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08-Nov, Final:
Corren claims Ottawa title
Heather Wallace reports
Today in Ottawa the crowd was treated to two great matches, the
Men’s A final went the distance to 19-17 in the fifth game with
GoodLife’s Martin Aass beating Kyle Ogilvy.
 The
Men’s pro final followed & it was also a tight five set match with
fourth seed Michael Corren (AUS) winning in the fifth against
Ottawa & GoodLife’s Robin Clarke.
The first game was tight with Clarke squandering a game ball at
10-9, to lose 12-10. The second saw players again exchange points to
8-8, when Clarke hit some killer shorts shot to take the lead, &
this time he finished, winning 11-8. In the third, Clarke again
finished strongly by taking the ball in short & volleying Corren’s
defensive reply, taking the game 11-9.
In the fourth game, Corren took a quick start, Clarke seemed to lose
a bit of focus & was always behind, losing the game 11-7.
Corren seemed to keep his best to the last game, taking control
forcing Clarke to defend a lot. To Clarke’s credit he hung in & tied
the game 7-7, when he clipped the tin on a backhand short volley
which proved to be the turning point.
In the next rally Corren hit a low forehand drive kill & from there
finished the match off 11-7 in the fifth.
The win marks Corren's 24th PSA title, and his sixth of the year
- not bad for a 35-year-old who has been plagued by injury problems
and is now just 'playing for fun' ...
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Tough loss for Clarke
Louis Daignault reports
Mike Corren of Australia defeated hometown favourite Robin Clarke of
Ottawa in a five-game marathon in the championship final on Sunday
at the GoodLife Open.
Corren, a 36-year-old veteran once ranked 38th in the world, took
the hour-plus long match 12-10, 8-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7.
“It’s a tough match to lose,” said Clarke, the tournament’s
defending champion playing in his sixth career pro final. “I really
wanted to win this one for the crowd. Mike played really well. Early
on it was a battle of fitness, then in the third game, the ball
started to die and it became a battle of the shots. He won the
shots.”
Clarke, seeded third, squandered game balls in the first game but
scored three unanswered points to end the second to tie the match.
He won a see-saw battle in the third but Corren, the fourth-seed,
built a 4-0 lead in the fourth and never trailed to send the match
to a deciding game.
In the fifth, Clarke overcame an early deficit and led 6-5 before
Corren scored three straight points to grab the lead for good.
“I knew it was going to be difficult, “ said Clarke, currently
ranked 76th in the world while Corren is at 94. “He doesn’t give you
many opportunities to attack. You have to be patient with him. His
determination and will to win is pretty strong and he’s a good
example that if you keep plugging way you’ll find success.” |
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 GoodLife
Open 2009
03-08 Nov, Ottawa, Canada, $6k |
Round One
05 Nov, from 14.30 |
Quarters
06 Nov |
Semis
07 Nov |
Final
08 Nov |
[1] Gilly Lane (Usa)
11-2, 11-7, 11-5 (25m)
Graeme Wilson (Nzl) |
[1] Gilly Lane
11-7, 11-4, 11-9 (30m)
Dave Glass |
[1] Gilly Lane
11-7,11-5,11-4 (32m)
[4] Mike Corren |
[4] Mike Corren
12-10, 8-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7 (79m)
[3] Robin Clarke |
Dave Glass (Can)
11-9, 7-11, 11-5, 14-12 (41m)
Maxym LecLair (Can) |
[4] Mike Corren (Aus)
11-6,11-7,11-8 (36m)
Matthew Serediak (Can) |
[4] Mike Corren
11-4, 11-9,11-6 (29m)
[8] Chris Truswell |
[8] Chris Truswell (Eng)
11-7, 8-11, 9-11, 13-11, 11-0 (53m)
Adrian Dudzicki (Can) |
Thomas Brinkman (Can)
11-5, 11-9, 11-4 (25m)
[7] Tyler Hamilton (Can) |
Thomas Brinkman
11-7, 11-6, 11-4 (25m)
[3] Robin Clarke |
[3] Robin Clarke
11-2, 11-7, 11-3 (34m)
[2] David Phillips |
Rudi Willemse (Rsa)
11-9,11-1,11-7 (25m)
[3] Robin Clarke (Can) |
Dane Sharp (Can)
11-5,11-7,11-9 (45m)
[6] Eddie Charlton (Eng) |
[6] Eddie Charlton
13-11, 8-11, 11-1, 11-6 (55m)
[2] David Phillips |
TG Raubenheimer (Rsa)
w/o
[2] David Phillips (Can) |
07-Nov, Semis:
Stunning show from
Clarke in Ottawa
Louis Daignault reports
OTTAWA – From the moment he appeared on court for the warm-up for
his semifinal match on Saturday at the GoodLife Open men’s
professional squash tournament, Robin Clarke was a man on a
mission.
