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 Scottish
Junior Open 2013
07-09 Jan, Edinburgh |
Scotland in the
medals as the cultured Scottish Junior Open reaches its
finale
By Adam Bergin
The Scottish Junior Open reached its conclusion on
Wednesday, with titles decided in some hotly contested
finals.
Competitors from seven different nations across five
continents claimed the titles in a festival of squash at
Edinburgh’s Heriot Watt University.
 There
were bronze medals for Scotland’s Adam Reid and Kirsty
Lobben following 3rd place play-off victories. In the Boys
Under 13s Reid – of Hutcheson’s Grammar School in Glasgow -
defeated fellow Scot Christopher Murphy in straight games,
while Lobben won 3-1 against Lowri Roberts (WAL) in the
Under 19s.
In a stunning Boys Under 13 final England’s Nick Wall
avenged last week’s British Open final loss to Tushat
Shahani (IND) by beating the number 2 seed in a five game
marathon. Shahani had taken the first two games, before the
English number 1 kicked into life to win 3-2 and take the
title.
After the game, a breathless Nick Wall said: “It was really
tight. This was a big match because he beat me 3-1 last
week.
“I don’t know what was wrong at the start”, he added, “maybe
I reacted too much to the way he was playing because as the
match went on I got more confident and started to play my
own game.”
It was a battle of styles in the Boys Under 15 final, with
New Zealander Scott Galloway’s powerful backhand proving
greater than the lighter touch of Juan Segundo-Barreyro (ARG).
The number 1 seed was rarely trouble in securing the title
with a 11-6 11-7 11-6 victory.
Having lost the first game, number 1 seed Satomi Watanabe
(JAP) cooly beat India’s Akanska Salunke to triumph in the
Girls Under 15 final. Her number 2 seeded rival looked to
have the upper hand in the second game before Watanabe came
from behind, going on to win the watch 3-1.
The top seeded Peruvian Diego Elias, who last week landed
the British Open title, faced tough opposition in Azlan
Amjad of Qatar.
The second game was particularly tight with the energetic
Amjad able to use his pace to return many troublesome shots
in the corners and bring the scores level to 1-1. But Elias
used his long reach and a variety of shot styles to dictate
play and romp home as 3-1 winner.
At the start of the event Elias spoke of his confidence,
insisting “I expect to win this, and I expect to win this”,
but he was visibly emotional in victory.
“I am really happy to have won my first Scottish Junior
Open,” he said after the win.
In a passion-filled Girls Under 17 decider, it took Egyptian
Dina Farid five sets to overcome England’s Jessica Winder.
Farid was very vocal in showing her frustration after she
lost her one game lead by conceding the second and third.
She regained her composure, however, and was able to land a
tight fourth and then seal victory comfortably with an 11-2
closing game.
In the Girls Under 19 final Taylor Flavell (AUS) beat Megan
Page in a mixed, Oceanic affair. Flavell, who was much
taller than her South African opponent, dominated for long
spells in the game, conceding only the third game to become
champion in the 3-1 outing.
There was a difference in height also for the boy’s event
but the taller Chris Van-der-Salm (NZL) - who had defeated
number 2 seed Douglas MacMillan (SCO) in the second round -
found Japan’s Ryosei Kobayashi too strong. The number 1 seed
won the title in straight sets.
A performance in the Scottish Junior Open victory kick
started Nicol David’s world-beating career. The world number
1 Malaysian - who has gone on to win the World Open a record
seven times - triumphed in the Under-12s category in 1994.
While former world number 2 Laura Jane Lengthorn, from
England, triumphed in the girls under 19s in 2001.
John Dunlop, Chief Executive of Scottish Squash and
Racketball, said: “The Scottish Junior Open is
world-renowned and has hosted some fantastic talent over the
years and this year has been no exception.
“The tournament is a fantastic insight into the future of
squash,” he added, “and we have seen in the matches already
this year that there are fantastic youngsters from overseas
and right here in Scotland.”
