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Global Relocations Israel Open 2015
18-21 Feb, Herzliya, Israel, $5k |
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21-Feb, Final:
[Q] Daniel Poleshchuk (Isr)
3-2 [2] Geoffrey Demont (Fra)
6/11,
6/11, 11/7, 11/3, 13/11 (86m)
It's a home winner in Herzliya
Arthur Caplan reports
The final, between Frenchman Geoffrey Demont, the second seed, and
Daniel Poleshchuk, Israel’s national champion and a qualifier in
this event, proved the most intense and challenging match of the
tournament.
Caution dictated the play of both players at the start of the first
game. No more than two successive point for either player up to 6
all. Demont then took control, playing rapid fire shots that
Poleshchuk was unable to answer. The next five points took Demont to
a convincing 11-6 win and a one game lead.
Demont maintained his hard and fast style in the second game and it
was not long before he was 7-2 up. A couple of points for each
player brought the score to 9-4. Poleshchuk reduced the gap to 9-6
but couldn’t prevent Demont, now very confident, taking the next two
points to end the game 11-6 and take a 2-0 lead.
As game three began it was clear that Poleshchuk needed to change
his tactics. He began to hit the ball harder but without much
success. Demont advanced to 3-0, 5-2, and 6-4 before Poleshchuk’s
challenge began to bring rewards. He took three in a row to lead
7-6. Demont drew level to 7 all but Poleshchuk kept control, taking
the next four points and the game 11-7. Local supporters voiced
their approval, which was obviously mixed with relief that
Poleshchuk was now only 2-1 behind.
Game four was a turning point for both players. Confidence passed
from Demont to Poleshchuk. From 2 all Poleshchuk surged ahead to
8-2, taking advantage of several Demont errors. Demont managed one
more point but Poleshchuk kept up his attack. He took the next three
points comfortably to win 11-3 and take the match into a fifth and
final game.
Local supporters cheered enthusiastically at the result.
The final game started once again with both players avoiding risks
and playing cautiously, although at an increased pace. 2-1 and 3-1
to Poleshchuk were soon eclipsed by Demont who recovered to lead 4-3
and 5-4. The pendulum then changed in Poleshchuk’s favor as he took
two in a row to lead 6-5. Demont equalized but quickly fell behind
6-9 due to committing errors.
He scored one more point before Poleshchuk took the score to 10-7
and earn three match points. Demont reacted with skill and soon drew
level at 10 all. Poleshchuk went ahead 11-10, Demont equalized and
several lets were awarded before Poleshchuk took two successive
points to win the game 13-11 and the match 3-2. The cheering was
understandably long, loud and generous.
The match had lasted 88 minutes, including a three minute break for
injury requested by Poleshchuk, by far the longest contest and of
the highest quality for the whole tournament.
A word of appreciation is appropriate for the refereeing by Oliver
Pett. He explained fully every decision queried by the players, who
accepted his rulings without fuss or undue reluctance.
At the closing ceremony, Stan Tannen, a member of the Israel Squash
Rackets Association Management Committee, thanked the sponsor, the
management of the Herzliya Squash Club and all those who helped in
running the tournament.
Geoffrey Demont thanked the organization, complimented Daniel for
the game and said he would be happy to return next year. Daniel
thanked Geoffrey for the match, the Association and Global
Relocations for holding the tournament, his coaches in Israel and
Poland, his personal sponsors and his family for their constant
support.
Stan Tannen said he is hopeful that a third PSA tournament will be
held next year.
