins creeped into Sohbys game when she was trying to do a
little too much. That was the difference in the second 12/10 to
Hawkes.
Sohby found her range in the third hitting the ball away making
Hawkes do a lot of work. She had found the game plan that was
unsettling Hawkes and it was paying dividends.
Sohby wins a tight third as Hawes was trying to sneak it at the
death not wanting to go to a fourth trying to avoid giving the
youngster any more confidence.
The fourth was interesting as Sohby came out trying to punish
Hawkes by wrong footing her, mixing it up and playing her
repertoire of shots. This only opened the court up for Hawkes to
play her solid counter attacking game winning some nice points
along with it. Hawkes ran away with it to 10/3 and virtually
game over. Sohby hit three winners late but Hawkes takes the
third and into her first Atwater Cup semi final.
|
|
THE
FRENCH CORNER
coucou Framb
Un bonjour de Montréal où j’ai gagné mon 1er tour contre Joe Chan,
pas du tout évidemment comme match.
je l’avais jamais joué mais au vu de ses résultats récents, je
savais que ca allait être dur.
Je gagne 3/1 11/9 dans les deux premiers jeux, j’ai serre le jeu sur
la fin, et ca a payé.
Après, petit coup de pompe sur le 3eme que je laisse filer un peu
pour récupérer et anticiper sur le 4eme.
Je m’en sors bien en ayant pas joue un super squash, mais cela a
suffit.
Maintenant une vielle connaissance Vanessa..ca promet une belle
bataille...
|
|
30-Mar, Round One:
Glen Wilson reports
Natalie Grinham v Donna Urquhart
The number 4 seed Urquhart drew the former world number 2 in the
first round in what was the pick of the night.
Grinham came out strong from the outset moving Urquhart around
the court with some nice holds and her trademark drops in and
around the front. This pulled Urquhart all around the court as
she struggled to get back into position before being sent to
another area. Urquhart tried to keep it straight and counter
when she could but Grinham was moving so well around the court,
cutting off anything that was loose.
The first two went to Grinham pretty comfortable. Urquhart came
back strong in the third but Grinham had to many weapons tonight
and looks in top form going through.
Vanessa Atkinson v Nicolette Fernandes
Fernandes started the better early and went out to an early lead
but once Atkinson settled into her rhythm she dominated most of
the exchanges with great length and width. Atkinson was able to
attack nicely with the boast from the back of the court that had
Fernandes scurrying around the front in desperation.
Fernandes played well and had the better of a lot of rallies but
Atkinson had to many answers with her ability to get herself out
of trouble with some nice lobs and counter hitting. Her ability
to attack and move Fernandes around the court with a variety of
shots was making her opponent do a lot of work which in the end
of each set paid dividends.
A nice match from the number one seed looking good going into
the second round.
Isabelle Stoehr v Joey Chan
This was a long way to come for Joey Chan, all the way from Hong
Kong with her coach Rebecca Chiu to assist. Chan started
nervously hitting a few tins allowing Stoehr to open up an early
advantage. Chan came back playing some nice drops and kills at
the front to push ahead 9/8 but Stoehr hit some nice shots to
win a close first.
The second set was evenly matched with each player exchanging
winners and errors with neither able to gain any advantage. A
tender lead for Chan at 9/7 and looking good for the money to
square it at 1 all but Stoehr again played well at the death to
steal it 11/9.
Chan came our firing in the third moving to 7/1 after a matter
of minutes, a mini comeback by Stoehr but it was too big a lead
to cut into and Chan was back in the match. In the fourth you
could see Stoehr was not about to let up and let a 5th decide
the outcome as she dictated early with her front court shots and
kills to gain some control on the match.
It worked well as she moved ahead helped with a few errors from
Chan. The fourth was comfortable and a nice win for Stoehr.
Joelle King V Miranda Ranieri
This was always going to be a tough one for Ranieri after last
night's five-setter but Ranieri is known for her grit and
determination so we were eager to see how she fared.
The world number 15 King having just won the Quebec Open on the
weekend had a couple of matches under her belt after a 6 week
training block so she was looking for a solid opening
performance to get her into the event. King started well using
her pace and height to take control of the T not letting Ranieri
settle winning the first in 7 min.
The second and third were pretty similar as Ranieri tried to get
into the game but Kings constant pressure and hard hitting keep
Ranieri pinned in the back not allowing her to get forward. A
few loose balls from King in the third kept it close but King
had too many answers and looks in good form for her match
tomorrow night against Teran from Mexico.
Samantha Teran v Gaby Schmohl
Schmohl had come through a relatively satisfying qualifying draw
so she had plenty to give against Teran in this first round
encounter. Both players looked even from the start neither
giving into anything with some long patient rallies. The
experience from Teran looked to be the only difference in the
end as she stayed solid forcing a couple of errors from Schmohl
and a couple of nice winners to win the first 12/10.
