ESPORTA

SURREY H&R OPEN
30-Mar to 02-Apr 2006

Esporta Health &
Rackets, Croydon
Tel: 020 8253 1300

Pete Smith
020 8253 1316

ESPORTA ARCHIVE

Sunday 2nd April - Final

[1] Peter Genever bt [2] Tim Garner
11/7, 10/11 (2-0) 11/8, 11/2

ONE MATCH TOO FAR...

After the first game, Tim was tired. After the second game, he was exhausted. And after the third, he was absolutely knackered.

That is I feel an accurate summary of what happened tonight between Lambs Manager Tim Garner and Lambs Coach Peter Genever (just in case you don't know, Lambs is a club in the City of London...)

Add to that a Peter Genever at the top of his form, relaxed, precise, lethal in other words, and you have a pretty good picture of the final.

Ah. No. Another thing. One let for the whole match. "Could have been a stroke", smiled Peter after the encounter.

The pace was quite fast, as Tim was going for shots, and Peter was counterattacking quite "à propos". No time to hang around, not many "up and down the wall" tonight....

Tim gave all that he had in the tank tonight, fighting until the last drop, but in the fourth, he just ran dry. He was down 10/0 match ball, but avoided the humiliation of 11/0.

Still the crowd got a good show, as both players gave their 110%, and even the kids didn't move an inch until it was all over. And that is the best proof that the show was top quality, trust me...

"Peter played really really well, tight shots, perfect length. On top of that, he knows my game very well, and he is aware that I'm attacking much more than I used to, and he was moving extremely well to the front of the court.

"So it was a bit a catch 22, I didn't know if I was supposed to attack, as he would be so fast on the ball, or to defend. And if he had played a few more loose shots, I would have been able to attack more...

"I so enjoy playing squash. That's why I'm still doing it. I don't enjoy the hanging around during a tournament, but I enjoy the squash. And today, I really enjoyed this match, which made this whole event worthwhile...."

Tim Garner

Photo Gallery

DRAWS

"Tim started the match very well, but then got tired, and that's the build up of matches when you do tournaments like this one. He doesn't get to train much at the moment, whereas I've played quite a few of these events.

"It happened to me at the BSPA Wimbledon, I got to the final against Scott, and I just didn't have that edge...

"But still, he played quite well, and I had to move very well to beat him today. Had I been sluggish, he would have beaten me.

"Isn't it nice to play a match like that? No interference, no conning of the ref. That's what makes it enjoyable for me.

"I've started taking care of a couple of young professionals I would like to help. And for the future, I'm going to try and play some more squash, maybe take on some more players, and enjoy my coaching..."

Peter Genever

"We (Head UK) are very pleased with the way the HEAD BSPA circuit has gone this season so far (2005/6), all the events have been run very professionally and efficiently. The big difference that has been noticed this year is the increase in numbers and new faces at the events, especially a large number of juniors taking part in the events (though it would still be nice to see some more….)

"The coverage that we receive on Squashsite is a great help in getting us extra exposure from the events and helps us to justify supporting the Grand Prix. The events seem to keep returning with an even stronger draw each year, long may it continue!"

Andy Catchpole
Racquet Sports Promotions Manager

Saturday 1st April - Evening

Semi-Finals:

[1] Peter Genever bt [5/8] Steve Coppinger
6/11, 11/9, 11/2, 11/5
[2] Tim Garner bt [3/4] Tim Vail
12/10, 4/11, 11/7, 9/11, 11/9

I know I can play the ball, they know they can play the ball, the only thing is the mental battle around it.

I couldn't get focused in the beginning, and Steve is a very good player. Then we had a few hard rallies, and it became obvious that he was tired from his previous matches.

So I just played better squash, and exposed the fact he was tired...

Like I said previously, I think the BSPA events are a excellent opportunity for young professionals to play with more experienced players. But sometimes, they can be satisfied with just taking a game out of you.

On this tournament, it was not the case at all. The youngsters didn't come here to get one game, they got their game and still wanted to win. And that's what it's all about....

Peter Genever

I was pretty disappointed with the way I played the whole tournament, and the fact I had to stay on court that long to win my matches, having as a result to arrive in the semi exhausted.

