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  Artemis Open 2008
31-Jan to 03 Feb
Men £7k, Women £3k, Edinburgh Sports Club
Tournament Director:
Simon Boughton
0131 539 7071
2007 Event
2006 Event
2005 Event
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3rd
FEBRUARY 2008 - FINALS |
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SARAH'S GOOD PERFORMANCE...
Favourite Alison Waters took an excellent start, 3/0 then 6/3 to
finally seize the first game 9/3, just too powerful and relaxed
for Sarah Kippax.
But it all changed in the second. Several (I counted five) slow
movements out of the backhand front corner cost Alison some
strokes, giving her opponent some reason to believe that she
make an impression. And Sarah started to play extremely well,
finding gorgeous drop shots that Alison, despite her speed,
couldn't retrieve.
And Sarah accumulated points after points, to reach 7/2. But it
all went downhill from there, she actually admitted afterward
that she just got tired....
Still, an excellent weekend for Sarah, who is such a touch
player, and I wish she could find a way to cut down on her
backhand errors (in the whole match, I counted 14 unforced
errors, and only two were on the forehand.. |
|
 "For
the several strokes I got out of the backhand front corner, I think that
I was trying to get the ball quickly, and hit it hard, instead of
slowing down and hitting it properly...
In the second, Sarah played very well, she was getting out of trouble by
lobbing most effectively, she did very well indeed in that game.
As far as the Nationals are concerned I'm really looking forward to it,
it's quite open, any one of us can win it, it should be a great
Championship.
I get a qualifier in the first round, and if I win, I get Tania in the
quarters. Tough draw, but I'm 5th seed, so I would have needed to be in
the top 4 to avoid the top girls. But then again, the one who is going
to win will have to beat everybody anyway...
And it's so nice to get back in Manchester, it's such a great venue,
such a great crowd...
Alison Waters |
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 "I'm
delighted to get into the final, especmally as I didn't feel 100% for a
few days.
I thought I didn't play too badly, especially in the second, but et 7/2
up, I just run out of steam, Alison got in front of me, and at 2/0 down,
it felt like an uphill struggle."
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"I felt that I played so well in the third, when Peter was still trying
to win, that I succeeded to make him doubt.
I finally managed to find my length, was able to send the ball to the
back, and to find some nice shots at the front.
I've got so much respect for Peter, he drags me up, he is such a solid
professional, he trains so hard, he is such a great player.
I'm thrilled to bits to finally win a BSPA, and one of the strongest
with Colets probably, when you know that it's five tough matches in
three days... I happy that the training is paying off..."
"After the 2nd game, my body seemed to give up. It's 5 tough matches in
3 short days...
Up to there, I thought I played OK, although I never felt comfortable,
and then, it went from bad to worse. All credit to Daryl, he found his
length, and played really well.
I'm still happy with my event, I came here for a few matches, even if I
lost I was quite happy with my squash yesterday. Today, Daryl played
better...
 |
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STRANGE MATCH...
"He is a machine that boy", stated Daryl Selby as I was passing next to him
after the second game. "Surely he must be human", I replied. "No!" retorted
he.
Well, Daryl was wrong.... After two extremely gruelling grinding games, 27
and 14 minutes of long, eroding, impressive rallies where Peter was in
front, and Daryl would end up clipping the tin times and times again, Peter
eventually started to tire.
It has to be said that Daryl had played the perfect tactical game all way
through, applying pressure, attacking, but wasn't able to get pass his
opponent. But with Peter slowing down ever so slightly, suddenly, Daryl had
that much more time to adjust his shots, and found his length and drop
shots.
 Against
all odds, Daryl took the 3rd in 9 minutes. And then, it all went a bit weird
really. Peter, a bit tired I guess, became increasingly frustrated at
himself, and at the ref, who had a few decisions that appeared sharp to the
frustrated player. He lost the 4th in 4 minutes, 11/2.
And what probably didn't make it better, was when in the 5th, as Daryl was
now playing divine squash, and Peter was mentally desperately trying to come
back into the match, the ref award Peter with a conduct stroke for "ball
abuse" that made the whole audience chuckle, and Peter tip off the edge,
bless him.
It was a bit sad for us to see Peter being so unhappy, as he was so
impressive throughout the event and the match up to there. But I guess that
it's all part of the game....
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BELLS WILL BE RINGING....
 That
was a news that couldn't be nicer to my hear, Miss Jayne Massarella,
has at last decided to make an honest man out of Sir Simon Parke, now
retired from PSA, and who suffered a painful loss (not pride, but aching!)
in the first round here against Alan Clyne.
Well, those two had been living in sin for long enough, I thought, and was
about time proprieties should be restore.
Seriously, I couldn't be happier for you guys, toutes mes félicitations....
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They
said...
Peter Marshall, minutes after his gruelling match against Peter
Barker:
"I'm perfectly fine, give me two or three hours, and I'm ready to do it
all over again.....!" |
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ALL FRANCE IS HERE...
What a great time to pick a weekend to come round to Edinburgh... Right the
time France Rugby comes to visit Scottish Rugby (if you don't
live in Europe, it's the famous Six Nations Tournament)!
At breakfast this morning at the hotel, I had the feeling I was home really,
I don't think there were more than 10% locals in the room, and that's
including Ali and Daryl!
Well, you must know my love for rugby, and I know one thing. Win or lose,
the "third half-time", as we call it, la troisième mi-temps, will be
friendly and fun, and fans of both side will drown their sorrow or celebrate
their joy with the same good spirit.
Not like a certain "sport" we know... |
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2nd
FEBRUARY 2008 - SEMIS |
 
Draws and
results updated saturday 21h20 |
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She didn't do
anything wrong, young Deon, but Alison had all the answers to
the questions the junior didn't have the time to ask! In all
departments, Alison was stronger, faster. However, Deon hits
well, and her lob (when it didn't get chopped!), is of high
quality indeed, and should be cultivated.
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"Deon had a tough match this afternoon, it went 3/1, and she was
probably tired.
"She is a nice player, she has some good shots, she is young and she has
plenty of time to progress."
