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 Punj
Lloyd PSA Masters 2010
13-19 Dec, New Delhi, $192k+$36k |
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19-Dec, Finals:
[1] Jenny Duncalf (Eng)
bt [2] Kasey Brown (Aus)
11/5, 11/5, 11/4
[1] Nick Matthew (Eng) bt [2] James Willstrop (Eng)
11/7, 11/8, 11/7
Malcolm reports from Delhi
Duncalf finishes in style
Neither Jenny Duncalf nor Kasey Brown has had easy passages to the
Punj Lloyd WISPA Masters final : Duncalf beat Camille Serme 3/2 and
Brown had to survive some quite wonderful play from Annie Au before
winning 3/2.
Duncalf was quicker away leading 5/1 and looking stronger than at
any time in the championship she led 6/2. Brown, though, is
persistent as she needed to be to beat Au and she fought back to
5/6. A delayed winner, a stroke, another winning drop and Duncalf
led 9/5. A winning backhand drop and a forced error from Brown gave
Duncalf a well earned 1/0 lead.
Duncalf is strong into the front backhand and it was showing better
than at any time this week. Duncalf led 6/3, holding the ball to
great effect on three occasions to win rallies. Another backhand
drop took the score to 7/5, at which point Brown was on the end of a
hard rally, which ended in a let. That did her no good at all and
Duncalf, with a backhand volley kill went to 10/5 and won the game
at the first attempt 11/5.
It had been an impressive display by Duncalf so far and if she
maintained the quality, Brown’s task looked more than difficult.
Two winning forehand angles got Duncalf off to a 2/0 start as she
continued to play to the world no 2 status. 2/0 became 4/1 and
Duncalf won a demanding and protracted rally to go 5/1, a stroke to
6/1, as she played to world no. 2 standards.
Two winning drops by Brown gave her a hope at 4/7 but not for long
as Duncalf led 9/4 and with a clever backhand flick went 10 10/4
serving for the Punj Lloyd WISPA Masters title. One serve was
enough.
It was a top class performance by the world no. 2, raising her game
for the occasion.
Matthew takes another title
The final of the Punj Lloyd PSA Masters, 2010 was a repeat of the
CWG and more recent the world championship finals and Nick Matthew
confirmed his standing as the new world no. 1 come January, 2011
with a comprehensive 3-0 win.
Matthew began the quicker, Willstrop struggling to find his
accuracy, Matthew playing at his usual high pace. He took the first
game 4/5, but Willstrop was more into the match by the end of the
game.
Willstrop had looked under physical pressure in the first game and
although he continued to compete, Matthew met everything he offered
and gave back plenty in return.
The squash, though, was never less than entertaining and Willstrop
never stopped trying, but when Matthew won the second game 11/8, it
was never likely that Willstrop could turn a 2-0 deficit around.
Matthew maintaining high pace and getting everything back with
interest won the third and the match 11/7. Willstrop’s efforts were
not flattered by the score, but almost from the beginning, Matthew
looked the probably winner.
Both players will welcome a well earned rest from the rigours of
what has been a demanding season for the professional players.
There was a large and appreciative crowd for the matches and
although they both ended 3-0, they were entertained by the high
class performance by the two champions.
signing off from Delhi ... |
Men's Draw
Women's Draw
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 PSA
Masters 2010
14-19 Dec, New Delhi, $192k |
Round One
Top
14, Bot 15 Dec |
Round Two
16
Dec |
Quarters
17 Dec |
Semis
18 Dec |
Final
19 Dec |
[2] James Willstrop (Eng)
11/13, 11/5, 11/2, 11/9
Ali Anwar Reda (Egy) |
[2] James Willstrop
11/7, 11/6, 11/9
[11] Omar Mosaad |
[2] James Willstrop
12/10, 11/1, 11/3 (38m)
[10] Cameron Pilley |
[2] James Willstrop
11/8, 11/2, 11/5 (32m)
[15] Hisham Ashour |
[2] James Willstrop
11/7, 11/8, 11/7
[1] Nick Matthew |
[11] Omar Mosaad (Egy)
11/8, 12/10, 12/10
Harinder Pal Sandhu (Ind) |
[6] Wael El Hindi (Egy)
12/10, 11/5, 11/7
[Q] Siddarth Suchde (Ind) |
[6] Wael El Hindi
7/11, 3/11, 14/12 rtd
[10] Cameron Pilley |
[10] Cameron Pilley (Aus)
11/2, 11/2, 11/7
[LL] Sandeep Jangra (Ind) |
[4] Thierry Lincou (Fra)
11/8, 11/2, 11/4
[Q] Joe Lee (Eng) |
[4] Thierry Lincou
14/12, 11/8, 11/2
[14] Olli Tuominen |
[4] Thierry Lincou
11/7, 6/11, 12/10, 11/5 (51m)
[15] Hisham Ashour |
[14] Olli Tuominen (Fin)
13/11, 11/6, 11/3
[Q] Campbell Grayson (Nzl) |
[7] Laurens Jan Anjema (Ned)
11/7, 11/4, 11/5
[Q] Kamran Khan (Mas) |
[7] Laurens Jan Anjema
6/11, 11/6, 9/11, 11/8, 11/6
[15] Hisham Ashour |
[15] Hisham Ashour (Egy)
11/7, 11/6, 11/6
[Q] Chris Simpson (Eng) |
Aaron Frankcomb (Aus)
11/8, 11/6, 11/9 (45m)
[12] Ong Beng Hee (Mas) |
[12] Ong Beng Hee
11/8, 12/10, 11/7
[8] Mohamed El Shorbagy |
[8] Mohamed El Shorbagy 11/8,
11/9, 11/9 (47m)
[3] Amr
Shabana |
[3] Amr Shabana
11/9, 11/4 rtd
(22m)
[1] Nick Matthew |
Mohammed Abbas (Egy)
11/9, 15/13, 3/11, 11/7 (58m)
[8] Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egy) |
[Q] Adrian Waller (Eng)
11/7, 12/10, 11/6 (40m)
[15] Saurav Ghosal (Ind) |
[15] Saurav Ghosal
11/6, 11/5, 6/11, 11/9
[3] Amr Shabana |
[Q] Steve Coppinger (Rsa)
11/7, 11/6, 11/4 (28m)
[3] Amr Shabana (Egy) |
Joey Barrington (Eng)
11/6, 12/10, 11/9 (48m)
[9] Daryl Selby (Eng) |
[9] Daryl Selby
w/o back injury
[5] Peter Barker |
[9] Daryl Selby
11/9, 11/7, 13/11 (56m)
[1] Nick
Matthew |
Omar Abdel Aziz (Egy)
12/10, 8/11, 11/6, 11/2 (48m)
[5] Peter Barker (Eng) |
Tom Richards (Eng)
11/3, 1/11, 11/3, 11/9 (37m)
