04-Sep, Finals:

[1] Madeline Perry (Irl) bt [5] Vanessa Atkinson (Ned)
           13/11, 11/7, 11/6 (44m)
[1] Azlan Iskandar (Mas) bt [Q] Borja Golan (Esp)
            11/9, 8/11, 9/11, 13/11, 11/5 (100m)

Fourth Irish title for Madeline
Arthur Curran reports

I am finding it a little difficult to find words to describe this match – superb, excellent, fantastic – even these do not do justice to what was one of the best ladies matches I have seen for some time.

Vanessa, #14 in the rankings, but formerly #1 and World Champion, took an early lead of 3/0, both players showing us already a fine array of strokes, but Madeline, #6 in the world, and having won this trophy in 2005, 2006 and 2007, semi finalist in 2008 and losing the final last year here to Alison Waters, wanting eagerly to regain the title, stayed in touch, but Vanessa opened the lead to 8/4.

However, Madeline then went on a burst with some sublime strokes and great tactics, with Vanessa gaining only one more point, that for a stroke call, and Madeline was on game ball at 10/9. Vanessa saved that one and taking the next point had game ball herself, but Madeline was not finished, with some lovely dainty drop shots levelled then took the game 13/11.

Vanessa again led early in the second 2/0, then Madeline eased in front 4/3, Vanessa took the initiative once more to lead 7/6, but then Madeline started a magnificent run of points to take the game 11/7. The third started in a similar way, Vanessa taking the lead 3/1, but then she seemed to tire quite quickly and Madeline allowed her only one more point before reaching match fall at 10/4.

Although Vanessa saved two match balls with two really sweet whort drops, Madeline was not letting go, taking the next point to win the game 11/6 and the match 3 – 0.

Another great triumph for Madeline in her home country following her recent success in the Australian Open, her first win over Vanessa and her fourth Irish Open title.

Azlan survives marathon

With #1seed and world ranked 14 Azlan Iskandar from Malaysia trying to win this event after losing in the final in 2008 to John White, and qualifier and world ranked 61, on his way back after a career threatening injury, Borja Golan from Spain, the winner here in Dublin in 2006, this promised to be a really good battle, and it proved to be even more worthy of this description – it was a war, albeit friendly, of attrition.

Azlan started much the stronger, easing out to lead 6/3, then taking game ball at 10/5, and although Borja saved four game balls, Azlan won out in the end to take the game 11/9. With both players playing great squash, in a very physical match, neither one wanted the other to take command, and in the second it was 5/1 to Borja early on, then 8/5. Azlan pulled level at 8/8 but Borja stayed stronger and levelled the match with the game at 11/8.

The third game was very even with the scores level up to 8/8, Borja took the next two for game ball, Azlan saved one but Borja took the next to win the game 11/9 and lead the match 2 games to 1. At 2/2 in the second Borja caught Azlan on the hip bone going through to retrieve a ball and he went down heavily with obvious pain in his hip, but after a few minutes injury break he was back on court looking none the worse for wear, and taking the next two points to lead 4/2. Borja then went on a run of 5, Azlan followed up with 3, it was 7/7, point for point then to 9/9, Borja taking match ball at 10/9 with a lovely long drop shot but then gave a stroke away, took the next point for another match ball, however Azlan took the game 13/11 thanks to two tins from Borja at the end.

So it was to be a deciding game, who was to win this very physical match? Borja took an early lead 3/2, but then seeming to be visibly tiring he managed only two more points whilst Azlan stayed stronger to take the game 11/5 and the match 3 games to 2.

A fantastic match lasting 100 minutes, and a great win for Azlan, but on his form this week Borja will not be long before he is back amongst the top rankings. Well played to both of them.

Well that brings to an end a great week of squash here in Dublin, and I have enjoyed myself here tremendously, apart from the squash the hospitality at the Fitzwilliam Club has been most enjoyable, and I am already looking forward to returning next year, health permitting.

11/8, 11/4, 11/2 (38m)

[5] Chris Ryder

 11/9, 8/11, 9/11, 13/11, 11/5 (100m)

[Q] Borja Golan

8/11, 11/0, 9/11, 11/1, 11/4 (67m)

[Q] Borja Golan

Qualifying - Finals

Borja Golan (ESP) bt Joel Hinds (ENG)                               12/10, 11/1, 11/2 (42 mins)
Brandley Hindle (MLT) bt Shaun Le Roux (ENG)   11/6, 11/7, 5/11, 8/11, 11/8 (93 mins)
Kristian Frost Olesen (DEN) bt Matthew Karwalski (AUS) 11/4, 10/12, 11/2, 11/7 (48 m)
Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt Jaymie Haycocks (ENG)                 11/9, 11/5, 11/6 (33 mins)

