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 RC Pro Series 2015
11-14 Nov, St Louis, Usa, $15k |
14-Nov, Final
Clyne outlasts Salazar in St Louis final
Robbie Downer reports
 Game
on! A trademark backhand drop from Clyne to take the first rally.
Good use of hold and great length hitting as Clyne goes up 6-2.
Another big rally with all four corners being used and Arturo leaps
into the air to place in a gorgeous forehand volley drop nick. Both
players starting to adjust to each other's game and the rallies
extending and becoming more tense as Arturo finds the winners on
several occasions to bring it level at 8-8. Another unreal forehand
straight volley nick from Arturo and he takes his first lead in
today's final 9-8. A gigantic rally follows as Arturo slides in like
Rafa Nadal to pick up two ridiculous shots and arrive at game ball
10-8. And it's 8 points in a row as the Mexican impressively closes
out the first game 11-8 after being 8-3 down.
Clyney playing incredibly straight from the start of the second as
he turns the match back level to 1-1 within minutes with an 11-1
score.
Clyney not letting Salazar volley but the Mexican going far too
complacent with his rally building and going in short way too early
as he gives up on the last three points.
Arturo is back and hungry again as the opening rally of the third is
played in true mega rally fashion. A barrage of errors comes next
from Arturo as he gifts Clyne a 6-1 lead. Some scrappy rallies and a
few good bits too and Clyney presses on to win 11-4 and with that a
2-1 lead.
Arturo comes back for more but this time for more than just the
first first rally as he moves up 3-0. Some unnecessary talking with
the ref and some errors and he concedes what could be his last lead
in the match as Clyne flips it to go 8-4 up. Two well constructed
rallies and straight finishes and Arturo claws back to 8-8 with some
unbelievable change of pace and angle. A controversial decision
fired up Clyne as he goes up 9-8. Arturo responds with another
cracking winner 9-9. Arturo then starts throwing himself around the
court but finds the tin to give Clyney match ball #1 at 10-9. Then
to 11-10 up with two straight kill winners. Crowds going crazy at
this point as the Mexican is in full swing and displaying a lot of
passion and playing really aggressive squash making for some truly
exciting rallies. He completes the turn around and draws level at
2-2 closing the game out 12-10. Lots of fist pumping on this
occasion.
The fifth opens up brilliantly and both players are out at a
menacing pace looking for every single opportunity to apply pressure
and win the point. It's an intense race to the finish line as these
two contrasting players can see a huge victory within sight. Arturo
is possessed at this point just swarming every corner and hitting so
accurately, great timing, right shot selection and Clyney unable to
find the answers. 6-1 for the unseeded Mexican. Arturo nudges up 7-4
when these two play the rally of the tournament twisting and turning
each other and a huge dive from Arturo but Clyney finds the sweet
end of the rally as he volleys it beyond the reach of Arturo. Some
patient squash and an out of breath Arturo allows Clyne to shift the
score around to go up 9-7. A tired mistake from Arturo and it is
match ball for Clyne at 10-7. Another tired tin from Arturo and the
title goes to the top seed as he lets out a wee roar after what was
such a great match!
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  RC
Pro Series 2015
11-14 Nov, St Louis, Usa, $15k |
Round One
11 Nov |
Quarters
12 Nov |
Semis
13 Nov |
Final
14 Nov |
[1] Alan Clyne (Sco)
11/3, 11/2, 11/3
Matt Serediak (Can) |
[1] Alan Clyne
11/3, 11/9, 13/11
[8] Leandro Romiglio |
[1] Alan Clyne
11/6, 11/4, 8/11, 11/7
[3] Tom Ford |
[1] Alan Clyne
8/11, 11/1, 11/4, 10/12, 11/7
Arturo Salazar
 |
[8] Leandro Romiglio (Arg)
11/5, 11/7, 11/8
Babatunde Ajagbe (Ngr) |
[5] Eric Galvez (Mex)
10/12, 12/10, 11/8, 11/5
Lewis Walters (Jam) |
Lewis Walters
14/12, 11/8, 11/5
[3] Tom Ford |
[3] Tom Ford (Eng)
11/8, 11/2, 12/10
Robert Downer (Eng) |
Mike McCue (Can)
12/10, 11/9, 6/11, 5/11, 11/1
[4] Chris Hansen (Usa) |
[4] Chris Hansen
11/5, 11/7, 11/1
Arturo Salazar |
Arturo Salazar
8/11, 11/6, 11/2, 11/4
[2] Eddie Charlton |
Arturo Salazar (Mex)
11/2, 11/5, 11/8
[6] Chris Binnie (Jam) |
Matias Tuomi (Fin)
3/11, 11/4, 11/7, 11/9
[7] Joe Chapman (Bvi) |
Matias Tuomi
11/6, 12/10, 11/9
[2] Eddie Charlton |
[wc] Dylan Cunningham (Usa)
11/8, 11/7, 11/6
[2] Eddie Charlton (Eng) |
13-Nov, Semi-Finals
Robbie Downer reports
Patchy Ford knocked out by Tartan Clyne
 Some
great rallies to start off the first semi final of the night which
were played at a ferocious pace. Clyney manages to sneak 3-1 up
before raising his intensity to climb to a 7-2 lead. Some great
holds and drops from clyney and he pushes to 10-3 game ball. Ford
has other ideas at this point though as he finds a deceptive top
spin backhand length winner, a cross court drop nick and a simple
volley drop winner to bring it back to 10-6. Clyney then managed to
play a well constructed rally to finally force a mistake from the
Englishman, game 11-6.