[16] Jonathan Kemp (Eng) |
[16] Jonathan Kemp
11/6, 11/4, 4/11, 11/2
[1] Nick Matthew |
|
[Q] Dick Lau (Hkg)
11/6, 11/4,11/4 (26m)
[1] Nick Matthew (Eng) |
13-Dec,
Qualifying Finals:
Steve Coppinger (Rsa) bye
Adrian Waller (Eng) bt Deepak Mishra (Ind)
11/2, 11/8, 11/3
Dick Lau (Hkg) bt Sandeep Jangra (Ind)
8/11, 14/12, 11/3, 9/11, 11/9
Campbell Grayson (Nzl) bt Ivan Yuen (Mas)
13/11, 15/13, 8/11, 11/4
Chris Simpson (Eng) bt Gaurav Nandrajog (Ind)
11/3, 11/6, 11/9
Joe Lee (Eng) bt Kush Kumar (Ind)
14/12, 11/2, 11/6
Siddharth Suchde (Ind) bt Ravi Dixit (Ind)
11/3, 11/1, 11/4
Kamran Khan (Mas) bt Martin Knight (Nzl)
12/10, 11/8, 11/6
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WISPA Masters
15-19 Dec, Delhi, $36k |
Round One
16 Dec |
Quarters
17 Dec |
Semis
18 Dec |
Final
19 Dec |
[1] Jenny Duncalf (Eng)
11/5, 11/4, 7/11, 11/3 (33m)
Gaby Schmol (Sui) |
[1] Jenny Duncalf
4/11, 11/9, 11/8, 11/2
[7] Joey Chan |
[1] Jenny Duncalf
11/8, 8/11, 11/3, 8/11, 11/5
(49m)
[3] Camille Serme |
[1] Jenny Duncalf
11/5, 11/5, 11/4
[2] Kasey Brown |
[7]
Joey Chan (Hkg)
11/5, 11/6, 11/3 (23m)
[Q] Sina Wall (Ger) |
[3] Camille Serme (Fra)
11/4, 11/2, 11/1 (20m)
[Q]
Aparajita Balamurukan (Ind) |
[3] Camille Serme
11/7, 11/8, 11/3
[6] Low Wee Wern |
[6] Low Wee Wern (Mas)
11/3, 11/4, 11/5 (23m)
[Q] Anaka Analkamony (Ind) |
Joshna Chinappa (Ind)
11/6, 7/11, 11/8, 7/11, 12/10 (54m)
[5] Annie Au (Hkg) |
[5] Annie Au
9/11, 11/7, 15/13, 11/9
[4] Jaclyn Hawkes |
[5] Annie Au
116/, 11/9, 3/11, 2/11, 11/8 (64m)
[2] Kasey Brown |
Siyoli Waters (Rsa)
11/6, 11/5, 11/9 (37m)
[4] Jaclyn Hawkes (Nzl) |
[Q] Lisa Aitken (Sco)
11/6, 11/9, 11/3 (29m)
[8] Dipika Pallikal (Ind) |
[8] Dipika Pallikal
11/5, 11/5, 7/11, 6/11, 11/5
[2] Kasey Brown |
Siti Munirah Juson (Mas)
11/6, 12/10, 11/8 (50m)
[2] Kasey Brown (Aus) |
15-Dec, Qualifying Finals:
Lisa Aitken bt Josefa Bertilsson 11/7, 11/3, 11/3 (20m)
Aparajita B. bt Saima Shoukat (Walkover – no show by Saima)
Anaka Analkamony bt Anwesha Reddy 11/3, 11/6, 12/10 (19m)
Sina Wall had a bye into the main draw
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Semi-Finals:
Willstrop & Matthew set up
World Open repeat
Hisham Ashour’s ranking in the twenties belies his current
ability. He played well against Nick Matthew in Saudi Arabia and
beat Laurens Anjema and Thierry Lincou on his way to the semi
finals.
He started his semi-final against James Willstrop at pace,
seeking to attack at every opportunity and it was only after some
hectic rallies and later in the game that Willstrop took his
measure, playing well into the front backhand.
Willstrop quickly established a long lead in the second game, as
Ashour was unable to resist and he took a 2-0 lead 11/1.
Ashour came out with renewed resolution in the third game and held
his own until midway through it, but Willstrop led 8/5, at which
point there was a brutal rally with movement all over the court.
It did Ashour more harm than Willstrop, who then drew clear to win a
place in the final 11/5.
Nothing in it to 4 all in this repeat of the World Championship semi
final when Nick Matthew won 3-0 against Amr Shabana, 2
games going to tie break.
A winner off the serve by Matthew and an error from Shabana gave
Matthew a 7/5 lead. Another error and it was 8/5. Then Shabana hit a
shot at himself and Matthews was comfortably clear. A winning angle
of the serve took him to 10/6. Shabana saved three game balls, the
third with a delicate backhand drop, but an error gave Matthew the
game 11/9, after both players had shown plenty of positive intent.
A couple of well executed forehand winners by Matthew helped him to
a 3/1 lead, the world champion seeming happy to mix it with the man
whose crown he took.
Shabana led 4/3, but Matthew using the angles more than usual won a
fine rally to level at 4 all.
Matthew applies pressure better than anyone and he forced four
consecutive errors out of Shabana to lead 8/4 and then 9/4, as he
began to dominate. It was all happening quickly and Matthew won the
game 11/4.
Suddenly and taking the good crowd by surprise, Shabana offered his
hand conceding the match.
So a repeat of the world final between two players who are standing
up to the rigours of the world tour better than can be reasonably
expected.
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Men's Quarter-Finals:
Willstrop soldiers on
James Willstrop has been on the road since the end of September and,
like several others, must be close to the end of this tether –
physical and mental. But it certainly didn’t show in his match with
Cameron Pilley.
Looking focused, he began sharply and at 7/1 Pilley was struggling,
but, to his credit, he then put together some excellent rallies,
using his own considerable skills to take the first game into a tie
break. Willstrop won it, however, 12/10 and from then on it was one
way traffic as he won the second game 11/1 and the third 11/3 for a
comprehensive 3-0 win.
Hisham takes advantage
With Hisham Ashour currently in fine form and Thierry Lincou with a
strapping above the knee, this quarter final was no foregone
conclusion.
Ashour has confidence from his newly acquired fitness; add his
racket ability and he is a formidable opponent, as he showed in a
hard five set win over Laurens Anjema.
Lincou, as everyone knows, is retaining his form remarkably, but
Ashour was sure to begin strongly and he did, taking the first game
11/7.
He made errors, though, in the second, as Lincou persisted and
Lincou led 6/3. A fine rally which Ashour won took him to 6-8, but
an error gave Lincou game ball at 10/6 and he was level 11/6.
