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|
West of Ireland Open 2011
19-24 April, Galway, $6k |
24-Apr, Finals:
It's an English double in Galway
Arthur Curran reports
[6] Lauren Briggs (Eng) bt [5]
Celia Alamargot (Fra)
11/5, 11/3, 11/6 (25m)
What a wonderful final this turned
out to be, seeing No 5 seed Celia Allamargot of France,
ranked at 85 in the world, against No 6 seed Lauren Briggs of
England, ranked 74 but well on her way back after a long lay off for
injury and operations, hopefully back towards her highest ranking of
18.
 The
first game started quite slowly as can be expected, and Celia eased
into a 5/2 lead, but Lauren then showed her experience and with the
aid of a few mistakes from Celia she took the game 11/5.
In the second game Lauren hardly allowed Celia a chance to get into
the game, racing in to a 7/1 lead then allowing her only 2 more
points before taking the game 11/3. The third game was much close,
well competed, and the score stood at 6/6 before again Lauren used
all her experience to soar away again and win the game 11/6 and the
match 3 – 0.
A great game of squash played in an excellent spirit.
Olivier Pett
beat [3] Wael Farag (Egy)
9/11, 11/6, 11/9, 15/13 (53m)
After the superb ladies final, we
were then treated to an absolutely fantastic match in the men’s
final, between No3 seed Wael Farag from Egypt, ranked 102,
and unseeded Olivier Pett from England ranked 110.
 Both
players had played some quite wonderful squash all the way through
this tournament and they carried on that way in this final.
The first game started well for Wael, taking an early lead 4/1 then
6/2, but Olivier came into the game more and levelled at 6/6, 7/7and
9/9, however Wael served out to take the game 11/9.
Olivier took control of the second game and soared to 10/3 game
ball, despite Wael coming back to save three game balls Olivier took
the next to win the game 11/6. The third game was so much tighter
with both players playing some amazing squash until Wael edged the
lead at 6/5. Olivier edged forward to lead 7/6, then 9/7, Wael
levelled at 9/9 but Olivier kept control and served out to win the
game 11/9.
The fourth game turned this great match into an amazing one, with
both players racing over every square inch of the court and playing
some beautiful shots. Wael eased into the lead at 5/1, Olivier
pulled back some to 4/5, Wael then eased out to 7/5 and 8/6, but
Olivier came back again to take the lead 10/8 match ball. Wael would
not give up and pulled back to lead 11/10 game ball.
 Olivier
then took two to lead again at 12/11 match ball, Wael pulled back
again to 13/12 game ball, but then Olivier finished the stronger in
the end to win the match 15/13 and the match 3 games to 1.
As I said earlier this was a fantastic match played in great spirit,
although there were a few contentious calls the players had a few
words then just carried on with the match, no arguments or leaving
the court in between rallies. A fine advert for this great sport of
squash.
After these two finals the presentations of the trophies to the
winners and runner’s up was made by David Walsh, son of the late
Paddy “Whack” Walsh, in whose memory the tournament is named.
That was the close of a very good enjoyable week of squash for me
and I look forward with great anticipation to my next tournament.
