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TODAY in Kuwait
Fram in Kuwait, Steve in Whitley Bay ... |
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En Bref #1
Kuwait Time |
Thu 28th, Day ONE
Qadsia Club:
[9] Daryl Selby (Eng)
bt
Jonathan Kemp (Eng)
11/3, 11/3, 11/6 (26m)
[14] Adrian Grant (Eng) bt [Q] Nicolas Mueller (Sui)
5/11, 11/9, 11/8, 4/11, 11/8 (85m)
[8] Peter Barker (Eng) bt [Q] Borja Golan (Esp)
11/6, 7/11, 11/3, 11/7 (75m)
[15] Alister Walker (Eng) bt Olli Tuominen (Fin)
11/4, 11/7, 11/5 (44m)
Green Island:
[5] Gregory Gaultier (Fra) bt Abdullah Almezayen (Kuw)
11/5, 11/5, 6/11, 11/2 (44m)
[3] Amr Shabana (Egy) bt Stewart Boswell (Aus)
7/11, 11/8, 11/7, 11/6 (59m)
[16] Cameron Pilley (Aus) bat [Q] Ryan Cuskelly (Aus)
11/7, 11/2, 11/8 (53m)
[1] Nick Matthew (Eng) bt [Q] Steve Coppinger (Rsa)
11/9, 13/11, 11/6 (49m)
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Session One at the Qadsia
Club |
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[9] Daryl Selby (Eng)
bt
Jonathan Kemp (Eng)
11/3, 11/3, 11/6 (26m)
TOO TIGHT…
It’s not that Jonathan didn’t try, or made Daryl’s life easier.
But Daryl’s game was just too tight, too solid, to be
destabilised by a “right out of the surgery” Kempy, who
basically was struggling to see the ball, and got wrong footed
on a regular basis.
In the third, as he got used to the pace a bit, he was able to
make a bit of difference, but Daryl was always the winner.
Still, some lovely and hard fought rallies, with Kempy finding
some lovely drop shots, and Daryl making his best to retrieve
them…
 "This
one was a bit of “forced one” that one for me, a match where I
try and find my confidence back.
"The Commonwealth Games were tough for me, a very exciting
experience, but disappointing for me, as I set myself goals I
couldn’t reach. And right behind that, I had a bad week in
Egypt. So at the moment, I’m trying to remember the matches that
got me to the top 10. Because I truly believe that the players
that reach that level deserve it. So I just try and remember how
I got there.
"Today, I was aware of Jonathan’s condition, unlucky for him,
but lucky for me. Still, he can hit a nick from any position, so
you’ve always got to be on your toes…"
 "I
had a hip operation in July, so this is my first competitive
match since May. And I didn’t even play for the past weeks! So I
didn’t have any expectations really, I’m just happy to be back
playing.
"Today, I found that everything was difficult! But particularly
Daryl’s length was amazing. In the third, I started running a
bit more and play some squash. I never got chopped and enjoyed
it so much! I’m just so happy to play squash again.
"I now have a week before my next tournament to get more matches
in, and sharpen my game up."
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"Very
disappointed with the way the match went.
"I played very well in the first, and in the second up to 9/3,
then hit the biggest tin ever, a drop shot that hit the floor,
awful. And that was the turning point really.
"But all credit to Adrian to come back in the match.
"Still, we had long and fought rallies, but at the end of the
days, there was a lot of inexperience from me in the crucial
points, and he just knows how to win."
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[14] Adrian Grant (Eng)
bt [Q] Nicolas Mueller (Sui)
5/11, 11/9, 11/8, 4/11, 11/8 (85m)
MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN…
Why you may ask. Because Adrian is a notorious slow starter,
luuuuuves to give his opponent 1 or 2 games before he starts
playing. And Nicky, well, luuuuuuves to get ahead, and give it
all back!!!!!
 In
other words, during the game, they both deserve a lovely but
strong KICK IN THE BUTT!
Quickly, as I have Peter and Borja that have started, first one,
Nicky in charge, until 9/4 in the second, where the Swiss went
for two shots far too quickly, that of course went into the tin,
giving the oxygen to Adrian who got all the way back and won the
game.
The third was a great mental and physical battle, with great
rallies from both, and played at a mad pace. The fourth, well,
Adrian decided to go away with the fairies, and offer a decider
to his opponent.
The fifth was beautiful really, although a few too many lets
(both were not at their best on the width department), which is
to be expected between two determined players on a bit of a
bouncy court. And nobody could predict the winner. Still, Nicky
had a chance, 6/3 up, let it pass, 6/6, then 7/7, 8/8. A tin and
two strokes later, Adrian is victorious, but a walk in the park,
it was not.
 "Nicolas
played very well, he is an attacking player, the new generation…
"Thing is, I thought I was playing well, even in the first, but
my length today, was just… shocking! Once I got it back, what I
was trying to do became more obvious.