It was an interesting contest as Ashour sought to attack off
Lincou’s precision. Lincou did not look particularly comfortable
even with a 7/5 lead and Ashour led 8/7 before Lincou leveled at
8/8, as the game became concise. Now 9/9 – a couple of big rallies
to come and both knew it, as a heavy rally ended in a let. A piece
of Ashour magic gave him a game ball at 10/9. Ashour went for it on
the volley, but tinned it – tiebreak now – a delayed backhand short
angle – 11/10 –a mishit and Ashour led 2 games to 1.
Lincou with it all to do now: long first rally, won by Ashour; 3/1
as Ashour put Lincou all over the court, 4/1 and things looking
black for the Frenchman. Ashour was not all over the place, but won
the rally to go 5/2. 9/4 to Ashour and no way back for Lincou now
surely.
One match ball gone, but the second was enough: Ashour will be
delighted to have made a super series semi final and in his recent
form it was not such a surprise as it may seem.
Shabana wins all-Egyptian clash
Here was a domestic clash of high interest. Shorbagy plays at pace,
but whether he could sustain it against the maestro was another
matter.
He started confidently, leading 4/2 and at 6/4 pushed Shabana
heavily without a sufficient enough reprimand from the referee.
Shabana gradually got on level terms at 7 all and led for the first
time 8/7. Two errors took Shabana to game ball and he won on a
stroke 10/8. Shorbagy had much of the game and it was by stealth
almost that Shabana won the game.
Shabana was producing sublime moments every now and again, but
Shorbagy, moving well and playing at pace stayed in touch and with a
vicious forehand winner led 8/6. A massive rally at 9/8 when Shabana
had regained the lead, ended in a let. An error by Shabana, 9 all; a
winning forehand volley 10/9 to Shabana; a let, another let, another
let – a forehand drop by Shabana and 11/9; 2-0. How well do the
world’s best players win the big points!
It would be hard enough for Shorbagy now, that’s for sure. The
referee got confused at 2/3 and almost certainly reached the wrong
conclusion. Shabana went 6/3, but Shorbagy, still looking energetic
reached 6 all and the lead 7/6.
Shabana led again 9/8, seeming to know which points he needed most
and then winning them. At 9 all, a crucial rally for both, which
would be followed by another crucial rally.
Stroke to Shabana: 10/9 match ball – a cagey rally finished with an
exquisite backhand volley.
Matthew sets up Shabana semi
The final match of the night – all English meant that the semi
finals would be both Egyptian v. English.
Daryl Selby played well in Saudi Arabia and a walkover here at the
expense of the injured Peter Barker meant that he would be fresh for
his quarter final against Nick Matthew, the newly crowned world
champion.
Heavy, contested rallies saw the score to 4 all and a marvelous
rally at that point forced an error from Selby. Matthew pressed on
to 9/5, and an error meant 10/6. Selby came back to 9/10, but a
forehand volley into the tin sealed the game.
There were no easy points, but Matthew’s pressure was forcing errors
from Selby and he led 7/2 as Selby’s resistance lessened. A lucky
bounce gave Matthew game ball at 10/7 and he went 2-0 up.
Matthew was not likely to let go now and he gathered pace, as he
does, when he has opponents rocking. A bad error from Selby gave
Matthew a 4/3 lead and a surprising one from Matthew gave Selby a
5/4 advantage, 6/4 then 7/5, before Matthew, aided by a poor angle
from Selby led 8/7; 9/7 on a no let. A fine backhand volley from
Selby made it 8/9. The ball hit Selby in the middle of the rally and
its 10/8 match ball; a tin from Matthew and at 10/9 an immense rally
which provides Selby with a lifeline and a tie break.
Another massive rally which ends with a Selby error and 11/10 –
error from Matthew 11 all; a forehand volley cross court in the next
match ball and Matthew has another encounter with Amr Shabana.
Nick's win today means that he will regain the World Number
One ranking in January ...
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Women's Quarter-Finals:
Duncalf overcomes slow start
Top seeded Jenny Duncalf faced promising Hong Kong youngster Joey
Chan in the first of the quarter finals.
In no way overawed, Chan settled well and led 6/2 on merit and with
Duncalf not so well settled and a bit loose, Chan won the first game
11/4, without having expended too much energy.
Duncalf, realizing the need to get playing went quickly to 4/0, then
8/3, playing with much more authority and precision. At 10/6, she
served for the game, but Chan played three excellent winners to get
to 10/9, before Duncalf was able to level the score.
Duncalf led 6/3 in the third, but she was playing without real
conviction and Chan remained in contention, playing with skill and
assurance. Duncalf’s experience kept her in front and she won the
game 11/8 to lead 2-1.
Each girl had plenty of assistance with national coaches Tony Choi
and David Campion in their corners. Chan’s efforts were not
sustained early in the third and it became surprisingly easy as
Duncalf raced to 10/2 and an 11/2 victory.
Duncalf may not have been at her best, but Chan is a player of
immense promise.
Serme sails through
The second women’s quarterfinal features two very promising young
players, France’s Camille Serme, world young player of the year
2009/2010 and the talented Malaysian Low Wee Wern.
Serme began alert and purposeful, Low, slightly built and quickly
elegant. Serme it was who took control leading 7/1, putting the ball
in good places, looking strong. Aided by errors from Serme, Low
recovered to 6/9 before Serme served at 10/6 for the game, and won
it 11/7 with a forehand drop.
Serme continued to select her shots shrewdly, keeping her nose in
front all through the second game as Low worked hard to stay in
touch. She did manage to reach 8 all, but Serme took three points in
a row to lead 2-0.
Fortified by her advantage, Serme was in early control in the third
8/1, before too long, winning it easily 11/3.
Serme is impressive and it is good that France has a woman player of
real consequence to follow in the footsteps of Thierry Lincou and
Gregory Gaultier. Her future looks assured.
Low Wee Wern, rather like her male Malaysian counterparts, appears
to have much going for her. They seem not to quite produce – perhaps
there is a missing ingredient.
After the contentious nature of some of the men’s matches, it was a
pleasure to watch the women playing without incident and without
challenging officials in an unacceptable manner. The cure for that,
though, is in the referee’s hands.
Au holds on to beat Hawkes
Here was a match between two girls who have tasted much success in
2010: Jaclyn Hawkes, gold medalist in the Commonwealth Games at this
venue and world universities champion and runner up in the recent
Asian Games in China, Annie Au.
Au had to survive a 12/10 in the fifth against Joshna Chinappa to
reach this stage. There was a contrast too, the taller, rangy Hawkes
against the compact smaller Au.
