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Northern Ontario Open 2012
16-21 Apr, Sudbury, Canada, $15k |
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Illingworth the Third in Sudbury
Mike McCue reports
 Julian
Illingworth claimed the third annual Northern Open PSA crown
this afternoon with a straight-games victory over home hope Shawn
Delierre.
Julian had a mammoth 123 minute battle with Chris Simpson in the
semis and there were questions as to how well he would recover
before the final. Delierre was also stretched to five games but did
not have his fitness sternly tested.
The theme of the week - long rallies interspersed with explosions of
offense- won out again today. Delierre is known for his lengthy
matches, but Illingworth has a more attacking reputation. The
American was hitting the ball cleaner than his previous match,
especially to the front, which forced Shawn into outstretched lobs.
The YMCA courts lend themselves to imprecision and long hitting, but
Julian was still looking to initiate offense.
The second game turned out to be crucial; Delierre held a 9-8 lead
despite being down a game. Illingworth sensed the importance of the
moment and strung together three excellent rallies. He remarked
afterward that this was the key point of the match. It was always
going to be a long way back for Shawn, and his legs finally wilted
in the middle of the third.
Julian jumped at this opportunity and quickly sealed the match, and
his sixth PSA title. An undoubtedly satisfying win, particularly
impressive after his efforts last night.
And so another great PSA event concluded in Sudbury. Companion event
finals run tomorrow afternoon...but for now, the party!
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 Northern
Ontario Open 2012
16-21 Apr, Sudbury, Canada, $15k |
Round One
18 Apr |
Quarters
19 Apr |
Semis
20 Apr |
Final
21 Apr |
[1] Julian Illingworth (Usa)
11-5, 11-7, 11-9 (36m)
[Q] Aqeel Rehman (Aut) |
[1] Julian Illingworth
5-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-9 (50m)
[Q] Clinton Leeuw |
[1] Julian Illingworth
8-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8
(123m)
[3] Chris Simpson |
[1] Julian Illingworth
11-7, 11-9,
11-6 (63m)
[4] Shawn Delierre |
Dane Sharp (Can)
11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-2 (48m)
[Q] Clinton Leeuw (Rsa) |
Eddie Charlton (Eng)
11-6, 11-9, 12-10 (40m)
Peter Creed (Wal) |
Peter Creed
6-11, 11-6, 11-6, 12-10 (72m)
[3] Chris Simpson |
[3] Chris Simpson (Eng)
5-2 rtd (13m)
Jaymie Haycocks (Eng) |
Lewis Walters (Eng)
13-11, 11-5, 11-9 (46m)
[4] Shawn Delierre (Can) |
[4] Shawn Delierre
12-10, 11-9, 11-6 (45m)
[Q] Ben Coleman |
[4] Shawn Delierre
11-9, 6-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-5
(88m)
Charles Sharpes |
[Q] Ben Coleman (Eng)
11-5, 11-5, 12-10 (37m)
Dylan Bennett (Ned) |
[Q] Scott Arnold (Aus)
7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 10-12, 11-9 (72m)
Charles Sharpes (Eng) |
Charles Sharpes
11-4, 11-8, 11-7 (42m)
[2] Shahier Razik |
Mike McCue (Can)
11-5, 11-3, 11-6 (36m)
[2] Shahier Razik (Can) |
17-Apr, Qualifying Finals:
Aqeel Rehman (Aut) bt Matthew
Serediak (Can)
11-9, 11-3, 11-1 (36m)
Clinton Leeuw (Rsa) bt Tyler Hamilton (Can)
11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-3 (39m)
Ben Coleman (Eng) bt Pablo Rawden (Eng)
11-5, 12-10, 8-11, 11-7 (35m)
Scott Arnold (Aus) bt David Letourneau (Can)
11-8, 11-7, 11-7 (38m)
16-Apr, Qualifying Round One:
Aqeel Rehman (Aut) bt Rory
Pennell (Eng)
11-9, 11-5, 14-12 (34m)
Matthew Serediak (Can) bt Eric Dingle (CAN)
11-7, 11-8, 11-7 (31m)
Tyler Hamilton (Can) bt Adrian Dudzicki (Can)
11-7, 11-7, 11-1 (30m)
Clinton Leeuw (Rsa) bt Josh Cardwell (AUS)
12-10, 11-6, 11-7 (38m)
Paul Rawden (Eng) bt Fred Reid (Can)
10-12, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-5 (61m)
Ben Coleman (Eng) bt Andrew McDougall (Can) 8-11, 14-12,
11-1, 6-11, 11-3 (88m)
David Letourneau (Can) bt Maxym Leclair (Can)
11-6, 11-5, 11-9 (24m)
Scott Arnold (Aus) bt Thomas Brinkman (Can)
11-7, 117, 11-8 (34m)
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Final:
[1] Julian Illingworth bt
[4] Shawn Delierre 11/7,11/9,11/6
North Americans oust the English in marathon
Sudbury semis
...
