TODAY at the Dunlop British Open

MEN'S DRAW & RESULTS

WOMEN'S DRAW & RESULT

Eight of Each

Eight men's and eight women's matches today, following on on a court each as the qualification came down to the finalists ...

RESILIENT AAMIR,
RELENTLESS DAVIDE…
Framboise reports

I am more and more impressed by those two players. Davide is more patient than he ever was, only got one conduct stroke today, which is for him a fair result, bless him, and has introduced a new weapon to his game, the lob, probably a gift from his training with Marcus Berrett, a master in that field … Fitter, more focused, he is more dangerous than he ever was…

Aamir on the other hand is like a dog with a bone. His counterdrops are just astonishing of precision and good placement, and as he retrieves most of the shots that are thrown at him, he puts his opponents under a lot of pressure, and forces them to win the point again and again.

Today, he really threatened the Italian, who was comfortably up 2/0 but found a way to come back 2/1, just by sticking in there, and not giving any easy points away. At 10/10 in the fourth, Davide who had been teaching his racquet to fly a few times during the third and fourth game, was eventually rewarded with a conduct stroke, that gave the game to his opponent, allowing him to force a decider.

But that’s probably where fitness and experience get to play a big role. A bit tired, a bit out of focus, Aamir got a terrible start in that last game, playing the wrong shot at the wrong time for the first time in the match, eventually admitting defeat 11/5.

It has to be stressed that the match was played in a perfect spirit, very few lets asked for, a very nice match to watch indeed…

"Yesterday, I had a very tough match with Wael, and today, I felt tired. After the second game, I found my second wind, but didn’t have much left in the fifth. "Davide is such a good player, he is a fighter, he never gave up…" Aamir Atlas Khan

"It was three hard games, it was hard work physically.

I've been working a lot with Simon recently, it's a bit weird playing you're sparring partner/ coach, he knows all my shots.

"I'm glad to get off in three and pleased to see that Davide and Aamir went to five!"

Ong Beng Hee


"I was good in parts, just ok for the rest. He was on the 'T' maybe 70% of the time, which is a problem.

"I've been working with him quite a lot recently, doing routines and practicing shots. He seems to be picking up all the tips really well, I'm pleased with his progress!"

Simon Parke

"I focused on the first few points, as I'd never played her before and didn't know her game, just putting pressure on with good lengths and see how it goes.

"My focus wasn't as good in the third, she moves quite well and has good dropshots so I had to go back to keeping it tight and deep.

"It should be harder tomorrow against the winner of Manuela and Tricia, I'll watch that one …"

Isabelle Stoehr

TWO HEAVYWEIGHTS…
Framboise reports

No, not talking about boxing, but about weight in their shots….

LJ and Alister had decided to see if they could 1: burst the ball, 2: Get through the front wall. They couldn’t do either, but they gave us pretty close encounter….

LJ is getting higher and higher by the minute in the rankings, and can give a good run to anybody in the top 10 now. Alister is about to be a contender, he is where LJ was about 12 months ago. They are both really hungry. They wanted the victory very much indeed.

LJ made a few too many errors, Alister hit the front corner a bit too often. On a very warm court, they were both fighting to try and get their shots out of the middle, and if there was quite a bit of contact between those two, it never got out of hand… Long rallies, very disputed. Two determined young lions defending their territory. LJ prevailed, but it was a close call…

In my view, Alister is on the verge of getting there. LJ IS there.
    

I played OK, not great, not bad… But I was not fast enough or fit enough to beat somebody as good as Mohamed is at the moment. He didn’t give me a chance…

And actually, even when I thought I played quite well, he was punishing me off a good shot I just played. There is about half a dozen of shots that I thought were winners, and that he made winners out of…

I’m not really disappointed. I’m just remembering when I was playing and beating him 3/0…

Mohamed is a strong player, and I find him impressive at the moment. On top of that, he is a great guy…

So today, I was beaten by a great player who is a great guy… Can’t complain…

Joe Kneipp

"I've played Line three times and always won, but it's never easy. I felt I was laying pretty well, although the court was still a little slippy.

"It was good to get a runout ready for tomorrow's finals."

