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  Holiday
Snacks
Trinidad & Tobago Open 2010
21-25 April, Cascadia Squash Club, St Anns |
MEN
Final: Colin Ramasra def Shawn Simpson 11/9, 11/5, 12/10
3rd/4th: Bryant Cumberbatch def Ryan Abraham 11/3, 9/11,
11/6, 11/6
5th/6th: Fabian Goodridge def Richard Glanfield 9/11, 5/11,
11/5, 11/3, 11/7
7th/8th: Karen Meakins def Marc Pontifex 11/4, 3/11, 11/5,
11/5
9th/10th: Julian Chin def Brandon DeMontrichard 11/6, 7/11,
11/8, 10/12, 11/5
Qualifiers Plate: Mario Berment def Wolfram Nothnagel 8/11,
5/11, 14/12, 11/4, 11/8
LADIES
Final: Karen Meakins def Rhea Khan 11/3, 11/6, 11/9
3rd/4th: Charlotte Knaggs def Emily Bones 5/11, 11/6, 11/7,
11/8
5th/6th: Karina Lutchmeesingh def Jessica Scott 11/1, 9/11,
8/11, 14/12, 11/2
VETS
Final: Richard Glanfield def Brian Jackson 11/9, 11/4, 13/11
3rd/4th: Duncan Smart def Brian Philips 11/9, 11/7, 7/11,
9/11, 11/9
5th/6th: Raymond Patrick def Harry Laughlin 11/5, 9/11,
3/11, 11/7, 11/2
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Photo Gallery |
DAY 4 - Sat 24th April
Ryan Abraham reports
As the 4th day of the tournament came to an end, the top
seeds in each category advanced to their respective finals.
Most of the exciting matches would be seen in the plate
draws.
Ramasra and Simpson to Battle for Title
Today, Ramasra and Simpson will face off for the first time
in a T & T Open final. Simpson is the defending champion,
but Ramasra was absent in last year's event. In 2008, when
Ramasra had won it, Simpson was ousted by Abraham in the
quarter-finals after pulling up with an injury in the 5th
game.
The last time these 2 players met was in last year's
Caribbean Team Championships where Ramasra won in a
thrilling 5-gamer. Spectators are expecting this final to
live up its reputation.
Yesterday, Ramasra and Simpson both won their semi-finals in
3 games.
Meakins set for 4th consecutive title
Meakins has yet to drop a game in T & T in the last 4 years.
In 2008, she ousted former WISPA player Daniela Schumann in
3 straight games, and last year she made quick work of local
#1 Kerrie Sample in 3 games as well. This year she faces off
against National champion, Rhea Khan, and is expected to
show no mercy yet again to defend her title.
Both Meakins and Khan won their semi-finals with relative
ease.
Coaches square off in 40+ final
In a battle of foreign and local coaches, National coach,
Glanfield will be vying for his first T & T Open 40+ title
against former national player, and junior coach, Brian
Jackson.
Although Glanfield won his semi-final match rather
comfortably against Philips, Jackson was pushed to the limit
by tennis player Smart, with his famous topspin style of
play. However, as the more experienced squash player,
Jackson managed to survive to advance to the final.
3rd place play-offs
Abraham vs Cumberbatch
Abraham and Cumberbatch will take the court for 3rd place
and a money prize, while 4th place will go home
empty-handed. These players' last meeting was back in 2007
where Cumberbatch won 3-1.
Knaggs vs Bones
Both Knaggs and Bones will be coming into this match with
confidence from the quarter-final upsets. Bones won their
last meeting in March in 5 games and will be hoping to
maintain her winning record. Knaggs however, having just
beaten the under 19 #1 will be seeking another notch on her
belt.
Smart vs Philips
Duncan Smart and Brian Philips who have been teammates on
the Cascadia league team, will be playing off for 3rd
position.