Mike McCue reports
Both of tonight's matches were exceptionally long and well
contested.
Top seed Julian Illingworth and Chris Simpson were on first.
The opening rallies were long and mostly played straight down the
walls. As the players settled in and the ball calmed down,
Illingworth began to take a more proactive approach, moving the ball
side to side on the volley. Simpson attacked using a working boast
to send Illingworth forward.
The Englishman led 7-2 but Julian hit three perfect backhand drives
to get back within striking distance. Simpson eventually won the
game 11-8 after nearly half an hour. Both players grew frustrated
with some inconsistent decisions in the second game. Chris was being
made to do some very hard work as Julian took the initiative in the
mid-court.
His positive play earned him three game balls, but he lost them all
and even faced a game ball against him to go 2-0 down. At this key
point he hit three quick winners at the front to level the match.
The third and fourth game continued in the same vein; Chris began
attacking short more frequently, but the forgiving and bouncy court
ensured the rallies lasted longer than usual.
The pace slowed down slightly but neither player seemed particularly
fatigued yet. The American showed the first signs of laboured
movement towards the end of the fourth, but again found some great
winners to force a fifth game. From the onset of the final game it
was clear both men were feeling the effects of the extended rallies
earlier in the match. Simpson looked to be cramping in the very
first rally but managed to play on. Illingworth was stretching his
quads after almost every rally.
The points were still long and structured, neither player willing to
give in mentally at that point. Simpson actually looked to be the
fresher of the two but could not capitalize. From 4-7 down he did
manage to reach 7-all, but Julian once again played some great drops
and flicks to finally win 11-8.
Although I usually try to avoid using superlatives, this was
definitely one of the most physically demanding matches I have ever
seen. Both players were struggling to move in the fifth but still
produced a 20-minute game. Proof that anyone who suggests 11 scoring
has marginalized the fitness aspect of pro squash is sorely
mistaken.
Charles Sharpes had a career-best win last night and
continued his determined play in the first game against Shawn
Delierre. P
layed at a considerably higher pace than the previous match, Charles
was hitting hard and low straight lines, while Shawn randomized the
play with working boasts and crosscourt holds from the back. The
Canadian was managing to dictate play despite usually being pinned
deep in the court.
The lack of rhythm was a contrast to last night's match for Charles.
Just as he did in his previous two matches, Shawn clawed back from a
deficit to steal the opener 11-9. The lets came thick and fast
starting in the second, which did seem to unsettle Sharpes. Points
were being played four or five times, a pattern which Shawn thrives
on; he was on the defensive most of the time but hung in and stole
several points with quick winners.
Charles seemed to finally tire from the wide-open rallies in the
third, but came back to hit six outright winners in the fourth to
force a decider. By this time Shawn had twisted him around so many
times that he finally faltered physically and started reaching balls
a half-second later than he had been.
This made all the difference...Shawn did not need a second chance
and quickly sealed the match 11-5. |
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Sharpes stuns Shahier
in Sudbury shocker ...
Mike McCue reports
Quarterfinal play began with third seed Chris Simpson taking
on Peter Creed, who had a good win last night over Eddie
Charlton. Creed found good length and width right away, taking the
first game 11-6. The second was close in the early going, but
Simpson maintained the same level while Creed faltered slightly in
the business end of the game with some untimely tins. The third was
a similar story; Simpson steady, Creed sometimes brilliant but
sometimes impatient. Simpson earned two matchballs in the fourth at
10-8 and had a clear winning opportunity with a backhand volley drop
at 10-9, but tinned it to give Creed hope. He regained composure and
squeezed out the final two points to fulfill his seeding.