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" Personally,
I thought I played very well, but I got chopped!
 "The
worst was when I played a good lob, probably my best shot of the match,
and she smacked it so hard! I could have laughed, it really took me
away, it did...."
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 "I was
just planted today, I don't know why, I just couldn't move. I had an
ankle injury before Christmas, but it's not for that I lost today! I was
actually moving quite well this morning...
"Must be the cold! I went to the bookshop earlier today, and my hands
that went purple!!!!!!! Only joking...
"Shame, I was really looking forward to that one, but nothing was
working. I was trying to concentrate on my game, getting my length
right, but for some reason, I couldn't move today..."
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Probably the best game I saw from Sarah, and the worst from
Tricia! Sarah cut her usual errors to keep only the lovely touch
she has, and Tricia was finding tin after tin after tin. Not
sure if it's because one was playing poorly that the other
played well, or the reverse!!!!!! Probably a bit of both....
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 "I felt I
didn't play well this morning at all, so I tried to come into this match
more aggressively and positively, even from the warm up, trying to hit
the ball hard, and also to moving well.
"I'm quite pleased with that, it's my first BSPA final I think, but
especially, I've been coming here for the past 3/4 events, and I've
finally made it to the final!!!!"
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BOYS
ARE GREAT....
 You
leave them having a "testosterone moment" at the end of the match,
mostly due to some strange referee's decisions, having a go at
each other, and the rest to Welsh Devil's usual ramblings that we
all know and love, and you come back 10 minutes later, they are laughing
their head off, having forgotten all about the argument.
Bless...
This match was the one too many for an Alex who hadn't played
squash since India really, and that is a long time away. Daryl
took his chances, on a warm court, Alex's funny shots were
retrievable, the rallies were long and disputed, and 'Old Timer'
just got a bit drained....
Still, some excellent moments in the match, and please Alex, go
on rambling, you are such an entertainment...
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 " I enjoyed it!
"We had some good quality patches, and the first two games were very good
at times, and very fast.
"On a court like that, there is nothing you can't get yourself out of with a
nice lob...
"Goughie is moving the ball really well, he never plays the same shot
twice, and it's very difficult to get into any rhythm even if at the
end, he got a bit tired...
"Happy to get into the final."
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"In the third Ali played better, and I'm a bit mentally rusty, that
allowed him to get a few points in a row...
"That's the reason why we are playing events like this, to get mentally
sharp, things you can't learn or practice in friendly matches, you need
that competitive edge.
"In PSA, we are all so close, it's so mental, and as you've seen today,
it often comes down to a couple of points here and there. You've got to
be mentally prepared..."
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|
 Apart
from the start of the third, where he was 3/0 up, and let Alister
run away with eight points in a row, Peter was in firm control of
the match.
He was well on the T, forcing young Ali to try shots from the
back to try and shorten a bit those rallies that were getting
longer and longer, and looking very very fresh indeed.
In passing, the second game, 11/2, still took 13 minutes, just to
show you how hard those boys worked tonight.
But Peter was just that much better, that much more accurate and
confident...
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"I've
never seen him play any better than he did in the second game, and at
the start of the third. There was absolutely nothing I could do. I was
really impressed..."
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2nd
FEBRUARY 2008 -
QUARTERS |
HONNEUR AUX DAMES...
Alison Waters didn't take
too much time to get rid of young Carrie Hasting, 9/5, 9/1, 9/1.
It was a much harder challenge for Deon Saffrey against junior
Kimberley Hay, 10/8, 2/9, 9/5, 9/3, who really really impressed me this
week. Her calm on court, her accuracy make me believe that England has a
nice element for the future there... Still Deon's experience and power
prevailed today...
For the rest of the ladies, just know that Sarah Kippax won 9/3, 9/3,
9/6 against Karen Shultz, and Tricia Chuah 9/3, 9/3, 4/9, 9/4 against
Lauren Selby, who produced a great match. |
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Alison
Waters bt Carrie Hastings 9/5, 9/1,
9/1 |
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"I tried to suss out Carrie's game and figured it out by the end of game
one.
"I felt confident and I am fairly fit but the courts are warm and I
didn't expect that to affect my game but I soon got used to it.
"Until the second game, I found it difficult to put the ball away and I
made a few errors but I was ok at the end."
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 "
I was nervous to begin with then I started to enjoy the game. I was
thinking about who I was playing and I tried to attack a lot and put as
many balls to the back as I could.
"Also I tried to take it early but the last game I began to play scrappy
and got a bit tired. At the end I felt my legs were tangled up!
"But at the beginning I felt my game was more consistent and accurate."
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"I was looking forward to playing Deon. By the second game I controlled
the game by my accurate movement but at the the last game I made too
many errors. It is a great experience to be here and I would hope improve on
my consistency on my accuracy in the future."
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Deon
Saffery bt Kimberly Hay 10/8, 3/9, 9/5, 9/3 |
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 "I was nervous. I hurt my ankle in the previous game and I was worried
about how that would affect my game.
"As I concentrated on the game, I felt comfortable and didn't worry about
my ankle. I did lose some concentration in the second game but I regained
it by the last game.
"My weakness was my loose shots and lack of concentration but I am glad I
won!"
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Tricia
Chuah bt Lauren Selby
9/3, 9/3, 4/9, 9/4 |
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 "I
felt my game was good today, I wes very focused.
"I started off well and by the end of the first game she was guessing my game
and I felt under control.
"By the third game, she played a different game which I tried to stay in
control if. I didn't panic and didn't change my game which I felt was a
good point.
"I would like to be more efficient$with my technique and play at a higher
pace, which I am working on at the moment."
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Sarah
Kippax bt Karen Shultz
9/3, 9/3, 9/6 |
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 "I
didn't know Karen so it was unknown how I would play.
"Karen is a fit, athletic player. I tried to relax and figure out how
she played. She picked up a lot of balls at the start of the match.
"I hope I can improve my accuracy this week-end."
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AS FOR
THE MEN....