Becky Botwright

The old adage 'closer than the scoreline suggests might have been made for matches like this - in the third game it took 15 rallies before the score advanced past one-all !

The last match of the evening (yes, the women's matches took quite a bit longer than the men's) saw 2004 Nottingham finalistNatalie Grainger safely into the qualifying finals.
 

"I had a good start, but she's so talented, she has a great drop, great drives, and if you don't play it tight she'll just pick it off. Just too good. Georgina Stoker

More like Manuela
Steve Cubbins reports

You may remember some time back a headline along the lines of "Manetta doesn't do short", written because Italy's Manuela Manetta is almost invariably involved in marathon matches in WISPA qualifying events.

She's certainly used to long matches, and "Is that all?" was her comment about yesterday's 34-minute sprint, but today she was back on familiar gound with a 75-minute win over Malaysia's Amsterdam-based Tricia Chuah.

It could, and probably should, have been longer, as Tricia was 8-5 up in the fourth ...

It was a battle of two willing runners, Manuela with her more powerful chasing, Tricia smoother around court but covering just as much ground.

In the end the difference was probably just a few too many errors from Tricia, particularly on the volley when she had worked good, probably winning positions.

So Manuela now meets Isabelle Stoehr - who was watching the match - for a place in the main draw ...
  

I’m not sure how I got it, but I seem to have an allergic reaction to maybe food or washing powder. It started yesterday, but I only played two points yesterday against Stacey, as he was injured.

But today, my hand felt really sore. I’ve tried to play, but after two games, I realised it was useless to go on playing….

It’s very frustrating, as I was looking forward to the opportunity to get a few good games, and I haven’t been able to play even a whole one…

Daryl Selby

I played Lee in the first round in Liverpool, and it was a tough one. Every forehand he played seemed to find the nick. Today, he didn’t play as well as he did then.

In the third I got a bad start, and got frustrated because I didn’t play that well, and also because I found the floor really slippery. Every time I was trying to get forward, I couldn’t accelerate….

The qualifiers are always hard, you never play your best game. It normally gets better as the tournament unfolds. It’s going to get better, it’s got to get better…

Stewart Boswell

JOEY, MISSED OPPORTUNITY…
Framboise reports

Young Barrington will kick himself all the way back home to the hotel, as he had a lovely opportunity to take a crucial lead by winning the first game, but couldn’t clinch any of the three game balls he worked very hard to get. Adrian suddenly pressed the pace, found some tight squash, and before we knew it, the Catford Boy was walking off court 12/10…

A bit of drop of energy in the second for Joey, too many errors, not attentive enough, and a few minutes later, he was down 2/0. But we are all aware that doesn’t give up that easily, luuuuuuves long matches and clawing back from 2/0 down. So, he clung in firmly in the third, 3/3, 5/5, 7/7, played a few great backhand drop shots, and came back right into the match thanks to a nice crosscourt nick that rolled off the floor, 11/8.

But Adrian took an excellent start in the 4th, shooting quickly to 8/4. Again Joey showed his determination by saving two match balls to climb back at 10/8, but Adrian was just that much physically fresher today, and was able to finish it off in four.

He’ll be glad, as his match tomorrow against fit and confident compatriot Peter Barker will be a long and disputed encounter…
  

PETER AT THE FRONT…
Framboise reports

I know, I cannot believe that I’m writing those words, but it would seem that young Peter Barker has now found the way to the front of the court…. He served (and wrong footed) an astonished Mansoor Zaman, probably expecting long rallies from the back of the court, with some stunning backhand drop shots, from both the service line and the back of the court….

What is going on??? Is Peter going to attack now???? What is the world coming too….

Also, I want to stress that today, his opponent, who can let his matches slip away mentally, never ever gave up, and fought every rally, every point, even from 2/0 and 8/2 down. He said in his aftermatch interview that he felt lazy today. Well, I do not think so. I actually never saw Mansoor clinging to a whole match that much in all the years I’ve seen him play… Maybe the arrival of Aamir Atlas Khan on the circuit, threatening his elders, is having a beneficial influence on Pakistani number two.

Whatever it is that made him click, Mansoor, please keep fighting. And Peter, please keep attacking….