Two big varied length rallies before Clyney finds an outstanding
forehand drop to push ahead 2-0. Some great rallies and shots played
and a huge dive from Ford which unfortunately just dips out of court
and its 4-1 for Braveheart. Clyney making zero mistakes and Ford
playing some good controlled rallies but just falling short of
finding those winning shots. It shifts up to 8-3 with Clyney playing
a crowd pleasing forehand cross court drop into the nick. Ford very
tense at this point but giving a good account of himself by all
means, Clyney just looking the more comfortable using all of his
experience to dominate and maintain his lead of 9-4. A brutal rally
ending in Clyney's trademark backhand drop followed by a cheap tin
from Ford and it is game 11-4 and a solid 2-0 lead for the world
ranked #31 Scotsman.
Sheer frustration from Ford as he is having no joy with his attacks
as Clyney seems to be nullifying and countering brilliantly, 3-1 for
Clyne. Spoken to soon as Ford finally puts away a great forehand
cross court nick. Some confidence brewing for Ford as he brings it
level for the first time in the match at 4-4. Some cracking winners
for both and it shifts up to 6-6. Life or death rallies at this
stage as Ford hangs in there and finds a few more nice finished to
take his first lead of the match at 8-7. Clyney emphatically
responds with a huge push and a trademark backhand drop once again,
before Ford confidently plucks a backhand volley out of the air into
the nick to keep his lead at 9-8. A cheap mistake and a conceded
stroke from the number one seed and Ford is back in the match taking
the third game 11-8.
Fourth game starts out with Clyney blasting the ball hard and low to
the back and Ford still playing well and attacking much better.
Clyney just finding fortune in some very tight rallies as he tallies
up a 6-3 lead. Ford controlling proceedings for the next phase of
the game but Clyney still has a 7-5 advantage hanging in there well.
Ford has a huge change at this point where he hits two outrageous
winners and three horrendous tins and its match ball #1 for Clyne.
Another error from Ford and it is game over 11-7 and match to Clyne
as he stays composed to find the finish line and his place in
tomorrow's final.
Loco squash from Salazar
 No
settling in for the boys as Arturo is trying to up the pace with
every shot and Eddie is trying desperately to get in front and hold
the ball, locked in at 3-3 and looking like we will have a cracker
of a match ahead of us. Some greet exchanges and some good finished
from the Mexican as he works his way 6-4 up. Some good patience and
better length from Eddie and he turns it around to go 9-6 up. An
attempted fight back from Arturo but Eddie keeps his cool to reach
game ball at 10-7 and eventually closed it out 11-8 on a straight
forehand kill, still no first pump at this stage but Eddie looking
to have the edge tonight so far.
Arturo seems to start positively in the next one and has a new game
plan in mind by the looks of it, he fires up to an 8-3 lead. Some
awesome rallies follow and Eddie claws back a little to 6-9. Two big
rallies with Arturo finding some deceptive drives brings one game
back as he takes it 11-7.
Arturo comes out showing the same squash which made him top 40 not
that long of a time ago and races to 4-1 up finding one forehand
cross court nick out of the air which leaves the crowd dropping
jaws. The Mexican continues this fine form and more outrageous
winners to extend his lead to 9-2. He's sprinting jumping and
chucking in winners for fun, very exciting to watch and closes out
the game 11-2.
No stopping Saladbar at this point as he charges up 5-0, Eddie
trying hard to focus and find a way to change his game to get back
in it but the speed and accuracy imposed by the Mexican is just too
much for him. Arturo on top and scurrying at times as he goes up
9-4. A forehand straight volley kill smashed out the air gives him
match ball #1 and he takes it with no contemplation with another
straight kill winner, game and match 11-4 and it is safe to say Arty
Saladbar will be making his way back into the top 100 following on
from this current form.
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12-Nov, Quarter-Finals
Brits advance in St Louis
Robbie Downer reports
Flashes from Leandro, Clyney too strong
 The
match between top seed Alan Clyne and Leandro Romiglio opened up
very disciplined from both players, both were working on getting
that first good length and looking forward to volley. This only
lasted until 2-1 in which Leandro put in a great cross court nick to
level at 2-2. Following from this Leandro got over keen on going
short and smashed 5 tins in a row to give Clyney a huge lead. Clyney
showed his experience and clinically took advantage of the
opportunity and the first game 11-3.
Leandro then came out more patient to go 2-0 up in the next game.