Qualifying - 1st round

(1) Borja Golan (ESP) beat Ben Ford (ENG) 11/4, 11/4, 11/2. (30 mins)
(5/8) Joel Hinds (ENG) beat Jens Schoor (GER) 12/10, 8/11, 11/5, 11/5. (50 mins)
(3/4) Shaun Le Roux (ENG) beat Derek Ryan (IRE) 11/7, 11/7, 11/7. (31 mins)
(5/8) Bradley Hindle (MLT) beat Arthur Gaskin (IRE) 11/9, 11/7, 11/4. (40 mins.)
(5/8) Kristian Frost (DEN) beat Neil Hitchens (ENG) 11/6, 11/7, 5/11, 12/10. (59mins)
(3/4) Matt Karwalski (AUS) beat Keith Moran (IRE) 11/8, 11/2, 11/2. (21 mins)
Jaymie Haycocks (ENG) beat (5/8) Pedro Schweetman (NED) 14/16, 11/4, 11/3, 8/11, 11/9. (69mins)
(2) Gregoire Marche (FRA) beat Niall Rooney (IRE) 11/7, 11/9, 11/7 (29 mins)

8/11, 11/9, 13/11, 11/9 (66m)

[4] Laura Massaro

13/11, 11/7, 11/6 (44m)

[5] Vanessa Atkinson

11/8, 11/6, 12/10 (37m)

[5] Vanessa Atkinson

Qualifying Finals:

Sina Wall (GER) bt Maud Duplomb (FRA)           7/11, 12/10, 11/5, 11/6 (49 mins)
Leonie Holt (ENG) bt Laura Pomportes (FRA)                11/9, 11/2, 11/7 (27 mins)
Laura Hill (ENG) bt Samantha Cornett (CAN)                11/8, 11/9, 11/7 (28 mins)
Victoria Lust (ENG) bt Lotte Eriksen (NOR)                    11/4, 11/4, 11/5 (29 mins

Qualifying Round One:

Maud Duplomb (FRA) beat Sandra Polak (AUT) 11/7, 11/3, 11/8. (20 mins)
Sina Wall (GER) beat Emily Whitlock (ENG) 11/5, 11/7, 11/7. (32 mins)
Laura Pomportes (FRA) beat Carrie Ramsay (ENG) 11/8, 11/8, 11/8. (31 mins)
Leonie Holt (ENG) beat Celia Allamargot (FRA) 7/11, 6/11, 11/7, 12/10, 11/6. (43mins)
Samantha Cornett (CAN) beat Zephanie Curgenven (ENG) 13/11, 11/5, 8/11, 9/11, 11/5. (37mins)
Laura Hill (ENG) beat Coline Aumard (FRA) 11/4, 11/8, 11/2 (18 mins)
Lotte Erikson (NOR) beat Olga Ertlova (CZE) 11/4, 11/9, 11/9 (47 mins)
Victoria Lust (ENG) Bye.

02-Sep, Quarters:
A qualifier in the final, for sure ...

First up for the men today was #1seed Azlan Iskandar from Malaysia, against #8 seed Chris Simpson from England. With Iskandar ranked at 14 and Simpson at 52, the difference was quite clear in the play, and although Simpson fought very bravely to stay in the match, particularly in the second game, Iskandar won the match 11/5, 11/9, 11/4 in 36 minutes.

The second men’s match on court turned out to be a marathon, as most people here expected it to be, between two Englishmen, #3 seed Joey Barrington and #5 seed Chris Ryder. The first game was one of attrition, with long rallies along the walls, and the score kept fairly level but with Ryder slightly ahead all the time, until he finished the game at 11/8. In the second, Barrington got off to a good start leading 3/0 then 6/3, but Ryder with two good hands in took the game 11/7. Again Barrington got off to an early lead, Ryder got back in slowly and levelled at 6/6, then 8/8, but remained the stronger this time and won 11/9. Fourth game started in the same way, level up to 6/6, Barrington took two points but then Ryder finished very strongly to take the game 11/8 and the match 3 – 0 in a long 77 minutes.

The third quarter final in the men’s event was between two qualifiers, Frenchman Gregoire Marche and Bradley Hindle from Malta. Some great squash from these two who I personally had never watched before, and each game was very tight score-wise, particularly in the third, with Marche just keeping slightly ahead throughout to take the match 11/8, 11/8, 12/10 in 47 minutes.

He'll meet fellow qualifier Borja Golan for a place in the final after the Spaniard beat Mathieu Castagnet is straight games, 11/7, 11/9, 11/7.