The 23-year-old Ottawa native then proceeded to eliminate compatriot
David Phillips of Pointe-Claire, Que., 11-2, 11-7, 11-5 in a
dominating performance to advance to the championship final for the
second straight year.
Even upon completion of the match, Clarke was still wearing his game
face, acknowledging the crowd with a quick fist pump, then quickly
retreating to the players rest area knowing he won a big battle but
not the war.
 “I
played really well today,” said Clarke, the tournament’s defending
champion. “I went in with a good game plan and stuck to it. I played
patient squash and didn’t open up the court for him. It’s a big win
for me, I put pressure on myself to go out there and have a strong
showing.”
On paper, this had the makings of a five-game marathon. Phillips was
seeded second and Clarke third and in the world rankings Clarke
stands at number-76 and Phillips at number 77.
“I was ready for a five-game match,” said Clarke, the tournament’s
defending champion. “I had never seen David play as well as he did
yesterday (in Friday’s quarterfinal). I’m happy it finished in
three. I saved some energy for the final.”
In the championship final, Clarke will face 36-year-old veteran
Mike Corren of Australia who bounced top-seed Gilly Lane of the
U.S., 11-7, 11-5, 11-4.
“Mike came to Ottawa four years ago and we trained together for a
couple of months,” said Clarke. “He played really well today and I’m
anticipating a difficult match.”
The final goes at 1 p.m. at the GoodLife Fitness Club on Queensview
Drive.
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Top seeds go out
Heather Wallace reports
In the first semi final No. 4 seed, Mike Corren (AUS) beat No. 1
seed Gilly Lane (USA) in three games.
Corren as he has done all tournament, gave a master class in
controlling the ball, hitting great length & picking his time to go
in short, stretching Lane the length of the court. Lane lacked the
patience to match Corren trying to force winners too early,
resulting in too many errors making Corren’s life easy on court.
Corren ran away with the match 11-7,11-5,11-4 in 32 minutes.
In the second semi final, No. 3 seed Robin Clarke (CAN), the
hometown favourite seemed he was out to prove a point beating No. 2
seed David Phillips (CAN) convincingly in three games.
Clarke dominated from the start, hitting the ball with authority,
keeping Phillips behind him. Clarke was patient waiting for his
chance to be aggressive, taking it, making only two errors in the
whole match. Clarke did a great job of keeping Phillips out of his
comfort zone by playing very straight, keeping the pace on the ball
not giving any angles for Phillips to work with. Clarke won 11-2,
11-7, 11-3 in 34 minutes.
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06-Nov, Quarters:
All-Canadian semi in GoodLife Open
Louis Dagnault reports
OTTAWA – David Phillips of Pointe-Claire, Que., and Robin
Clarke of Ottawa, seeded second and third respectively, won
their quarterfinal matches Friday to set up a semifinal showdown at
the GoodLife Open men’s professional squash tournament. The
competition is being held this week at the GoodLife Fitness Club on
Queensview Drive.
The tournament is a stop on both the Canadian Circuit and the
Professional Squash Association Tour.
Phillips, who had a walkover win on Thursday, kicked off his
tournament with a 13-11, 8-11, 11-1, 11-6 victory over sixth-seed
Eddie Charlton of England.
“The first match in a tournament is always tough and he is a very
good up and coming player,” said Phillips. “I may have been at a
little disadvantage because I didn’t get any game action yesterday
however I won’t have as many miles in my body for the rest of the
tournament.”
Charlton squandered game ball in the first game then withstood a
strong comeback from Phillips tie the match at 1-1. But from the
third game on it was all Phillips.
“I was feeling very confident physically,” Phillips said. “I wanted
to come out strong in the third and see how hard he would push and I
got to take it from there.”
It’s been a busy fall for Phillips who played for Canada at both the
world team championships in Denmark and the Pan Am Championships in
Ecuador.
“In Ecuador, we were at high altitude that has really helped
physically,” he said. “But mentally it was pretty draining, playing
a lot of matches and it was a tough tournament.”
Clarke, the tournament’s defending champion, defeated Thomas
Brinkman of Winnipeg 11-8, 11-6, 11-4. Brinkman had good starts and
good finishes in each game but could not overcome strong runs by
Clarke in the middle portions of the games.
“I could tell right away he wasn’t moving well to the front of the
court so my plan was to take him short a little more,” said Clarke.
“I didn’t feel like I moved that well and I’ll have to be more
patient in my next match and wait for my opportunities.”
In other matches, top-seed Gilly Lane of the U.S., defeated Dave
Glass of Winnipeg 11-7, 11-4, 11-7 while fourth-seed Mike Corren of
Australia eliminated Chris Truswell of England 11-4, 11-9, 11-6.
On Saturday, the Lane-Corren match goes at 3 p.m. and the
Clarke-Phillips tilt at 4 p.m.