The second was again close but Teran was gaining the upper hand
making Schmohl do a lot of work. Teran closed out the second
11/8 then ran away with the third 11/2 to set up a mouth
watering clash with Joelle King.
Olivia Blatchford v Aisling Blake
Having talked to a lot of the WISPA girls the night before the
slight edge had Blake as favorite but no-one told Blatchford
that as she came storming out of the gates controlling the first
set and dictating her style on the match early.
Blatchford played superb squash at the front of court and at
times was hitting winners from every where. There was not a lot
Blake could do but to whether the storm and stay tough which she
did in the third. It was a little to late for Blake as
Blatchford again found the winners at the right time and a great
result to get Blake in three.
Her opponent tomorrow (Natalie Grinham) would have been watching
closely as we have the veteran against the pupil in what will be
an interesting match to watch.
Amanda Sohby v Alex Norman
One of two Canadians in the main draw thanks to a wildcard, but
not an easy first up assignment against the world junior
champion and world number 18 Amanda Sohby.
With some local support behind her we were looking forward to
possibly a close match but Sohby, as young as she is, was very
determined to finish things quickly and get home for an early
rest. Norman put up little resistance as Sohby completely
dominated winning 3/0 in 20 min.
Jackie Hawkes v Latasha Khan
The number two seed from New Zealand was visiting Montreal for
the second time having lost to Laura Massaro in the second round
two years ago. This time a lot higher ranked she drew the tough
American in Khan.
Each game was evenly contested but Hawkes played the big points
well winning in three close games. Her next match against Sohby
is an extremely tricky one. Hawkes will have to bring all her
fire power to fight off this young star from The States.
A match a lot of people will be looking forward to as Hawkes the
second seed will come under some severe pressure from the 18
year old world junior champion.
|
|
|
30-Mar, Round One:
Glen Wilson reports
Vanessa Atkinson v Nicolette Fernandes
Fernandes started the better early and went out to an early lead
but once Atkinson settled into her rhythm she dominated most of
the exchanges with great length and width. Atkinson was able to
attack nicely with the boast from the back of the court that had
Fernandes scurrying around the front in desperation.
Fernandes played well and had the better of a lot of rallies but
Atkinson had to many answers with her ability to get herself out
of trouble with some nice lobs and counter hitting. Her ability
to attack and move Fernandes around the court with a variety of
shots was making her opponent do a lot of work which in the end
of each set paid dividends.
A nice match from the number one seed looking good going into
the second round.
Isabelle Stoehr v Joey Chan
This was a long way to come for Joey Chan, all the way from Hong
Kong with her coach Rebecca Chiu to assist. Chan started
nervously hitting a few tins allowing Stoehr to open up an early
advantage. Chan came back playing some nice drops and kills at
the front to push ahead 9/8 but Stoehr hit some nice shots to
win a close first.
The second set was evenly matched with each player exchanging
winners and errors with neither able to gain any advantage. A
tender lead for Chan at 9/7 and looking good for the money to
square it at 1 all but Stoehr again played well at the death to
steal it 11/9.
Chan came our firing in the third moving to 7/1 after a matter
of minutes, a mini comeback by Stoehr but it was too big a lead
to cut into and Chan was back in the match. In the fourth you
could see Stoehr was not about to let up and let a 5th decide
the outcome as she dictated early with her front court shots and
kills to gain some control on the match.
It worked well as she moved ahead helped with a few errors from
Chan. The fourth was comfortable and a nice win for Stoehr.
Joelle King V Miranda Ranieri
This was always going to be a tough one for Ranieri after last
night's five-setter but Ranieri is known for her grit and
determination so we were eager to see how she fared.
The world number 15 King having just won the Quebec Open on the
weekend had a couple of matches under her belt after a 6 week
training block so she was looking for a solid opening
performance to get her into the event. King started well using
her pace and height to take control of the T not letting Ranieri
settle winning the first in 7 min.
The second and third were pretty similar as Ranieri tried to get
into the game but Kings constant pressure and hard hitting keep
Ranieri pinned in the back not allowing her to get forward. A
few loose balls from King in the third kept it close but King
had too many answers and looks in good form for her match
tomorrow night against Teran from Mexico.
Samantha Teran v Gaby Schmohl
Schmohl had come through a relatively satisfying qualifying draw
so she had plenty to give against Teran in this first round
encounter. Both players looked even from the start neither
giving into anything with some long patient rallies. The
experience from Teran looked to be the only difference in the
end as she stayed solid forcing a couple of errors from Schmohl
and a couple of nice winners to win the first 12/10.
The second was again close but Teran was gaining the upper hand
making Schmohl do a lot of work. Teran closed out the second
11/8 then ran away with the third 11/2 to set up a mouth
watering clash with Joelle King.