All-Irish finals a possibility ...

First up in the women's event were No 1 seed and Irish favourite Madeline Perry against the young English player Victoria Lust, the only qualifier to make her way through to the quarter finals. Victoria is not yet used to playing against top ranked players, but she is certainly learning very quickly, and seems to improve every time I see her play. Madeline showed her experience and skill to take a 10/4 lead in the first with Victoria, although fighting hard, seeming to find the pace a little too quick, but she did save 3 game balls before Madeline took the game 11/7. In the second Victoria picked up the odd single point in between some short breaks from Madeline, and Madeline served out to take the game 11/5. With Victoria visibly tiring, Madeline worked hard into a 9/1 lead, Victoria managed to take two points at this stage but Madeline then served out to take the game 11/3 and the match 3 games to nil in 25 minutes.

Second ladies match up was between two England team mates, #4 seed Laura Massaro and #6 seed Sarah Kippax, so this was expected to be quite a close encounter, which it proved to be. Laura seemed a little out of sorts in the first game and Sarah, 16 places below her in the rankings, took advantage of this, playing some great squash, and won the game 11/7. Laura came out much more determined in the second, and flew into a 7/0 lead, Sarah stopped the flow slightly with 2 points, but then Laura carried on to win the game 11/2. Laura moved out to an early 5/3 lead but Sarah slowly pulled back to 6/5, then 9/7, and finally took the game 11/8 to lead 2 – 1. In the fourth, from 3/3 Laura put in a great run of points to take the game 11/3 and level the match. Laura scored the first point of the deciding game, before Sarah galloped in to a 6/1 lead, but with a beautiful cross court drop Laura stopped that gallop and went on a good run of her own to move into the lead 7/6. Although Sarah fought back to lead 8/7, with both players playing some lovely shots, Laura came back at the end with a run of 4 points to win the game 11/8 and the match 3 – 2 after just on an hour of very enjoyable squash.

Third quarter final saw local favourite and #7 seed Aisling Blake take on new mum #3 seed Natalie Grinham from Holland. The gallery was quite full for this one with plenty of support for their local player Aisling, and as the match progressed it got fuller and fuller. Natalie did appear to be a little out of sorts but Aisling was in scintillating form and played probably the best squash of her career. To the delight of the crowd she took the first two games 11/4, 11/4 and club members seemed to be appearing from everywhere. Natalie was determined not to let her have all her own way however, starting to show some of her natural skills, taking a 6/2 lead, but Aisling pulled back to level at 6/6, then they stayed level to 9/9, and Natalie showed her strength to take the game 11/9. But that was to be the end of any possible comeback, Aisling with some beautiful stroke play went into a 7/0 lead, slowed only by giving Natalie two points with mistakes, one tin and one out of court, then at 10/2 match ball, with the crowd really buzzing, Natalie saved one match ball with a lovely cross court drop, but Aisling took the next point to win 11/7 and the match 3 – 0. The crowd went wild with applause, and deservedly so. How about that then?? And it was not the luck of the Irish, Aisling played brilliantly and really deserved this win, which she describes as the best win of her career.

She was so happy afterwards, with her parents there to congratulate her, and the whole club (her local club here at Fitzwilliam) was and still is buzzing. A great result not just for Aisling but for the tournament itself, with her being a local girl. Natalie had no complaints and certainly no excuses, although not back to full fitness since having baby Kieran, she told me “ I was beaten by a better player on the day".

In the last quarter final match there was another albeit minor shock to the seedings when #5 seed Vanessa Atkinson from Holland played #2 seed Natalie Grainger of the USA. With Natalie sparkling only in patches, and not looking really back to full fitness after her 12 month long lay off with a foot injury, Vanessa took advantage playing some really good squash, and won the match 11/7, 11/6, 11/7 in just 23 minutes.



So here in Dublin, with an Irish player in each semi final there is the possibility of an all Irish Final. How good would that be for this tournament and for Irish Squash? But we will have to wait and see, because Laura and Vanessa will definitely have some say in the matter.

Seeds tumble in the Men's

First up in the men’s competition caused a little upset in the seedings, with a Franco/Italian match up. 20 year old Frenchman Gregoire Marche was up against Italian veteran Davide Bianchetti, a player 40 places higher in the world rankings. Bianchetti started off strongly taking an early 8/2 lead, Marche pulled back to 6/8, but Bianchetti pulled out to 10/7 game ball. However, the younger man proved stronger, taking four straight points for game ball at 11/10, but Bianchetti took the next to level up. On the next point Bianchetti got very upset over a no-let call, and while he was angry with the referee Marche serve out to take the game 13/11. Bianchetti continued to vent his anger at the referee throughout the game break, and on resumption was still showing his upset, allowing Marche to take a 5/3 lead, and then carry on to serve out the game 11/3. Although Bianchetti took the lead 7/4 in the third, he then suddenly seemed to give up on the game, and Marche served out to take the game 11/7 and the match 3 – 0. A good result for the youngster.