Tonight, I thought I was in control for more or less two games, then I got really tired, and couldn't move.

Steve Coppinger

[1] Peter Genever bt [5/8] Steve Coppinger
6/11, 11/9, 11/2, 11/5

CLEVER GENEVER...

As we say in French, Peter Genever has forgotten to be stupid, and today again, got himself out of deep trouble, 1/0 and 7/2 down, to come back and win a match that could have been a tricky one.

Steve Coppinger, 21, was firing excellent short shots towards the Chichester Man, and got him right out of his comfort zone on a regular basis. But then Peter turned things round by holding his shots, in particular on the backhand crosscourt that wrong footed the South African again and again, and again. Starting from the third game, the poor young man was always on the back foot and Peter never looked back.

Still, the former Birmingham student from South Africa has got reasons to rejoice, as it would seem that his decision to give up a Masters in Mathematical Engineering was a good choice, as Head just signed him... And what are the young man's ambitions? "Going to the top".

I feel I will be seeing a lot of Mr Coppinger in the months to come....

RUNS IN THE FAMILY

I did meet Paul Daniels, at the Nationals in Manchester, and we started talking about Squash, IT and Internet. Vast conversation.

And it was a good surprise to realise that he actually trains in Esporta, well, not only him, but he's got a bunch of interesting sparring partners!

From the left, Luke and India, then Finn with his dad. And off the screen, we have Isaac, only two weeks old, who was watching the training session from the safe heaven of his mum's arms.

And India and Finn are already serious about their coaching, so watch out.....

[2] Tim Garner bt [3/4] Tim Vail
12/10, 4/11, 11/7, 9/11, 11/9

CLOSE CALL...

To be honest, I didn't think that Tim Garner was going to get out of that one, as Tim Vail was on fire tonight, despite yet again a back trouble.

Vail is one of the most unpredictable players that you can find. In particular on the backhand, he finds shots that come from nowhere, I'm not sure he even knows that he can play them!

In the other corner, we've got Garner, whose shot making ability is not too bad either, thank you very much, and whose fitness is quite remarkable.

The Result? A decider that could have been anybody's really, the pressure was on from the first rally to the last, short but intense, high pace, exploring each inch of the four corners.

A highly enjoyable match. Sorry you missed it....

Tim dictates most of what happens on the court, and there is no pattern really..

He hits some amazing shots, especially his backhand crosscourt. You just can't see it coming. With other players, you can see them preparing their shots, and start running, but with Tim, it's absolutely impossible.

Very often, I couldn't believe that he could even play a crosscourt, let alone hit the nick!

So when you've got the chance, you've got to attack, because he keeps picking your shots off, and eventually finds a winner...

For the finals tomorrow, I've played Peter quite a few times, but I haven't won for quite a while...

I entered the tournament to get a bit of squash in, and play a few matches, as I've got the PSL and German League coming up. It has served its purpose!

Tim Garner

I'm hitting the ball very well, I'm just
struggling with my movement. And Tim was very good at making me move around the court.

Tim used to be an "up and down the wall" kind of player, obviously, he has changed his game, which makes it a quite enjoyable match to watch, and a quite enjoyable match to play!

Still, very frustrating not to be able to move properly....

Tim Vail

DOUBLES? PROBLEM SORTED

After the quarters, we were having lunch with the two Tims, Peter Genever and Jana, his girl friend, and we came to talk about the "not so interesting" doubles syndrome, and the solutions to remedy to the problem.

"It's very simple", said Peter, "doubles don't work because the ball is too hot, it bounces too much. Whatever you do, widen the court, lower the tin, etc, you won't change much."

But we could find a ball that doesn't bounce that much, which would push people to go for shots or lob to get to the back, then the game would become much more interesting..."

Keeping it coming guys, if we all get cracking, we'll end up with a solution, for sure....

YEAH RIGHT...

As the quarters were raging on court 1 and 2, a lady stepped in and looking at the match between Peter Genever and Joel Hinds, asked Tim Garner "Is it a junior event?"

When he heard the story, Gentleman Genever decided to abandon his retirement projects and to come back to the circuit...