MENS MAIN DRAW SEMI-FINALS
#1 Colin Ramasra vs #3 Bryant Cumberbatch 12/10, 11/4,
11/6
#2 Shawn Simpson vs #4 Ryan Abraham 11/5, 11/8, 13/11
5th-8th Semi-Finals
Fabian Goodridge bt Marc Pontifex 11/6, 11/9, 11/5
Richard Glanfield bt Karen Meakins 11/5, 11/4, 11/7
Mens Open Plate Quarter-Finals
Julian Chin bt Duncan Smart 11/7, 11/7, 11/8
Chayse McQuan bt Mandela Patrick 11/8, 11/9, 3/11,
11/6
Brandon DeMontrichard bt Ryan Bayne 11/7, 2/11, 6/11,
11/9, 11/7
Peter Pirtheesingh bt Nku Patrick 4/11, 11/7, 11/8,
6/11, 11/7
Semi-Finals
Julian Chin bt Chayse McQuan 11/8, 7/11, 12/10,
11/5
Brandon DeMontrichard bt Peter Pirtheesingh 2/11,
12/10, 11/9, 6/11, 11/9
Mens Qualifiers Plate Semi-Finals
Mario Berment bt Godfrey Wei w/o
Wolfram Nothnagel bt Stephen Rodriguez 11/9, 7/11,
11/9, 11/9
LADIES MAIN DRAW SEMI-FINALS
#1 Karen Meakins bt #5 Emily Bones 11/6, 11/4,
11/5
#2 Rhea Khan bt #6 Charlotte Knaggs 11/4, 11/5, 11/4
Ladies 5th-8th Semi-Finals
Karina Lutchmeesingh bt Megan Fojo 11/3, 11/3,
11/5
Jessica Scott bt Johanna Augustus 11/4, 11/5, 13/11
7th/8th Play-off
Megan Fojo bt Johanna Augustus 6/11, 11/4, 11/9,
11/6
9th/10th Play-off
Angelique Jackson bt Cathy Martin 10/12, 11/9,
11/6, 11/8
VETS MAIN DRAW SEMI-FINALS
#1 Richard Glanfield bt #3 Brian Philips 11/9,
11/6, 11/3
#2 Brian Jackson bt #4 Duncan Smart 11/9, 7/11, 11/9,
9/11, 11/6
Vets Plate 5th-7th RR
Raymond Patrick bt Hugh Murphy 11/8, 11/9, 14/12
Harry Laughlin bt Hugh Murphy 11/7, 11/3, 11/3 |
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SEMIS
MENS
#1 Colin Ramasra vs
#3 Bryant Cumberbatch
#2 Shawn Simpson vs
#4 Ryan Abraham
LADIES
#1 Karen Meakins vs
#5 Emily Bones
#2 Rhea Khan vs
#6 Charlotte Knaggs
VETS
#1 Richard Glanfield vs
#3 Brian Philips
#2 Brian Jackson vs
#4 Duncan Smart
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DAY 3 – Fri 23rd April
Ryan Abraham reports
The full Bajan contingent had now arrived and the vets 40+
category would also get underway today. Simpson and Meakins
would play their first round matches to get the ball rolling
and some exciting quarter-final matches would soon follow.
This is the stage of the tournament where players must begin
to shine or get left behind... and boy, did some players
shine!
KNAGGS AND BONES UPSET THE RANKS
Knaggs vs Scott
In the first major quarter-final match of the day, National
girls under-19 champion Jessica Scott was favoured to
win against National under-15 under-17 champ Charlotte
Knaggs. However, Knaggs had other plans. The 14-yr-old
started the match aggressively from the first point with a
high-paced game and Scott was not prepared, going down 11/3
in the 1st game. Scott slowly got into the match in the
second, but was still on constant defence. Scott was doing a
lot of good retrieving but was unable to take charge as
Knaggs attacked from everywhere. Knaggs took the second game
11/8.