No real surprises there, but some great intense matches, Jon hanging in
there, Daryl v Andy firing away, Alex and Tim bursting with nicks and
top spins, and of course, of course, the Battle of the Peters.... |
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Daryl
Selby bt Andy Whipp
11/8, 11/8, 12/10 |
We had
two great openers of the day, with first an Andy Whipp
finally on court, sharp, fast and moving very well at the front,
and who gave Daryl Selby a good run for his money.
The first and third were close indeed, and the pace was fast as
well, nice to see Daryl place consistently at such a pace, the
work is paying off, mate. Andy played so much better than the
previous rounds, but just clipped a few tins at the crucial
times... And that cost him the match...
|
 "I
played ten times better today, but I was too tired, each time I got to
8/8, and I just faded away, it's so frustrating.
If I've had played that well for the previous rounds, I would have won
3/0, and I would have been much fresher then..."
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 "It's
such a close 3/0, he could have easily won the 3rd one, and the first
game was neck to neck all the way, even if, in the second, I felt more
comfortable. Maybe I just succeeded to put the ball away a bit better
than he did, but if I win 3/0 against a player like Whippy, I'm happy,
he is such a dangerous player
It's such a good preparation mentally, having two matches in the day,
and having to play again the next. It's something you can't really train
in a practice match.
Such a great event, it's such a ball for us squash players to play in
front of a packed crowd...."
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Alex
Gough bt Tim Vail
11/6, 12/10, 11/8 |
 For
the Welsh Devil, AKA Alex Gough, he had to battle
flipping hard for the first two games to get rid of Tim Vail.
One thing you've got to know, if you've got to play M. Vail,
don't play him around the Nationals, as it's always the moment
he gets his best results, as he trains maybe a bit more than he
normally would.
For the rest, normal day at the office, Tim nicking, Alex top
spinning, a lot of reading the other's game, a tremendous lot of
retrieving, intense volleying and great rallies...
In the third, Tim quite rightly got a bit tired, let Alex run
away to 8/3, but clawed back to 7/9, to then die gracefully. See
you in Manchester, Tim.... |
|
 "I
felt very sluggish today, from the start, I was
slow.... I think the reason why is that I didn't play three matches in
two days for a long time.
Also, he was moving me around too much, and I couldn't get my touch
going until the end. And that was far too late...
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"Phlegmatic"
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Alister
Walker bt Jon Harford
11/7, 11/9, 11/8 |
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"I played
better today than I did yesterday. My aim was to play at a high
intensity throughout the match, and we were very close up to 7/7, when
he faded away a little bit.
It was a solid performance, and I'm looking forward to playing Peter, we
normally have a good match, so, should be fun...
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 "I
wish I played a bit more matches, shame that I got byes, but still, got
two good matches, so that's fine.
In the first game, I took a bad start, but in the two next, I played
more positive, was quite aggressive, but when it got at 7/7, it was the
reverse, he's the one that got and played better...
But good match.
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 "I
was a bit slow at the start, not physically, I was obviously fresh, but
more mentally than anything else. He surprised me, well, no, that's not
that, I was expecting a solid, tough pace, but it was not what he did.
He just played very well, and when you are not mentally all there, it's
not really a good combination.
In the second, I got more into it, but he still managed to get to 6/6.
There, I pushed him physically with two long rallies, and that hurt him
a bit.
On a match like that, you can see why he got to number two in the world,
his width and length are just exceptional, and although he doesn't have
the physical attributes as he used to, he is still impressive.
Still, I was pretty confident that he would end up breaking down at some
point if I kept the same high pace. But even tired, he would never go
cheap, and he always went for good squash.
I have a lot of respect for him, never ever in a BSPA quarter final did
I have such a match, and I can say that I've already got something for
this week, and that I could go home right now.
Young people progressing in the squash circuit should take example and
learn from him.
Exceptional."
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Peter
Barker bt Peter Marshall
3/11, 11/6, 11/7, 11/2 |
MIGHTY MARSH...
 If
you are given that line out, Peter Barker, top 15,
against Peter Marshall, retired player, you would think,
bof, 3/0 in 20 minutes.
God you would be wrong.
The first game was a surprise for everybody, I guess for Marsh,
he probably didn't expect to win it so "easily", 11/3. From that
moment on, Barker was much more in the game, even if Marsh's
unorthodox style surprised him one or twice, quite rightly.
 But
where he surprised ME, was when Marsh was down 5/0 in the 3rd, I
believed the end was near. But he dug in, found some fantastic
deep shots, and climbed back to 6/6, and 7/8, to only bow down
11/7...
The determination, the will, the skills, the ball sense, the
intelligence of that former number 2 are purely and simply
astonishing. And I can only steal Peter Barker's conclusion to
our little after match game, "Exceptional". |
|
 JOANNA,
MY SAVIOUR...
There is ALWAYS one person, one lovely volunteer, who is keen to help on an
event. And on this one, it's Joanna, who used to work at the club at the
reception, and who is adorably efficient.
She arrived yesterday at the perfect time, just as the second round started,
when I really REALLY was starting to fade away, and her help on the coverage
of certain matches was an incommensurable support.
Today, she'll be covering the ladies matches, and I'll try and report about
the rest. Wish us luck... |
WHATEVER
HAPPENED TO...
If you followed Complete Legend Steve C's report last year, you may remember
a little piece he did
on a few club members here.
 Well,
if you are wondering whatever happened to them, you'll be happy to hear they
are all safe and sound [and their combined age is$now exactly 300!].
"Please tell your readers that
we've all made it! See you next year..."
As they say, Inshallah....! |
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1st
FEBRUARY 2008 - SECOND ROUND |
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Lauren
Selby bt Susie King 3/2 |
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"It was a bit
of a tough match, rather argumentative with the ref, a lot of stop
start, not really enjoyable, neither for us or for the spectators, I
would say....
And a bit frustrating...
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Triciah
Chuah y bt Claire Kidd 3/0 |
|
 "At
the same time I'm happy with my game, and also frustrated. I let her get
away with the second game 8/0, to come back at 5/8, to finally lose 9/5.
And if only I could have taken the 3rd...
