That's it for these live updates, hope you enjoyed. Match report, quotes and photos coming shortly ...
"Good
win for me last night, I was trying to back it up but just couldn't quite make
it"
"Winning
titles at this level is getting harder all the time"
and puts away barker's drop to take the title ....
shot down the middle from Willstrop, 9-4, and a dying length for 10-4 ...
good attack from Barker for 7-4 ... then a shriek as he tins, 8-4
two back for Barker .... and a stroke to cut the lead to 7-3 ...
a Barker error makes it 6-0 - James closing in on a fourth CW title
Willstrop keeps the momentum in the fourth, controlling the rallies to go 4-0 up
and finishes it off for a solid 11-4 and a 2-1 lead
Willstrop making a strong start to the third, 6-2
stroke to Barker for one game all
long rally ... let ... and a video review on barker's let ... confirmed as a let
10-3 now ... Willstrop saves one with a drop ... and another
points shared, 6-3 ... but three in a row for barker with some good drops, 9-3 ...
Even start to the second for 2-2 ... couple of errors from Willstrop, 4-2 Barker
one saved ... but only one, put away for 11-8
close, close, close ... 7-all Willstrop punches one deep for 8-7, same again for 9-7, and a volley boast too tight for 10-7
monster rally, willstrop wins it with a counter drop ... and levels it 5-all
Willstrop fighting back though, rallies lengthening ...
sorry, internet troubles ... Barker off to a good start, 4-1 and 5-2
=====================
So it's an all-English final, James Willstrop v Peter Barker
Reports and photos will be added to TODAY shortly, call back later, and we'll see you tomorrow for the final, with scoreboard and running commentary ...
Peter Barker (Eng) 3-1 [1]
Nick Matthew (Eng)
11/7,
11/9, 7/11, 11/8
"I'm a little bit lost for words ... but to put
in a performance like that in front of my home crowd is very special indeed ...
"
he's done it, drive too tight at the back, Barker in the final !!!
Barker wants a stroke ... and gets one, a tad generous maybe ... 10-8 match ball
Stroke to Barker .... Matthew reviewing, but it looked a stroke to me ... and it stays a stroke, 9-8 Barker
Soft volley drop for Matthew, 8-7 ... but then he tins a dropshot, 8-all
Barker responds with a winner for 7-all ...
Barker punches in a winner, only one behind now
... Matthew gets a no let, he's reviewing ... looked like a let to me ... and
yes, it's a let - Barker pointedly accuses central ref of two points that might
cost him the game
Matthew volley glued to the sidewall, 7-4 ... Barker wins counterdrop battle for 7-5
perfect length from Barker for 5-4 ... Matthew reviewing a let ... looked like a stroke to me ... and yes, it's a stroke for 6-4
stroke for Barker, 3-2 ... Barker gets a let, then a no let on two Matthew volley drops ... 4-2 lovely counter drop from Matthew for 5-2, but then a tin, 5-3 ...
first two points shared ... Matthew takes two for a 3-1 lead
Matthew's on court early, volleying away in the mini-warmup ... he means business
one saved ... Matthew wants a stroke, he's reviewing the let that was given ... upheld as a let, still 10-7 ... trickle boast from Matthew to pull a game back
Barker boast clips the tin, 9-6 ... short kill for 10-6 ...
Tin from Matthew, 6-all ... low drive too tight, 7-6 matthew, stroke for 8-6
Barker calls his ball not up, Matthew asks ref "could you call it please, not rely on him" ... but Barker takes two points for 6-5 ...
Two more quick points, 5-1 ... Barker takes two, drop and a stroke, for 5-3
Barker pulls one back, has a bit of banter with the ref after a let .... Matthew takes the next point though for 3-1
Matthew looking purposeful as he takes the first two points
volley drop and a fistpump brings up a Barker game ball 10-9 ... and Matthew tins to go two games down ....
incredible retrieving by Matthew, Barker eventually tins .... but a reflex volley levels at 9-all
stroke to Matthew, Barker not happy ... levels for 8-all, nope, it's a let, but Barker levels anyway ...
we're up to 6-all ... Barker fires a crossourt for 7-6, tins for 7-all
a spill - Barker falls backwards, Matthew rushes
into him ... Barker's up but holding his back ... looks ok though ...
Barker unhappy to only get a let, so he kills Matthew's serve for 5-4 ...
A quick 3-0 lead for Barker ... and just as quickly it's 4-3 ... short rallies for now
second game under way ...
a let for Matthew that the crowd and Barker don't like ... and a volley into the tin from matthew, 10-7 ... and another, Barker leads 11-7
Barker edges ahead 8-7 ... and a fierce drive for 9-7
points shared, 7-all ... a tumble from matthew, let and another floor sweep ...
another long one ends in a let ... and Ken's on court doing the sweeping ... then another let, neither player happy! and another ...
Barker gets the better of a tough rally to level 6-all
Error from Matthew .... 5-4 but then he punches one deep for 6-4
Stroke to Matthew that Barker doesn't like .... 4-3 another stroke 5-3 ...
We're under way (and I'm back home!) 3-all in the first ...