The second match saw another qualifier, Bradley Hindle from Malta playing the 21 year old No 4 seed Nicolas Mueller from Switzerland. Both players looked fresh and strong from the start and the first two games were very level right through up to a tie breaker in each, with Hindle taking them both 12/10. In the third Hindle took an early 5/1 lead, but then the younger player Mueller took over, allowing his opponent only one more point, and won the game 11/6. Again Mueller proved the stronger and took an early lead 4/0, and although Hindle pulled back to 4/5 Mueller took six straight points to win the game, and take the match to a decider. After taking an early lead 3/1, Mueller then seemed to run out of steam and the older player rolled out the points to take the game 11/5, and the match 3 games to 2. Another match against the seedings.

Third match saw another qualifier, Borja Golan from Spain, against No 7 seed Mark Krajscak from Hungary, ranked 14 places above him in the rankings. The general feeling here is that Golan is getting back near his best after a long injury lay off, and this proved correct in this match, which he won in 3 games 11/7, 11/8, 11/5, although it took a very tough 44 minutes to do so.

Fourth match turned out to be quite an upset to the seedings, despite No 2 seed and WR 18 Stewart Boswell taking a 2 – 0 lead over WR 53 Mathieu Castagnet from France, then in 9 and 14 minutes respectively Castagnet came back and took the next two games 11/4 each. Was this to be an upset? It certainly was, because although he was down 4/5, Castagnet found a fresh wind and took the next 7 points straight to win the game 11/5 and the match 3 – 2, in a tremendous match lasting 72 minutes.

Next up was Englishman Joey Barrington, No 3 seed, WR 29, against unseeded Frenchman Yann Perrin, WR 58. Early points see- sawed up to 4/4, but then Barrington took a run of 4 points, Perrin took a run of 4 with Barrington taking 1, then Barrington served out to take the game 11/8. Perrin really came strongly into the match in the second, with some good short bursts of points to take the game 11/3. The third was a decider, Perrin leading at 4/2, Barrington fighting back to 5/4, and then slowly, two points at a time he moved ahead to take the game 11/7. Barrington then took control and although Perrin put up a brave fight Barrington took the game 11/5 finally, and the match 3 – 1.

And so we come to another English/French contest, this time between No 6 seed, WR 39, Englishman Chris Ryder and Frenchman Julien Balbo, WR 56. Expecting a close contest, it was surprising to see Ryder take an early lead 10/2, and although Balbo saved 4 game points, Ryder took the game 11/6. Although the next was much closer, the players sharing the points evenly up to 6/6, Ryder eased away to win the game 11/7. In the third, Ryder took an early 3/0 lead, Balbo pulled back to 4/3, Ryder again took the lead at 6/4, and although Balbo took the next point, Ryder took 5 straight to win 11/5 and the match 3 – 0 in 43 minutes.


Next up was the last Irish hope in the men’s competition, John Rooney, against the No 1 seed and favourite for the tournament Azlan Iskandar from Malaysia. In the first Iskandar was much too strong for Rooney, taking the game 11/5. The second game started much better for Rooney, cheered on by the small but vociferous crowd, he took a 5/1 lead but then Iskandar eased himself back in to the game to 6/8, then eased away with 5 straight points to win the game 11/8. The third was much easier for Iskandar, with Rooney very visibly tiring in his last match before moving to the USA to start a coaching career (more of which later) and he eased comfortably through to win the game 11/3 and the match 3 – 0 in 28 minutes.

The last match on the men’s court pitched No 8 seed Englishman Chris Simpson from Guernsey against qualifier Kristian Frost Olesen from Denmark. In a very hard fought close first game lasting 15 minutes Simpson managed to hold out for a win, despite Olesen saving 3 game balls, at 11/9. In the next two Simpson eased away gradually to take them 11/3 and 11/5 and the match 3 – 0 in 46 minutes.

So that was the men’s first round completed, with a few surprises against the seedings in the bottom half of the draw, but the top half going in favour of the seeds. Some good matches to look forward to tomorrow (or later today).

Dutch doing well, seeds strong ...

The first two matches in the women’s draw were over rather quickly, with first former World No 1 Vanessa Atkinson of Holland defeating her friend and Pontefract club mate Lauren Siddall quite comfortably 11/3, 11/3, 11/7 in 28 minutes.