Olivia Blatchford v Aisling Blake
Having talked to a lot of the WISPA girls the night before the
slight edge had Blake as favorite but no-one told Blatchford
that as she came storming out of the gates controlling the first
set and dictating her style on the match early.
Blatchford played superb squash at the front of court and at
times was hitting winners from every where. There was not a lot
Blake could do but to whether the storm and stay tough which she
did in the third. It was a little to late for Blake as
Blatchford again found the winners at the right time and a great
result to get Blake in three.
Her opponent tomorrow (Natalie Grinham) would have been watching
closely as we have the veteran against the pupil in what will be
an interesting match to watch.
Amanda Sohby v Alex Norman
One of two Canadians in the main draw thanks to a wildcard, but
not an easy first up assignment against the world junior
champion and world number 18 Amanda Sohby.
With some local support behind her we were looking forward to
possibly a close match but Sohby, as young as she is, was very
determined to finish things quickly and get home for an early
rest. Norman put up little resistance as Sohby completely
dominated winning 3/0 in 20 min.
Jackie Hawkes v Latasha Khan
The number two seed from New Zealand was visiting Montreal for
the second time having lost to Laura Massaro in the second round
two years ago. This time a lot higher ranked she drew the tough
American in Khan.
Each game was evenly contested but Hawkes played the big points
well winning in three close games. Her next match against Sohby
is an extremely tricky one. Hawkes will have to bring all her
fire power to fight off this young star from The States.
A match a lot of people will be looking forward to as Hawkes the
second seed will come under some severe pressure from the 18
year old world junior champion.
|
29-Mar, Qualifying Finals:
Miranda Ranieri v Orla Noom
A tough match to pick and that’s exactly how it went down. Both
players started well with Noom playing the more patient and
taking her opportunities better when the chances came. 1st game
to Noom 11/8.
In the second set Ranieri established a lead right from the
outset 5/1. Noom made a few uncharacteristic errors to fall
behind and as the lead grew she conceded the game in 6min 11/2.
The third was exactly like the first. Noom playing much better
length, staying patient taking her opportunities at the right
time. Ranieri was hitting it well but seemed to be playing to
Noom's stronger forehand side way too much and Noom was punishing
her at times. Noom pounced on some weak returns to cut the ball
away and win a close third.
Ranieri seemed to play better when she was down and again came
out strong in the fourth with some nice attacking points. Noom
again seemed to concede the fourth after falling behind,
obviously saving herself for the 5th set. 4th game to Ranieri
11/1.
Noom played well at the start of the 5th to go up 5/1 thanks to
some nicely played rallies and helped with a couple of tins from
Ranieri. Ranieri was behind and possibly sensing she was close
to losing pulled out a string of winners to completely dominate
the next phase of points and race to an astonishing 10/6 match
ball lead. A couple of tins from Ranieri trying to close it out
made it close then on her third match ball she played a nice
drop that was not retrieved. A nice match played by both in
great spirit.
Ranieri wins 7/11 11/3 9/11 11/ 1 11/8 (41 min)
Gaby Schmohl v Stephanie Edmison
After a long hard match the night before we were curious how
Edmison would front up today for her second match. Edmison
started well looking good early on with Schmohl having to work
hard for her points. The first was tightly contested but Schmohl
managed to play a couple of nice shots at the death to take the
first.
Edmison at the start of the second didn’t look at all like the
player she did the night before or even in the first game as she
struggled to compete an fell of the pace early. Schmohl opened
up a big lead winning the second 11/2. The third was more of the
same as Edmison showed weary legs and fatigue obviously feeling
the effects of the night before. Schmohl was in no mood to let
up and goes through comfortably.
Schmohl wins 11/9 11/2 11/4 (23min)
Nicolette Fernandes v Olga Ertlova
This was an interesting match up, both players looked good last
night, both were fresh with plenty in the tank to give it there
best shot. Fernandes played extremely solid squash giving her
lower ranked opponent limited opportunities to attack. It was a
good performance from Fernandes keeping Ertlova pinned in the
back for the most part and being able to finish the winning
shots very clinically.
A comfortable 3/0 win for the lady from Guyana.
Fernandes wins 11/5 11/2 11/4 (32 min)
Olivia Blatchford v Thaisa Serafini
The last match of the night produced some thrilling shot making
by the young American combined with some nice retrieving and
cleverly played rallies from the Brazilian.
Blatchford had too much class for Serafini in the first but a
string of errors from the youngster in the second allowed
Serafini back into the match and a nice lead to get to game ball
10/6. Something switched in Blatchford as she stepped up the
court and won the next 5 points by playing superb squash
finishing the points at will using her volley to her advantage.
A dubious decision denied Serafini but the young American closed
out the set on her first game ball 12/10.