[2] James
Willstrop (Eng) 3-1 [3] Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egy)
6/11, 11/8, 11/9, 11/7
and another tin, Willstrop is in the final
tough rally, let ... tin from Shorbagy, match ball ...
but four in a row and Willstrop closes in on the final ...
Willstrop loses it down to 6-5 ... Shorbagy gets ahead 7-5
Shorbagy fires in a winner for 4-3 ... and moves out to 6-3 ...
Willstrop fights back to 2-2 ... then does a
fake and tins!
Fourth ... stroke to Shorbagy, tin from Willstrop ... and a let, upheld
short winner from Willstrop, 11-9
bit of a rumble on the side .... let
stroke to Shorbagy, he's reviewing ... upheld for 10-9
one game ball saved ... down the middle, Willstrop can't react ... 10-8
another let ... this is crucial ... Willstrop short boast for 9-6 ...
couple of lets ... Willstrop serving
ok, we're back in action, nearing the business end of the third ...
18.25, kids just finished, looks like we'll be starting on time
17.30, an hour to go before the semi-finals start ....
--------------------------------
And that's it for tonight. Reports to finish off, photos to add later on, but apart from that we'll see you tomorrow for the semis.
---------------------------------
"I haven't got a good record against Nick, but why not tomorrow," says Barker, "I got my only win over James [Willstrop] on this court" ...
[4] Peter Barker (Eng) 3-1 Tom Richards (Eng) 8/11, 11/4, 11/5, 11/7
Richards saves one with his tube of evo stick .... but a winning boast from Barker, he's through 11/7
Low crosscourt too wide, 10-6 match ball ...
Tom takes advantage, cuts it to 8-6, then tins again "How many?" he asks, for 9-6 ...
A stroke that Tom doesn't like ... reviewing ... becomes a let, still 8-5 ... (looked a stroke from here)
Lovely drop from Barker, 8-5, three points away from the semi ... he's on top of the rallies now ...
Tom tins .... 6-4 ... perfect length to finish next rally, 6-5 ... but a stroke takes Barker to 7-5 ...
Three in a row for Barker, he leads 4-3 ... wins a tough rally for 5-3 ... Richards returns the favour, 5-4 ...
Lovely kill from Richards for 3-1 ... but Barker kills the serve to make it 3-2, then levels at 3-all ...
Fourth under way, 1-all ...
one saved ... but only one, 11-5 as Barker goes 2-0 up
let ... Barker wrongfooted, 9-4 ... but a tight drop for 10-4 ...
A stroke for 9-3, being reviewed ... upheld, 9-3 it is
Tom tins again ... it was tight though, 7-3 ... tin again, 8-3 ...
It worked, he pulls one back, 4-3 Barker ... who goes 5-3 ... and a stroke for 6-3 ...
Another tin, Richards bashes his toes with his racket ! 4-2 ... What's that then, "conduct warning, abuse of your toes?"
And again, with an "aaarrrgghh", Barker 3-2 ...
Richards tins again, throws racket and just about catches up with it, 2-2 ...
Richards opens the third, 1-0 ... 2-0 as Barker tins a drop ... then Richards tins, 2-1 ...
And another tin from Richards, Barker is level 11-4 ...
Richards repeatedly volleys down the line, 9-4 ... but then tins a drop, 10-4 Barker
Richards tins and throws racket high in the air, 8-3 ... Barker drops for 9-3 ...
Barker buries a crosscourt deep, 6-3 ... and wins a tough rally for 7-3 ...
Richards intercepts for 4-2 ... but then tins, 5-2 ... favour returned, 5-3 ...
Points shared, 4-1 Barker ... then a couple of lets ...
First points in the second to Barker, he leads 2-0 ... up to 3-0 ...
Richards' crosscourt volley skids along the floor for an 11-8 lead ...
Barker puts the pressure on at the front, 9-8 ... but Richards replies, 10-8 ...
Straight drive too tight, 9-6 ... volley put away from Barker, 9-7 ...
Loopy lob from Richards draws an error, 8-5 ... but Barker buries a loose volley for 8-6 ...
Points shared for 6-4 ... Barker punishes a loose one, 6-5 ... then tins to put Richards 7-5 up ...
perfect straight length from Barker, 5-3 ...
short kill from Richards to finish another long 'un, 4-2 ... then 5-2 ...
what time is the last tube ?
looooooooong rally ... eventually Barker lobs out, 3-2 Richards
Barker pushes in a drop for 2-all ...
Lucky nick for Barker, 1-all ... a low crosscourt for 2-1 Richards ...
Under way at 21.35, patient rally to start ... Richards wins it for 1-0
In PSA meetings Barker leads 3-0
They're on court warming up ...
In this afternoon's predictions this was the closets of the four matches
3-0, 3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 1-3,
0-3
Next, and last, a third Englishman will make the semi-finals - but will it be Peter Barker or Tom Richards ?
--------------------
[1] Nick Matthew (Eng) 3-1 Steve Coppinger (Rsa) 11/6, 11/4, 10/12, 11/3
but it's 11-3 and Matthew is into the semis
one saved ... two saved with a volley drop ...