The third game was closer but still seemed to be going in
Knaggs favour when she went up 10/8 to earn 2 match balls...
but the match was only just getting started. Some long
rallies ensued in which Scott used her retrieval game to
force Knaggs into some impatient errors. Suddenly, Scott was
up 11/10 and won the game by another unforced tin from
Knaggs.
As Knaggs seemed to lose her way a bit, Scott took advantage
in the 4th and stormed ahead early to eventually take the
4th game 11/5. At the start of the 5th it would come down to
who had more “bad mind” (as we say in T & T), who had the
stronger will to win. Knaggs clearly found her form again
and just keeped pressing Scott to the back with hard pace.
Scott was still able to play some good drops and use her
short game, but Knaggs is a lot quicker than last year, and
was getting to every ball. Knaggs then opened the gap and
shot up to a 10/6 lead and two points later, sealed the
first major upset 11/7 in the 5th.
Knaggs is the youngest female to make the semi finals of a T
& T Open since former National champion, Rhea Khan.
Ironically enough, this is Knaggs’ next opponent as she
earns a spot in the semis.
Bones vs Lutchmeesingh
In the other much-anticipated quarter-final, National senior
player Karina Lutchmeesingh was ready to battle it
out with #2 under 19 player Emily Bones. These two
have had some close games in the past but Bones has yet to
beat her in a tournament. Having recently lost their last
meeting in 3 close games, Bones was ready to make a stand.
The first game set the tone for the match. Both players
meant business and were putting everything into their shots.
However, young Bones seemed to go the extra inch when
stretching for balls, not because her stature required to,
but because her heart desired it. It paid off in the first
game as she won it 13/11 in extra points. The tone was set,
and the roller-coaster ride had been switched on.
Lutchmeesingh fought back with experience to take the second
11/7, but only to set Bones’ 3rd gear into motion. Bones
raised the bar yet again forcing Lutchmeesingh to play her
best shots in order to stay in the game. Lutchemeesingh
would lose this game 11/5 and find herself down 2-1. As
expected, she would not give in yet, taking the 4th in a
tight 11/9 game. Once again, the spectator’s were getting
what they came for as a 5th game was about to get underway.
Bones wouldn’t dare turn off that switch though, and instead
geared up one final time. Bones would eventually break away
in the middle of the 5th and despite some comeback attempts
by the #4 seed, the junior would prevail 11/8 to earn
herself a semi final berth against top seed, Karen Meakins.
Other results
The other two quarter-final matches went smoothly enough as
expected. Meakins cruised past Johanna Augustus and Khan
would get past Cathy Martin without much effort. Although
there were glimmers of shot-making ability by the opponents,
the top two seeds were never really tested.
Mens Quarters
The top 4 seeds advance to the semi finals as expected.
Ramasra was made to work in the first against Goodridge, but
quickly raised his game to win in 3.
Simpson also had a close first game but then upped the tempo
against veteran coach, Glanfield to win in straight games.
Young Cumberbatch was just too much to handle for
experienced local player, Pontifex, who was never really let
into the match as it also ended in 3 games.
Abraham was the only player to slip up after comfortably
taking the first two games against top Caribbean female
player, Meakins. He seemed to lose focus in the 3rd losing a
streak of points and allowing Meakins to find her form. He
let the 3rd go eventually at 11/3, and then picked up his
game again to take the 4th game 11/4.
The veteran seeds all made it through to the semi finals as
well.