QUARTERS - SATURDAY MORNING

Saturday 1st April - Morning

Quarter-Finals:

[1] Peter Genever bt [5/8] Joel Hinds
      11/8, 11/9, 11/7
[5/8] Steve Coppinger bt [3/4] Ben Ford
         11/7, 13/11, 5/11, 11/9

[3/4] Tim Vail bt [5/8] Peter Billson
          11/3, 11/4, 11/4
[2] Tim Garner bt Chris Hall
         10/11, 11/7, 11/2, 11/8

SOUTH AFRICAN UPSET...

The only surprise so far in the BSPA event is the superb performance of former Birmingham Student Steve Coppinger, who disposed of Ben Ford in close but superb fashion in this morning's quarter-finals at Esporta Croydon.

For the rest, the seeds held their ranks high and proud, and it will be the number one and two seeds, Peter Genever and Tim Garner, who contest the final tomorrow.

Semi-final reports coming up ...

[1] Peter Genever bt [5/8] Joel Hinds
11/8, 11/9, 11/7

Don't listen to what Joel says, it was pretty close, and the match could have turned at any time really. But a mentally strong Genever held it together at the crucial times...

Joel is building up experience, and will be dangerous in the near future, as long as he works a bit on the precision of his game...

No, it was not a close match at all, too much hacking, I got a lot of opportunities that I didn’t take… I should have gone for nicks and drop shots…

Joel Hinds

It’s a bit the same as yesterday. Those young players just need a bit of confidence, it’s a great chance for them to get to play more experienced players.

I feel that sometimes, they don’t believe they can win, and they give you too much respect… But if they start believing, then they can be a real threat. So you’ve got to try and keep on top of them.

I find Joel hard to play, he is a big lad, he hits the ball well, he is very athletic, and always on the top of you. So I feel under pressure all the time, hurried, and I don’t like that, I like to take my time.

Now, as long as shots and control is concerned, he is not all there yet, but that’s good, it means he can still improve…

Peter Genever

I was a bit tired in the end, I think I was lucky that he was even more tired than I was.

Ben was moving me around the court very well , and it was very difficult to get into a rhythm. Also, I played too many loose shots, in particular on the backhand…

Steve Coppingher

[5/8] Steve Coppinger bt
[3/4] Ben Ford
11/7, 11/10(3-1), 5/11, 11/9

Very good performance yet again from Steve Coppinger, whose precision especially in the front corners is rather lethal. Good determination from both players, very focused, very concentrated.

A special mention to Ben Ford who even after losing 2/0 didn't give up, and still got the third. Some tremendous rallies, retrieving from Hell for both players, and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure how much Steve will still have in the tank to fight against Mr Genever tonight....

It was a good game, I really enjoyed it, Steve played very well, but I was just knackered. In the last game, I hit the wall really in the first rally, no juice in the legs at all…

I’ve got to run, I’m due to play football at 2.30!

Ben Ford

[3/4] Tim Vail bt [5/8] Peter Billson
11/3, 11/4, 11/4

He was just too good today, I didn’t seem to be able to play, just one of those days… On top of that, somebody took my racquet, and I was worried about that!

Peter Billson

My back is bothering again, and unfortunately, my physio is in jury duty, so I couldn’t get a treatment before the tournament. I wish I could finish a game without something going wrong!

I’m playing far too much squash at the moment, BSPA, leagues, plus the coaching. Recently, I had 11 matches in 6 days! I’m really looking forward to a good rest, after Colets I think…

Tim Vail

I’m basically and absolutely knackered! I had a very hard game on Thursday evening, plus those two hard matches yesterday. I could keep the right pace for a game and a half today, but after that, he picked up the pace quite a lot…

As I was tired, I would go for my shots, and half of them could come off, but the other half wouldn’t! And the ones that wouldn’t come off, Tim would put them away, and my legs wouldn’t carry me to run after them…

Chris Hall

[2] Tim Garner bt Chris Hall
10/11, 11/7, 11/2, 11/8

TIM EXQUISITE...

Mr Garner will be happy with his victory today, as Chris Hall is one of those very dangerous young men that flourish in the BSPA events.

Talented, quick to move, lovely touch, great speed, Chris took the first game, but was totally outplayed after that, not to mention totally exhausted.