"I played Peter last month in Malaysia, but today, in front of his own crowd, he played really well. "I’m not satisfied with my game, I thought I was a bit lazy, nothing in particular that happened, just a bad day, whereas Peter was at his best. But it’s all part of the game… "Peter is on a high at the moment, he played so well recently, in particular at the world open, and I think it gave him confidence…" Mansoor Zaman

A match in three thirds
Steve Cubbins reports

"What a game," said Dominique as she came off court after this marathon match.

It was, too, with the English girl looking in control in the first two games, having just a little too much firepower for Runa. The Canadian was always on the back foot as Dominique powered her way to a two-game lead.

And at 4-0 in the third a quick finish looked likely, but Runa was starting to read the game better, anticipating the English girl's shots and starting to make a game of it.

Actually, more than that. Dominique was being made to work hard now, as the rallies became longer and more intricate.

Runa levelled at 4-all, and despite the occasional error on the volley edged ahead as she kept the pressure on, making Dominique do the bulk of the work.

Runa could afford a showboat finish to the third - a deliberate double swing at the ball to leave Dominique stranded - and closed out a fiercely-contested fourth with a marvellous volley kill.

But that was to be her last point as Dominique tightened her game, going back to the tactics that had served her so well at the start, and although 9-0 didn't really reflect the play, there was only going to be one winner in the fifth.

The bad news for Dominique is that in tomorrow's finals she meets fellow Englishwoman Lauren Briggs, who overcame Soraya Renai in about a quarter of the time of this match ...
 

Tegwen douses Laura's flames
Steve Cubbins reports

It's been a good month for Laura Hill, as the full-time firefighter, part-time squash player made the final of the English Open and recorded an impressive win in yesterday's first round ... and she made a real game of it against Tegwen Malik, the Welsh champion.

Tegwen looked in easy control at the start, easing to a 6-0 lead before Laura settled, and although she recovered to 4-6 it was too late as Tegwen took the lead.

The second was a real battle, with Laura putting as much pace on the ball as she could as the pair engaged in a series of 'never say die' rallies which were equally shared.

Tegwen, exhibiting slightly more control, as you'd expect given their relative rankings, stayed with the pace and from 5-all edged ahead, taking the 20-minute game with Laura stranded after an exhausting rally.

Having given her best, the effort told on Laura as the third becamea carbon-copy of the first - 6-0, 6-4, 9-4 and the Welsh girl was through to the finals ...
 

MEN'S DRAW & RESULTS

WOMEN'S DRAW & RESULTS

Aamir comeback rocks Wael
Stacey Ross reports

The first was close until Aamir gave away four easy points to allow Wael to take the game 11-7. With the first game secured Wael started the second with obvious confidence and when he's in this mood he is more than a handful for anyone and a pleasure to watch. His racket skills were in perfect order and was putting together a devastating package of fine touch along with rallies constructed to work Aamir to all corners.

Wael refused to be surprised by Aamir's incredible speed and when the crowd didn't expect the ball to come back Wael did and carefully built the rally again.11-8 to Wael.

Wael had match ball in the third at 10-9 but was beginning to show signs of fatigue and an air of desperation to get it over in three. Aamir is a gutsy player and was equally desperate to force at least one more and held off Wael taking the third 13-11.

At 10-7 to Amir in the fourth a decider looked a certainty and Wael's body language implied the same. Wael hit a loose return of serve down the middle and turned to the door expecting a winner from Aamir only to see it hit the tin. He was back in. The fourth got pushed to 12-10 with a no let against Wael deciding the last rally. Two all.

Wael was showing clear signs of fatigue in the fifth and Aamir could smell a scalp. Wael looked to be having problems with his leg and took a three minute injury break at 5-6. But Aamir used the break to double his concentration and ended the unexpected winner.

Parke wins all-English battle
Stacey Ross reports

Simon held his two point lead from 4-2 up to 7-5 where he pulled away to take the first 11-5. Scott frequently played Simon out of position but looked content to try and prolong the rally rather that finish it in an attempt to tire Simon.

The second saw Simon race away to a 7-1 lead through some very accurate winners. Scott attempted to play himself back in but the lead was too much to make up. The Second went to Simon 11-7.