Taxi for the south african, 10-1 match ball ...
long rally, eventually Coppinger lobs out, 8-1 ... low kill for 9-1 ...
5-1, then forcing an error for 6-1 ... an unforced one for 7-1 ...
Great rally, Coppinger annoyed to fluff his boast at the end, 4-1 ...
First point in fourth to Matthew, then a stroke for 2-0 ... extended to 3-1 ...
And a crosscourt counter drop too tight, Coppinger pulls one back 12-10 !!
Great reflex volley from Coppinger ! 11-10 (bit lucky ...)
Coppinger wins this duel at the front to earn a game ball 10-9 ... but Matthew squeezes one down the side wall, 10-all .... two clear ...
Stroke, 9-8 Matthew ... stroke to Coppinger, 9-all ...
Matthew calls his own shot not up, 8-6 , then he tins, 8-7 ... and Coppinger fires in a winner for 8-all !
Another tin, 8-4 ... but Matthew's trickle boast clips the tin, 8-5 ,...
But Coppinger slams a volley into the nick, 5-4 ... then hits out, 6-4 Matthew, and a forced error for 7-4
Matthew snaps a short ball crosscourt past Coppinger's reach, 5-3
Matthew edges ahead 3-1 ... and 4-1 ... a stroke brings some relief, 4-2 ... Matthew clips the tin for 4-3 ...
Third game under way, Coppinger wins a tough rally for 1-1 ...
Matthew wins front of court duel for 11-4 and 2-0 ...
let to Coppinger, he wants a stroke ... video ref says let
10-4 as Coppinger tins ...
9-3, bit of a mixup in the middle of the court, stroke
Matthew starting to assert now, 7-3 ...
Winners traded, 3-3 ... then two tins from Coppinger, 5-3 Matthew
Lovely counter drop from Coppinger for 2-1, and a short ball too tight for Matthew, 2-all
Matthew starts the second, 1-0 ... 2-0 quickly
Coppinger works hard to get to 9-6 then thins, 10-6 Matthew ... and 11-6 with a lovely lob
but he's 8-4 down now ... make that 9-5
Quite a few of you expected Steve to take a game ...
Tough rally for Coppinger, 7-4 Matthew
Nick asking for a review on a no let - which is upheld, so it's 6-3
Ok we're back ... Matthew leads 6-2 in the first ...
20.20 Matthew and Coppinger warming up on court .... back in ten minutes !
----------------------
19.37 bit of a break now, Matthew v Coppinger in half an hour or so ...
Willstrop maintains his indian sign over Selby :
[2] James Willstrop (Eng) 3-0 Daryl Selby (Eng) 11/7, 11/5, 11/7
stroke, one saved ... monster rally to finish, Daryl tins, Willstrop wins 3-1
Nick at the back of the court for 10-6, 4 match balls ...
9-5, James almost there ...
long rally, Willstrop in control but tins, 7-5 ...
and a stroke for 7-3, Willstrop closing in on the semis
No let, queried, upheld, 6-3 ...
Still close, 5-3 Willstrop ...
Most popular vote was for 3-1 to Willstrop .... 2-2 in third
2-1 to Willstrop in the third ...
Willstrop leads 11/7, 11/5 ....
Im off to mark some team squash. With Willstrop up 1 game to love, Steve or Fran will be back on shortly.
Willstrop 5-3 after a drop in the front corner
And then quickly levels the score
Willstrop gets one back with a backhand volley drop
3-1 Selby
Selby takes the lead 2-1 after a long rally
Selby levels at 1-1 with a backhand drive
Yes let call ends the opening rally
With the warm-up finished, Willstrop begins with the service
Up next is an all english affair between Daryl Selby and the number 2 seed James Willstrop
-------------------
Mustonen saved the first match ball, but Shorbagy finishes it off at the second attempt
Shorbagy with 2 match balls
Stroke to Mustonen for 8-all
Yes let in the backhand corner
Shorbagy 8-7 mup ...
Two games all, 7-all !!
Well, sorry guys, but I can't get PSATV to work for now... I can only see a fixed imaged, 9/5.... Sorry can't do any comments, I don't have any image.... Sorry, I still have nothing...
Ok, that's me (Steve) off for my 6.30 match, Fram will be taking over shortly ...
[3] Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egy) 1-2 [Q] Henrik Mustonen (Fin)
3/11, 11/9, 7-11 ...
One saved ... then a no let for Shorbagy, he's reviewing it of course ... confirmed as no let, 11-7, Mustonen leads 2-1 ...
Mustonen now 8-6 up ... an Egyptian error, 9-6 ... and another, 10-6 ...
Shorbagy's trickle boast hits the tin, 7-4 Mustonen ...
and a trickle boast Shorbagy doesn't cover, 6-3 ...
glued dropshot too tight for Shorgaby, 5-3 Mustonen ...
couple of lets ... then a reallly fast rally, Shorbagy takes it, 4-3 ...
points shared, Mustonen leads 4-2 ...
long rally to start the third, and a taxi for Shorbagy ... 2-0 Mustonen
[3] Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egy) 1-1 [Q] Henrik Mustonen (Fin) 3/11, 11/9 ...