Tim played the perfect game, and the good game plan, make the poor junior visit the four corners of the court on a rota basis...

Tim is now meeting... Tim.....

SECOND ROUND - FRIDAY EVENING

SOUTH AFRICAN DERBY....

Steve Coppinger bt Jason Barry 11/3, 7/11, 11/6, 6/11, 11/5

A very tight and close match. All the rallies were pretty long, with Steve Coppinger attacking beautifully and play a mighty fine short game, and Jason Barry picking up every shot under the electric lights….

One of those very nice matches coming from the combinations of two opposite style of squash…

"It was much closer than I was hoping it would be…

"In the fourth, there was a combination of factors really. I got a bit tired, and then, I couldn’t hit a decent length, all my shots were hitting the side walls, and that frustrated me. And it was a down spiral from there…

"I know Jason quite well, we play for the same province in South Africa, Natal.

"And today, he retrieved everything, forcing me to create my own opportunities, instead of just taking advantage of the ones he would have created."

Steve Coppinger

SUPERIOR JOEL...

Joel Hinds bt Temo Gomez 11/8, 11/8, 11/7
(28 m)

Once again Joel Hinds was in a different league, although 35 year old Temo Gomez has got some pretty good shots and a lovely touch. The Mexican is used to playing with hard hitters like Azlan Iskander or LJ Anjema, so he was very calm on the court, and gave Joel a pretty good run for his money, but couldn’t stand the pace that the young Englishman imposed all the way through…

"I was very happy that James Wright pulled out, as I was supposed to play Steve Coppinger, and the last time we played it was a very close match. So I still would have to play him if I get into the semis, but it’s nice to have an easier draw…

"When I get a bit too comfortable, I seem to lose a bit of concentration, but tomorrow, I’ll have to stay focused at all times…"
Joel Hinds

"I came to England in November to train for the Mexican trials, but because of some changes of schedule, I was not able to participate to those events.

So I’m staying in Chingford to train and learn a maximum with Neil Harvey, my coach, my friend, my mentor, he is such a great man.

I’m enjoying my stay in England a lot, I’m learning a lot, and I play in as many tournaments I can to acquire experience.

!And after that, I’ll go back to Mexico, to my squash club, where we have 8 courts. At the moment, it my family that takes care of it while I’m abroad…"

Temo Gomez

GENEVER SAFELY THROUGH

Peter Genever bt Tom Phipps
11/9, 11/2, 12/14, 11/8 (42m)

I only managed to see the last two games, in which Tom Phibbs was playing with great determination, and Peter Genever may have relaxed a bit, making a few silly errors that he paid by losing the 3rd on the tie-break.

In the last game, he got back on track, and the young Tom was slightly going through the motions, getting on the ball slightly late. Still, Phibbs saved three match balls (with a bit of help from Peter that chose that moment to make a few unforced errors), but tinned the last crosscourt back of the match…

But a pretty good battle at the front there, and look out for the young Phibbs. I’m pretty sure you’ll heard from him again… And now Peter Genever meets with Joel Hinds, which should be a very good match to watch…

I started off quite well, got to 6, 7 up, and thought, oh dear, never beat him before, and froze a little bit. Then in the second, he played extremely well.

The third was a bit scrappy, but I managed to win that one, and in the fourth, I was doing quite well, and then he put the ball in the corners where I wasn’t….

Peter is excellent at picking the shots at the front, at counterattacking them or at lobbing them, so you’ve really got to put them away, especially on a warm court like that one. And he also mixes the pace quite well…

Tom Phipps

JAMES STILL DANGEROUS

Chris Hall bt James Robbins 12/10, 1/11, 11/7, 11/9 (37m)

He may not be on the tour anymore, he may be restricted by a recurring injury, but James Robbins still has his magic touch and intelligence of play.

It took a lot of running and precision from young Chris Hall to win today, and James made sure his opponent won every point the hard way – the 11/1 the Esporta Pro inflicted on Chris in the second says it all.

Now I know that Chris is not looking forward to his next match, as he faces now old pro Tim Garner, who is never played. “I’ll do my best” confined Chris with a grim…

"The first game was pretty fast and close, he won it 11/9.

"But then in the second, James played so well, he took me apart with his shots, and flicked me all over the place!