Summary of results
Mens Vets Quarter Finals
Richard Glanfield bt Harry Laughlin 11/2, 11/2, 11/9
Brian Philips bt Raymond Patrick 7/11, 11/5, 11/3, 11/8
Duncan Smart bt Brent Augustus 11/3, 11/9, 11/5
Brian Jackson bt Godfrey Wei 11/7, 11/2, 11/7
Ladies Open Quarter Finals
Karen Meakins bt Johanna Augustus 11/4, 11/3, 11/3
Emily Bones bt Karina Lutchmeesingh 13/11, 7/11,
11/5, 9/11, 11/8
Charlotte Knaggs bt Jessica Scott 11/3, 11/8, 11/13,
5/11, 11/7
Rhea Khan bt Cathy deGannes-Martin 11/6, 11/4, 11/7
Ladies Open Plate
Megan Fojo bt Cathy deGannes-Martin 11/3, 8/11, 11/7, 7/11,
11/6
Johanna Augustus bt Angelique Jackson 6/11, 11/6, 8/11,
12/10, 11/6
Mens Open 1st Round
Karen Meakins bt Mandela Patrick 11/2, 11/5, 11/5
Shawn Simpson bt Brandon DeMontrichard 11/5, 11/1, 11/5
Quarter Finals
Colin Ramasra bt Fabian Goodridge 13/11, 11/8, 11/6
Bryant Cumberbatch bt Marc Pontifex 11/2, 11/5, 11/5
Ryan Abraham bt Karen Meakins 11/4, 11/9, 3/11, 11/4
Shawn Simpson bt Richard Glanfield 11/9, 11/6, 11/3
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DAY TWO - Thu 22nd April
Ryan Abraham reports
At the end of Day Two all the men's seeds were safely
through to the next round, with the exception of Bajan
players Shawn Simpson and Karen Meakins who arrive on Friday
to play their first matches.
Apart from Meakins and Simpson, the Men's Main Draw saw the
other six seeds advance comfortably to the quarter finals
but not without valiant attempts made by a some promising
juniors.
Under 19 player Ryan Bayne was off to a good start
when he surprised Marc Pontifex taking the first game
11/7. The second game was neck-and-neck but experienced
former National player Pontifex eked out the game 11/9 to
level the score. From there Pontifex seemed to find his
stride and cruised to victory taking the next two games at 4
and 8.
2008 Caribbean Under 13 champion Nku Patrick stepped
on to the court with a mission. He was up against Barbadian
player Fabian Goodridge and there were no signs of
intimidation. Goodridge seemed a bit relaxed to start, and
13-yr-old Patrick took advantage of this stealing the first
game 11/9. Goodridge stepped up the intensity a bit and
grabbed the next two games rather easily at 5 and 3. He
geared down a bit in the 4th and again Patrick tried to
capitalise earning a game ball at 10/9. However Goodridge
decided it was time to get off court and took the next 3
points and the match.
Top local seeds Colin Ramasra and Ryan Abraham
cruised to 3-0 victories along with coach Richard
Glanfield and Bajan Bryant Cumberbatch.
In the Ladies Open, there were two round of 16 matches in
the 10-player draw. Cathy deGannes-Martin gave the
young Angelique Jackson a lesson in squash using her
years of experience. After losing the second game 16/14,
Jackson may have lost her motivation as she only managed to
claim 2 points in the final game. Martin now advances to
play #2 seed Rhea Khan.
The other match-up proved to be a classic. Two former junior
players Johanna Augustus and Megan Fojo, both
recently picking back up the sport, step on to the court
with a sense of nostalgia. Augustus claimed the first two
games at 9 and 4 and seemed en route to a straightforward
victory. But nothing with squash is straightforward... Fojo
bounces back by taking the next two games at 6 and 9
levelling the scoreline. With some close exchanges in the
first few rallies, it seemed to be set to go down to the
wire, but in the middle of the game Augustus broke away and
eventually took the final game 11/8 and the match. Augustus
worked really hard for that win and her reward is... the top
seed and defending champion in the next round!
Mens, Ladies, and Vets Quarter Finals begin Friday
afternoon.