One saved by Henrik, 10-8 ... two saved, 10-9 ... but Shorbagy slaps a loose serve away, 11-9 for one game all ...
Shorbagy opens up a two-point lead with a dropshot for 9-7, then a tin for 10-7 ...
A rare error from Mustonen, Shorbagy leads 7-5 ... Mustonen gets it back to 7-all ...
Shorbagy keeping in touch this game, but Mustonen still firing in winners, 5-5 ...
Shorbagy bags three for 3-2 but Mustonen back in front 4-3 ...
First two points of the second to Mustonen, 2-0 ...
[3] Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egy) 0-1 [Q] Henrik Mustonen (Fin) 3/11 ...
A trade of points, it's 8-3 Mustonen ... then two errors for 10-3, and Shorbagy gives it up, 11-3 Mustonen in 6 minutes ...
But three quick Finnish winners for 7-2 ...
first long rally of the match ... finished by a Shorbagy killshot, 4-2 Mustonen
Mustonen goes 4-1 up with another two Egyptian errors
Shorbagy tin, 1-0 Mustonen ... then a winner for 1-all
17.40 and we're under way, the Finn to serve first
TIME calls the referee ...
17.30, introductions done, the warmup has
started ...
Quarter-Finals night at Canary Wharf, first up Shorbagy v Mustonen
Most of you seem to be expecting an Egyptian winner ...
3-0, 3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 1-3, 0-3
In fact, the voting shows four clear favourites - if you put £10 to win on each of those four with Bet365 you would win the princely sum of .... £2 !!!! Hardly worth the risk, is it!
================================
That's it for tonight -English trio of Richards,
Barker and Matthew through, along with Steve Coppinger.
Quarter-finals start at 17.30 on Wednesday ... see you then.
=================================
Tin, 6/0.... Oh boy, tin return of serve, 7/0... 8/0.... superb crosscourt volley nick, 1/8.... Steve kills it on the fh drive... 9/1... tin, 10/1 so fast... match ball.. a glued backhand drive, 11/1... Coppinger is in the Quarters !!
Backhand drop shot, 1/0 Stephen... tin, 2/0.... Drop shot, 3/0... let... let... pace going up.... but a perfect length for the RSA... 4/0... tin from Ali, 5/0....
Well, looks to me like Ali is not moving as he wants, a few errors were just him not getting into the right position to play his shot... Let's see that third but...
lucky shot, 7/9.... let... don't have the time to write, slow down boys!!! tin, 10/7, game ball Steve... excellent length crosscourt, one saved, 8/10.... another one 9/10... But a tin from Ali, 11/9 in 12m...
Stroke Steve, 7/4.... Rallies very fast now.... Good length Ali, 5/7... 8/5... this is going very fast now... top spin from RSA... 9/5... Tin Steve, 6/9....
2/5.... Tin, 3/5... no let... OK.... I don't get it.... the previous one was a no let, and that one was ... Oh well, moving on... 6/3 Steve.... Completely wrong footing Steve, 4/6...
Too many errors again from Ali, 3/0 Steve... 1/3... back to long and gruelling rallies, but it's Steve that gets on top again, 4/1... Let... Mmm thought Ali went for the man, not for the ball, but..... review... let... tin from Ali, 5/1...
Steve on the attack, Walker's stunning retrieving, 9/8 Ali... But it's now 9/9.... Game ball Ali with a low kill, 10/9... Long rally... Stroke to Steve, 10/10.... Suddenly 2 unforced errors from Ali, and it's the South Adrian that takes the first game in 17m, 12/10...
again, 8/7 for Steve... huuu, tin, 8/8... let for Ali, and he thought it was a stroke, reviewing... plenty of space I say... yes let, agreed... 8/8...
Ali back in charge, 7/6.... Very nice match so far, both playing accurate and patient squash... yes let.... yes let.... great delaying from Steve on the backhand, 7/7....
Stroke, 3/2 Ali... very very very long rally... 4/2... another long one... but there again, Ali finds the nick... 6/2... Steve is clawing back, 4/6.... 5/6... and a tin from Ali return of serve, 6/6!
On PSA, they played twice, and it's one each... Steve will be up for it, and Ali, in front of his manager and sister, won't want to lose.... 2/2....
OK, I can't say I ate my take away, I smelled it more like.. But here we are for the last match of the day... Steve Coppinger, another one in David Palmer's stable in Florida, against Ali Walker, based in Baltimore - touring pro.... Two africans that have got a lot of respect for each other... Last time they play was very recently, in the All Africans, and Ali won the title...
-------------------------
very very long rally... not a noise.... still going... and Nick finally gets it with a crosscourt nick... and the crowd is cheering for Miguel as he talks with MC Alan Thatcher...
But Nick is still the boss here, 7/6... massive rally.... let... Nick not happy... Do you want to review Mr Matthew... Guess not... 7/6... Backand drop shot, 7/7.... 8/8... tin Miguel, 9/8 Nick... But again an error from Nick, we are back in KW!!! 9/9.... stunning length, 10/9 match ball Nick...
what a match this is.... volley drop shot, 5/4 Nick.... 6/4... Nice rally, and Nick that tins the redrop, 5/6... and a tin from Nick... 6/6!!!