 |
Men's Draw
Women's Draw
Galway Gallery
|
 West
of Ireland Open 2011
19-24 April, Galway, $6k |
Round One
21 Apr |
Quarters
22 Apr |
Semis
23 Apr |
Final
24 Apr |
[1] Kristian Frost Olesen (Den)
11/9, 11/3, 11/6 (42m)
[Q] Leandro Romiglio (Esp) |
[1] Kristian Frost Olesen
11/9, 11/6,12/10 (45m)
[Q] Lucas Serme |
[1] Kristian Frost Olesen
11/9, 8/11,2/11, 11/5, 11/3 (83m)
Olivier Pett |
Olivier Pett
14.00
[3] Wael Farag |
[Q] Lucas Serme (Fra)
10/9, 8/11, 6/11, 11/7, 11/8 (72m)
Aqeel Rehman (Aut) |
Rasmus Nielsen (Den)
11/6, 11/7, 13/11
Olivier Pett (Eng) |
Olivier Pett
11/5, 11/7, 11/4
Chris Truswell |
Chris Truswell (Eng)
13/15, 11/5, 11/6,11/1
[4] Tom Pashley (Eng) |
[3] Wael Farag (Egy)
11/5, 5/11, 11/9, 11/9
[Q] Raphael Kandra (Ger) |
[3] Wael Farag
11/8, 10/12, 8/11, 11/4, 11/7 (55m)
Neil Hitchens |
[3] Wael Farag
9/11, 7/11, 11/8, 11/5, 11/5 (47m)
[2] Jens Schoor |
Neil Hitchens (Eng)
11/5, 11/3, 11/4
Gavin Lee Perrett (Eng) |
[Q] Alex Ingham (Eng)
11/6, 11/5, 5/11, 9/11, 11/6
Ben Ford (Eng) |
Ben Ford
11/4, 12/10, 2/11, 11/4 (55m)
[2] Jens Schoor |
Jose Facchini (Ita)
11/7, 11/5, 11/7
[2] Jens Schoor (Ger) |
21-Apr,
Qualifying Finals:
Alex Ingham (Eng) bt Chris
Fuller (ENG)
11/8, 11/8, 11/4 (33m)
Lucas Serme (Fra) bt Adil Maqbool (PAK)
9/11, 12/10, 12/10, 14/12 (53m)
Leandro Romiglio (Esp) bt Johan Bouquet (Fra) 8/11, 12/10,
6/11, 11/9, 12/10 (83m)
Raphael Kandra (Ger) bt Alejandro Garbi Caro (Esp) 9/11,
11/6, 11/7, 11/3 (34m)
20-Apr, Qualifying Round One:
Chris Fuller (Eng) v
bye
Alex Ingham (Eng) bt David Noone (Irl)
11/5, 11/2, 11/9
Adil Maqbool (Pak) bt Rory Pennell (Eng)
11/9, 12/14, 13/11, 12/10 (46m)
Lucas Serme (Fra) bt Reiko Peter (Sui)
11/2, 11/7, 11/5
Leandro Romiglio (Esp) bt Philip Nightingale (Eng)
11/7, 6/11, 11/4, 11/6 (47m)
Johan Bouquet (Fra) bt Jakob Dirnberger (Aut)
11/7, 11/8, 11/3
Raphael Kandra (Ger) bt Andrew Birks (Eng)
11/8, 9/11, 11/7, 11/8 (40m)
Alejandro Garbi Caro (Esp) v bye
|
West of Ireland Open 2011
19-24 April, Galway, $4k |
Round One
21 Apr |
Quarters
22 Apr |
Semis
23 Apr |
Final
23 Apr |
[1] Sina Wall (Ger)
4/11, 11/9, 11/7, 11/4 (35m)
[Q] Victoria Bell (Eng) |
[1] Sina Wall
11/8, 11/6, 11/9 (23m)
[8] Maud Duplomb |
[8] Maud Duplomb
8/11, 11/7, 11/5, 11/5 (39m)
[6] Lauren Briggs |
[6] Lauren Briggs
13.00
[5] Celia Allamargot |
[8] Maud Duplomb (Fra)
11/3, 11/3, 11/3 (20m)
[Q] Bine Malund (Den) |
[3] Birgit Coufal (Aut)
11/3, 11/5, 11/4 (15m)
Sandra Polak (Pol) |
[3] Birgit Coufal
11/6, 11/4, 11/3 (24m)
[6] Lauren Briggs |
[6] Lauren Briggs (Eng)
11/3, 14/12, 11/6 (48m)
Carrie Ramsey (Eng) |
Sally Skaarenborg (Den)
11/8, 11/5, 11/8
[7] Salma Nassar (Egy) |
[7] Salma Nassar
11/8, 12/10, 11/3 (25m)
Lauren Siddall |
Lauren Siddall
11/7, 11/8, 3/11, 8/11, 11/8 (45m)
[5] Celia Allamargot |
Lauren Siddall (Eng)
4/11, 11/7, 11/8, 11/4
[4] Merhan Amr Mahmoud (Egy) |
Zephanie Curgenven (Eng)
11/6, 12/10, 11/7
[5] Celia Allamargot (Fra) |
[5] Celia Allamargot
14/12, 11/3, 12/10 (27m)
[2] Leonie Holt |
Nada Elkalaawy (Egy)
3/11, 11/9, 4/11, 12/10, 11/7 (40m)
[2] Leonie Holt (Eng) |
Qualifying:
Bine Malund Lind (Den) bt Chloe Mesic (Fra)