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  Israel
Open 2015
18-21 Feb, Herzliya, Israel, $5k |
Round One
19 Feb |
Quarters
19 Feb |
Semis
20 Feb |
Final
21 Feb |
[1] Richie Fallows (Eng)
11-3, 11-1, 11-7 (23m)
[Q] Claudio Pinto (Por) |
[1] Richie Fallows
11-6, 11-8, 12-10 (41m)
[7] Ollie Pett |
[7] Ollie Pett
13-11, 11-8, 11-3 (34m)
[Q] Daniel Poleshchuk |
[Q] Daniel Poleshchuk
6/11, 6/11, 11/7, 11/3, 13/11 (86m)
[2] Geoffrey Demont |
[7] Ollie Pett (Eng)
10-12, 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 (45m)
[wc] Roee Avraham (Isr) |
[8] Micah Franklin (Ber)
11-7, 8-11, 11-3, 13-11 (35m)
Bernat Jaume (Esp) |
Bernat Jaume
11-4, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9 (45m)
[Q] Daniel Polehschuk |
[4] Christophe André (Fra)
11-2, 11-4, 11-6 (18m)
[Q] Daniel Polehschuk (Isr) |
[Q] Iker Pajares (Esp)
7-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-4 (48m)
[3] James Earles (Eng) |
[3] James Earles
5-11, 11-3, 6-11, 11-1, 11-6 (50m)
[Q] Baptiste Masotti |
[3] James Earles
14-12, 11-1, 11-2 (29m)
[2] Geoffrey Demont |
[Q] Baptiste Masotti (Fra)
11-7, 11-4, 11-9 (26m)
[5] Arthur Moineau (Fra) |
Lyell Fuller (Eng)
11-6, 13-15, 11-5, 11-5 (42m)
[6] Joe Green (Eng) |
Lyell Fuller
3-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-2 (52m)
[2] Geoffrey Demont |
Edmon Lopez (Esp)
11-6, 11-7, 11-6 (35m)
[2] Geoffrey Demont (Fra) |
18 Feb, Qualifying Finals:
[1] Daniel Poleshchuk (Isr) 3-0 Ido Avron (Isr)
11-3, 11-9, 11-7 (34m)
[4] Iker Pajares (Esp) 3-0
[6] Lukasz Stachowski (Pol)
11-8, 11-4, 11-7 (34m)
[3] Baptiste Masotti (Fra) 3-0
[7] Sam Ellis (Eng)
11-2, 11-4, 11-5 (22m)
[2] Claudio Pinto (Por) 3-0
[8] Joeri Hapers (Bel)
11-2, 11-8, 11-8 (52m)
18 Feb, Qualifying Round One:
[1] Daniel Poleshchuk (Isr) 3-0 Ido Burnstein (Isr)
11-6, 11-6, 11-8 (28m)
Ido Avron (Isr) 3-0
[5] David Haley (Wal)
11-8, 11-6, 11-2 (28m)
[6] Lukasz Stachowski (Pol) 3-1 [Gabby Romano (Isr)
11-4, 11-5, 10-12, 11-4 (21m)
[4] Iker Pajares (Esp) 3-0 Adam Bachmann (Isr)
11-2, 17-15, 11-6 (32m)
[3] Baptiste Masotti (Fra) 3-1 Yali Shass (Isr)
10-12, 11-1, 11-4, 11-3 (31m)
[7] Sam Ellis (Eng) 3-1 Ori Elimelech (Isr)
10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 (53m)
[8] Joeri Hapers (Bel) 3-0 Avihai Bar Moha (Isr)
13-11, 11-4, 11-6 (37m)
[2] Claudio Pinto (Por) 3-0 Nadav Raziel (Isr)
11-4, 11-3, 11-7 (25m)
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20-Feb, Semis:
Poleshchuk qualifies for final
Arthur Caplan reports
Local favourite Daniel Poleshchuk has reached the final of the
Israel Open, as a qualifier!
Frenchman Geoffrey Demont, the second seed, met James
Earles of England, the third seed, in the first semi final.
The first game started cautiously with both players taking few
risks. The score moved up evenly, no player more than one point
ahead. With Earles leading 8-7 Demont won three in a row to reach
game point. Earles responded to reach his own game point at 11-10.
With tension rising, the score went to 11 all, 12 all, and then two
more points for Demont to take the first game 14-12.
The match changed character dramatically after that first game.
Demont simply charged ahead in the second game and from 1-1 left
Earles struggling to get on terms. Nothing he tried helped and
Demont took the next ten points without reply to win 11-1. The third
game was a repeat of the second. After 2-2, Demont pressed on the
accelerator and there was nothing that a disheartened Earles could
do to stop Demont winning the next 9 points and the game 11-2.
This was a very convincing 14-12. 11-1, 11-2 victory for Demont, who
hit with power combined with fast and accurate shot making.
The second semi final was between Oliver Pett, who had
overcome top seed Richie Fallows the previous day, and Israel’s
leading squash player, qualifier Daniel Poleshchuk.
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Pett began the match with confidence, taking the first six points
before Poleshchuk had a point on the board. Another point for Pett
took the score to 7-2 and spectators were very quiet However,
Poleshchuk then had his turn, winning 5 without reply to level at
7-7.
Undaunted, Pett advanced to 10-8 but couldn’t close it out.
Poleshchuk reversed the situation by taking the next three points to
lead 11-10. Pett didn’t falter, bringing the score to 11-11.
However, two more points for Poleshchuk brought a roar of joy from
Poleshchuk and an even greater one from the crowd.