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Clarke on course
Heather Wallace reports
No. 3 seed, Robin Clarke (CAN) had an easy passage into the semi
finals tonight, beating Thomas Brinkman (CAN) easily in 3 games.
Clarke was far too experienced for his opponent & never allowed him
a sniff at a game.
No. 4 seed, Mike Corren (AUS) also was convincing in his win over
Chris Truswell (ENG), winning in 3 games. Corren’s control & ability
to slow the pace, had Truswell playing at his pace. Truswell was not
able to increase the pace & move Corren to the front enough to
exploit his lack of mobility.
No. 1 seed Gilly Lane (USA) also had an easy win over Dave Glass.
Glass was far too loose with his shots & error prone lacking the
patience to rally with the steady Lane.
No. 2 seed David Phillips(CAN) had the toughest time of the top 4
seeds. Eddie Charlton (ENG) pushed Phillips to 4 games. The players
exchanged the first 2 games, & in the 3rd Phillips’s physical
strength in the mid court began to show. Phillips was particularly
devastating with his backhand short game, forcing Charlton to
continuously defend with lobs. In the last 2 games Charlton had no
answer for Phillips’s dominance of the mid court.
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05-Nov, Round One:
Clarke wins opener at GoodLife Open
Louis Dagnault reports
OTTAWA – Robin Clarke of Ottawa overcame some early jitters
to defeat Rudi Willemse of South Africa in straight games in first
round action on Thursday at the GoodLife Open men’s professional
squash tournament. The tournament is being held at the GoodLife
Fitness Club on Queensview Drive in Ottawa.
Clarke, the third-seed and tournament defending champion, won the
match 11-9, 11-1, 11-7. The event is also a stop on the 2009-10
Canadian Squash Circuit and a tournament on the Professional Squash
Association tour.
“The first match is always the toughest because you have to feel out
your opponent a little bit,” said Clarke, 23, who advanced to his
fifth career pro final at the Niagara Classic two weeks ago at
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. “There were also a bit of nerves as well
being back in my hometown again. That first game was pretty tough
but I settled down after that.”
Clarke will face Thomas Brinkman of Winnipeg in Friday’s
quarterfinal. Brinkman earned his first career victory on the
Canadian Circuit as he defeated Tyler Hamilton of Dundas, Ont.,
11-5, 11-9, 11-4.
It was only the second time he has played in the main draw on the
circuit. Two weeks ago at Niagara-on-the-Lake, he was eliminated in
the first round.
“I felt good, I wasn’t nervous at all, normally I am,” said
Brinkman, 20. “I just felt on today. I played my shots short and
that seemed to be very effective against him. To get this win is
really good. It really motivates me.”
Meanwhile David Glass of Winnipeg beat Maxime Leclair of
Montreal 11-9, 7-11, 11-5, 14-12.
“I thought I played well early in the match but Maxime definitely
stepped his game up,” said Glass. “He put me under pressure and
surprised me a bit with his strong play. I was pleased that I used
my deception really well and kept him off balance. But still, I hope
I can be better in my next match.”
In other matches Thursday, second-seed David Phillips of
Pointe-Claire, Que., advanced without playing as his opponent T.G.
Raubenheimer of South Africa withdrew. Sixth-seed Eddie Charlton
of England defeated Dane Sharp of Ajax, Ont., 11-5, 11-7, 11-9,
top-seed Gilly Lane of the U.S., beat Graeme Wilson of New
Zealand in straight games and Matthew Serediak of Saskatoon lost to
fourth-seed Mike Corren of Australia 11-6, 11-7, 11-8.
Adrian Dudzicki of Ottawa fell to eighth-seed Chris Truswell
of England 11-7, 8-11, 9-11, 13-11, 11-0.
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Top four seeds advance to Quarters
Heather Wallace reports
The one surprise upset of the 1st round was Thomas Brinkman (Canada)
beating No. 6 seed Tyler Hamilton ( Canada). Brinkman from the start
controlled the centre of the court & was devastating with his mid
court angles which Hamilton did not react to. Hamilton struggled
with his movement & had no answer for Brinkman.
The match of the first round undoubtedly was local boy & wildcard
Adrian Dudzicki vs Chris Truswell. Dudzicki who has been training in
England over the summer definitely surprised Truswell.
Truswell won the first game, but then let Dudzicki took command of
the front of the court, when Truswell started forcing the play by
going short too often. Dudzicki was too good at the front of the
court & countered Truswell’s short shots with deft drops & cross
court nicks. Dudzicki took the next two games & then led 10-8 in the
fourth before squandering three match balls & losing 11-13.
Drops that had been perfect earlier on clipped the tin. Dudzicki
needed to win the 4th as he had nothing left in the 5th game where
fitness & experience won through, Truswell taking the fifth 11-0. |
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