"After this morning's match against James Snell, I was pretty tired, so I was glad that James Robbins went for shots, that way the rallies were not as long as they were this morning…

"This evening, my short game was good, much better than it was earlier, and this is the best I played for quite a while….
Chris Hall

FLYING RACQUET…

Ben Ford bt Joe Lee 11/9, 11/6, 11/5 (35m)

Oh it’s nice to see passionate youngsters, who want to do soooo well, who are desperate to achieve… and get a bit carried away sometimes…

That’s exactly what happened to young Joe Lee tonight. He really forced Ben Ford to play at his best in the first game, but after that, seemed to get more and more tense, and his game went just fell apart.

“Normally Joe is very calm, but tonight, he was very agitated, and he was playing loose,” analysed his father Danny after the game. “I thought he had a chance if he had taken the first game, as Ben was starting to make a few errors. But after that, he seemed to lose his way.”

A very frustrated Joe was teaching his racquet to fly high up in the air, and the balls were getting more in the centre of the court than tight near the walls. And with the experience that comes with the grey hair that make him soooo charming, Ben was able to win a match that was potentially very dangerous in three straight games…

It’s a good thing I won the first game, I would have been very tense if I hadn’t. I never thought I could lose it, and then I found myself at 9/9, and thought, “maybe I am!”

I’m played Joe before, and he played much better then than he did tonight. Maybe he put too much expectations on himself, and maybe he thought he could beat me. In the 2nd and the 3rd, he was getting tighter and tighter…

I know he likes to whack the ball around and play at a very fast pace, so I did exactly the opposite, and slowed it down as much as I could… And it worked…
Ben Ford

"I played well in the first game, but then he rolled a couple at 9/9, and I got really worked out...

"I didn't have the mental strength to keep my game plan after that, I just went for shots. Sometimes, it works, today, it didn't..."
Joe Lee

Peter Billson bt Tom Pashley
12/10, 8/11, 11/9, 11/3

A GENTLEMEN'S GAME

This is another perfect example of squash is all about, two perfectly behaved players, at the top of their respective game, offering us an extremely entertaining match, with not a word of recrimination, perfect honesty.

All the games were very close, played tight to the walls and front corners. But after an extremely disputed third, Tom seemed to lose a bit of focus, and couldn't force a decider...

It was a well mannered game, Tom is a nice player as well.

I played well for a game and a half, then it went a bit pear shape. The third could was anybody's, I just sneaked it, but that was a bit of lucky, as I was on my last leg.

And then, in the 4th, it's funny when you get yourself out of some tricky situation, it works out better than you thought it was going to be. I gave it a last push, stepped forward and controlled the T.
Peter Billson

FIRST ROUND - FRIDAY MORNING

31st March 2006

AHHHHH!!!!!
BACK TO NORMALITY…

Oh boy, I’ve never been so happy to cover a BSPA tournament. Players everywhere, lots of people I never heard about before, new faces to learn about, old friends, bags, smiles, tea all around…

In other words, I’M HOME!!!!!!! No barriers, no uniforms to tell me what I can or can’t do, chatting happily with everybody, give me a BSPA any day…

This coverage will not be easy, as Steve Cubbins is on his way to cover the Bermuda Masters, so I do not have a webmaster. Not to mention that I can’t connect to the broadband network in Esporta, so, bear with me for the upgrade and results…

How do they put it? “It’s coming home”. That’s the one…!

WHAT A START....

First on court were lefthander Rory Pennell and Issa Kamara, and what a match. About an hour match between two very determined players, but one maybe mentally stronger than the other one…

Rory Pennell was way on his way to victory, leading 2/0 after some pretty close two games, but gradually, he seemed to lose confidence in his game, confidence in himself, and decided to change his game half way. Bad idea. Issa came back to level the games at 2/2.

The 5th was anybody’s really, 3/3, 6/6, 7/7,8/8, 9/9, 10/10, 11/11, and several match balls were played, lost or saved, but on a last stroke, Issa walked away with victory after a long 65 minutes match…

Issa Kamara bt Rory Pennell
9/11, 10/11 (2/0), 11/10 (2/0), 11/5, 11/10 (3/1)

His next opponent, seed number 2 Tim Garner, arranged to play their match earlier than plan, as Mr Garner was in charge of the famous Lambs Friday Club Night that welcomes around 50 players of pretty high standard.