The early rallies were short and quick: 4/0 to Au became 4 all; lets
abounded in a messy start to the match and Hawkes now led 8/4. Au,
composed and unfussy, recovered to 8/9 before an error gave Hawkes a
game ball. What should definitely have been a stroke to Hawkes was
given as a let at 10/9 and Hawkes’ displeasure was evident. She won
what has been a disappointing first game 11/9: too many lets, too
much contact.
For whatever reasons – maybe just a clash of styles – the girls kept
on getting in each other’s way. Au led 9/5 as the game became a
little cleaner and began in part to live up to expectations. A cross
court winner by Au took her to 10/7 and she served out the game
immediately – one all.
From early uncertainty, Au was looking much more confident and led
4/0 in the third, Hawkes under pressure. Two backhand errors by Au
gave some encouragement to Hawkes at 6/8. A stroke to Au meant 9/7
and a fine forehand angle 10/7. Hawkes forced an unlikely tie break,
which Au won 15/13 collisions and lets returning to spoil the match.
Hawkes was dealing with the distractions less well than the
imperturbable Au, was led 3/1 only to be quickly overhauled 5/3, as
the game turned.
A fine forehand winner by Au brought her level at 5/5, a heavy rally
at 6/5 to Hawkes ended ina let, as usually happens. 6 all now and a
tense match even more tense. Hawkes went to 9/6, a fifth beckoning.
9 all as Au remained calm and focused. She served at 10/9 for the
match: a let – Au’s first word as she wanted what was a let – only
one word at that –and with a beautiful backhand drop off the volley,
the match was hers.
Her win may have been a triumph of temperament.
Pallikal pushes Brown all the way
The Indian press headlines ‘a dull day for India’ after quite
excellent performances by Saurav Ghosal against Amr Shabana and
Joshna Chinappa against Annie Au, who has gone on to ___ the form.
They have high expectations, often not well founded, so Dipika
Pallikal was under the spotlight inher match with Australia’s top
class and in form Kasey Brown. If the girls matched the quality of
the outfirs, there was much to come.
Pallikal, with plenty of support, began confidently and led 3/0, but
Brown was soon on the move and led 6/3. Pallikal created two good
chances, but missed them both for Brown to lead 8/4. Brown won the
game on a stroke 11/5, a score unflattering to Pallikal’s
contribution.
Pallikal was showing plenty, but there is as impetiousity in her
game, which is reflected in taking the ball in too early or
inappropriately.
Brown remained controlled, building rallies, like the top class
player she is. She led 8/2 and won the game 11/5 after a spectacular
rally won with a magnificent volley drop by Pallikal at 10/4.
Pallikal, still moving well played two free winners to lead 5/3 and
was now playing with more patience, necessary against a player or
Brown;s class. She led 9/6, playing her best squash of the match and
served for the game at 10/7 and with a wonderful backhand drop from
deep she deservedly won it 11/7.
At 3/1 to Pallikal, Brown spoke to the referee for the first time –a
sign perhaps of some unease. Pallikal was well in contention leading
6/4 with a blinding cross court winner. Another cross court winner,
this time on the backhand and it was 7/4, 8/4 on a stroke, Pallikal
in full cry – an error from Brown 9/4 and a fifth game in sights;
another cross court and 10/6 game ball – Brown seriously anxious
now; a cross court volley into the nick and it was 2 all – a quite
amazing fight back by the young Indian.
What now? Brown, with her new resolve led 7/0, her greater
experience telling, Pallikal unable to get involved and at 10/5,
Brown served for the match, after Pallikal fought back determinedly.
Brown won but whether the Indian crowd or press recognize it,
Pallikal’s performance was remarkable. She is a star of the future.
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16-Dec, Round Two
Pilley powers past El Hindi
Cameron Pilley and Wael El Hindi kicked things off in one of several
matches of interest in the second round.
Pilley’s early disappointing exit in Saudi Arabia could be an
advantage here and he looked fresh in the early rallies. Well worked
rallies were punctuated with the odd error as the score reached 4
all. At 7 all, he game had been free of interference as Pilley kept
the ball away from the front backhand. El Hindi, playing fluently
and variously, drew clear at 10/7 and won the first game on a no let
at the first attempt.
Pilley came out with renewed intent for the second game and led 8/1
with surprising ease, dominating totally and leveling at 11/3.
Interesting now to see what happens next. It was El Hindi’s turn to
control matters now and he led 7/3, Pilley breathing hard. In a
match of swings of control and fortune, Pilley came back to 8 all.
At 9/8 to El Hindi, Pilley was given a let, which was a stroke and a
proper stroke to the Egyptian gave him game ball at 10/8. At 10/9,
there was much contentiousness and Pilley was level on a stroke.
Another stroke and 11/10 game ball to Pilley, El Hindi loud in his
complaints to the officials, the match now less than pleasant. An
error -11 all – another error from Pilley – 12/11. After a
protracted break for an injury to El Hindi he appeared to be
severely injured. He returned, won the game, but Pilley was given a
let wrongly: Pilley won the game 14/12 and El Hindi collapsed on the
court heavily. The match was now out of control and no advertisement
for the professional game.
At this point, El Hindi conceded the match – which was a blessing as
the proceedings has become farcical.
Hisham ousts LJ again
Much interest in the repeat of their meeting in the world
championships, when Ashour won 3-0.
Early rallies were sharp and quick as the serve moved to 4 all. A
couple of angles into the tin from Ashour had the score level again
at 6 all. Anjema then took a clean lead 10/6 and won the game 11/6,
clearly intent on putting his Al Khobar experience behind him.
Anjema was playing much more accurately than in Saudi Arabia and
Ashour was thus unable to dominate as he likes to do. He raised his
game and led 7/3 and 10/4 with the aid of a couple of lucky bounces.
A backhand volley into the tin at 10/6 made it one all.
With the impetus of the second game, Ashour went to 4/1 quickly, but
in a trice it was 4 all, then 6 all, as the rallies remained sharp
and positive, the match entertaining to watch at 8 all now – tense
times; 9/8 Anjema in front in the game for the first time – 10/8 a
lob well out – 10/9 and after outbursts by Ashour, when he was wrong
about a ball he thought doubtful, Anjema led 2/1.
For the second match in a row there were outbursts of an unwarranted
kind, all from Ashour. He managed to draw level 11/8 and then won
the fifth 11/5, his rantings at the officials detracting from his
performance.
Willstrop wins through
James Willstrop is one of several players, struggling for energy and
motivation, but dissatisfaction at one of Mossad’s pickups early in
the first gave him the impetus he needed and recovering well from
4/1 down, moving sharply as he had to, to deal with Mossad’s pure
striking, he won the game 11/8.
Controlling matters he won the second game 11/6, though at no time
was it ever easy, since Mossad’s racket ability is high class.