This did not last long as Clyney placed in two stunning forehand
drops to level at 2-2. Brutal rallies then followed all the way up
until they reached 7-7 in which Leandro played a "too cool for
school" forehand cross court top spin drop into the nick. Leandro
pushed well to go 9-8 up but Clyney responded with a few well
constructed rallies and a trademark backhand stun drop to take the
second game 11-9.
It was an edgy start from both players in this game. Both exchanged
some tins to reach 2-2. Then Leandro really stepped up his game and
found himself with a very nice 7-2 lead. At this point Maradona
would have been truly proud of Leandro's passion and flair. In
particular one overhead backhand cross court nick rolled beautifully
from the racket of Leandro which would have been a true shot of the
month contender and earned big respect from Ramy. Clyney then takes
the pride of braveheart into the next phase of the game and pulls
back to 5-8, at this point Leandro is losing composure and going
short too early again.
This continues as Leandro concedes his lead and we are once again
level at 9-9. Times are tense and a 60 shot rally with an ending tin
gives Clyney match ball #1, Leandro then thumps it in the nick to
level 10-10. Clyney with a length too tight to get off the side wall
as he sets up match ball #2, Leandro then thumps it in the nick to
level yet again at 11-11. Some tight work in the front right corner
and a debatable scoop decision against Leandro and it is match ball
#3. Clyney gets in front and puts in a great forehand cross court
hold to take the match 3-0.
Traditional English squash
 Lewis
Walters gets going strongly with a 3-0 lead over Tom Ford. Steady
play from Walters and some tins from Ford puts him at 8-2 and then
10-4 game ball. Walters then completely steps off the gas and Ford
making no mistakes at this point, a huge turn around as Ford saves 6
game balls to force a tie break. A few tense rallies as it reaches
12-12 as Walters strikes the tin twice in tense fashion to give Ford
a helping hand in leading 1-0 in games.
A high paced start from Walters as he looks to nullify Ford's
controlled length. 4-1 up initially but after some tight exchanges
the two Englishmen found themselves level pegging at 8-8. Cheap
error again from Walters as Ford maintains his composure and goes on
to close out the second game 11-8 with a textbook backhand volley
drop.
Walters heavy handed from the start and Ford staying patient sees
the higher ranked Ford take a 7-3 lead. Very basic and mind testing
squash as both players are rallying mainly to the back and are
tentative going in short. More errors and lose balls being put away
by Ford and it is 10-5 match point for Ford. Ford did was handed the
third and final game 11-5 with yet another tin from Walters. The
match displayed Ford keeping a constant decent level with Walters in
and out of some great phases. Credit to Ford for hanging in there.
Salazar beats Hanson
 Arty
Saladbar looking ultra confident off the mark, gliding around the
court as if he's in a hurry. He charges in to a 7-0 lead with
perfect length and some wicked variation of pace. Chris Hanson
starts to find some rhythm towards the end of the game but Salazar
fights off any chance of a comeback going up 11-5.
Hanson immediately upped the pace and accuracy in game two but
Salazar still showing enough resistance to build a 10-6 lead. A few
lung busting rallies and Salazar goes 2-0 up in games closing that
game out 11-7.
Testing times at the start of game 3 as Salazar gains the benefit of
a few hard rallies and difficult ref calls. Salazar finds himself at
10-1 as he picks up momentum towards a visible finish line. Salazar
closes out the game and match 11-1 but Hanson, the true Justin
Timberlake look a like of PSA was unfortunate in that it was all too
little too late when his better squash seemed to surface.
Eddie holds off unorthodox Tuomi.
Positive start from both steady Eddie [Charlton] and Mad-tias [Tuomi].
Some tricky holds from Eddie, some nice straight work from the Finn
and a tremendous boast nick from Eddie sees the number two seed edge
ahead with a 10-5 lead. A Jon Power backhand like drop from the Finn
pulls one point back but Eddie shows he is not cannon fodder and a
worthy number two seed by crunching it into the front left corner
with a cross court volley nick to take the 1-0 lead. The crowd were
disappointed not to see a fist pump at this point.
Game 2 starts off exciting with some more great holds from Eddie and
a couple of great drops from the Finn. Eddie works his way up 6-3
before Matias gets back to 6-6 with some more great backhand drops.
Level pegging till 9-9 and Matias hits an extremely tight length to
set up a game ball. Tight work by Eddie sees him level at 10-10,
followed by a great trickle boast wrong footing the Finn and a huge
rally ending in an inch perfect backhand drop for the number two
seed to go 12-10 up, 2-0 in games for Eddie.
Trading some great winners from the start they reach 5-5. A change
of game and pace from Eddie as he starts hitting the ball harder and
lower with more purpose unsettles Matias and gives him a 9-6 lead.
Some good fighting spirit from Matias but Eddie nose in front goes
to 10-8 match ball. One match ball saved with another great backhand
from Matias but Eddie builds a good rally and a simple finish for an
11-9 win to take him into the semis with a 3-0 win.
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