Still, I'm happy, before I had the feeling that I couldn't compete, that
I would lose 27/0, now I felt I could compete, I got a lot of balls
back...
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AND WE
ARE RUSHING...
 It's
now 6.07pm, and I'm still on the desk slaving away... Needless to say I
haven't had the time to breath yet, but that's not important, what is, is
that another shock, Kimberlay Hay confirms her good form by beaten
compatriot Rachel Willmott 3/1.
No trouble at all for Alison Waters, 3/0 against Lauren Gray,
a player she used to play in juniors, and who hasn't played for a while,
although she made a few nice shots, said Alison, or Deon Saffery
against Helen Macfie 3/0.
But a good battle for Carrie Hastings who got a lot of trouble
getting rid of Isabelle Tweedle, 9/3 in the 5th...
 Then
a surprise, a 3/2 victory for Lauren Selby, sister of, against
Susie King, in a match that was a bit controversial, a lot of
discussions with the ref, and both players getting annoyed...
A good match from Scot number 1 Claire Kidd against seed number 2
Triciah Chuah, and some straight victories for Sarah Kippax against
lovely Scot Frania, what a great girl that one is, and also for Karen
Schultz against Fiona Moverley. |
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|
MEN ,
THE RETURN...
And I missed the start of Alex Stait against Daryl Selby, but
it seemed from up there that Alex was never really in the match, and just
returned the ball. I know he's been doing a lot of coaching, did that play a
role? He says no, that it doesn't. And surely, he knows!
Now, about the match Andy Whipp v Stacey Ross. Mmm, neither of
them were happy with their performance. Both tired, both inaccurate they
said...
Still Andy managed to string a few points at the end of the 5th, while
Stacey seemed to completely run out of steam...
|
Andy
Whipp bt Stacey Ross 3/2 |
NEXT ON...
... were Tim Vail against Farzan Rasheed. Another
good match from Tim, with a Farzan getting better as the match
went on. Still, Tim prevails by fighting back, coming back from
6/1 down in the 3rd, and 8/2 in the 4th...
|
Tim Vail
bt Farzan Rasheed 3/0 |
 A
tough but very fair match between Alex Gough and
Campbell Grayson, from New Zealand, now based in Halifax,
and who trains with Paul Hornsby. Long rallies in the first,
very close in the second, ended on a tie-break in favour of the
Welsh Devil.
Coming back from 2/0 down seemed a bit too much for young
Campbell, who strung tin after tin in the last game.
But it was a very pleasant match indeed, and if Campbell had
taken the second, Alex could have had another match on his
hands...
PETER
AND PETER...
At the same time, we had Peter Barker facing Oliver
Pett, a straight win for Peter, who slightly struggled in
the first game, to got a good control after that...
Joanne, the lovely student whose been helping me for this round,
said, " I enjoyed watching Oliver and Peter. I had not seen
Oliver before but had heard from Peter as he is is in the top 20
of the world! It was very interesting to watch them both as I
saw that some rallies were quite brisk with sharp accuracy and
others flagged a little with tiredness. However I was impressed
with their fitness and accuracy."
A SQUASH LESSON...
 Well,
I never had the chance to see Marsh at his best, and if
what I could see tonight against Joe Lee was only a
glimpse of what he used to be, no wonder he was so powerful and
lethal.
Not the best shotmaker in the world, but an accuracy, but a
capacity to read his opponent's game and therefore able to take
the ball so early, but a sense where to put the ball. A bit like
if you were giving a squash lesson, and try and show where the
ball should go in the best scenario. Well, that's where Marsh
would put it.
Never falling in the trap of playing short, always surprising
his opponent by delaying his shots to the limit, Peter Marshall
was never taken out of his comfort zone by a tired Joe Lee, who
still makes far too many tins. I'm no specialist, but it looks
to me that this boy needs a bit more strength on the quads, to
allow him to stabilise his body better when hitting the ball
under pressure.
But hey, what do I know...
|
Peter
Marshall bt Joe Lee 3/0 |
|
"I think he
had a rather tiring earlier match, and I guess he was a bit tired from
that. Also, he got a bit frustrated, because the game was so tight, and
he was trying to play shots from the back.
I think it's good for younger player to battle like that on court,
tactically, it's important, I went through that phase at his age, you
think you are going to win matches, and you don't. But that's good
experience.
Maybe he should have varied the pace a bit more, and also maybe be a bit
more patient..."
"The early match took a lot
out of me, not just in the legs, but also in the head. And when you play
against somebody with such an accuracy... I don't know, maybe if I had
been fresher, I would have done better...
I also think that I switched game plans too quickly, I didn't stick to
one long enough.
David Campion said that I got him tired at some point during the match,
but then I did a few unforced errors in a row, and he got his breath
back...
But I guess that's what you are supposed to do, back it up after a good
win.
 |
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Daryl
Selby bt Alex Stait 3/0 |
|
 "I
was moving well, hitting well, while Alex said several times to himself
"stop feeding the ball", and I know he's been coaching...
I've been training a lot recently, trying to reassess my game, and add
new things, and I thought that I would take a step back maybe in January
with all that training, but it doesn't seem that I am.
It's such a great event to come to, it allows us to play competitive
squash, and try out things, like I'm trying to work on at the moment,
like being more aggressive, and forward thinking, not just sending the
ball back...
 "I've
been injured - the knee again - since Christmas, which is really a shame
as I was playing really well.
I'm massively unfit, and he played very well too. Shame, I could have
done with a few matches, but today, I was way out of the pace..."
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Alex
Gough bt Campbell Grayson 3/0 |
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"I felt comfortable in the
first game, but he started to play better, still I took a good start and
just kept it going.
The second was much closer, altough I was up 5/1, but he stepped the
pace up, and my width was particularly bad, and he was fast, very very
fast, and I became a bit puffy.
In the third, I think he made so much effort in the 2nd, he was probably
tired...
"Training with Paul has made a huge difference, in New Zealand, I had so
much to travel to get games, not enough players...
I think today was all down to Alex' experience, he played the big points
better than I did.