Just as in the previous two matches, the match was not played in the
best of spirits and indeed the whole afternoon had not made good
watching or been an advertisement for the sport.
The third game was close, as Mossad continued to resist, but
Willstrop finished off strongly to win 11/9, having been behind
almost throughout. He may not have enjoyed the match, but he will be
glad to have won it 3-0. He now plays the amicable Cameron Pilley
and hopefully that will make for better viewing.
Shabana stops Saurav
The largest crowd of the week gathered to support Saurav Ghosal in
his second round match against the great Amr Shabana and they were
not to be disappointed in the quality of the match or the sporting
manner in which it was played, refreshing after the dubious earlier
matches.
The match begun with a gargantuan rally, which, as they invariably
do, ended in a let. Ghosal competed will to five all, but aided by a
couple of errors, Shabana drew away to win the first.
The crowd were not to know it and maybe they didn’t after they
witnessed it, but Shabana played sublime squash to perfection to 7/0
in the second, leaving Ghosal open mouthed. To the young Indian’s
credit he salvaged six points before going 2-0 down.
But now came a surprising and dramatic turnaround: Shabana either
dropped or was feeling the pace and Ghosal, to his credit, came on
strongly, seizing his opportunity to win the game conclusively 11/5.
Nor was that the end of it. Shabana continued to look less
comfortable and after Ghosal had saved a match ball at 10/8, Shabana
hit a cross court nick off the serve, when a tiebreak may not have
been what he wanted.
Shabana, like many of the top players, may have been feeling the
exertions of the season, but Ghosal has had a heavy time of it too,
and he can feel more than happy with his performance, though he
would certainly have fancied a 5th.
Lincou still impressive
Thierry Lincou, at 34 years old, continues to impress with the
quality of his performances even at the highest levels.
He played extremely well in Saudi Arabia, even if Nick Matthew
proved too much for him and here in Delhi, he was seeking a quarter
final place in the Punj Lloyd PSA Masters against Finnish No. 1 Olli
Tuominen.
Lincou, wearing a knee strapping, hasn’t always been the best of
starters, but realizing that it is a good idea to start well these
days, won the 1st game after a long battle and then the second 11/8
after stiff resistance from Tuominen.
Moving the ball around skillfully, he went 10/2 up in the third, as
Tuominen struggled to cope with the Frenchman’s precision and at
11/2 it was all over.
Lincou’s next challenge will come from Hisham Ashour.
Dipika last Indian hope
Indian players Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa and Harinder Pal
Sandhu have all performed with great credit, but 19 year old Dipika
Pallikal was the country’s last interest when she took on qualifier
Lisa Aitken.
Always looking in control, Palikal won the first game 11/8 against
her determined and mobile opponent and led 6/1 in the second, until
a couple of angles into the tin and another error made the score
6/4.
Pallikal continued to make errors which brought Aitken back into the
game at 7 all. A backhand drop won the game 11/9, for her, despite
all the errors.
The third game was more comfortable as the error rate reduced and
Pallikal led 5/1, as Aitken persisted. At 10/3, Pallikal served for
the match and won it on the first match ball.
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Round One, Bottom:
Shabana chops Coppinger
The players who had progressed in the world championships have so
far been struggling a little to get back on track and here, 4 times
world champion and semi finalist in Al Khobar Amr Shabana faced the
talented South African, Steve Coppinger.
Shabana, relaxed as he always is, helped by errors late in the game
took the first 11/7.
Shabana is a model for all players – he structures rallies better
than anyone, finishes clinically better than anyone and his
demeanour and fairness are beyond reproach.
In control, despite Coppinger’s best efforts, Shabana eased his way
towards a 2-0 lead and at 11-6, it was 2-0.
Coppinger does a lot of things well and is able with the racket, but
Shabana, as the whole world knows, is no ordinary player. Whenever
necessary, he turned the screw and at 11/4 secured his passage into
the second round and a match against Indian no. 1 Saurav Ghosal.
Barker sets up Essex challenge
Second match on the second day of the 1st round was between Peter
Barker after his heroics in the world championships, where he came
close to reaching the final, and Omar Abdel Aziz.
It can be no easy matter, especially after such an ardurous season,
to get back into the preparation and playing rhythm and Barker,
looking rusty began shakily against Omar Aziz and was soon 5/1 down.
He seemed to be having trouble rousing himself.
Aided by errors from Aziz he got to 8/9, but the Egyptian fought to
clinch the game at 10/8 and 10/9. A fluke gave Barker a game ball at
11/10 and gratefully he took it. Aziz surprisingly perhaps, went
5/1, again quite quickly in the second game.
A conduct stroke against Barker took the score to 6/2, when he
elbowed Aziz out of the way. The incident enlivened Barker and gave
the match an edge, previously not there. It also helped Barker back
to 7 all. A mishit gave Aziz a 9-8 lead and a stroke gave him a
chance to lead the match, a backhand drop into the tin and it was
one all.
It was Barker who led in the third 5/1 and two incisive winners made
the score 7/2. At 10/5 he served for the game and took a 2-1 lead at
the second attempt.
Barker, concentrating well now and doing everything a lot better led
8/1 and it was plain sailing and at 11/2 it was all done and dusted.
Barker now faces friend Daryl Selby in a heavy last 16 match.
Saurav secures home success
There was plenty of Indian support in the crowd for the country’s
leading player Saurav Ghosal, fresh from retaining his national
championship and a bronze medal in the Asian Games.
He has strong English connections with a first class degree in
economics from Leeds University and lives in Leeds, training at
Pontefract.
Adrian Waller, his opponent, is a tall rangy Englishman, one of a
group of promising young English players.
Ghosal pulled away at the end of the first game to win it 11/7, but
had to play and win a sustained rally at 10/9 down in the second to
settle the second game 12/10.
He repeated that at 4/5 in the third, when having been on the
receiving end, he turned the rally around and won it, less crucial,
but quite damaging for Waller. Ghosal took the third and match 11/6
for a second round meeting with Amr Shabana.
Waller looks a player of some promise, his short game, skillful and
incisive.
Shorbagy shines
Here was a first round match which illustrates the strength of the
world tour between the experienced Mohammed Abbas, recovered from
long term injury problems and world junior champion and already a
threat to most, Mohammed El Shorbagy.
Abbas was away to a flier, 3/0 in no time, 3/0 became 5/2, but
Shorbagy, generating the fast pace he enjoys, pulled back to 5 all
and lead for the first time 6/5.
He led again, attacking variously, 8/7 – a fluke took him to 9/7, an
error to 10/7. Two fine winners by Abbas made the score 9-10, but a
forehand placed wide won Shorbagy the first game 11/9.