11/8, 11/3, 12/14, 9/11, 11/6
Victoria Bell (Eng) bt Fiona Power (Irl)
11/3, 11/5, 11/1
|
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 |
23-Apr:
Top seeds gone in Galway Semis
Arthur Curran reports
 The
first of the two Anglo-French matches in the ladies semi-finals was
between No 5 seed Celia Allamargot of France and unseeded
Lauren Siddall of England, with a difference in the rankings of
30 places in Celia’s favour.
Celia started the stronger in the first game, taking an early 4/2
lead, but Lauren levelled then went in front 6/5. However Celia
allowed Lauren only one more point before taking the game 11/7. In
the second Celia again took an early lead of 3/0, Lauren pulled back
to lead 6/5, Celia then took the lead again at 8/6, Lauren levelled
but then Celia served out to win the game 11/8.
 Things
were looking a little grim for Lauren, but showing true Yorkshire
grit she came out very strongly in the third to take the game 11/3,
hardly allowing Celia a chance.
The fourth was much closer in the early stages, going to3/3, then
Laurel moved into the lead at 6/3,Celia pulled back and led 8/7, but
then Lauren used her experience to take the game 11/8 and the match
to a deciding game. In this decider Celia took an early lead 4/1,
Lauren showed she was not giving up by taking the lead 7/4, but then
with Lauren tiring Celia took advantage, allowing Lauren only one
more point before taking the game 11/8 and the match 3 games to 2.
A great example of competitive squash played in a great spirit.
 The
second ladies semi final was between No 6 seed Lauren Briggs
of England and No 8 seed Maud Duplomb of France. Only four
places separated these two in the rankings so we expected the match
to be close.
Lauren took an early 4/2 lead which Maud hauled back and then led
7/4, 9/5 and got game ball at 10/6. Lauren saved two game balls
before Maud served out for the game 11/8.In the second Lauren
started much the stronger taking an early 5/1 lead then 7/3, but
Maud came back to level at 7/7 then Lauren was much the stronger to
serve out the game at 11/7.
In the third Lauren again took an early lead 4/0, Maud pulled three
points back but after that took only two more points before Lauren
took the game 11/5. Maud was tiring visibly at the start of the
fourth and Lauren took advantage to lead 6/0, and although Maud
fought back strongly she could not beat the experience of Lauren,
and Lauren took the game 11/5 and the match 3 – 1.
 In
the first of the men’s semi finals the 21 year old Egyptian Wael
Farag seeded No 3, ranked 102, faced the German player Jens
Schoor, 24 next week, seeded No 2 and ranked 85.
The first two games were very close with Jens slightly in front all
the way, and he took them 11/9, 11/7, although Wael was playing with
some exquisite strokes and much better discipline than yesterday.
The big turn round came half way through the third game, with Jens
edging ahead up to 8/6, then Wael showed how good a player he can be
by taking the next five points to win the game 11/8. Wael wasmuch
the stronger again in the fourth, rattling off the points to take
the game 11/5 and level the match at 2 – 2.