Yes let, Nick having a little chat.... long rally and Miguel just clips the tin... 4/3...4/4....
Let... remarkable point... Miguel at the top of his game... Nick relentless... and let!!! Oh bless, the Ref asking Miguel to make "more effort to clear the ball"... JZzzzzzzzz....
1/1....2/1 Miguel.... Stunning rally, amazing pick up from both... 2/2.... Tin, 3/2 Nick... Tin from Nick, 3/3...
We are still at 9/6... 10/6 game ball... out of court for Miguel as the backhand drive from nick is just too tight... 11/6 in 13m...
Yes let... Nick not happy with the decision... bit of chatting.... 6/7... 8/6, Nick's attacks are relentless... 9/6... Yes let... Mmm.. Video review from Nick.... Thought it was a stroke myself but hey.... Yes let... Actually, the position that Nick had was going to send the ball in the side wall... Good call, and I don't know anything to refereeing...
So here we are, 1 game all, 5/5.... Nick's kill too good, 6/5... Nice variation in Miguel's game, but it's an error out of court, 7/5..... Backhand low drive, 6/7...
Long rally again, and nick touches the line out of court... 3/5... 4/5... Long rally... Nick is on the attack... But what a lob that dies on the backwall... 5/5....
Crosscourt perfect length Nick, 3/2... Rallies are much shorter now the ball is new.... 4/2... Tin, a tired tin from Miguel, 5/2...
1/0 Nick... Wrong footing for Nick, 1/1.... Nick 2/1... Sublime backhand drop shot from the Columbian, 2/2...
Apparently, Miguel is on the phone with David Palmer - his coach - while NIck is waiting for his opponent doing some solo work... Ball change....
But a little error.... 5/7.... 6/7... Huuu, Miguel is hitting so hard today, blimey me.... Let... Miguel is moving soooo fast... another let... huuu, a volley drop shot that ends in the tin... 7/7... Nick feels the danger, and 10/8 for Nick... And a hard crosscourt kill to finish it, 11/8 to NIck in 21m....
A slip in the second, and it's 3/3.... Still very close, 5/4 Nick leading... A wrong footing and Nick is now 6/4... 7/4... Nick is now in control and shortens the rallies...
No let, 8/10 game ball... let... Long rally, with a loose ball from Miguel and a calm finish from the Englishman, 9/10.... out of court weird shot from Nick, game 11/9, 21m... This ain't over I feel....
very long rally... Nick attacking, MIguel retrieving... no let against NIck, he is not happy and can't review it... 9/6.... A stunning long drop shot, taking Nick by surprise, 10/6... Let, Nick wanted a stroke... And probably should have got it... Kill drive perfect lenght from Nick, 7/10...
Backhand drop shot battle in the left corner, Nick wins the battle, 6/8....
let. let (mmm, could have been a no let...) Ah, Nick thinks like me and ask for a review... but the video ref thinks it is... Oh well...
Ah, a little quick error, 5/7... Stunning nick volley from the Columbian, 8/5....
the Columbian, extremely accurate and fast... Good quality match so far... still a long rally.... Excellent construction for Miguel who's court patience has improved tremendously, 7/4....
6/2.... Great start from Miguel... Despite Miguel's jumb, Nick gets the next
one, 3/6.... Nick is giving a big push, 4/6....
Long Rallies.... let... still going... and 4/2 for Miguel, who already had a few
jumps.. 5/2.... I can hear NIck's mum going "Come on Nick"....
And Miguel takes a lead 2/1... and 3/1... 2/3....
And Joey that thinks that he is co-commentating with PJ (Paul Johnson) when he is in fact working with Lee Drew.... Bless him....
And we are back with Miguel and Nick on court right now.... 1/1....
-------------------------
9/7 Peter.... Quick drive that Alan can't touch, 10/7 match ball.... And a tin from the Scot to finish... 11/7....
no let, 7/5... Tin from Peter, 6/7... Very long rally.... And a counterdrop from Alan, 7/7!! But a quick error - too good of a drive from Pete... 8/7
Beautifully drive glued, and Alan sticks 5/5.... A long and stunning rally, but the error comes finally from Alan's racquet, 6/5 England....
Superb variation of shots from the Englishman, hit hard plus drop shot, 5/4....
Cliney is starting to feel the hard work, tin, 4/3 Peter... But a superb flick - didn't know he could do that shot! - for the Scott, staying with the score, 4/4...
Perfect length Pete, 2/2... Nice volley drop shot, 3/2 Alan.... Backhand drop shot, 3/3....
3rd game, 1/0 Peter.... Good response from Alan, 1/1.... Ah error from the
Englishman, 2/1 Alan...
Let says the ref, stroke says Peter, review... and it's a let... still 10/2... 1
saved, 3/10... A last tin from the Scot, 11/3 in 11 m yet again....
Let says the ref, Stroke thinks Clyne.... but it will stay a let.... 6/2... and all the way to 10/2...
Peter is really dominating the middle, too much pressure on Clyne, 6/2 Peter...
Little error in a redrop, 1/2.... but another error from Alan, and it's 3/1... Great length from the scot, 2/3...