Scott's finishing in the second was letting him down as he struggled to finish the rally often after building himself a good position. At 7-4 to Simon Scott put together a good long rally stretching Simon fully and for a moment there looked like there could be a way back for Scott. This window soon disappeared as Scott reacquainted himself with the tin and put in three quick errors in succession. Match to Simon 11-5.

Joey has just enough for Jesse
Stacey Ross reports

Joey took the lead by attacking just slightly more in the first and playing some tight backhand straight kills which Jesse looked a little slow to pick up on. If they were not winners in their own right they opened the court up nicely for Joey.

Jess was reacting more than playing his own game and finding it tough to make any real impression.

The second by contrast saw Jess relax into his task more and begin to find some nicely weighted lengths, not easy on a court so bouncy. This coupled with a variation in the pace gave Joey something to think about and saw Jess take a deserved 9-6 lead.

Impatience and a little anxiety to close out the second saw some errors creeping into the later stages of Jesse's game and allowed Joey to seize the opportunity to take back the second with basic consistent rallies.

From 5 all in the third Joey pulled away to 10-5 and took the final game 11-7.

"It was a comfortable win for me.

"I felt my experience made all the difference."

Mansoor Zaman
 

"Anything loose he put away and I wasn't moving very well either.

"I tried to keep him on court for as long as I could but overall just very tough."

Joe Lee

"I was very happy with my performance particularly after my tough games at the Gerrards.

"Today I thought I was hitting it well and moving better than I thought I might. Onwards and upwards.

Peter Barker

"I Felt I was under a lot of pressure throughout and did a lot of work. It's always tough against Peter as he's so solid."

Tom Richards

"I played her in Alexandria, we had a hard four games, but it was much easier today.

"Sometimes you want to use your first matches to work yourself in, but she plays very short and goes for winners all the time so it's hard to get a rhythm.

"Still, I'm fresh for the next match, there's a lot of them."

Isabelle Stoehr

Soraya wins French derby
Steve Cubbins reports

You'd normally put it down as a shock result when the European Junior Champion is beaten by a team-mate who has always played below her in the team. But not according to French women's coach Philippe Signoret ...

"It's not a shock to me. Soraya, who has just come out of the juniors, is at the peak of her fitness and has a different mindset now. For Camille it's the start of the season and she's not really ready yet."
 

Natalie survives a scare
Steve Cubbins reports

Considering that the last time she played the British Open in Nottingham she made the final (just two years ago), the general reaction to Natalie Grainger's appearance in qualifying was one of amazement.

Ireland's Aisling Blake refused to be overawed though, and gave it a real go at toppling the former world number one.

In the first game Grainger, after dropping the first point, was in total control, dominating the hard-hitting rallies with Aisling always stretching and reaching that bit more.

But by the middle of the second the Irish girl was really competing, and Grainger was having it far from all her own way.

A slip by Grainger at 9-all - she had already requested the courts to be swept at the end of the game - effectively cost her the game as she tinned the serve on her return to court after an injury timeout.

Down 0/5 in the third, a shock looked on the cards, but Grainger slowly resumed control, slowing the pace a little, to regain the lead.

Still, in the fourth, Aisling was pushing, pushing, and reached 6/3 before Grainger asserted one last time to avert the shock.

Practice pays off for Laura
Steve Cubbins reports

She's not a full-time player, but she's a name that not many want to see against theirs in the draw.

Derbyshire firefighter Laura Hill made the final of the English Open last month, and has apparently been playing a bit more than usual since.

It showed tonight as she took on Suzie Pierrepont, and took most of what the Sussex girl could throw at her and returned it with interest.

Powerful hitting by Pierrepont, with a few errors thrown in, but Hill, more nimble around the court, took the first from 0/3 down, edged home in the second, and made her constant pressure tell in the third.
 

"It's so hot on there - without air conditioning it feels worse than Cairo!

"The ball really flies about to start with, then it goes spongy and it's an effort to get it to the back.

"I'm just trying to get used to the court, to get my movement right, but I'm pleased to get off in three."

Adrian Grant

"The courts were very hot, you hardly needed to touch it and it was flying off the front wall.

"I thought I was in most of the rallies, butr just couldn't seem to win the points.

"Still, it's something to build on ..."

Kirsty McPhee