Again in the fifth Wael stayed much the stronger to win 11/5 and the
match 3 games to 2. Another great exhibition of squash.
 The
last match on court was the men’s second semi final between the
tournament’s No 1 seed Kristian Frost Olesen from Denmark and
unseeded Englishman Olivier Pett. Both aged 22, there was a
huge difference in the rankings, Kristian being at 76 and Olivier at
110.
The first game started very close in scores until Kristian edged
ahead 8/6, however Olivier then surged up to game ball at 10/8,
Kristian saved one but could not save the next as Olivier took the
game 11/9.
With both players showing some great touches and some long rallies,
but unfortunately with many interruptions of play, Kristian led at
5/3, Olivier levelled 5/5, Kristian again led 8/5, Olivier got two
more points before Kristian got game ball at10/7, Olivier saved one
but then Kristian served out to win 11/8. Kristian then showed just
how strong he can be to soar through the next game to win 11/2.
However, in the fourth Olivier came back very strongly after being
level at 4/4 and whizzed through the points to win the game 11/5 and
level the match at 2 games each, despite several disruptions in
play. Kristian appeared quite disheartened in the fifth as Olivier
raced into a 7/0 lead then finished off much the stronger to win the
game 11/3 and the match 3 – 2.
A great win for the underdog, but I could not let this opportunity
pass to say that, as is happening so much in the sport of squash
these days, this match was marred very much by the petulant and
ungentlemanly conduct shown by Kristian throughout the match both to
the referee and his opponent, on many occasions coming off the court
to argue calls with the referee, this being the reason the match
lasted 83 minutes, and for me spoiled what was a great game of
squash.
That’s all for today, the finals commence on Sunday at 1.00 pm.
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Men's Draw
Women's Draw
Galway Gallery
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22-Apr:
Quarters in Galway
Arthur Curran reports
The match between Kristian Frost Olesen of Denmark and young
French qualifier Lucas Serme was much closer than the age,
experience and ranking places suggested. The first game was
literally point for point up to 9/9 then Kristian took two together
to win the game 11/9. The second again started point for point up to
6/5 to Lucas but then Kristian pulled away strongly to win that game
11/6.
The third was again very similar, point for point, until Lucas edged
in front to get game ball at 10/8, Kristian levelled and went to
match ball at 11/10. At the end of the rally the referee called a
stroke to Kristian and the game and match, however after a long
discussion, with the referee leaving the court, the players decided
to call it a let, and played on. Despite Lucas putting up a very
brave fight in the final rally Kristian did take the point, the game
12/10 and the match 3 – 0.
 The
match between the two Englishmen Olivier Pett and Chris
Truswell went to the higher ranked Olivier, by 16 places, with
Chris putting up a brave fight but never being able to get in front.
Olivier won 11/5, 11/7 and 11/4 in 32minutes.
 Unfortunately
I missed most of the match between Egyptian Wael Farag and
Neil Hitchens from England. With Neil being ranked 36 places lower
than Wael I was quite surprised to see he had just taken a 2 – 1
lead after being a game down.
The fourth game was very undisciplined with Faraq showing quite
disdain for some of the referees calls although in the lead all the
time, at one point coming off the court to argue with the referee,
and at the end of the game which he won 11/4 he showed great
discourtesy to his opponent when coming off court. In the final game
he did show what an excellent player he can be with some exquisite
shots and won the game 11/7 despite a brave show from Neil.
 The
final men’s match was between the young German player Jens Schoor,
24 next week and ranked 85, and seeded two for this tournament, and
the veteran of this tournament Ben Ford of England, aged 35
and ranked 164 in the world.
Jens showed his quality when he zoomed away from 4/4 to win the
first game 11/4. The second was much more even with Ben slightly
ahead all the way to taking game ball at 10/8, but then as he tired
Jens took advantage to level then take the game 12/10. Whether Jens
had used up a lot of energy in winning that second game or Ben used
all of his experience, as in the third he zoomed away to win the
game 11/2. Unfortunately for Ben things were quite the opposite in
the fourth and Jens closed out comfortably to win 11/4.