Shawn Delierre engaged Ben Coleman in the usual long
rallies with plenty of lets, but the young Englishman hit several
winners and held the lead at 10-9. Shawn's experience shined through
as he extended the next few rallies and took an important 1-0 lead.
The second was close throughout and obviously crucial to Coleman's
hopes of causing an upset. The Canadian won that game as well, then
seized control in the third as Ben's impressive run in Sudbury came
to an end.
"Disappointed of course to lose out today," tweeted Coleman,
"thought I was well in there and a bit unlucky!"
The upset of the tournament came when Charles Sharpes took
out defending champ and #2 seed Shahier Razik. Sharpes was on
the attack for the whole match, staying in front of Razik and
consistently hitting severe low kills. Razik does revel in this
defensive role, but Sharpes never faltered mentally or physically.
Charles held leads at 9-4 in both the second and third, and this gap
proved too much for Razik to peg back. This was certainly the best
win (ranking-wise, at least) of Charles' young career.
Sharpes was understandably delighted: "Big result for me tonight,"
he said on twitter. "Thought I played really well and can't wait for
the semis tomorrow."
The final match of the evening was arguably the most entertaining.
Top seed Julian Illingworth looked like he might overwhelm
Clinton Leeuw with accurate volleys and straight hitting. Leeuw
quickly adjusted to the pace and hit some great counter-attack
winners to claim the first game 11-5. The next three games were all
close, with both players' superb athleticism on display.
Illingworth's accuracy and efficiency eventually made the difference
as Clinton tired slightly and fell behind the pace.
The crowd thoroughly enjoyed the South African's total commitment as
well as the class of Illingworth, although Leeuw wasn't entirelsy
satisfied with his match:
"Opponent tonight got ref on his side by arguing early on, tried to
stay out of it for my benefit an focus but should have stood up for
myself more," he tweeted. |
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Round One
in Sudbury
Mike McCue reports
First round play kicked off on a few strange notes tonight.
First up, Jaymie Haycocks had to retire against Chris Simpson
after an innocent-looking collision turned out to be an ankle
injury. Haycocks decided he was unfit to continue and withdrew after
just 13 minutes. Surely not the way either player wanted it to end.
Shortly after that unfortunate opener, the club had to be evacuated
due to a gas leak in the kitchen! Play was halted and everyone was
herded outside while the fire department did an inspection. The
delay was only temporary though, and after 15 minutes players were
back on court.
Shawn Delierre was 9-5 down to Lewis Walters in the first
before shifting into high gear. A standard long 3-0 for the Canadian
who moves on to face Ben Coleman. Ben continued his good form
of late with a resounding 3-0 win over Dylan Bennett. There were
several disruptions for interference and chats with the ref by
Dylan, who strongly disagreed with the line of refereeing on the
night. The Englishman was relieved to take the third on a tiebreak
and prevent any chance of a comeback.
Welshman Peter Creed was up to his usual tricks, dashing
around the court in acrobatic fashion against Eddie Charlton. Eddie
was mostly in control of the play but made some untimely errors to
lose the crucial second game after already dropping the first.. He
continued to assert his dominance in the third and at 10-3 up a full
comeback looked possible. Creed remarkably won 9 points in a row
from this stage though and took the match 3-0.
Clinton Leeuw became the second qualifier to overachieve in
the main draw as he disposed of Dane Sharp 3-1. The first two games
were physically punishing affairs. Clinton held his nerve in the
later stages of both and came away with an all-important 2-0 lead.
Dane admirably fought back to take the third but had no reserves
left for the fourth as the South African won it convincingly 11-2.
The closest match of the night was (of course) the one I saw the
least of. Charles Sharpes squeezed past Scott Arnold 11-9 in
the fifth after 72 minutes. I was warming up at the time, but the
fifth game attracted a sizable and appreciative crowd. Unfortunately
can't report further as I did not see any of it.