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Completed
Draws & Results
Boys Under 13
Boys Under 15
Boys Under 17
Boys Under 19
Girls Under 13
Girls Under 15
Girls Under 17 Pool A
Girls Under 17 Pool B
Girls Under 17 Final
Girls Under 19 Pool
Girls Under 19 Final
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Finals:
Boys Under 13 final
(3) Nick Wall (ENG)
bt (2) Tushat Shahani (IND) 7-11, 9-11, 14-12, 16-14, 11-5
Boys Under 13 3rd Place pay-off
(1) Adam Reid (SCO) bt Christopher Murphy (SCO) 14-12,
11-7, 12-10
Girls Under 13 final
(1) Nadiia Usenko (UKR) bt (2) Emma McGugan (IRL) 11-4,
11-2, 11-2
Boys Under 15 final
(1) Scott Galloway (NZL) bt Juan Segundo-Barreyro (ARG)
11-6, 11-7, 11-6
Girls Under 15 final
(1) Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt (2) Akanska Salunke (IND)
5-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-3
Boys Under 17 final
(1) Diego Elias (PER) bt (2) Azlan Amjad (QAT) 11-3,
11-13, 11-6, 11-7
Girls Under 17 final
Dina Farid (EGY) bt Jessica Winder (ENG) 11-6, 11-13,
7-11, 11-9, 11-2
Girls Under 17 3rd Place play-off
Kirsty Lobben (SCO) bt Lowri Roberts (WAL) 12-10, 8-11,
11-9, 11-8
Boys Under 19 final
(1) Ryosei Kobayashi (JPN) bt Chris Van-der-Salm (NZL)
11-8, 11-5, 11-8
Girls Under 19 final
Taylor Flavell (AUS) bt Megan Page (RSA) 11-6, 11-1,
7-11, 11-6 |
Day
Two Summary
Adam Bergin reports
In day two of the the Scottish Junior Open at Heriot
Watt University, Wednesday's finalists were decided across
all age groups, while the female round robins neared their
conclusion.
In the boys Under 19s top seed Ryosei Kobayashi of Japan
cruised through to the final with a comfortable 3-0 win over
Scotland's Kyle Gribben, while the final tie of the day
lasted over an hour before Chris Van der Salm (NZL) fought
back from two games down to beat Federico Cioffi of
Argentina. Megan Page of South Africa will be looking for
revenge in Wednesday's final against Taylor Flavell (AUS),
having lost 3-2 in their round robin encounter on Monday.
Top seed and British Junior Open champion Diego Elias
claimed his expected place in the Under 17 final, where he
will face Syed Azlan-Amjad from Qatar, who had defeated the
last remaining Scot Craig Valente-Wallace in straight games.
While in the girls event, Scotland's best hope for success
Kirsty Lobban missed out on a place in the final, following
a defeat to Jesicca Winder from England. Kirsty will now
compete for third place against Lowri Roberts (WAL) in a
repeat of the recent Irish Junior Open final, while Winder
faces Egyptian Dina Farid for the title.
In the Under 15 category the highlight was a tight
semi-final battle between Scott Galloway (NZL) and Jamie
Todd from England - with both players enjoying spells of
dominance before Galloway emerged as 3-2 winner. Galloway
will now play Juan Segundo-Barreyro (ARG) in tomorrow's
final, while Todd will face Scot Andrew Sorbie. In the
female event top seeds Satomi Watanabe of Japan and Ananska
Salunke (IND) will contest the final, with both players
having enjoyed 3-0 in each of their previous ties.
Meanwhile, in the Under 13s Scotland's top seed Adam Reed
narrowly missed out on a place in the final to England's
Nick Wall in an entertaining four game encounter. Wall will
now face Tusher Shahani (IND) in the final, with Reed
meeting Chris Murphy in an all-Scottish encounter for third
place. Nadiia Usenko (UKR) will face Emma McGugan from Wales
in the girl's final, having each won their first four
matches in straight games.