In the second for example, I had two game point, but I wasn't patient
enough, but he was...
 |
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Peter
Barker bt Oliver Pett 3/0 |
|
 |
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Jon
Harford bt Alan Clyne 3/1 |
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"I didn't feel
fresh as much as I wanted to as I had a game earlier today.
I go to the front of the court quite easily which was a good strength.
My legs are nearly done now!
However I felt confident with this match against John. I wish I
had made it to the 5th... I am a little disappointed with that."
 |
|
And to
finish...
 Two
great matches to finish, unfortunately for the Scot crowd, Jon Harford
beats Alan Clyne 3/1. Here is what Joanna had to say on the match...
"This match was interesting, Alan Clyne is extremely quick with his fit
cardiovascular endurance but John was fit as well but his movement was quick
too but not as fast. It was a great match. I thought though at times that
Alan was a little desperate to win some rallies so some mistakes occurred.
Both very accurate, quick and good players."
Then we had a splendid exhibition from Hadrian Stiff at the front of
the court, but still a victory for Ali Walker.
Still, as Daryl commented "it was a great game of squash, really enjoyed it,
you both moved very well, very good at the front..." |
|
Ali
Walker bt Hadrian Stiff 3/1 |
|
"Hadrian is a
good player, a very good player. You know these guys, they don't play on
the tour anymore, they can pick their events and play their best then!
I felt I was a bit heavy at the front, but also because he was playing
so well there.
But it's all a great preparation for the Nationals, and I'm very happy
to get a win here...
 |
|
|
"I just
couldn't keep the pace up, the body started to break down, a bit like I
did against Bianchetti in the League...
Why did I stop the circuit? Because I lost the will to win, when I was
in my mid late twenties. Now, like a few players, Andy Whipp, Marcus
Berret, at another level, as we get older, we understand squash much
better than we did when we were young. I play squash much better now
than I ever did, it's just the body that cannot sustain the pace for
long enough..."
 |
|
|
1st
FEBRUARY 2008 - FIRST ROUND |
|
LONG DAY AHEAD...
 Didn't
start well, I must say, as the hotel I was booked in "forgot" to mention to
the Club that they were under refurbishment, and that I was awaken this
morning at 8 by the noise of four polish plumbers banging away that not only
cut the heating system, but also the water!
What did they think, that I wouldn't notice??Bless..
Still, Super Simon Boughton, the Club Pro, saved me, picked me up
early morning, and found me a lovely room in a hotel right at the corner of
the club, that was supposed to be full, but the word "Frog in distress"
seemed to have done the trick...
So, now washed, rested, I'm ready to face the music, and the two rounds of
men and women that are waiting for me.
Well, I was told that I'll have the lovely Joanna to help out tonight as
well, so, everything is under control people, why are you panicking???? |
 |
|
Helen
Macfie bt Harriet Ingham 3/1
"I didn't know what to expect, I only knew I was playing a 15 years old
girl, and they are usually pretty good! And she was.. If you give her
control, she hits some very good shots....
This is my club, so I wanted to represent it, and it's always very nice
to play in a tournament.
"During the first two games, I was snatching a lot, I wasn't patient
enough, and made a lot of silly errors.
Then in the 3rd, I seemed to relax, enjoy it more, and cut the errors.
But in the 4th, I did two tins, and it was all downhill from there...
I enjoyed it still, it was a good experience...
 |
|
LADIES
FIRST...
First on was English junior Kimberlay Hay, that showed a lot of
control today as she faced the "emotional" Senga Macfie, from
Scotland, who used to play for England as a junior, I'm told, to reach a
very decent level.
Now aged 39, Senga hasn't lost both her touch and her self-destructive
demons, that push her to alternate superb winner with monologues that cannot
help her staying in the match really. Shame, as she is obviously bursting
with talent...
Still, Kimberlay kept her concentration at all times, and after losing the
first, just kept on going to add point after point to finally take the match
3/1.
|
 Kimberly
Hay bt Senga Macfie 3/1
"It was only my second BSPA, the first one was Boston, I lost in the
second round.
I don't know what I'm expecting really, I just assume that all the girls
will be very good, and I'm trying to do my best..."
 |
Next
court, we had Senga's sister, Helen Macfie, 36, a ful
time landscape in architecture student, who was battling away
against 15 years old Harriet Ingham (if you are English,
you'll know of the Ingham's family, they are a squash players'
family).
And the little Harriet has got a good future, I must say. She
hits terribly well, she know how to be patient (sometimes!), and
is a fighter. Still, far too many unforced errors against a
Scottish lady who's experienced served her well, and Helen will
play in the second round against Deon Saffery.
 Then
we had another Scotland favorite, Frania G'n-Buchert, who
played a tight and disputed match against Elina Kononem,
in a very good spirited encounter, although poor Elina wears a
mark of a ball on the thigh that must have hurt...!
But no bad feeling whatsoever between the two ladies! Frania
3/1.
|
 Frania
G'n-Buchert bt Elina Kononem 3/1
"Elina doesn't stop, and she runs, and runs, and runs, and she gets
everything back, and it's very nice to play a tough match against her.
I'm hoping to get a space on the doubles' Scotland team, and for the
single, I'm trying to play as many WISPA as I can, to try and get a
decent ranking.
But as at the moment, there is no way I can go full time, I'm just
trying to enjoy my squash, and play as much as I can when I can..."
 |
|
|
 Claire
Kidd bt Katie Quarterman 3/0
"It was very hot on there, and it was hard to get the ball to settle
down. Today, I tested my fitness, and we had long rallies that probably
a year ago I would have lost, but that I won today...
I played very well, I thought I was moving well around the court, there
was not much I couldn't get back, and I'm happy with the work I did on
my fitness".
 |
|
 |
|
AND THE
BOYS...
A still not settled down Andy Whipp open the hostilities on court
against funnily enough the young brother of my late "French" coach - Shah
Jahan Khan - Obaid Jahan Khan. Those two players were both quite
determined to win this match , and a few words were exchanged, but nothing
that the calm ref couldn't handle very quickly.