Issa did his best, run like hell, and retrieved beyond duty, but Tim was invincible, and despite a few unforced errors, goes happily into the quarters....

Tim Garner bt Issa Kamara
11/9, 11/5, 11/6 (21m)

MATCH OF THE DAY

Chris Hall bt James Snell 11/9, 8/11, 11/7, 9/11, 11/5

I really enjoyed the show that youngsters and friends James Snell and Chris Hall performed for us this morning. Both about the same height, both 18, and both playing the same kind of flamboyant squash, attack shots, very quick on the ball, quick to counterdrop or retrieve what seems to be irretrievable.

Both unhappy at times with the referee, they were so fast on the next shot that they both got awarded (or penalised) quite a few strokes, but the quality of the match was outstanding, and more of a level of a quarter or semi final than a first round encounter.

The speed was quite incredible, and the victory came I feel to the fittest of the two, as is often the case in squash… But a truly enjoyable game played in the spirit intended. Thanks guys.

THE REST OF THE MORNING
IN BRIEF…

Good and relaxed start for South African Steve Coppinger, who imposed his style, sending his opponent Paul Rawden in the wrong direction quite a few times. Paul still played some pretty precise shots, but Steve’s authority gave him the match …

Now, the match between Joel Hinds and Kris Meadow was a very entertaining one, with Joel dominating most of the rallies by his abilities to move so fast around the court. Up 2/0, he lost his concentration, found himself 9/2 down, and point by point, came back to 9/9, displaying a superb faultless squash, to finally take the 3rd and last game 11/9. Impressive really…

A good little player I saw today, 15 years old Alex Ingham, who lost rather easily against more mature Tom Phipps. On a personal level, I was quite impressed with the junior, who compensate a lack of physical strength by an excellent technique and undermined determination.

Tom didn’t give the youngest a chance, playing perfect squash, varying the pace and style at will, and getting through to the next round with minimum energy waste. Mind you, Tom will need all the steam he will be able to put his racquet on, as he is meeting seed number one Peter Genever who went through with not too much difficulty either against courageous Theo Woodward…

"After my exams, I intend to go full time this summer. I’m training with Danny Meddings, and I starting working with Ian Robinson.

"I know I’ve got to work hard, in particular on my lower length shots, and on my fitness. But I just love squash, and the atmosphere, meeting people, and travelling all around the world."

Alex Ingham

James Robbins is not on the pro circuit anymore, and it now the pro here at Esporta. But today, he got his competition outfit, and got on court with a familiar face, Mark Ballard.

They both produced a good match, even if the result was never really in doubt, and even if Mark got a few game balls in the 3rd and last game…

The last match of the session was opposing Tom Pashley to Neil Baker.

Neil was totally overwhelmed by Tom’s style in the first game, but was able to impose himself a bit more in the next two games, thanks in particular to some great crosscourt lobs and soft drop shots.

But young Tom’s length and authority in the middle of the court won him the game with not too much trouble….

Jason Barry and Steve Coppinger

Another South African, Jason Barry, had a closer encounter, although the score doesn’t reflect it. Asa Morris possesses an excellent touch, with a very open racquet, that allows him to fool his opponent and to hold his shots quite well… Still, Jason was able to impose himself today in a match that could have turned at any moment.

Bad luck for Mick Biggs, who suffered problems on his quad while battling away with young English hope Joe Lee (son of Danny). After losing a very disputed first game 12/10, he started feeling extreme pain in his left leg, and had to withdraw from the tournament when he realised that it was much more than a simple cramp… Joe will now face Ben Ford...

Another player who's got bad luck, Brazilian Humberto Mesquito, whose plane first got diverted from Gatwick and landed at Stanstead.

But that was only the start of his troubles, as he is now stuck at immigration, allowing his Mexican opponent Temo Gomez to get through…

After a rather wobbly start against a very intense and motivated Jim Bristow, Peter Billson, who probably didn’t expect such a performance from his opponent, eventually settled down and cut off the unforced errors…

Martin Ballard recruited to mark a game