Reid ready for the big boys despite Scottish Junior exit
By Adam Bergin
 Scottish
squash prospect Adam Reid is looking to the future
after being eliminated from Tuesday’s Under 13 semi-final
following a battling performance against England’s number 1.
The Hutcheson’s Grammar pupil - who is ranked 4th in the
European rankings - let an early lead slip against Nick Wall
to go one set down in the tournament at Heriot Watt
University.
A second set fightback levelled the scores, but the
Glaswegian went on to lose 3-1 in his last ever game in the
age division. He turns 13 at the end of January and moves up
to the under 15s, but he’s not fazed by the prospect of
facing older opposition.
“I’ve done well against older players in my category in the
past,” he said. “When I was 10 I finished third in the Irish
Junior Open and that was above lots of 12 year olds.”
Speaking about Tuesday’s loss he said: “I am a little
disappointed to not make it to the final but I have to be
happy to make it to the last four. Nick was just the better
player on the day.
“I’ve enjoyed travelling to Wales, Ireland and France to
play,” he said, “but I was really excited to be playing in
Scotland.”
Adam Reid built on his 2010 showing in Ireland to finish
runner up the following year, before returning to Galway
again in November to claim the title.
His proud father, Mark, feels his son is progressing well
and that the Scottish Junior Open is an important step in
that journey.
“He’s experienced a lot through the travelling we’ve done,”
he said, “and you can see him really blossoming as a squash
player, and also as a person in general.
“He trains hard, but he really enjoys himself and that’s
important. He’s been looking forward to playing in Scotland
and playing against such quality opposition can only be a
good thing.
“He got into the sport through watching me,” he added, “and
we train together now but I do struggle to keep up with
him!”
A performance in the Scottish Junior Open victory kick
started Nicol David’s world-beating career. The world number
1 Malaysian - who has gone on to win the World Open a record
seven times - triumphed in the Under-12s category in 1994.
While former world number 2 Laura Jane Lengthorn, from
England, triumphed in the girls under 19s in 2001.
John Dunlop, Chief Executive of Scottish Squash and
Racketball, said: “The Scottish Junior Open is
world-renowned and has hosted some fantastic talent over the
years and this year has been no exception.
“The tournament is a fantastic insight into the future of
squash,” he added, “and we have seen in the matches already
this year that there are fantastic youngsters from overseas
and right here in Scotland.” |
LIVE STREAMING
Completed
Draws & Results
Boys Under 13
Boys Under 15
Boys Under 17
Boys Under 19
Girls Under 13
Girls Under 15
Girls Under 17 Pool A
Girls Under 17 Pool B
Girls Under 17 Final
Girls Under 19 Pool
Girls Under 19 Final
Day One in Edinburgh
Adam Bergin reports
In the boys under 13s event Christopher Murphy (Sco) was the
rising star, beating fellow Scot Albeer Mehmood - who in
turn had knocked out the number 4 seed in the first round -
to become the only unseeded semi-finalist. While Adam Reid,
the number 1 seed from Glasgow, made light work of his
opening opponents, dispatching both with 3-0 wins to join
Nick Wall of England and India's Tushar Shahani in the final
four.
It was a routine affair in the boys under 15s, with all the
seeds reaching the quarters. Scotland's Patrick O'Sullivan
won the only match to exceed three games, winning 11-9 in
the fifth against Abd El-Aziz-Omeira of Qatar.
The boys under 19s looks to be wide open with representation
from five continents in the quarter finals - these include
players from Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa,
Argentina and Scotland's own Kyle Gribben.
In the girl's events, several players remain undefeated in
the round robin format. Top seeds Nadia Usenko of Ukraine
and Satomi Watanabe (Japan) cruised through their opening
matches with 3-0 victories in the Under 13 and Under 15
events respectively. Scotland's best hope of victory lies
with Kirsty Lobban who also won both her matches in straight
games to remain on course to retain her Under 17 title.
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