A 3/1 victory for Andy, who'll need to raise his game soon if he wants to
stay in the event... But he knows that.
Then a lot of matches I couldn't even glimpse at, like Daryl Selby
who beats Carl Hampson 3/0, seems easy, but the first game seemed
pretty long to me... Also Stacey Ross who despatched of a Rory
Pennell that got better as the match unfold, still a 3/0 victory for
Stacey...
We had an interesting match on the central court, Paul Franck, Scotland
Performance Director, against Alex Stait, which yet again, I couldn't see,
but I got Roger Flynn, Scotland National Coach, who's bound to know
something about squash, his view on it.
|
Alex
Stait bt Paul Franck 3/1 (14/12 in the 4th)
"I think he played at a pace too fast for him in the first, and that
after that, he had to calm it down. And he managed that by lobbing
absolutely everything, that got me frustrated, and the more he would be
tired, the more he would lob, and the more I would be frustrated...
 "It
was a tactical match between a Paul Franck that hadn't played a
competitive match for several years, and a player like Alex Stait.
It was tactical in the sense that playing a young bloke at his own game
is probably not a good idea. So Paul adjusted his game, and succeeded to
break him a few time. Still, a couple of errors at a crucial time, and
it's all over...
But Paul succeeded to frustrate Alex just enough, and squash is not
about the physical aspect, you know, there is a lot of things going on
out there...
 |
And we get to Alex Gough, who came here in preparation
for the Nationals, after his niggling injury that he got during
the Team Words in India.
He had a tough game against Steven Siviter, who got a
long five game yesterday which he managed to win 12/10 against a
young player, Rudy, but was up and running today against Wesh
number 1.
Both players were happy to play long rallies, Alex was patient,
and Steven very determined. End result, a very pleasant match
that Steven will be proud of.
|
Tim Vail
bt James Jacobsen 3/0
 "The
back is not too bad, I saw the physio yesterday, so it' going to be fine
for a few days.
I just played tight and sensible, just keeping it tidy and under
control. Didn't suffer from the heat on court really, just run on the
confidence of my match against Jesse in the League this week, where I
play well.
 |
HALF DAY GONE...
Oh boy, I've got the feeling I'm losing the battle of the first
round, I tell you... Running like a headless chicken...
Right, now, David Campion nearly pulled it again, he was
down 2/0 against Farzan Rasheed when I left, but he
managed to come back in the third.
Farzan won the first two rather comfortably, but in the third,
David got more and more into the match, and the rallies got
longer, and it seemed that there was nothing Farzan could play
that David couldn't reach.
 In
the fourth, there was a few refereeing decisions, nothing bad,
but things were getting a bit tense. The two were very close but
at 8/5, Farzan just piled on the points till the end. Still
David looked like he could have played another game, and it's
only in the last three rallies that his legs seemed to slow down
slightly, allowing Farzan to close the match... (thanks to the
great ref who gave me such a detailed report!)
|
Farzan
Rasheed bt David Campion 3/1
"I came here to watch our young players, as we have a few competitions
coming up, the under 19, for example. And it gives me the opportunity to
get a few games as well..."
 |
Good surprise, for him anyway (not sure about his opponent, a
young Australian that trains with the Scottish team), but
Peter Marshall, former squash top player, succeeded to beat
Aaron Fyfe in straight games.
Well done, Peter, must be married life that gives you wings...
NEARLY THE END...
Big surprise, Joe Lee outs a Scott Handley that
never looked at his best, but all credit to Junior Joe to stick
in there, and get the biggest scalp of his young career (I
think?), 3/1
 A
good battle from Dave Barnett, as ever, but who
eventually bows down to young Oliver Pett, 3/1. A bit
more easy for Peter Barker who despatched of Ryan Thompson in 3,
but his opponent enjoyed every minute of it...
No miracle for our Club Pro Simon Boughton, whose
"fitness is pathetic", end of quote as he was playing against
Hadrian Stiff, 3/0 for Hadrian...
|
Hadrian
Stiff bt Simon Boughton 3/0
"I really enjoy playing Hadrian and players like him, but I just can't
keep up with the pace, I'm dying off my feet after half a game"
 |
Last
on court, Alistair Walker who beats Mick Biggs 3/0, and
probably the biggest upset of the tournament, Scot number 1
Alan Clyne beats Never Say Die Simon Parke, last
year's winner, 11/7 in the 5th...
 It
all started very well for young Alan, who took a very disputed
first game on the tie-break, 4-2 after 25 minutes. Simon looked
beat, I must say, but girlfriend Jayne Massarella said "well, in
the first round, he's get off the coaching mode""... And she was
right, as Simon took the second 5-3!
Still, Alan reassessed, and long rally after long rally,
gruelling pace after retrieving from hell from Simon, got the
3rd. Surely, that was the end for the retired player, he had to
be dead.
But no, of course not, Simon clawed back, 11/9 in the 4th, and
even looked the winner as he lead 5/0 in the fifth. But was it
fitness? Right at the end, the Englishman couldn't stop the
young Scot, carried by a rightly supportive crowd, who takes it
after 85 long minutes.
"Good luck for tomorrow" shouts a Scots fan to Alan as he is
leaving the club. "It's not tomorrow, it's tonight. And he had a
bye as well".
Well, sorry Alan, but no. Jon Harford didn't have 1 bye, but 2,
as both his opponent for the preliminary round arrived too late
to play due to a late flight and of the first round was
injured....
Lucky thing...!
|
 John
Harford gets two byes...
"I think they all must be scared of me, my reputation precedes me...
 |
|
|
 Andy
Whipp bt Obaid Jahan Khan 3/1
"I need to get inspired, at the moment, I just going through the motion.
I just hope that I'll play better against a better opponent, as I seem
to play at the level of the player I'm playing against..."
 "I
couldn't control the ball properly, I won the second, but should have
won the 3rd, it was very close, I just lost my concentration, my
patience at the end.
I would have like to play deeper in the back corners, but he was playing
too well, he wouldn't let me.
