Pocket rocket Rodriguez out to shine
By ALAN THATCHER

Colombian firecracker Miguel Angel Rodriguez has flown a long way to compete in his first Canary Wharf Classic, and he hopes to stay longer than the first round.

The 5ft 7in Rodriguez, from Bogota, meets reigning champion Nick Matthew in the first round and is keen to put on a good show.

He said: “I am looking forward to playing in my first Canary Wharf tournament. I have heard and read a lot about it and it is obviously one of the best tournaments in the world, so I am happy to be playing.

“I want to put on a good performance in London because I hear the crowd is fantastic and that they love their squash. Hopefully I can play well and get them on my side.

“Nick and I had a great match in America last year and I would love to play that well again.”

Rodriguez kept Matthew on court for 92 minutes in the Davenport North American Open last year and came close to springing a shock victory before the Englishman squeezed to victory in the fifth game.

Matthew admitted: “Miguel played really well and I thought at one stage that I might be on the next plane home.”

Rodriguez is one of the fastest and fittest players on the PSA World Tour and is renowned for some spectacular court coverage and amazing shots.

Rodriguez reached the second round of this year’s North American Open after beating Malaysia’s Nafizwan Adnan in the first round, clinching victory with a devastating 11-1 win in the fourth game.

Miguel said: “I am very happy with the way I played and it is nice to be in the second round of a major tournament like this.

“I enjoyed playing Nick here last year and I am looking forward to playing him again in the first round of the Canary Wharf Classic, after I have played in the Kuwait Cup.

“Squash is developing strongly back home in Colombia. In Bogota, we have several country clubs, each with five or six courts, and we have a very strong junior squad.

“We have a well-organised tournament circuit, with one event every month, and the signs are very encouraging for the future of squash in Colombia.”

Rodriguez lost to three-time Canary Wharf champion James Willstrop in the second round of this year’s North American Open and will be aiming to avoid another defeat against one of England’s big two at the East Wintergarden.

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