 The
first ladies match featured the surprise player of the first round,
Lauren Siddall of England, who had beaten a young Egyptian,
the No 4 seed, yesterday, and today faced another young Egyptian No
7 seed, 19 year old Salma Nasser.
Lauren led through the first game slightly, until Salma levelled at
8/8, from where Lauren used her experience to finish the game off
11/8. The second was again very close until Salma managed to ease to
game ball 10/8, but Lauren again stayed strong to take the game
12/10. The experience level showed very positively in the third with
Lauren racing away to win 11/3 and the match 3 – 0.
 The
second match was between Austrian girl Birgit Coufal, seeded
No3, and the No6 seed Lauren Briggs of England. With them
locked together in the rankings at 74 and 75, only the difference in
experience was in Lauren’s favour. She certainly used all that
experience by zooming into a 9/4 lead in the first and, even though
Birgit fought hard to win a couple of points more Lauren took the
game 11/6.
Lauren then again eased into 6/4 lead then finished off with a
beautiful run of points to win the game 11/4. Unfortunately again in
the third Birgit had no real answer to the experience of Lauren and
Lauren took the game 11/3 and the match 3 – 0. Because of long
spells of injury I have not seen Lauren play for quite some time,
but it is lovely to see her back playing at her best again.
 From
here on in it was the turn of the French girls to shine. First up it
was No 8 seed Maud Duplomb who beat her higher ranked
opponent, by 18 places, No1 seed Sina Wall of Germany. Maud was
always in front, except for a short period in the third game, and
although all three games were very close Maud finished off all three
games quickly once she got to match ball. A very good win for Maud.
 Another
good win for France came in the final match where Celia
Allamargot, No 5 seed, faced the No2 seed from England Leonie
Holt. Leonie started off very well taking an early 4/1 lead, then
6/3 and 9/5, and getting to game ball at 10/6. However Celia then
showed how good she really is by levelling and taking game ball at
11/10. Leonie then levelled at 11/1and again at 12/12, but Celia
stayed stronger to take the game 14/12.
After losing that first game Leonie seemed well out of sorts in the
second, making lots of mistakes and allowing Celia to win the game
comfortably 11/3. In the third Leonie fought much better and
although the score stayed very close she took game ball at 10/9,
however Celia finished much the stronger to level then finish off at
12/10.
A good win for Celia and another good win for France. That means two
Anglo-French semi finals tomorrow. Maybe as it is St George’s Day
tomorrow things may go well for the English.
Semi finals start tomorrow, Saturday, at 4.00 pm.
|
Men's Draw
Women's Draw
Galway Gallery
Galway Student, Alana Miller
|
 |
21-Apr:
Round One in Galway
Arthur Curran reports
Here we are back at the Galway Tennis Club for the first round of
the main draw. With 16 matches being played over 4 courts it will
prove quite difficult to cover all the matches but I will endeavour
to bring you a good mix ...
 No
1 seed for the tournament Kristian Frost Olesen of Denmark
was up against qualifier Leandro Romiglio from Spain, and
with nearly 100 places difference in the world rankings in favour of
Kristian, the match went the way it was expected, with Leandro
playing some beautiful shots but Kristain showing his experience.
The first game started quite close with Kristian just edging into
a6/4 lead then 8/6, and though Leandro managed another couple of
points, then saved a game ball at 10/8, Kristian served out to take
the first 11/9. Although Leandro led early in the second 3/2,
Kristian went on a scoring spree and finished the game off 11/3,
then the in the third Leandro kept level score up to 6/6 then
Kristian again finished off with a flourish to win the game 11/6 and
the match 3 games to nil.
