Devoy S&F Open 2016
28 Apr - 01 May, Tauranga, New Zealand, 5k

01-May, Final:
Evans wins thrilling final

Evan Williams and Adam Murrills were both keen to push each other to the limits in the final of the Pak’nSave Tauranga PSA Tournament. The match had the crowd in awe with dynamic aerial play.

The first game saw Williams use some great shots and deception to take his points and assert his dominance. The 2015 winner looked confident in his attack. Williams looked in total control forcing Murrills into early mistakes and taking the game convincingly 11/2.

The effects of yesterday’s tough five-setter in the semi-finals looked to have impacted on Murrills performance today, looking tired and lacking movement. Williams gained good momentum again in the second game continuing with strong placement of the ball and he took the lead. Williams kept the ball deep and tight but Murrills continued to fight, however he couldn’t keep up with the accuracy and placement of Williams shots, Williams closing out the second game 11/5.

Williams came out in the third and continued with powerful dominance looking to close out the match 3/0, but Murrills wasn’t ready to relinquish his chance at the title. Murrills lengthened the rallies and slowed the pace with an obvious change in game plan. He looked to be more energised and he moved more freely in the third game. Murrills slotted a nick at the front court to squeeze a point.

Murrills occupied more of the tee and then in an all-out attack, he handed Williams a magical double-handed backhand triple boast, sending the packed-out crowd and commentary team into a frenzy. Some great rallies with incredible pickups were part of these players repertoires but eventually Murrills took the third game in a thrilling 11/8.

Game four began with the same ferocity as the previous game and both players were showing high intensity in all aspects. It was a spectacular display of squash with the game see-sawing between both players. Williams took a slight lead putting pressure on Murrills with Murrills having a number of unforced errors giving Williams the lead. Williams remained cool under the pressure, shutting down the fighting Murrills and limiting opportunities. More errors by Murrills saw him eventually give Williams the Pak’nSave Tauranga PSA title for the second year in a row.

Williams said, “This is the best event I’ve played on the tour. I’ve played all around the world and this was a really great tournament. It’s a dream for us players to be able to play on a glasscourt, particularly in front of family, friends and knowledgeable crowd. The court suited my style of play and I’m really proud to have played good squash all week.”

Both players played the match with fantastic sportsmanship and professionalism expected of international athletes.

 TAGS :  Search

Semi-Finals:

Top seed Evan Williams and third seed Adam Murrills have made their way through to the finals of the Pak’N’Save PSA and Open at Devoy Squash and Fitness in contrasting styles.

As expected in the first match, it was a high intensity encounter between Lance Beddoes (NZ) and Adam Murrills (ENG). It was a tight first game with players going point for point.

Murrills in particular showed superb agility to put pressure on the no.2 seed Beddoes.

Murrills has quickly warmed to the Kiwi crowds during his time in Tauranga, particularly with the juniors at the Devoy Squash Club so he was not lacking any support. There was great deception by both players, with at times, a masterclass in trickery on display, however Beddoes edged the first game in a tight 11/9.

The second game saw much of the same as that of the first with both players reluctant to give their opponent space on the tee. Long rallies, front court nicks and quality shot selection once again saw play going point for point with Murrills sneaking the second game 11/9. Beddoes entered the court for the third with a renewed energy and pushed ahead to a 4/0 lead. Some loose play by Murrills gave Beddoes some cheap points to extend the lead and win 11/6. Down 7/4 in the fourth game, Murrills played a great tactical game to storm back to win 11/7 denying Beddoes any further points and levelling the match 2/2.

Murrills upped the pace in the fifth game attacking the ball and closing out the match 11/9. Murrills showing he was well worthy of a spot in tomorrow’s final.

Murrills was well chuffed with his performance saying “I’m very happy to make the final, it was a close match and very tense at the end with potential strokes on match point. I haven’t been in a final for a while, so I’m happy to get a shot at my first PSA title”.

The second semi/final again saw a matchup between Kiwi and English opponents. Evan Williams (NZ) and seeded no.1 was determined to have a good performance against the spirited Joe Green.

Williams the 2015 winner was looking to cement his place in the final with a strong and confident 6/0 start and he confidently won the game 11/5. The two left handed players had some scrappy play in the second game but Green was no match for the determined Williams who took the second game 11/4. The fifth seed Green put up a fight in the third game, tightening up his play and making some good decisions but eventually succumbed to the in/form Evans 11/8 in the third.

The matchup between Murrills and Evans in the finals should be a grand display of squash.

Quarter-Finals:

The quarter finals rounded out today at the PaknSave Tauranga PSA Open Tournament.

Adam Murrills of England outclassed Rhys Dowling of Australia in the first game to take a convincing 11/2 win. Murrills played with precision and focus from the start in a never/say/ die attitude that paid dividends in the end. Murrills looked in total control from start to finish, backing up the previous days win with another superb performance. Murrills had Dowling scrambling to all four corners of the court, producing great front court drops and engaging Dowling in long rallies to force his errors. Murrills took the match 3/0.

Jamie Oakley and Lance Beddoes, both of New Zealand, had tentative starts to their quarter finals matches. After an enthralling encounter in round 1 to book his place in the quarter finals, Oakley was unable to back up his performance in the first game, being forced into uncharacteristic mistakes. Oakley fought back hard in the first game after being 8/4 down, but he eventually lost 11/9. Beddoes, seeded 2 in the tournament, took an early lead in the second game but a determined Oakley found his energy and confidence to produce some excellent front court drops which Beddoes was unable to return leading Oakley to draw the match level at 1/1.

In the third and fourth games, Beddoes showed his class dominating the centre of the court and not allowing the young Oakley to play his shots. Beddoes taking the fourth game in a comfortable 11/3 win. In his first PSA event, Oakley will have gained much from the experience, and after ome good form winning the recent AON NZ Junior Open will no doubt have his eyes set on a number of titles moving into the New Zealand squash season.

In the third quarter final, Joe Green of England was matched against Ben Grindrod, a local Devoy Squash Club favourite.  In a tense match going point for point, both players were keen to stamp their marks on the game early. It was Grindrod who took first blood winning the first game 11/6.

The feisty English opponent was determined not to let his chances of a PSA final in New Zealand slip away, and after playing some great length tight into the back corners, Green took the second and third games 11/6 and 11/7. Grindrod was unable to capitalise on some early errors by Green in the fourth game with some loose shots from Grindrod giving Green the opening to forge ahead and take the game 11/5.

The last quarter final game saw top seed Evan Williams of New Zealand meet Dylan Cunningham of USA. Evan dominated his opponent in all aspects of the game from start to finish. The American was unable to counter the left handed Williams and his quick racket speed.

Williams was the winner of this event in 2015 and he was confident in his approach to the ball and his decision making was first class, earning him a place in tonight’s semi/finals.

The semi/finals see New Zealand vs England in both matches which will surely see squash fans witnessing a fantastic display of squash.