Tin from Alan, 1/0 Peter.... Alan has got the right tactic, trying to get him out of his comfort zone... But Peter doing the "Sponge", and absorbing everything that's send at him.... Tin Alan... 2/0...
Second game.... High speed from the Scot...
long rally, a little slip from the Scot.... 8/7 Pete.... 9/7... 10/7 game ball... And quickly, 11/7 in 11m....
So, Peter had a great lead, 7/2, but back at 7/7 we are....
Cliney fights back, 3/7... Tin Peter, 4/7.... 5/7... The plot thickness... Beautiful attacking shots, 6/7.... Blimey, we are at 7/7!!!
5/0 blimey me, it's going fast... 6/0... Peter winning the points at the front... 7/2...
Fast pace to start with, and a nice backhand drop shot nick from Pete... 1/0... 2/0.... and 3/0.... 4/0... Short rallies, Peter completely in control so far...
So, let's see how he is going to react today. Off we go...
As you know, Peter got again injured in KW, his tband caused his patella to hurt - at the time, I mentioned that I know a bit about that, it's the injury that has been preventing me to do pretty much anything for now 10 years...
Off we are to the next match, Clyne v Barker... Both on the court warming up...
----------------------------
Tom Richards (Eng) 3-0 [Q] Ali Anwar Reda (Egy) 11/4, 11/5, 11/3 (35m)
And after a great rally, it's now 9/3.... And match ball, 10/3... Match 11/3, first win for Tom over Reda on the PSA Tour...
Another big push from Tom, 5/3... 6/3... 7/3.... stroke, 8/3... Tom asked for a let, or did he?? Reda is not happy with the let call and reviews it... And Tom is not happy because we are reviewing where he didn't ask... A bit of a weird moment... and it's finally a let.... Don't ask me, I'm blond...
A tin for the Egyptian, 1/2 Tom... 2/2.... let... another Yallah, and hop, 3/2 Reda... let, let and let.... not up, says Reda about his shot... 3/3...
Tom has got the momentum... but Reda is still up for it, and with a gigantic Yallah, he is now 2/0 up...
4/5... 5/5.... And Tom just flies away with the score, 10/5!!! A last tin, 11/5.... First game was 12m, second 8....
Sorry, boys and girls, bus got stuck! Tom took the first game and leads 4/3 in the second...
====================
It's Tuesday, it must be Round One, Top Half, starting at 17.30
Richards v Reda first on court ...
===================
That's it for tonight ... see you at 17.30 on Tuesday
Daryl Selby (Eng) bt Simon Rosner (Ger) 11/9, 4/11, 7/11, 11/8, 11/5 all over at 22.36 ... so that's 85 minutes
And a stroke to finish, 11-5 and Selby wins ... being reviewed ... upheld
Volley glued to the sidewall, 10-5 match ball ....
Service return kill from Daryl this time, he leads 9-5 ...
Rosner hits several "winners" before finally winning the point, 8-4 ... then a crosscourt for 8-5 ...
Rosner volleys into the tin, 8-3 Selby ...
Great retrieving from Selby, then puts away a crosscourt, 7-3 ...
Another volley drop from Daryl, 6-3 ...
Fast exchange of volleys, Rosner tins, then Selby strikes for 5-3 ...
No let for Selby, he's reviewing it ... given as a let, phew ...
1-all ... a stroke each for 2-all ... cagey stuff, 3-alll ...
22.24 one game to go on Canary Wharf day one ...
72 minutes for those four games .... here comes the decider
Daryl Selby (Eng) v Simon Rosner (Ger) 11/9, 4/11, 7/11, 11/8 ...
And another big shout, 11-8 and it's a decider ...
Selby hits it too wide, 10-8 and "CMOOOOON" ....
Service return kill, 9-7 ... stroke to Rosner now, 9-8 ...
Rosner reviewing it, looked a stroke from here ... and it's upheld 9-6
8-6, Selby appealing a Rosner let ... upheld, but then it's a stroke for 9-6
Loose volley punished with a dropshot, 8-5 ...
Two in a row for Rosner to pull it back to 6-5 ... then he tins, 7-5 Selby ...
Service return winner from Rosner for 5-3 ... but Selby's back for 6-3 ...
After a couple of lets Rosner tins, 4-2 Selby ... and a wrongfooting crosscourt for 5-2 ...
Now a tin from Rosner, 2-2 ... and a long drop from Selby for a 3-2 lead ...
Selby tins a counter drop, 2-1 Rosner
1-all, then a let ...
Selby starts off with a nice volley drop for 1-0 ...
22.04 off we go for the fourth ...
Daryl Selby (Eng) v Simon Rosner (Ger) 11/9, 4/11, 7/11 ...
If you're not watching ... this is who you'd be listening to ...
A final tin from Selby, Rosner takes the lead 11-7 ...
9-7, Rosner fires in a lovely volley drop ... then slams a crosscourt for 10-7 ...
A big taxi for 7-6, then a stroke, 8-6 Rosner ...
Longer rallies, Rosner edges ahead 6-5, then a stroke ... upheld on review for 7-5
Hold that thought, 5-4 now ... and an error for 5-all
Now it's Selby looking in control, 5-2 ...