The young Frenchman qualifier Lucas Serme managed to defeat
Aqeel Rehman of Austria with some wonderful squash being
played by both players lasting 70 minutes. Both the first two games
were very level right to the end with Lucas taking the first 11/9
and Aqeel taking the second 11/8.
The third was again level up to 6/6 then Aqeel finished with a great
run to win 11/6. The fourth was similar up to 7/7 but then Lucas
went on a run to finish at 11/7. 2 games all. The final game was
again level all the way up to 8/8 and with both players tiring
visibly and taking huge gasps of air Lucas stayed the calmer to
finish off 11/8 and the match 3 games to 2. A good win for the young
Frenchman.
Only caught the last game of Olivier Pett against Rasmus
Nielsen of Denmark, with Olivier leading two games to nil 11/6
and 11/7, but the third was a thriller, with both players matching
each other point for point up to 9/9. Rasmus got his first game ball
at 10/9, Olivier saved that, Rasmus got a second game ball at 11/10
and Olivier saved that then went on to serve out at 13/11and won the
game 3 – 0.
The first match between two Englishmen saw Chris Truswell
take on Tom Pashley and in a very tight first game Tom won
out at 15/13, but then Chris took control at then end of each game,
from 5/5 in the second to win 11/5 and from 6/6 in the third again
served out to win 11/6. In the fourth Tom took the first point but
then never got another with Chris finishing off 11/1 and the match 3
– 1.
Unfortunately saw very little of the matches on the other court,
except the end of the match between another two Englishmen, Neil
Hitchens and Gavin Lee Perrett, which Neil took quite
comfortably 3 – 0. The other match between two Englishmen was a real
humdinger.
 The
experienced and near-veteran Ben Ford took a 2 games to nil
lead against young qualifier Alex Ingham, but then youth
began to tell over experience (and possibly age) and Alex took the
next two games to go to a deciding game. In the final game Ben came
alive again, taking an early 5/2 lead and holding that lead won the
game 11/6 and the match 3 – 2. A very good show from the young Alex.
 The
start of the match between the women'sw No 1 seed Sina Wall
of Germany against the young qualifier Victoria Bell from
England was a little surprising, with Victoria taking the first game
quite comfortably 11/4.
The second game was much closer then Sina got match ball at 10/6,
Victoria managed to pull back to 9/10 but then Sina served out to
win 11/9. Sina started to show her experience more now and she took
the next two games 11/7 and 11/4.
 French
girl Maud Duplomb won quite comfortably in three games
against qualifier Bine Malund Lind of Denmark, as did Birgit
Coufal against her fellow Austrian Sandra Polak.
The ladies match I personally most enjoyed was between two English
ladies, the very experienced Lauren Briggs and the young not
so experienced Carrie Ramsey. Although quite close in the
rankings, Lauren is ranked much below her talent level as she has
been out with injuries for quite long periods of time.
 She
showed today that she really is getting back to her best, taking the
first game comfortably 11/3. Carrie showed much more resilience in
the second and kept the score very close up to gaining game ball at
10/8, but Lauren levelled, Carrie took game ball again at 11/10 and
12/11, but Lauren managed to hang in and won the game 14/12.
In the third game Lauren increased her lead slowly and took the game
11/6. A great performance from Lauren and a good showing from
Carrie, who is now off back to Yorkshire to celebrate her 20th
birthday on Sunday – congratulations to her.
 Another
young lady from Yorkshire, Lauren Siddall, pulled off a shock
win against No 4 seed Merhan Amr Mahmoud from Egypt, after losing
the first game 11/4 she showed her experience to take the next three
games 11/7,11/8 and 11/4, for a very good win against the young
Egyptian.
 No
2 seed Celia Allamargot of France managed a three game win
against Zephanie Curgenven of England, although Zephanie fought
magnificently to keep in the match, particularly in the second.
No 2 seed Leonie Holt from England struggled somewhat for 40
minutes before winning her match against another young Egyptian Nada
Elkalaawy.