Summary of Results
Mens Qualifiers Plate
1st Round
Leonel Sorrillo bt Nicholas Scott 11/7, 11/7, 11/3
Jacob Gillezeau bt Barry Bibby 11/5, 11/3, 11/6
Varune Mungal bt Osei James 11/4, 11/8, 11/6
Quarter Finals
Mario Berment bt Chris Joachim 11/1, 11/4, 11/5
Godfrey Wei bt Leonel Sorrillo 8/11, 11/9, 13/11, 10/12,
11/7
Wolfram Nothnagel bt Jacob Gillezeau 9/11, 6/11, 12/10,
11/4, 11/9
Stephen Rodriguez bt bt Varune Mungal 11/6, 11/4, 11/5
Mens Vets 1st Round
Harry Lauglhin bt Hugh Murphy w/o
Ladies Open Main Draw 1st Round
Cathy Martin bt Angelique Jackson 11/7, 16/14, 11/2
Johanna Augustus bt Megan Fojo 11/9, 11/4, 6/11, 9/11, 11/8
Mens Open Main Draw Round of 16
#1 Colin Ramasra bt Duncan Smart 11/8, 11/5, 11/3
#5 Fabian Goodridge bt Nku Patrick 9/11, 11/5, 11/3, 12/10
#7 Marc Pontifex bt Ryan Bayne 7/11, 11/9, 11/4, 11/8
#3 Bryant Cumberbatch bt Peter Pirtheesingh 11/2, 11/3, 11/3
#4 Ryan Abraham bt Chayse McQuan 11/9, 11/6, 11/4
#8 Karen Meakins vs Mandela Patrick (FRIDAY)
#6 Richard Glanfield bt Julian Chin 11/8, 11/6, 11/7
#2 Shawn Simpson vs Brandon De Montrichard (FRIDAY)
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Photo Gallery
Friday Schedule
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Photo Gallery |
DAY ONE - Wed 21st April
Ryan Abraham reports
As the Holiday Snacks T & T Open kicked off yesterday, all
the qualifying matches went according to plan, but not
without excitement.
Mens Qualifying Round 1:
Varune Mungal bt Nicholas Scott 12/10, 11/9, 5/11, 5/11,
11/9
Leonel Sorrillo bt Barry Bibby 6/11, 11/3, 11/3, 10/12, 11/6
Jacob Gillezeau bt Osei James 11/6, 12/10, 11/9 (played
Tuesday)
Two first-timers to tournaments, Barry Bibby and Nicholas
Scott made good first impressions but weren't experienced
enough to pull out the win in the 5th game losing to Leonel
Sorrillo and Varune Mungal respectively.
Mens Qualifying Round 2:
Julian Chin bt Varune Mungal 11/3, 11/3, 11/2
Nku Patrick bt Godfrey Wei 11/9, 11/3, 11/6
Duncan Smart bt Wolfram Nothnagel 11/6, 11/2, 11/8
Chayse McQuan bt Leonel Sorrillo 11/5, 11/6, 11/7
Brandon DeMontrichard bt Chris Joachim 11/2, 11/4, 11/4
Ryan Bayne bt Mario Berment 11/8, 9/11, 11/3, 9/11, 11/4
Mandela Patrick bt Stephen Rodriguez 11/6, 11/6, 11/7
Peter Pirtheesing bt Jacob Gillezeau w/o
Bayne vs Berment
Each of the 8 seeded players in the qualifying draw advance
to the main draw as expected, but Ryan Bayne was put to the
test with the unorthodox style of Cascadia player, Mario
Berment. In the final game, Bayne stepped up to secure his
place among the top 16... but who would his next opponent
be?
NUTS OF FATE:
This year, the winners from the qualifying round would
determine their own fate. Rather than predetermine the
qualifiers randomly into the main draw, the tournament
committee came up with a new twist on an idea that had been
used in the past.
As the first winning player came off the court, he would
proceed to the lobby area where there were 8 packs of
Holiday Snacks nuts on the table. On the back of the packet,
was a strip to be peeled off and this would reveal the name
of one of the 8 main draw seeds. This would continue with
each player until all the nuts were gone. So each player
would randomly pick his own opponent from the remaining
pile.