2011 champion Shahier Razik began his title defense with a
comfortable victory over wildcard Mike McCue (yours truly). Won't
comment too much about my own match apart from being absolutely
exhausted afterwards. Finally, top seed Julian Illingworth
saw off Aqeel Rehman 3-0. Aqeel did progressively better in each
game, but the American seemed to be playing within himself at all
times. |
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Qualifying complete
in Sudbury
Mike McCue reports
First up to play for a coveted main draw spot were Aqeel Rehman
and Matt Serediak. The first game saw the usual probing rallies,
extended even longer than usual by the lively ball and bouncy floor.
The score was always close and there wasn't much difference in
either player's quality of shot, but Aqeel looked more relaxed in
his movement and comfortable with the pace. He ultimately won the
game 11-9 which put a big dent in Matt's chances. The second
featured some wide open, sprinting rallies which Aqeel consistently
got the better of. Matt (aka The Duck) tried to slow down the pace
and use more court craft in the third but could not get Rehman out
of his comfort zone. The Austrian moves into the main draw having
won both qualifying matches 3-0.
 Tyler
Hamilton took a good start against Clinton Leeuw in the
second match, staying in front and attacking his opponent's frequent
boasts from the back court. Despite dropping that game 11-9, the
Torontonian kept attacking and leveled at 1-all. From the middle of
the third though, Leeuw's physical presence and movement began
forcing Tyler into a higher risk game resulting in several errors.
The South African advances to play another Canadian tomorrow in the
form of Dane Sharp.
The victors of last night's only two five-gamers were up next in an
all-English affair. Ben Coleman was favoured to win over
Paul Rawden and lived up to the billing with an 11-5 first game
victory. Of course, Paul was not going to simply accept the defeat
and held game balls at 10-8 in the second to equal the match. The
difference in experience showed at this crucial juncture; three tins
and a stroke later Ben was up 2-0. Rawden reached the same stage
again in the third after playing some cracking winners. He managed
to close on that occasion, but Ben regrouped and took the fourth
comfortably to finish a satisfying qualifying campaign.
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featured match of the night was last on at 8:00pm. Dave
Letourneau started out asserting his attacking style on Scott
Arnold, who was happy to keep the ball low and straight in the
opening exchanges. The players were never separated by more than two
or three points, but Scott put in some hard rallies around the
midway point that left the Canadian's legs faltering ever so
slightly. The Aussie was firing bullets down both sides and not
giving Dave the chance to control the pace, as he does so well.
Letourneau was struggling for ideas to get Arnold moving, and
eventually found a few too many tins on high risk attacks. Scott
drew Charles Sharpes in the main round which will surely be an
interesting match. |
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Under way in Sudbury
Mike McCue reports
The third annual PSA Northern Ontario Open kicked off at the Sudbury
YMCA Monday night with a full slate of qualifying matches.
The first shift of matches saw two 3-0 victories in just over half
an hour. Matt Serediak saw off Google Software Engineer Eric
Dingle, pulling away from 5-all in every game. Austrian Aqeel
Rehman was cruising to victory over Rory Pennell before
squandering two match balls in the third game. Pennell earned a game
ball of his own but eventually succumbed 3-0 to the speedy Austrian.
Tyler Hamilton v Adrian Dudzicki was one of the most
anticipated first round matchups. Dudzicki, who moonlights as the
night watchman at the National Squash Academy in Toronto, has been
playing well in training lately but is still looking for a
breakthrough victory. Tyler took control almost straight away
however, taking the ball in short from everywhere and staying off
the tin. Adrian did some heavy work in the first game and a half and
it showed as his resistance faded in the third.
Unfortunately there were two matches that pitted roommates against
each other. Clinton Leeuw and Scott Arnold beat Josh Cardwell
and Thomas Brinkman (their roomates, respectively) in three straight
games.
Andrew McDougall made his return to competitive play after an
8 month hiatus due to a serious back injury. He showed no rust or
nerves in the first game against Ben Coleman, but Ben hung in
the second and finally equaled the match with a 14-12 win. McDougall
hit several tins in the third but showed his trademark grit to force
a decider. As always, the start of the fifth game was key. Andrew
again found too many tins while Ben stayed solid. From 6-1 up a
Canadian comeback looked unlikely, and the Englishman duly finished
from there.
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