She lost the first game 11/3, then managed to pullback the second
11/9. She then lost the third 11/4 with young Nada playing very
strongly and leading the match 2 – 1. Leonie had to fight hard to
come from behind to narrowly win the fourth 12/10 and stay in the
match, but in the fifth she used her experience to win 11/7 and the
match 3 – 2.
That’s it for tonight at Galway, quarter finals start tomorrow at
5.00 pm.
|
Men's Draw
Women's Draw
Galway Gallery
 |
|
|
Qualifying finals in Galway
Arthur Curran reports
 First
match on court today was between two Englishmen, Chris Fuller and
Alex Ingham. Alex started off the better, taking a 5/1 lead,
then going on to 6/3 then 8/5. Chris pulled back a couple then Alex
got two more for game ball at 10/7, Chris saved one but lost the
next, Alex taking the game 11/8. Chris moved into a 4/1 lead in the
second, but Alex smartly pulled back to lead 6/4, Chris levelled to
6/6 and 7/7, but Alex again got to game ball first at 10/7. Chris
again saved one but again Alex took the last and won the game 11/8
again. Chris seemed to be the more tired of the two, considering he
had not played this afternoon and Alex had, and Alex made the best
of this to take the third game comfortably 11/4. A good win for Alex
as he is ranked 23 places lower than Chris.
 In
the second match Adil Maqbool from Pakistan took a 5/2 early
lead in the first game against the young French player Lucas
Serme. Lucas then pulled back well to lead 6/5, Adil took the
lead again 8/6, the score then went to 9/9 before Adil served out to
win the game 11/9. The second game started evenly, up to 5/5, Adil
then took four to lead 9/5, Lucas then took four to level 9/9, Adil
took game ball at 10/9, Lucas levelled then with the aid of two tins
from Adil he took the game 12/10.
Lucas eased into a 6/3 lead in the third, but Adil then raced up to
9/6, Lucas got one more then Adil got game ball at 10/7.However
Lucas fought bravely to take the next five points and win the game
at 12/10. The fourth game was so competitive it seemed it would
never end at times, Adil took an early 6/4 lead, Lucas levelled at
6/6, Adil then led 9/6, Lucas again levelled at 9/9. Adil got game
ball at 10/9, Lucas saved that one, then the next, 11/11, he took
match ball at 12/11, Adil saved that but then Lucas served out to
take the game 14/12 and the match 3 games to 1.
 The
third match was to turn into an absolutely fantastic marathon of
squash, with Leandro Romiglio from Spain facing Johan
Bouquet of France. With only 11 places difference in the
rankings we could see it should be close, but nobody thought it
would be this close. The first game started very evenly until Johan
eased in front 5/3, Leandro then went ahead 6/5, but then Johan
fought back to lead 9/6, got game ball at 10/7 then served out to
win 11/8.
This game was full of great long rallies and plenty of lets and
lasted 25minutes – great squash. The second started at the same
frenetic pace, the lead changing hands often up to 5/5, Johan got to
6/5 but then Leandro put a good spell together to lead 8/6. Johan
got to game ball first at 10/9, however Leandro saved that one and
went on to win the game 12/10. In the third Leandro took a 6/3 lead,
but Johan then went on a huge burst with eight straight points to
win the game 11/6. Leandro took a good early lead 6/1 in the fourth,
but Johan zoomed back to lead 7/6, Leandro then led 8/7, Johan led
9/8, but then Leandro served out to take the game 11/9 and the match
into a deciding game.
The final game saw two very tired but still competitive players both
desperately wanting twin the match. Leandro eased in front 4/3, then
7/5, but Johan fought back to lead 9/7. Leandro levelled at 9/9 but
Johan got to match ball first at 10/9. Leandro levelled thanks to
Johan putting the ball out of court, Leandro then got match ball
with a no let call against Johan, which clearly upset him, and
Leandro served out to win the game 12/10 and the match 3 games to 2.