Serafini came out strong in the third maybe building confidence
from the close second set feeling she was in the match. She
started picking up some nice balls and playing some great shots
of her own to take a 7/3 advantage. Blatchford is very
experienced for one so young having travelled extensively so to
give in was something she was not about to do. She dug in
playing flawless squash over the next period giving Serafini no
chance on occasions to get any where near the ball. It was soon
10/8 to Blatchford, a lost point then a winner to close out the
match and into the main draw with an interesting match up with
Aisling Blake.
Blatchford wins 11/4 12/10 11/9 (34 min)
|
|
|
|
|
|
28-Mar:
Qualifying Under Way ...
Orla Noom bt Genevieve Lessard
It's not often you get two lefties taking to the court but you
could see early on who the one was taking the early control.
Noom took control of the T early and played some nice tight
length forcing Lessard into a few errors and loose balls that
Noom placed away nicely. Lessard was competitive in the third
but Noom goes through comfortably.
Miranda Raneiri bt Imelda Salazar
Salazar, one of many Mexicans in the draw, had some nice
support but came up against the much higher ranked Raneiri who
completely dominated from start to finish. Salazar tried hard
but the class gap was just too wide.
Stephanie Edmison bt Misaki Kobyashi
On paper this looked a little like a mismatch with Kobyashi at
48 in the world and Edmison at 77 but Edmison can play way above
her ranking on her day and today she was really up for it.
Playing not quite at home but close enough and having played in
Montreal a number of times, mainly in doubles events she had a
nice support crew who turned out to watch her play.
Kobyashi started the stronger winning a comfortable first game but Edmison was feeling her way getting stronger as the match went
on. Edmison snuck the second playing the big points really well.
She started the third where she left off from the second, taking
an 8/4 lead only to see her lead disappear in a few minutes with
a slight lack of concentration and some nice points by Kobyashi
who eventually won it winning 6 straight points.
The fourth was neck and neck all the way, a lot of lets were
called, both players getting slightly frustrated with the
referees calls but both players stayed composed. Something had
to happen and it was Edmison who stayed tuff with Kobyashi
making a couple of untimely errors and with it the loss of the
game.
Into the fifth and both players now really stepping it up to
gain some control over each other. Edmison was the first to take
a mini break at 8/4 but again Kobyyashi dug deep and went on a
run of 6 straight points to go to match ball at 10/8.
Two Tins from Kobyashi and is was 10 all, another mistake for
Edmison to go up 11/10 match ball and on her first she played a
nice forehand straight drop that Kobyashi tried to get in vain
but the Canadian goes through in the longest match of the night.
Gaby Schmohl bt Nayella Hernandez
From the outset you could see Hernandez was going to struggle
with her highly seeded Swiss opponent but she gave it her best
but it was not good enough to put pressure on Schmohl. Schmohl
cruisers through with plenty left in the tank for tomorrow
nights match.
Nicolette Fernandes bt Samantha Cornett
This was a nice match to watch with both players looking pretty
even from the outset. Both players were prepared to keep the
ball going and play patient squash looking for any openings
before attacking. It was Cornett who reached game ball first at
10/8 only to lose control and that’s all Fernandes needed as she
snuck the game 13/11.
The second was similar to the first but Fernandes was always a
couple of points ahead. Cornett couldn’t string a run of points
together to get the lead and that’s the way it stayed all the
way through.
In the third Cornett came out strong hitting the ball with some
vigor gaining some ascendancy moving to a nice early lead at
6/2. Looking like it was heading for a fourth Fernandes played
some nice points to get back into the set combined with a couple
of errors from Cornett to close it 7/8. Cornett found her rhythm
again moving clear to 10/7 only to see the same thing happen as
it did in the first with Fernandes winning 6 of the next 7
points and close out the match 13/11.
An unlucky 3/0 loss for the Canadian and a very relieved
Fernandes to get this one out of the way 3/0.
Olga Ertlova bt Ivonne Diaz
Probably the best performer of all the Mexicans on the night
with Diaz pushing Ertlova in the first two games. Ertlova looked
pretty comfortable though and stepped it up in the third winning
in just under half an hour.
Olivia Blatchford bt Lindsay Bovaird
We all know who Olivia is but Bovaird was playing in her first
ever WISPA event as a local qualifier. The class gap was obvious
but Bovaird tried hard but didn’t get rewarded for a lot of her
efforts. Blatchford was in no mood to hang around probably
trying to conserve as much energy as possible for tomorrow
nights qualifying decider.
She should be pretty fresh after this and hopefully the
experience for Bovaird was a positive one.
Thaisa Serafini bt Karina Heredia
The last match of night saw the last of the Mexicans
take the court against world number 64 Serafini from Brazil.
Gonzalez tried hard with her compatriots spurring her on with
every point but Serafini showed too much control and skill
winning 3/0.
|
|