I've learnt something from this defeat, I need to do more training..."
 |
|
Peter
Marshall bt Aaron Fyfe 3/0
"I'm always happy to get a win these days!
As far as my game is concerned, I can still hit the ball alright, it's
all what's got to do with the physical side that can get frustrating,
speed, movement and fitness. It's a combination really, between getting
older, of course, and also not training full time as when you were a
professional.
So, yes, it can get frustrating, but nobody can run as if they were
young, well, except Alex Gough, of course, who can still run as if he
was 21! He must have a secret that he keeps well hidden!....
 |
|
Joe Lee
bt Scott Handley 3/1
 "I
still can't believe it!
From the start I felt that he was not his normal self, so I just stuck
in there, especially at the end.
I've been training on the downcoast with Peter Genever, and it has made
a huge difference, like I said yesterday, I play more tidier, and I just
only chase the ball away...
Although I hope this is not the end of my good form, a big THANK YOU
PETER...."
 |
|
Oliver
Pett bt Dave Barnett 3/1
"I'm tired....
He is so experienced, and super fit, he doesn't give you anything cheap,
you've got to earn every point, and fight for it.
Today, I was able to hit a good length consistently, and I was able to
take advantage of the few openings I was able to create..."
 |
|
Peter
Barker bt Ryan Thompson 3/0
 "Not
good to play Peter in the first round but then again, if you play those
tournaments, it's to play the top guys.
What is amazing with Peter, is that he is so clinical. Every shot he
plays has got a purpose, even if he plays a length, he makes it dies in
the back.
I'm sure he'll be in the top 8 this year, he is at that level, he is top
class..."
 |
|
Alan
Clyne bt Simon Parke 3/2
"That has got to be the best win of my career. I've been playing well
lately, and got close to get a few scalps, and I'd never managed it so
far.
Simon gave me a few opportunities at the front, he boasted me a few
times, and played short as well, and that gave me a few chances.
But in the fourth, I started to float the ball, not sure why, whereas I
was supposed to keep the pace up.
In the fifth, I took an awful start, 5/0 down, but still managed to come
back. Not sure what made the difference in the end. Because I've been
fit for years, but didn't have the racquet skills to finish it off
maybe? And also because maybe I didn't used to take the ball early
enough?
I'm very pleased with that win actually.
 |
|
|
FIRST ROUND PRELIMINARY
- 31st JANUARY 2008 |
Men's
Preliminary and Main Draws |
|
IN PASSING....
As Complete Legend Steve Cubbins is having a relaxing weekend covering the
Badminton Nationals in Manchester, I'll be faced with the daunting task of
being
webmaster as well as doing the reporting.
So, please be patient, and understanding, as I'm not half as fast in English
as I am in French, not to mention that my webmastering skills are NOT my
strongest point...
In other words, I'll do my best.... |
31-Jan 08
THE FROG HAS LANDED...
 It
was with a lovely pouring down with rain and a sharp wind that I was
welcomed to the city of Edinburgh. Last time I came here was during the
summer of '95, as I was performing in the Festival. It was warm and sunny
then.
What happened?????
Still, I had the choice between a tournament in Nîmes, in the Sunny South of
France, and this 128 draw event, and that's just for the men. And I chose
the wind, snow and cold. Why, you may ask?
Because I so love Scottish people. They wear in their heart the warmth their
climate lacks. And that's worth the trip any day of the week in my book....
|
 |
|
GOOD START...
Right on time, 5.30pm, off we went, at the same time on five courts... Needless
to say I couldn't see them all, but still, got a nice idea of what was going
on...
Ryan Thompson had a good first game with Paul Bell, but as the
match went on Paul started to make too many errors, and opened the court
more and more for his opponent, Ryan, 3/0....
Oliver Pett and Alex Philipps had a few long rallies, but I
had the impression that Oliver was pretty much in control, and distributing
the game for most of the match, don't shoot me if that's not the case!
Oliver, 3/0.
Joe Lee, a perfect performance today, varying his game beautifully,
finding perfect length all over the place, nice drop shots, and great
hitting. In other words, he didn't leave many chances for Sam Wileman.
Joe, 3/0.
Now, for the two Scots that were facing each other, Graham Melvin and
Adam Bews, the slender Graham never seemed as though he was going to lose
the encounter, I don't know, a certain self confidence, whereas his opponent
was a bit negative at times. I guess those two play each other often, and
Graham must be wining most of the time..
|
Graham
Melvin bt Adam Bews 3/1
"I had a lapse in concentration in the third, I had match ball, then made
a couple of errors. He started to play very well, found a few nice
shots, and got the game.
"Today, I think I probably volleyed better, and controlled the centre of
the court quite well, and that allowed me to find my length."
 |
 AND THEN...
Hadrian Stiff,
with a little mark on the nose, compliment form the English
League, was able to impose his "boring stuff", as he calls it,
against a "never say die" young Chris Truswell, who
although 2/0 and 5/2, still run and fought to win the match.
Good spirit that boy.... Hadrian, 3/0.
|
Hadrian
Stiff bt Chris Truswell 3/0
"I played Chris at the end of last year, so I had an idea of what to
expect, but I tried to concentrate on doing what I do well, as in
finding good length, playing fairly straight, and gettig the drop shot
working, pretty boring stuff really.
"But the ball was very fast, and I played more crosscourts than I would
normally do. Still, fairly happy with the result...."
"He didn't give me much to hit, I couldn't step up the court to attack
as I would normally do, as his length was so good, and it was pretty hot
on there too..."
 |
 While Dave Barnett and
Obaid Jahan Khan won comfortably 3/0, Alan Clyne and
Mark Fuller made the spectators very happy. First of
all, because the match lasted a VERY long time, with a
succession of long up and down patient rallies which on a warm
court, can last a long time. And also, because the local favorite and Scottish number
one finally won.
The first and third games were particularly disputed, and both
could have gone either way, just a few tins here and there...
Still, it looked like we were going to go to a fifth, when a few
errors started to creep into Mark's game....
AND IT GOES ON....