Shorbagy continued to raise the pace, pushing forward at every
opportunity, but Abbas maintaining rhythm, squeezed errors out of
him and led 7/4. Shorbagy, though was soon level at 7/7, but Abbas
led 9/7, controlling the pace skillfully. A clever angle by Shorbagy
made it 9 all and he served at 10/9 for a 2-0 lead. Abbas then hit a
backhand cross court nick off the serve to earn a tie break. His
turn for gameball at 11/10; cross court winner from Shorbagy 11 all;
12/11 to Abbas; 12 all, crucial times, especially for Abbas; 13/12
Shorbagy, but on the serve in this rally:13 all – a lob out by Abbas
14/13 and Shorbagy is 2/0 up –tough on Abbas.
Errors by Shorbagy gave Abbas a 5/3 lead, another 6/3, yet another
7/3, looking surprisingly ragged, as Abbas moved to 10/3 with ease.
11/3 and Abbas had the game he deserved. It had been an odd game,
the third. What next, was the question?
Re-focussed, as he needed to be, Shorbagy led 8/1, Abbas losing his
way this time with error upon error. A fine cross court volley gave
Shorbagy match ball at 10/3 and he was in the second round only at
the fifth attempt, as Abbas fought vainly for survival.
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The qualifying competition was completed yesterday and the eight
qualifiers were:
Steve Coppinger, Grayson Campbell, Chris Simpson, Adrian Waller,
Siddharth Suchde, Dick Lau, Kamran Khan, and the lucky loser,
Sandeep Jangra, who after an 11/9 in the fifth loss to Dick Lau,
benefited from the non-appearance of Azlan Iskandar. The other five
setter, which was probably the toughest match of the day, was
between Grayson Campbell who prevailed, though it must be said that
Ivan Yuen was on the end of a series of harsh decisions.
Top qualifier Coppinger is rewarded, if that is the correct word,
with a match against present day great Amr Shabana and Indian No.1
Saurav Ghosal plays Adrian Waller.
 Ramy
Ashour will be missed, as he is in England, having treatment on his
hamstring, but the draw, headed by World Champion Nick Matthew, has
a fascinating look about it and quality and entertainment are
guaranteed, which is what the Punj Lloyd Masters deserves.
The women’s championship, too is no less interesting and has a high
class look about it. The players are just beginning to appear, as
they start later than the men.
World No. 2 Jenny Duncalf heads the draw and is seeded to meet the
much improved Kasey Brown, who was instrumental in Australia’s
recent world team success.
Commonwealth Gold Medalist Jaclyn Hawkes, outstanding young French
woman Camille Serme, Indian’s top two Joshna Chinappa and Dipika
Palikal all add colour to the draw to say nothing of Hong Kong’s
Annie Au and Joey Chan, Malaysia’s Low Wee Wem and Egypt’s Engy
Kheirallah
It has a fascinating look about it and these are sure to be some
high quality matches from the first day.
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El Hindi just in time
The first match of the first round proper just happened: Wael El
Hindi had mistaken his time and only just made it. Appropriately,
his opponent was Siddharth Suchude from Bombay, one of four Indian
players in the first round.
 Suchude
began brightly – perhaps El Hindi was unsettled – and he led 4/0. At
4/1, there was a delay for a mysterious lost ball. On resumption, El
Hindi looked more comfortable and went to 6/5 with some ease.
There was a preponderance of lets on the backhand side, where El
Hindi’s clearance often leaves something to be desired, which broke
up the rhythm of the game and did not help Suchde’s cause.
A forehand overhead volley gave El Hindi a first game ball at 10/8,
but an equally fine backhand straight volley took Suchde to a
tiebreak. At 11/10, El Hindi served for the game and this time he
made no mistake.
A couple of strokes helped El Hindi to a 5/1 lead, but with El
Hindi’s movement causing Suchde problems, the lead extended to 10/4
and at 10/5 El Hindi El Hindi was 2-0 up.
Not it was Suchde who was unsettled and looking distracted,
understandably perhaps, as the disruptive lets continued. El Hindi
served for the match at 10/5 and it took him three match balls to
settle the matter 11/7.
Suchde will be not too happy with it all, but he played with a
degree of promise.
Pilley quickly through
Cameron Pilley will be eager to make amends for his surprise exit in
the first round of the world championships and the defection of
Azlan Iskandar from a potentially dangerous first round opponent in
Jonathan Kemp, who had played so well against David Palmer in Saudi
Arabia.
Sandeep Jangra, the lucky loser, became his first round opponent and
the Indian was never able to cope with Pilley’s class.
He was seen off quickly 3/0 and Pilley will have Wael El Hindi in
the last 16, a more demanding task.
LJ stops Khan
Kamran Khan’s task in the qualifier was simplified by Martin
Knight’s abductor problems, but he showed enough to pose Laurens
Anjema a few problems, the Dutchman eager no doubt to make up for a
disappointing 3/0 loss to Hisham Ahour in Al-Khobar.
Anjema, imposing himself, led 5/2 against the smooth moving
Malaysian, who fought back to 6/7, before Anjema re-asserted to
10/6, leading 1-0 on the second game ball 11/7.
Anjema, looking focused, pressed on to 5/0 early. Khan though,
recovered to 4/6, before, as happened in the first game, Anjema
quickly went 2/0 up 11/4. Khan, still looking like a player, was
finding it difficult to cope with Anjema’s presence, inevitably
making the error.
A couple of forthright winners from Anjema took him to 9/4; another
error from Khan and another and it was all over. Anjema can probably
look forward to a rematch with Hisham Ashour.
Karan Khan, Ivan Yuen, Nafiizwan Adnan, three Malaysian youngsters
all look to have a great deal to recommend them: movement, racket
ability, sound temperament. Somehow, they seem not to produce as
they should.
Hisham on song
Hisham Ashour hardly lives in the shadow of his genius of a brother,
because he has a magnetic personality. There was not much wrong with
his game in Saudi Arabia when he beat Laurens Anjema and played well
against Nick Matthew, almost winning the third game. His new fitness
regime is the reason, or so he says. Chris Simpson played well in
the world championships too, so every prospect of a competitive
match.
Ashour, looking very concentrated, building rallies on the
confidence of his acquired fitness, won an enjoyable first game 11/7
with a cross court volley nick. Simpson, now injury free, has
improved and his range and variety are much greater.
Ashour, though, can create winners out of nowhere and is, as a
result, always a danger. There was little in it in the second at 6
all, but Hisham produced some Ramy-like magic to reach 10/6 and
serve our for a 2-0 lead.
Ashour continued to impress and at 5/1, Simpson was struggling to
stay in touch. He did get to 6/9 before Ashour put the match to bed.
Playing as he is, Ashour looks a threat and is certainly playing to
top 16 standard.
Willstrop wins through
James Willstrop is one of several leading players arriving in Delhi
who must be on the point of physical and mental exhaustion.