2-all, Rosner can't clear for a stroke to Selby, he leads 3-2
1-all ... Selby gets a stroke at the end of a tough rally to lead 2-1
21.44 Game three here we come ...
Score: Daryl Selby (Eng) v Simon Rosner (Ger) 11/9, 4/11 ...
Cameron Pilley: the Woodchopper will sneak it I think. Will probably go to five though!
Lovely xcourt volley drop for 10-4 ... and a kill for 11-4
A point each , 9-4 Rosner
Rosner loses his appeal as Selby's let stays a let
Fast exchange at the front, Rosner's reflex volley into the tin, 8-3 Rosner
No errors now, Rosner 7-1 up ... a winner and tin from Daryl, 8-2 ...
Cameron Pilley: Selby with an enormous come on after that game! Woodchopper almost snuck that game after hitting 1000 unforced errors.
Carrying the momentum from the end of the first, Rosner 5-1 up ...
Rosner goes 3-1 up ... now 4-1
one all ...
21.31 second game coming up ...
Selby fires it in short and shouts out, 11-9 after a 20-minute game
Daryl stops the rot, 10-9 for the Englishman ...
Now Selby hits the tin at the end of a long rally, 9-all ...
Selby's 7-0 record v Rosner ...
Another good dropshot from Rosner, 9-8, getting tight
Now it's close, good dropshot for 9-7 ...
Rosner rallies, 9-6 with a stroke - upheld on appeal, a bit harsh, maybe
Guess what ? tin, 9-4 ...
Tin tin Rosner strikes again, 8-4
Five points in a row as Selby goes 6-3 up - and yet another Rosner tin for 7-3
Chris Simpson: "Enjoying the way @DarylSelby has colour coordinated his kit with the court #chameleon"
A unforced tin from Rosner puts Selby ahead 4-3
Two forced errors and Selby's back at 3-all
Rosner edges ahead 3-1 with a low volley drop, Daryl doesn't like his no let
1-1, long third rally ...
21.11, last match under way ...
Mo Shorbagy: "Well done @charles_sharpes amazing squash from him...still will beat you though at the bottle game ;) "
Fram: "I've got to get out of the habit of not being sensible" says James.... I like when you are not sensible James. Keep the amazing shots going
Eric Downer: "Am I the only one who thinks that the yellow shirt has put a bit of sunshine into James Willstrop's game and demeanour ?"
21.04, Warmup just started ...
Last match of the day coming up, Daryl Selby v Simon Rosner
It's 7-0 to Selby so far, with two wins over the German already this year.
======================
let. let. Beautiful redrop, 8/2... 10/2 match ball... and match, 11/2, match James 3/1...
Charles is starting to suffer a bit physically - NO WONDER... 4/2... 5/2.. 6/2... 7/2...
James 2/1... 3/1... Stroke Sharpes, 2/3...
Back on court for the 4th game, Charles still kicking, 1/0...
Charles still kicking, 4/8, but a bad serve and James' killing it, 9/4... And game ball on yet another winner, Ramy's style, backhand nick, 10/4... And no surprise, 11/4 in only 8m...
Good reflex from CHarles, but finishes on his legs... 8/3...
Superb boast from James, 7/3...
Quickly and accurate, 6/1... A long rally, and a "lazy" tin boast from James, and another error... 3/6...
Bad move from James who tins, 1/5..
Charles is at the front, killing everything he can, James retrieving everything, but comes the error from the young man, 4/0... 5/0...
James is soooo up for that one, a kill nick to start, 1/0... 2/0... 3/0...
Well well well, so here we are, 1/1... Will Charles able to keep the intensity?
So, it's actually not good, no let, and 8/10.... 9/10.... Oh my lord, a tin from James and Charles Sharpes shows he deserves that wild card fully... 11/9... Times of the games, 12 and 14 m...
Not sure what's going on there... Pick up from Charles is called good... so... let... don't ask me, no idea...
Well, well well, a sublime volley drop for the contender, 9/5... 10/7 game ball, bless him...
And I'm back! so, Sharpes is up 7/3... James back 5/7.... Stroke for Charles, 8/5...
Sorry, guys, internet down... 11/5 for James....
8/4...
James on the floor after a great low drive from Charles... But he is alright... let, and a let contested by Charles, hoping for a stroke... But it will stay a let...
Ah, another little clip from James, 3/7... another one, 4/7....
Return of serve spot on for James, 6/2... and a nick, 7/2...
Hu, a quick tin from James, 2/5.. and a let...
5/1...
I feel that Charles might be struggling with nerves/seeing the ball, while James
is home! but hey, 1/4...
James winning the points at the back, 2/0... and a stroke to make it a good
measure, 3/0...
Off we go boys and girls... 1/0 James
Ok, so, we have started with an upset, Henrik downing Adrian in less than 40m, then Shorbagy stays on course, 3/1... Now, the two Englishmen, James Willstrop, who doesn't need presentation, and Charles Sharpes, trains at Wimbledon Racquets Club (my former club) and wild card...
=======================
Match ball Mohamed, 10/6... And a finish quite logically with a tin, 11/6....