 I've got a confession to make. If I came Thursday night, instead
of the Friday that would have been more logical for me, it was
to see Mad Dog Andy Whipp against local Stuart
Crawford, two players that I do like on and off court.
Well, it was not the best match Andy ever played, he was so laid
back at the start he could have fallen over, opening a few
opportunities for the Scot who still made a few errors too
many.
The Englishman seemed to find a bit of focus and power in the
end, playing some great boasts and lobs, and that coincided with
the moment Stuart was running out of steam.
Still, a good effort from Stuart, who still needs to have a bit
more confidence in his chances....
For the matches I didn't have a chance to have a glance at, we
had two contrasting 3/0 results, Mick Biggs who won
very easily against Liam Balcombe 3/0, whereas Rory
Pennell had to fight hard to get a 11/9, 12/10, 11/6 victory
against Mick Dickens...
AND TO FINISH...
 So many men, so little time... Sorry, meant so many MATCHES, so
little time. Couldn't see even a glimpse of England Coach
David Campion, who won 3/2 against young Chris Ferguson,
after trailing 2/0, or newly married (since September, "and
still married", he laughs) Peter Marshall, (who I
will see in the over 35 draw at the Nationals in a few days),
who didn't give poor Graeme Stewart much chance, giving
him only a few points, or Joel Hinds who didn't have too
much trouble to get rid of an opponent who is still a junior,
Richard King, and even if he played well at the start of
the second, made far too many errors to threaten the solid
Englishman.
|
Peter
Marshall bt Graeme Stewart 3/0
 "I came here in 1988 for the World Juniors, and Edinburgh is a good
place to come. So, I thought I would come here to get a few games in
preparation for Manchester, and also to have a nice social weekend away -
but not too social..."
 |
 But
the match of the day has to be the one between not-that-young-anymore Steven Siviter against fresh out of the
juniors Rudy Willemse.
Steven played the two first games with great speed and authority,
and seemed to have match won, when Rudy started to find great
shot after great shot, putting his opponent under a lot of
pressure, and stretching him to the limit.
The junior came back, and at 10/10 in the fifth it was anybody's,
really. But experience on one side, against a bit of nerves on
the other, and Steven takes it on his third match ball. Great
match.
Last people on were Farzan Rasheed who fought hard to beat
Lyall Paterson 3/1, while Alex Stait had a little
walk in the park against Greg McArthur, dropping only 6
points, as did Scotland Performance Director Paul Frank
against Colin Stirrat, dropping only 5....
 |
|
Oliver
Pett bt Alex Philips
3/0
 "Today I succeeded to hit the ball more consistently, and put him under
a lot of pressure. And although the rallies were quite long, I didn't
feel that he was doing too much with the ball, and that because I was
putting him under pressure, he would
eventually make the error..."
 |
|
Joe Lee bt Sam
Willeman
3/0
 "I've been working on playing tidier shots from the back of the court,
instead of just chasing the ball, and in that regard, today was good, my
game was much tidier than usual..."
 |
|
Alan
Clyne bt Mark Fuller 3/1
 "I was worn out in the third, really tired. I don't know what I was
thinking, I guess just taking that game.
"Funnily enough, I felt better in the fourth than I did for the all match,
but at the end, I started to make a few unforced errors.
"If only I could have kept" it going a little bit longer...
 "I was 7/1 in the third, and I started to make a few errors, while he
didn't seem to make any!
"Still, I felt quite confident, and was able to keep the pace up,
something that a year ago, I may not have managed. I've worked a lot on
playing at a fast pace, and still be accurate..."
|
|
Steven
Siviter bt Rudy Willemse
3/2 (12/10 in the 5th)
"It was very hot in there, a bit like a sauna, really. And I was
very tired in the fifth, but what made the difference, was Andy Whipp
actually, who gave me good and simple advice, like to stop putting the ball
at the front when he is already there, things you simply forget when you
are out of focus..."
"I was definitely nervous in the first two games, as it's my first
professional tournament, nothing was coming off, and he stuck in there.
"But when I found myself 2/0 down, I told myself I had nothing to lose and my
game started to work, and it did work until 10/10 in the fifth! But there,
he was a bit more tough than I was.
"Losing 12/10 in the fifth is a bit tough to swallow, but you've got to
accept it..."
 |
|
|
Barker
tops Artemis draw
Preview from Ian Williams
Peter Barker, World No 12, tops the seedings at this year’s Artemis
Edinburgh Open Squash Championships to be held at the Edinburgh Sports Club
on 31 January - 3 February. Also appearing are defending champion Simon
Parke, World No 20 Alex Gough and, in the ladies event, World No
12, Alison Waters.
 Barker
& Gough are seeded to meet in the Mens Final. Waters is seeded to meet
Tricia Chuah of Malaysia – currently ranked World No 29 – in the Ladies
Final.
The home challenge is led by current Scottish internationals Stuart
Crawford & Alan Clyne, plus Simon Boughton – the Squash
Professional at ESC. National Champion and Scotland’s No
1, Claire Kidd, Frania Gillen-Buchert, and former Scottish
Internationalists Senga & Helen Macfie, both of Edinburgh Sports
Club, lead the local challenge in the ladies event.
Artemis, the Edinburgh based investment management company, are sponsoring
the event for the eighth consecutive year. The event remains the richest on
the BSPA Grand Prix with a total prize fund of £10,000.
 "The
continuing support of Artemis is wonderful news for Edinburgh Sports Club
and for squash in Scotland generally.
"The event continues to attract high quality international players with an
increasing number of professional players seeking to progress via a
qualifying round on the opening day of the tournament."
ESC Manager
The Championships begin on
Thursday 31st January, concluding with the finals on Sunday 3rd February.
Ticket information 0131 332 0088. |
 DRAWS:
 "Artemis
is delighted to continue to support the Edinburgh Open Squash Championships.
Since its inaugural event eight years ago, the championship has become a
firm fixture on the international squash calendar.
"It is also a great opportunity to showcase local talent, permitting young
players, perhaps for the first time, to gain invaluable experience by
competing at the top level."
Artemis Chief Executive |
|