Doubtful, therefore, if he fancied his first round match with the
able Anwar Reda very much.
He began quite sloppily and although Reda was soon competing well,
Willstrop mostly looked the probably winner of the first game.
However, he lost it 10/12 mainly down to Reda’s play rather than any
weakness on his part.
Willstrop came out determinedly in the second and soon levalised
11/5 and then ran away with the third 11/2. He continued to control
matters, but at 10/5 asked for the floor to be swept. Reda then
recovered to 9-10 on resumption, took a heavy fall, a 3 minute
injury break and looked so bad that it appeared he might have to
concede.
He re-appeared, ran as if all was well, but lost the rally and the
match – no easy ride for the no. 2 seed, but he has a rest day to
freshen up.
Mosaad stops Sandhu
From all accounts Harinder Pal Sandhu had played outstandingly well
in his recent Indian championship, having lost 3/1 to Indian no. 1
Saurav Ghosal.
Here he faced a tough task against the powerful and clean striking
Omar Mosaad, who had perhaps disappointed a little in his 3-0 loss
to Thierry Lincou in Saudi Arabia.
Pal Sandhu soon got involved, playing a wide range of shots, using
his drops effectively. In each of the three games he held the more
experienced Mosaad until late on and as is often the way, the
experience shows then. The higher ranked player tightens up, the
lower rated player presses too much or feels the added pressure.
Pal Sandhu lost the first 11/8 and then two tie breaks, both 12/10.
He can feel happy with his performance and Mosaad will be happy too,
that he had to stretch himself.
Lincou lingers on ...
Evergreen Thierry Lincou had played very well in the world
championships, his movement as good as ever. Seeded 4 here in Delhi,
he had the promising young Englishman Joe Lee as his first round
opponent.
Lee is neat and tidy, moves well and is clearly open to much
improvement. He competed strongly in the first game, losing it 7/11
after 15 minutes. Lincou though, was working the ball well and the
effort Lee made clearly took its toll when he lost the second game
very quickly 11/1.
Lincou continued to play with his characteristic accuracy and
although Lee kept going to the end, it was all uphill.
He will learn from experience and Lincou will remain hard to beat at
the highest levels.
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13-Dec, Qualifying Finals:
Steve Coppinger (Rsa)
bye
Adrian Waller (Eng) bt Deepak Mishra (Ind)
11/2, 11/8, 11/3
Dick Lau (Hkg) bt Sandeep Jangra (Ind) 8/11,14/12,11/3,9/11,11/9
Campbell Grayson (Nzl) bt Ivan Yuen (Mas) 3/11, 15/13, 8/11, 11/4
Chris Simpson (Eng) bt Gaurav Nandrajog (Ind)
11/3, 11/6, 11/9
Joe Lee (Eng) bt Kush Kumar (Ind)
14/12, 11/2, 11/6
Siddharth Suchde (Ind) bt Ravi Dixit (Ind)
11/3, 11/1, 11/4
Kamran Khan (Mas) bt Martin Knight (Nzl)
12/10, 11/8, 11/6 |
Men's Draw
Women's Draw
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English trio make the main draw |
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Malcolm reports from Delhi ... |
Kamran Khan v
Martin Knight
Qualifying matches may not have the glamour of the later stages, but
for the players concerned they are of immense importance: progress
in the event, which means more experience, points and money.
The early exchanges were untidy with many lets. There was not much
in it at any stage of a contested first game, but at 7/9 Knight took
a 3 minute injury break for an abductor problem. He recovered well
enough almost to win the first game, but ended up losing it 11/9.
Although Knight was hampered by his injury, he continued to compete
and held his own, playing more expansively, but Khan pulled away
towards the end of the second game to win it 11/8 and take a 2-0
lead.
Knight’s task from 2-0 down looked impossible and gamely though he
tried, the issue was never in doubt and Khan qualified 3-0.
Siddharth Suchde v
Ravi Dixit
Siddharth Suchde faced Ravi Dixit in an all Indian qualifier, the
more experienced Harvard graduate likely to prove too strong for his
younger talented opponent.
He led 7/2 and when Dixit hit a forehand volley into the tin, Suchde
served for the game at 10/3 and won it at the first attempt, without
Dixit offering much of a challenge.
Dixit, quick enough and able with the racket, seemed to be playing
without much belief and Suchde eased into a 10/1 lead, winning the
game 11/1, meeting little resistance.
Not much changed in the third game either, as Suchde continued to
dominate and Dixit seemed unable to raise his game, although he
looked capable of it. Suchde proceeded to the first round with the
minimum of fuss.
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Campbell Grayson v Ivan Yuen
 The
second New Zealand – Malaysian clash was between Campbell Grayson
and Ivan Yuen, Kamran Khan having beaten Martin Knight 3/0 in the
first one.
Although Grayson led 3/0, Yuen, composed and fluent, soon recovered
to go ahead 6/3, but Grayson was back on level terms at 8 all. Now
it was Yuen who took the initiative to serve at 10/8, which became a
tie break; then 11/10 to Grayson. He didn’t finish either. A
delicate forehand volley drop gave Grayson another chance and on a
doubtful no let, he won the game 13/11.
There continued to be little in it in the second game, but Yuen led
7/4, before Grayson led 8/7 on another harsh no let. To his credit,
Yuen was uncomplaining, which helped his focus. A heavy fall by both
of them looked bad, but there was no serious damage fortunately.
Yuen led 10/9 on a Grayson error, but it was soon a second tiebreak.
11/10 and another opportunity for the Malaysian, spurned again, yet
another at 12/11 not converted. Now Grayson tinned when 13/12 – his
first chance; another no let – this time fair enough - and on
another no let Grayson took a 2-0 lead – tough on Yuen, who, on the
balance of play deserved to be on level terms.
A seriously bad no let, again against Yuen, gave Grayson a 3/2 lead
and Yuen was certainly not having the best of the refereeing
decisions and had every right to feel hard done by. A fine rally
ending in a straight forehand winner by Grayson took the score to 4
all. Yuen now was getting disturbed and vocal at the refereeing,
hardly a surprise as decision after decision seemed to go against
him, often unreasonably.
He managed to maintain his composure though and led 8/5. A cross
court winner gave him the chance to stay in the match and a return
of serve into the tin by Grayson did the trick at 11/8.
Well over the hour and the promise of more to come. Some justice for
Yuen since he would not have deserved to go down 3/0.
Another strange no let against Yuen took the score to 7/3 in
Grayson’s favour in the fourth and Yuen looked as if he believed the
gods were conspiring against him, as indeed they were. At 10/4,
Grayson won his place in the main draw at the second attempt.
It had been a decent match, spoiled by too many lets, often so in
matches involving Malaysian players who are reluctant to play the
ball. This was not the case here, however, and on balance, Yuen may
feel quite justifiably that he had a raw deal.
