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Razik races to Maryland title
Shahier Razik retained his National Capital Open crown with a
masterful display of accurate, defensive squash, seeing him to
victory in three sets over an even hour. The beautifully executed
strategy defused the attack that opponent Ryan Cuskelly had used
successfully to reach the final.
Both players played conservatively to length for the first 5-10
minutes of play, but Cuskelly soon looked for opportunities to cut
the ball and play short. This avenue was brilliantly denied by Razik
however, who controlled the game and pinned Cuskelly to the back of
the court by combining a slower pace with continual changes of
direction, all executed with stunning accuracy. Despite the patience
he had showed in earlier matches this backcourt game appeared to
frustrate the young Aussie and Razik systematically accumulated
points from his opponent's periodic mistakes.
In the second and third games Cuskelly displayed patches of the
brilliance that saw him to the final, as he found a way to force the
odd opportunity to volley and shoot for the nick. It wasn't enough
however, and even when he delivered his attacking best Razik had the
answers turning defense in to attack with incredibly accurate
counter drops and lobs.
Nonetheless, it was Razik's width that won the day; a remarkable
display of basic squash, made all the more remarkable by the fact it
was quite at odds with the way he had approached his previous
matches, the front left wall strategy was almost entirely abandoned.
The fact he was wise enough to know a different approach was
required to counter Cuskelly is just a further indicator of his
class. Certainly an extremely worthy and popular winner of the 2010
open.
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 National
Capital Open 2010
09-14 Feb, Maryland, Usa, $16k |
Round One
11 Feb |
Quarters
12 Feb |
Semis
13 Feb |
Final
14 Feb |
[1] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (Col)
6-11, 11-4, 11-13, 11-8, 11-4 (75m)
Zac Alexander (Aus) |
[1] Miguel Angel Rodriguez
12-10, 12-10, 12-10 (78m)
[8] Ryan Cuskelly |
[8] Ryan Cuskelly
11-4, 11-7, 11-4 (57m)
[3] Martin Knight |
[8] Ryan Cuskelly 12-10,
11-5, 11-6 (60m)
[2] Shahier Razik |
[8] Ryan Cuskelly (Aus)
6-11, 11-9, 2-0 rtd (45m)
[Q] Shaun Le Roux (Eng) |
[3] Martin Knight (Nzl)
11-7, 10-12, 11-4, 11-5 (50m)
[Q] Adil Maqbool (Pak) |
[3] Martin Knight
11-7, 11-3, 11-7 (47m)
David Phillips |
[5] Nafiizwan Adnan (Mas)
11-9, 11-8, 11-8 (61m)
David Phillips (Can) |
[Q] Wade Johnstone (Aus)
11-7, 11-6, 11-8 (32m)
[8] Bernardo Samper (Col) |
[8] Bernardo Samper
9-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7 (66m)
[4] Campbell Grayson |
[4] Campbell Grayson
11-3, 11-13, 11-5, 11-3 (71m)
[2] Shahier Razik |
[Q] Omar El Kashef (Egy)
w/o
[4] Campbell Grayson (Nzl) |
Jethro Binns (Wal)
11-7, 11-7, 12-10 (33m)
[7] Yasir Butt (Pak) |
[7] Yasir Butt
11-5, 11-8, 11-13, 12-10 (70m)
[2] Shahier Razik |
Steve Finitsis (Aus)
11-7, 11-7, 12-10 (37m)
[2] Shahier Razik (Can) |
Qualifying Finals:
Wade Johnstone (Aus) v
Lekgotla Mosope (Bot)
Shaun Le Roux (Eng) v Erik Valtierra (Mex)
Patrick Chifunda (Zam) v Omar El Kashef (Egy)
Adil Maqbool (Pak) v Jethro Binns (Wal)
Qualifying Round One:
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Kiwis Crushed In Maryland Semis
Australian Ryan Cuskelly and Canadian Shahier Razik dashed hopes of
an all-New Zealand National Capital Open final by prevailing over
Kiwis Martin Knight and Campbell Grayson, respectively, in the
semi-finals at Bethesda Sport & Health Club in Bethesda in the
US state of Maryland.
Sixth seed Cuskelly maintained his tremendous run through the event
by despatching an in-form Martin Knight, the third seed, 11-4, 11-7,
11-4 in 57 minutes.
The 22-year-old from New South Wales will now face – for the first
time – second seed Shahier Razik, the defending champion from
Toronto who battled for 71 minutes to overcome fourth seed Campbell
Grayson 11-3, 11-13, 11-5, 11-3.
Cuskelly is celebrating his 10th appearance in a PSA Tour final,
while 32-year-old Razik is marking his 33rd since 1999.
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Phillips Charges Into
National Capital Open Quarters
David Phillips boosted North American interest in the quarter-finals
of the National Capital Open when he upset fifth-seeded Malaysian
Nafiizwan Adnan in the first round at Bethesda Sport & Health Club
in Bethesda in the US state of Maryland.
The 29-year-old Canadian from Montreal took just over an hour to see
off Adnan 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 and will now face New Zealander Martin
Knight, the third seed, for a place in the semi-finals.
The weather continued to play havoc with the event as snow-filled
lanes caused unprecedented traffic gridlock around Bethesda, forcing
players and spectators to abandon or park their cars at distances
from the club and make the last mile on foot.
“Wade Johnstone's story took the cake,” said tournament organiser
Rod Barnes. “About a mile from the club and with only 15 minutes to
get to the club for his match, Wade handed over the wheel to his
wife and started running. He made it, just.
“He played his match against Bernardo Samper - lasting over 30
minutes of playing time – recovered, then hot-footed it back to join
her for the last 1/2 mile, which took another hour to drive!”
Top seed Miguel Angel Rodriguez had the toughest battle to secure
his place in the last eight. The 24-year-old world No26 from Bogota
twice had to come from behind before beating unseeded Australian Zac
Alexander 6-11, 11-4, 11-13, 11-8, 11-4 in 75 minutes.
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