And yet another tin... 9/6 Mohamed
A let for the ref, a stroke thinks Waller... and a stroke says the official... Jzzz, so many overturned decisions... Shame we didn't have that in Kuwait, not to state the obvious....
A tired boast for Waller, 7/5... And another tired crosscourt kill... 8/5
5/6 Adrian...
Shame for the English, he had Shorbagy's wrong footed again, but he tins it, 5/4 Mohamed
2/4... and a superb wrong footing, Waller is back level, 4/4...
Review... Let ball, Adrian hopes for a stroke... And it is one...
but Adrian gets his point on the board, 1/4...
Corner shot for Waller, ball ends up on his leg, 4/0
Perfect start for Mohamed, 3/0, while Adrian is tired and tins a lot...
Back we are for the 4th....
Perfect length from Mohamed, followed by a tin from Wallter, 7m game, and 11/5... Egypt 2, England 1...
Stroke to Waller, 5/9
9/4....
And Pilley: "Great match unfolding here. Shorbagy 3-2 I reckon. When the ball gets dead Baggy is gonna start putting it in. #commentsfromthecouch"
But Adrian still alive and kicking... 4/6... Ah, blast, tin for Adrian, 8/4....
6/3, as the Egyptian manages to set up a 3 points lead
4/3, Mohamed
Another stroke conceded by Adrian, but another error, 3/3...
But Mohamed is back 2/2...
and 2/0.... yes let
First blood for Waller, confidence is high...
Players back on court for the 3rd game.. 0/0...
Times of game, first game, 14 and a long 20m for the second...
"Are you watching the right review" asks Adrian... And it's paying off for the Englishman, who takes the second game, 13/11..
so we are still at 12/11...
Ah, review.. Not sure what happened... Ah it's a let for Adrian, that stays as such.. Crowd not happy.
huuuu, Stroke Adrian, 12/11, game ball, second one
Mohamed, taking the risk gets the winner rapidly, typical of the Egyptian style, 11/11...
And a beautiful backhand volley drop shot, 11/10 game ball Waller
and Adrian still in the match, 10/10...
Superb cross court from Mohamed, 10/9 game ball
Stroke for Adrian, and we are at 9/9...
let.
Funny as both the players are unhappy... It's Mohamed appealing and gets it wrong, again, bless him.... it remains a let...
Nice drop shot, Adrian can't retrieve, 9/8 Mohamed as we approach a crucial time.... let...
and 8/8.... too fast for me to type! Longer rallies guys, please!
And we are at 7/7...
a "hhaaaaa" from Mohamed as he makes his first error of the game
What a superb backhand crosscourt lenght that dies in the back corner, 7/6 Mohamed
A funny bounce for the Englishman on the side wall, 6/6
6/5 for Mohamed, as Adrian tins again...
And stroke for Adrian, as Shorbagy hits the corner and conceeds a stroke, 5/5...
huuu, we are back at 4/5...
And the video ref agrees.
it was a let ball, Adrian thinks it's a stroke
Another review...
3/5...
Mohamed was not going to pick up that redrop, but tin from Waller
First error of the game for the Englishman, 2/4...
Straight nick for Mohamed, 3/2
Nice finish at the front for Waller, 2/2...
Mmm, Mohamed seems to be a bit worried about his knee, which touched the floor on a great retrieving...
let
Let
Feathery drop shot for Ad, 1/2
A nice low drive, wrong footing Waller, 2/0
Superb length that dies in the back, 1/0 Mohamed
Second game, 0/0...
A superb drive glued to the forehand side, and 11/7.... Mohamed is up 11/7
10/7, game ball
"And again", says Adrian as he clips the tin yet again
Adrian takes the next one, 7/9....
A long rally, but an error on a good chance for Adrian, 9/6...
Faster pace from Mr Shorbagy...
Ah ha, a come back from the Englishman, 6/8....
Ball off court, 8/4...
But its quickly 7/4 for the Egyptian
And it will stay a no let, maybe not enough determination as showing a will to get to the ball...
Ah first review... a no let, contested by Mohamed
3/6
Little rumble as central Ref Joss seemed to have a bit of stability problem, but we are back...
Mohamed is now 5/2 up... slowly, Mohamed is turning the screw...
Still 3/2, let
And another error from Adrian W, 3/2
Lovely low kill for Adrian, followed by a quick error from the English, 2/2....
Long, very long rally
Let
1/1....
And off we go....
From Eric Downer : "The Wiking got on a Yumbo Yet, and did what Wikings used
to do , a bit of carnage !"
Little comment from Mr Pilley: "Next up Waller and Showmeyourbaggies. Waller
gotta be one of the heaviest dudes on tour with Willstrop and Mossad! #commentsfromthecouch"
You want to chat with us? #CWsquash is the twitter for it...
Well well well, Adrian Waller is now on court, and will look to make an upset of his own...
==================
And it's the biiiig upset, 11/4!!! Henrik Mustonen win 3/1....
Match ball Henrik, two saved by Adrian...
This is maybe not a typical 0/2 down I still win Adrian's match...
Mustonen regains the lead ...
Adrian Grant v Henrik Mustonen 3/11, 11/2, 5/11