Then another former World No1 Natalie Grainger defeating Sharon Wee of Malaysia 11/4, 11/6, 11/6 in the even shorter time of 20 minutes.

The third match between No 8 seed Alana Miller, just named in Canada’s squad for the Commonwealth games, and qualifier Vicky Lust of England turned out to be much more of a battle. The first game was really a battle, both ladies playing very strongly, the score moved up slowly and evenly up to 8/8, then Lust eased away to serve out 11/8. The second started a little slower up to 3/3, but then Lust put in a charge to go to 8/3. Despite Miller taking two points back at this stage, and saving one match ball at 10/5, Lust hung on to win 11/6. In the third the lead changed hands several times with both players doing their best to take control, which Lust did in the end to win 11/8 and the match 3 – 0. A really good win for young Victoria against a player ranked 24 places higher in the world.

The fourth match up was between the two Dutch compatriots Annelize Naude and Natalie Grinham, in her first match since having baby Kieran (he is already the star of the tournament here, more about that later). Natalie looked very fit and took a good early lead 8/2, playing her usual lovely squash, but Annelize stayed in the game and pulled it back to 8/9, then Natalie took he next two points and the game 11/8. Annelize led 4/1 in the second, Natalie pulled back to level, Annelize took the next point but that was to be her last in this game, Natalie taking 7 straight points to win the game 11/5.

In the fourth, Natalie looked not quite back to full match fitness and Annelize took advantage of this with some great squash and after a four point sequence to go 9/5 up, held on to win 11/8. 2 games each and a decider to play. Natalie came back with her usual bouncy style, led 5/2 and 9/4 then served out to win the game 11/5 and the match 3 – 2.

A great match between two really nice women, and a good workout for Natalie, who told me she just needs to play more top level games, but unfortunately may not be able to before the World Open.

Next on the ladies court was local player and local favourite Aisling Blake, seeded No 7 and WR 26, up against the English qualifier WR 155 Leonie Holt. Leonie, despite her much lower ranking, showed to be a really gutsy player as she did in qualifying, kept fairly close to Aisling on the score card, but Aisling with her lovely dainty drop shots and her Irish grit eased away to win the first two games 11/7 and 11/6. But Leonie was not to be outdone, and in a gruelling third game she managed to win 11/9. This really was a great effort from Leonie, considering the difference in their rankings, but despite keeping fairly close to Aisling in the fourth, experience showed through in the end with Aisling taking the game 11/6 and the match 3 – 1 in a long 45 minutes. This was probably the biggest match of Leonie’s career and her coach Chris Ryder, just managing time to watch her before he took to the court in the men’s competition, was really happy with her performance.

Now we come to the No 1 seed and favourite for this tournament, Irish player Madeline Perry, WR 6, who was up against a young up and coming qualifier from Germany, qualifier Sina Wall, WR 212 (yes that is correct), who had fought so well through the qualifying rounds. She carried on that fighting spirit her in the first game and whilst never heading Madeline, she kept very close to her in the scoring, just losing out 11/9. Then Madeline showed her experience and skills, easing through 11/4 and 11/4 in the next two games. But keep an eye out for this youngster from Germany, I think she could go far in the next few years. But at least that pleased the local supporters, with now 2 Irish ladies through to the next round.

Still a couple more matches to go, with No 4 seed Laura Massaro from England easing through fairly comfortably against the young Canadian player Alexandra Norman, who is ranked 50 places below her, 11/5, 11/2, 11/4, despite a knock in the eye which could come up fairly black tomorrow. If it does nobody can blame husband Danny for causing it!!

Last up were two English ladies, No 6 seed Sarah Kippax, recently married to England coach David Campion, and full time fire fighter and part time, but very experienced, squash player Laura Hill from Derbyshire in England. Laura started out like a house on fire (pardon the pun) taking a great 10/2 lead, and despite Sarah pulling back to level at 10/10 she served out to take the game 12/10. However, Sarah then showed her much more tournament experience, along with her great racquet skills, to take the next 3 games 11/8, 11/7 and 11/3.
And so we came to the end of a really exciting and entertaining day of Squash, with some great matches to look forward to later today.

Thanks to
Célia Allamargot
for the early results
 

Thanks to
Célia Allamargot
for the early results

Back on in Dublin

The 2010 edition of the Irish Open was postponed from its original April dates because the Ash Cloud crisis prevented most of the players from getting to Dublin.

But it's back on the calendar, and the Fitzwilliam Club will play host to many of the world's top players in early September ...