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World Stars head to Delhi
Preview from Malcolm Willstrop
The effects of a long hard first half of the season for the world
tour were plain to see in Saudi Arabia. Ramy Ashour lasted no time
at all with a hamstring injury; Gregory Gaultier pulled up lame in
his match with Amr Shabana and Karim Darwish could not compete
against Peter Barker, though he did take a nasty fall.
Sadly, none of the three will be in Delhi, but this draw still
contains the four semi finalists at Al Khobar: Nick Matthew,
the new world champion, James Willstrop, the runner up,
Amr Shabana and Peter Barker.
Matthew has Shabana in his half and they had a closer match than 3-0
suggests in the world championship, when two games went to tie
breaks. The champion, though, will probably have to stave off either
Barker or Daryl Selby, who both played very well in Saudi Arabia and
play each other in a tough last 16 match.
Willstrop looks as if he will have to fend off a series of Egyptian
challenges, though Cameron Pilley will be out to make amends for
his first round loss and Willstrop has a prospective semi finals
against Thierry Lincou, if all goes according to plan.
The players who performed well in the world championships will have
to face challenges from fresher players, who exited earlier.
The tour’s perennial personality Hisham Ashour, re-invigorated by his
fitness regime, has a repeat match with Laurens Jan Anjema, who he
beat; Mohamed El Shorbagy played well in defeat and India No. 1
Saurav Ghosal, the Indian champion, will be looking to make an
impression.
Matthew, though, was only extended by Willstrop and Shabana and
being physically as strong as anyone, full of confidence, and still
relatively fresh, is favourite to add another title to a quite
remarkable year.
Remarkable, too, when he has won two Commonwealth Golds besides the
world open and becoming world no.1, that nobody thinks that he was
worth nominating for the unsatisfactory BBC Television Sports
Personality of the Year. But then it took Steve Redgrave five
Olympic golds to get there…..
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Malcolm conducts
a clinic in Delhi ...
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Injuries Beset Punj Lloyd
PSA Masters In Delhi
Injuries sustained in this week's Saudi PSA World Open in Saudi
Arabia have taken their toll on the draw for next week's Punj Lloyd
PSA Masters, the tenth and final PSA Super Series squash event of
the year which will take place in India from 14-19 December.
Egypt's Ramy Ashour, plus Saudi quarter-final casualties Karim
Darwish and Gregory Gaultier, have all today tendered their
withdrawals from the championship at the Siri Fort Sports Complex in
Delhi following medical advice. All three have suffered hamstring
injuries.
Ashour, the world number one, was seeded to retain the title he won
for the first time last year in the prestigious PSA event's first
staging in India, in Mumbai.
"We are all very disappointed, of course, that the Punj Lloyd PSA
Masters has lost three of its top seeds in the past few hours," said
PSA Tour Executive Sheila Cooksley. "It just shows how tough this
game of ours is and, as with all sports, injuries come at the most
unlikely times and it is devastating for the three of them.
"The PSA World Tour has a tough calendar with five major events in
the last three months of the year.
"But despite losing these three players, we have no doubt that the
event will still be a top drawer tournament because now there is
such a tremendous depth of talent on the PSA Tour," added Cooksley.
England's Adrian Grant, the 15th seed, has also been forced to
withdraw from the event as a result of a torn abductor.
The revised seeding now suggest an all-English final between Nick
Matthew and James Willstrop - the same line-up which brought to a
climax the 2010 Commonwealth Games squash competition at the same
Delhi venue in October, when world number two Matthew clinched the
first of two gold medals at the Games.
The Matthew/Willstrop line-up would also be a repeat of the 2010
World Open final in Saudi Arabia.
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03-Aug-2010:
Punj Lloyd PSA Masters
To Promote Squash In India |
The
Punj Lloyd PSA Masters, the final PSA Super Series
squash event of 2010, will be the focus of the largest ever
corporate initiative to develop and promote the sport of
Squash at the grassroots level in India.
The announcement was made by Punj Lloyd Group, the
diversified global engineering, procurement and construction
(EPC) conglomerate. The Punj Lloyd Squash Masters 2010
will comprise a series of squash championships to be held
across various age groups throughout India, and will
culminate in the Punj Lloyd PSA Masters, the US$ 192,500 PSA
Super Series event for the top 32 men in the world.
In addition, there will be a major women's international
women's event and series of promotional squash tournaments
including the Punj Lloyd Defence Services Challenge for all
the armed forces and their training establishments; Punj
Lloyd All India Inter-School and Punj Lloyd All India
Inter-University Championships; as well as the Punj Lloyd
Corporate-Club Challenge.
Speaking on the occasion, Atul Punj, Chairman, Punj
Lloyd Group, said: "The success of Punj Lloyd PSA Masters
2009 convinced me that, with the right support, squash could
gain mass popularity - which is why Punj Lloyd will ramp up
its involvement in squash to now include tournaments at
School and University levels besides those for the Defence
forces and Corporates.
"Year 2010 will be truly memorable for squash and for India,
which will see a grand finale of the build-up squash
tournaments with two international series featuring the Punj
Lloyd PSA Masters 2010," he further added.
India's own Saurav Ghosal, the world No26 from
Chennai, and world No38 Dipika Pallikal - both of
whom are sponsored by Punj Lloyd - and Joshna Chinappa,
the world No28, will be the torch bearers for India at the
Punj Lloyd Squash Masters.
 Ghosal
said: "With initiatives like Punj Lloyd Squash Masters, the
younger generation from schools and universities will get an
opportunity to play Squash at a national level. I am glad
that Punj Lloyd has adopted a hands-on approach to develop
the sport at grassroots levels. It is always a pleasure to
play on home ground and with Punj Lloyd PSA Masters being
held in Delhi this year, there is added excitement!"
The promotional tournaments will be played between the
months of August and November, in an individual and team
format, across New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, while
the Punj Lloyd PSA Masters will be played in New Delhi from
12-19 December 2010. The winners from each of the
promotional tournaments will play in a pre-event of the PSA
Masters in Delhi. Winners will also participate in the
squash clinics of some of the leading players in the world
and will get one-on-one instructions to better their game.
Each of the promotional tournaments will be organised in
association with the Squash Racquets Federation of India (SRFI),
the Indian governmental apex body for squash.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Srivatsan, Secretary
General of the SRFI said: "Punj Lloyd's commitment to
promote Squash in India will ensure the much needed boost to
the game. We commend Punj Lloyd for promoting Squash and
bringing an event of international stature to India, thus
exposing our young talent to the world's best. Squash was
always considered as a niche sport in India and now with its
growing awareness we hope to see it as one of the most
popular sports in India."
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Mumbai Masters 2009
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