Monday 14th May, Day FOUR:
The FINAL
[1] Chris Simpson (Ggy) 3-0 [3] Charles Sharpes (Eng)
11/2, 11/7,
11/6 (44m)
Simpson seizes Jersey Classic title
Top
seed Chris Simpson became the first winner of the
Jersey Classic after a hard-fough victory over fellow
Englishman Charles Sharpes in the final at Jersey
Squash and Racketball Club in St Clement.
Simpson,
the world #26 from neighbouring Guernsey, was quickly out of
the blocks, taking the first game 11-2.
That scoreline was a little flattering though, as Sharpes,
five years younger and ranked #73 in the world, competed
strongly in the 11-minute game that featured many tough
rallies.
It was Simpson though who was able to capitalise on anything
loose, punching away several crisp low volleys on his way to
taking the lead.
The second game followed a similar pattern, but Sharpes was
keeping the ball tighter and Simpson wasn't able to find as
many opportunities to punish him. The scores were level
pegging until Simpson managed to pull away from 7-6, taking
four points in a row to double his advantage after 14
minutes.
The third started off evenly, but again it was Simpson who
accelerated away, this time from 3-all through to 7-3.
Sharpes managed to get three points back but Simpson took
the final four points in quick succession to claim the title
after 44 minutes of play.
"I
came out pretty sharp and steamrollered the first," said a
delighted Simpson, "but I knew it couldn't last, we'd had a
lot of tough rallies up and down the walls.
"Sure enough the next two were tougher. It was hard work
trying to keep him behind me as much as I could, but I knew
I had to try to do something to open up the court when I got
the chance.
"It
was a physically hard match, and I was getting a bit edgy in
the third, I'm glad I managed to pull clear and at the end I
think he started to feel the tough matches he'd had earlier
on.
"This has been a great tournament, the organisation and
atmosphere has been the best I've seen for an event this
size, so thanks to Nick and everyone who helped put it on
and I hope to be back to defend the title next year!"
Sharpes'
assessment of the match was similar:
"The
first game didn't feel like an 11-2, he came out of the
blocks fast but there were plenty of tough rallies.
"I wanted to try to get stuck into him in the next two games
but all credit to him he stayed strong and I couldn't quite
get there.
"It's been a good tournament for me, I wasn't seeded to get
to the final but I did start to feel those earlier tough
matches towards the end.
Charles was equally enthusiastic about the event too:
"The tournament has been fantastic, it's a credit to
everyone involved and to Jersey and its squash community,"
he said.
A bit of doubles to start ...
It's nothing without the sponsors