A wonderful game of squash, considering this was only the
qualifiers.
 The
final game saw young Raphael Kandra of Germany playing
Alejando Garbi Caro from Spain. Raphael started the stronger
moving into a 9/6 lead but Alejandro stayed in the game and served
out to win 11/9. Raphael then got very much on top of the match and
although Alejandro battled very hard, he then took the next two
games 11/6 and 11/7, and in the fourth won quite comfortably 11/3.
That was the end of today’s matches, am looking forward to the start
of the main draw tomorrow.
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Paddy Whack Qualifying in Galway
Arthur Curran reports
Some good matches in the first round of qualifying today here in
Galway, but unfortunately bad news from my point of view - only one
English player out of four made it through to the next round.
 The
first match up on Court 1 was Englishman Rory Pennell against
Adil Maqbool. Adil took an early lead 6/2 in the first, Rory
pulled back to lead 7/6, Adil then got to game ball at 10/7, and
although Rory pulled back two points thanks to two tins from Adil,
Adil then got the next point with a lovely drop shot to win the game
11/9. The second game was fairly even to start but then Rory opened
out an 8/4 lead, then got to game ball at 10/7.
 Adil
levelled then led 11/10, then tinned one for Rory to level, won the
next point to lead 12/11, but then with the help of two tins from
Adil Rory took the game 14/12. The third was very level up to 7/7,
then 9/9, 10/10 and 11/11, but Adil held his serve to win 13/11.
Rory took an early lead 6/2 in the fourth, although Adil pulled back
some Rory still led 10/8 game ball, but then Adil strung four points
together to take the game 12/10 and the match 3 games to 1.
 In
the next match, Leandro Romiglio took an early lead
5/0, and upped that to 8/2 before opponent Philip Nightingale
put a run together to pull back to 6/8, but Leandro stayed stronger
to take the game 11/7.
Leandro led 5/3 in the second but Philip pulled back to lead 7/5
then took finished strongly to take the game 11/6. With Philip
seemingly tiring Leandro was much the stronger and took the next two
games comfortably 11/4 and 11/6 to win the match 3 games to 1.
 Final
match on Court 1 was between Andrew Birks and Raphael
Kandra. First game was very even up to 6/6, Raphael then opened
out to lead 9/6, and although Andrew got two more points he could
not stop Raphael winning the game 11/8.
Raphael started stronger in the second going to 5/2, but then Andrew
dug in and led 6/5, with some great strokes from both players
Raphael came away with a string of points to lead 9/6, but then
Andrew looked really strong and took five straight points to win the
game 11/9.
A 5/1 lead to Raphael, then 8/4, with Andrew visibly tiring he took
the game 11/7, and with Raphael proving much the stronger in the
fourth, covering the whole court in splendid style, and Andrew very
tired, Raphael took a huge 8/2 lead and despite Andrew showing his
courage to save four match balls, Raphael won the game 11/8 and the
match 3 games to 1.
Unfortunately I was unable to see the matches on the other court,
but judging by the results Alex Ingham, Lucas Serme
and Johan Bouquet had reasonably comfortable 3 – 0 wins over
David Noone, a local player, Reiko Peter and Jakob Dirnberger
respectively.
The qualification finals will start this evening at 5.00 pm.
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Arthur in Galway ...
Here we are at the Galway Tennis and Health Club for this year’s
edition of the West of Ireland Open Squash Tournament.
With a really good turnout in both the Men’s and Women’s Draws and
neither of last year’s winners competing, we are surely guaranteed
some great squash, and of course new name’s on the winner’s
trophies.
The draw for the qualifying rounds will be made at 6.00 pm on
Tuesday and play will start at 11.00 am on Wednesday, with the main
draw commencing at 6.00 pm on Thursday evening.
Any squash fans around the West of Ireland please come along,
entrance is free every day. |
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