In order of picking the following qualifiers were matched up
to the following seeds:
Duncan Smart vs #1 Colin Ramasra
Ryan Bayne vs #7 Marc Pontifex
Mandela Patrick vs #8 Karen Meakins
Nku Patrick vs #5 Fabian Goodridge
Peter Pirtheesingh vs #3 Bryant Cumberbatch
Brandon DeMontrichard vs #2 Shawn Simpson
Chayse McQuan vs #4 Ryan Abraham
Julian Chin vs #6 Richard Glanfield
Although Julian had no choice by the time he emerged, he
still had to go through the motions to peel off the name of
his next opponent. Julian is a former Guyanese National
player but was placed in the qualifying round as he has been
out of the sport for a year. However, he could be a dark
horse and his match against Richard Glanfield should be the
most unpredictable of the Round of 16.
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Photo Gallery
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TOURNAMENT PREVIEW
The 2010 Holiday Snacks Trinidad & Tobago Open is in its 4th
consecutive year since its reintroduction into the T & T
squash calendar.
This year proves to be quite competitive as there a 4 Bajan
players coming over, including defending Men's Champion
Shawn Simpson and defending ladies champion, Karen
Meakins.
This year Karen has been allowed to also compete in the Mens
competition as there are no real threats in the ladies
event.
MEN
The top seed in the Mens event is foreign-based local,
Colin Ramasra. He is currently ranked #165 on the PSA
and #2 in the Caribbean. Heis currently hot off a victory at
the Cayman Open last weekend and although it was not a PSA
title, it is still a great victory to have coming into this
tournament.
The #2 seed in the Mens event will be Caribbean #3 and T & T
Open defending champ, Shawn Simpson of Barbados. Simpson
also played in the Cayman Open but was upset in the
semi-finals by local junior, Cameron Stafford. Simpson will
be looking to step up his game to make up for that recent
loss.
 The
#3 seed also from Barbados is Bryant Cumberbatch. He
is ranked #3 in Barbados and was a valuable player for their
team in last year's Caribbean Championships helping them to
the final.
To round off the top 4 seeds, local player Ryan Abraham
is at #4. Ryan has been a national team player, coach and
manager at both junior and senior levels and is looking to
make a mark this year having missed out on last year's
event. Ryan is currently ranked #3 in T & T.
LADIES
The top seed for the Ladies event is Caribbean #2 and
defending champion Karen Meakins. Having won the tournament
every year since it was reintroduced in 2007, she is looking
to make it 4 in a row. She has also entered the mens
category and was given a #8 seeding in the main draw.
The #2 seed is multiple national champion, Rhea Khan
who finished 3rd last year. Rhea has been T & T's top ranked
player since the age of 14, and only within the last 2 years
has been bumped down to #2 in Trinidad. However, she will be
looking to defy all odds this year to try to take the title
from favoured Meakins.
The # 3 seed is top local junior Jessica Scott, who
had a great year last year making her mark by finishing 2nd
in the Senior Nationals. She will be a tough one to beat
with a consistent play and excellent shot selection.
The #4 seed is national player Karina Lutchmeesingh.
She is a former junior national player and was also a member
of the Caribbean Womens Team champions last year in Cayman.
MENS VETS
This year is the first time that coach Richard Glanfield
will be playing in the T & T Open having missed out on
last year's event. He will be the top seed and favourite to
win and is also seeded #6 in the Mens Open.
 Brian
Jackson (aka Jacko) will be the #2 seed and looking to
give Glanfield a test if he makes the final as planned.
Jacko was also our Mens Over 40 representative on the
National Team last year in which the Vets placed 3rd in the
Caribbean.
Top veterans missing from this year are John Holley, Roger
Salandy and Richard Hart.
The main draw begins on Thursday with Mens, Ladies and Vets
Round of 16 matches. Quarter Final matches will be on
Friday.
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