The second game started in similar fashion to the first. 6-1 to Pett
before Poleshchuk replied with 4 of his own to reach 5-6. Pett took
the next point but Poleshchuk replied with 4 more to lead 9-7. Pett
reduced the gap to 9-8 but a couple of errors meant the local
favorite was 2-0 up. The applause was loud and long.
After each of the last two rallies of that game Pett began flexing
his right leg with some concern. There was a short delay before he
returned for game three. It immediately became clear that he was
severely hampered by what turned out to be the return of a recent
injury.
The contest was no longer on equal terms. Rallies were short with
Pett unable to move easily. He succumbed quickly, allowing
Poleshchuk to win 11-3 and the match 3-0.
Both players came off court to resounding applause.
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19-Feb, Round One / Quarters:
Local favourite Daniel Poleschuk continues his run from
qualifying to advance to the semi-finals in Herzliya, as Ollie Pett
takes out top seed Richie Fallows in an all-English quarter-final …
Arthur Caplan reports
The first round of the main draw was notable for the elimination of
four of the eight seeds.
Joe green, the 6th seed, fell to Lyell Fuller 3-1 in an all English
encounter, and he was soon followed by Arthur Moineau who lost 3-0
to qualifier Baptiste Masotti in an all French contest.
The third and most unexpected casualty was another Frenchman,
Christophe Andre, the 4th seed, who lost 3-0 to Israel’s unseeded
Daniel Poleshchuk. Andre had arrived in Israel quite unwell and
remained so even when on court. It was clear that he was doing his
best to compete but that his body was just unable to respond to his
wishes.
Top seed, Englishman Richie Fallows, defeated qualifier Claudio
Pinto from Portugal in three and Fallows’ fellow countryman, Oliver
Pett, the 7th seed, defeated wildcard Roee Avraham of Israel in a
close match. Avraham began well, winning the first game 12-10, but
couldn’t repeat that success and lost 3-1 in one of the day’s
longest contests.
Micah Franklin, the 8th seed from Bermuda, took a game off his
Spanish opponent, Bernat Jaume, before losing in four.
Frenchman Geoffrey Demont, the second seed, and England’s James
Earles, the third seed, defeated their Spanish opponents, Edmon
Lopez and qualifier Iker Pajares, respectively, to reach the
quarters.
The quarters started later in the evening with a 3-1 victory for
Demont over Fuller and continued with a 3-1 success for Poleshchuk
against Jaume. Earles and Masotti were next on court and played the
only five game match in the event so far. Earles emerged victorious
to face Demont in tomorrow’s first semi final.
The last quarter final of the evening saw the elimination of top
seed, Richie Fallows, by Oliver Pett in a high class display by both
players. Fallows got to extra points in the third but never looked
like taking control and lost in three. Pett faces Poleshchuk in the
other semi, where Israel’s representative is sure to receive
vociferous support and encouragement from the majority of
spectators.
The very cold and stormy weather that prevailed throughout the day
hasn’t put a damper on the event and spectators have enjoyed an
opportunity to see a varied selection of professional squash players
competing at a level rarely seen in Israel.
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18-Feb, Qualifying:
Poleshchuk carries home hopes
through qualifying
Arthur Caplan reports
Local interest was represented in all of the eight first round
matches.
One match, between Daniel Poleshchuk, Israel’s present squash
champion and now a PSA player, and Ido Burstein, only 16 and ranked
4 by the ESF in the U17 age category, being an all Israeli contest.
Young Burstein put up a brave effort but was unable to prevent a 3-0
victory for Poleshchuk.
Ido Avron, a former Israel squash champion and who played a few PSA
tournaments some years ago, was the only local to defeat his
overseas opponent, David Haley, and reach the final qualifying
round.
The draw dealt unkindly with Avron, who had to play Poleshchuk in
the final round and despite many close rallies could not prevent
Poleshchuk reaching the main draw.
Another 16 year old, Yali Shass, proved that he is a player to be
watched. Down 4-10 in his first game against Baptiste Masotti he
rallied to win it 12-10, much to the delight of the local
spectators. However, Masotti quickly took charge of the remainder of
the match. Shass is presently ranked 27 in the ESF U17 category.
A third Israeli junior with some ESF experience, Nadav Raziel, aged
17 and ranked 27 in the ESF U19 category, showed promise against his
more experienced opponent, Claudio Pinto, but lost in three.
Avihai Bar-Moha, a recent recruit to the PSA, made his Belgian
opponent, Joari Hapers, work hard in the first game but couldn’t
maintain the pressure in the remaining games.
Israel’s three senior competitors, two in their thirties and one in
his forties, were unable to cause a surprise against their much
younger opponents, although two of them won a game and the third
lost a tense game in extra points despite having a couple of game
points himself.
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