"I didn’t like the court
much, I must say. It was lively, and didn’t take many good
shots, it was a real leveller, but it’s the same for everybody,
so, can’t complain.
"I didn’t play well today, but I fought, and still won, which is
the important thing. And I got over the CWG blues. You know,
it’s not that doubles are physical, but you’ve got to be ready
to play for 2h, 2h30, so it’s mental. And it drains you. So I’m
happy I dropped out of Egypt, went home, and had the chance to
regroup. "
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[8] Peter Barker
(Eng) bt [Q] Borja Golan (Esp)
11/6, 7/11, 11/3, 11/7 (75m)
PETER NERVOUS, BORJA NEARLY THERE
It’s the day of come back! We have myself, and Jonathan Kemp,
and Graham Waters, world ref, and of course, Borja! Who not only
had a break because of his knee surgery, but used the time to
finish his studies. As everybody does… Yeah right.
Today was a physical battle, of course, with long rallies,
played at mid pace, then acceleration from both players, and a
Borja who had dark circles under the eyes from the third,
although he never ever let it show in his game.
But it was more than anything else a battle of wills. Between a
Borja that wants so desperately to win his world status back, a
status he fought very hard to get. And a Peter who is a bit
frustrated with his last results, and wants to prove, like
Daryl, to himself more than anything else, that he deserves to
be up there.
As ever, Borja knows how to break his opponent’s rhythm, changes
angles, pace, and style quite frequently. He was still conceding
too many strokes, as he just lacked a bit of precision
sometimes, not exactly surprising as Peter put him under a lot
of pressure.
The result is the logical one, but Borja has nothing to be
ashamed of. He played extremely well, he just lacks a few
matches, and he’ll be back right up there. Where he truly
belongs.
 "Yes,
a lot of frustration, but mostly, mostly, apprehension. Borja
got to the top 10, and I have no doubt he’ll be back there soon.
This was the toughest draw I could have got, and it’s one of the
players I would have enjoyed coming and watch if he was playing
against somebody else. He is a gentleman, a genuine good guy,
and on the court, he plays tough, such a good counter-attacker!
I knew from the start I was going to be on there for 1h30, as he
is fit as well….
"And I can’t tell you the pleasure and the relief I got when I
beat him. After last week disappointment, this match was a real
potential banana skin…"
 "I’m
feeling very well at the moment, I know now I can play the game,
without any pain in my knee. I feel I’m improving by the match,
and I know also now that I can play against a top play, and stay
on the court for more than an hour!
"I was able to finish my journalism studies, I have to thank my
knee for that, I guess. It gave me a little break from PSA,
after 8 years, time to spend with my family, my girlfriend. And
now, how old is Thierry? 34? Well, 8 more years to go then!!!!!
"To finish, I really would like to thank the people that have
helped me and supported me during all those months, John Milton,
my coach, Jesus, my physical trainer, and all my sparring
partners at my club."
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[15] Alister Walker (Eng)
bt Olli Tuominen (Fin)
11/4, 11/7, 11/5 (44m)
ALI STRONG, OLLI NO ANSWER
Once again, it’s not like Olli did play badly, or made the wrong
tactical choices. But whatever he was throwing at the English
boy, it would come back twice as fast. Not many balls were
played off the backwall, a lot of volleying from them both. And
some stunningly fast and furious rallies.
Still, Ali never looked under real pressure to me, and Olli got
a bit frustrated, with himself more than anything else. A good
gentlemen’s game that was.
"I thought I
didn’t play too badly today, I stuck with my game pretty well,
and it was nice to feel that the fire in the belly was back, and
I could feel it, as I didn’t mind going into long rallies."
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Session Two at Green Island |
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[5] Gregory Gaultier (Fra) bt Abdullah Almezayen (Kuw)
11/5, 11/5, 6/11, 11/2 (44m)
GOOD PERFORMANCE FROM ABDULLAH
Well, like Adrian Davies, the MC this year, said at the end of
the match, that boy has got talent, and if he was to go full
time on the circuit, he would get very high indeed!
It took both players a little time to adjust to the court, as
due to a little delay of three days at the customs, nobody was
able to practice on it today. And Greg took his opponent very
seriously indeed, giving him all the respect he deserved.
And until the third, the Frenchman was in perfect control. But
in the middle of the third, Greg relaxed a fraction, and zoooom,
the Kuwaiti was in there in a flash, asking the right questions,
finding some stunning drop shots and lobs, that really put Greg
under a lot of pressure. To the point Abdullah was able to
clinch a game, much to the delight of the crowd that came to
admire its champion.
In the fourth, all the pressure, the hard work, both mental and
physical, got the better of the young boy, and Greg was able to
finish the game with no more trouble. But Abdullah will be proud
of his performance tonight. Excellent work really.
 "I’m
trying to get back at the top, I had a couple of problems at the
start of the season, but now, I’m happy to play again, I’m
enjoying my squash, and although today we didn’t have the
opportunity to practice on the court, I had a good time playing.
"Since El Gouna, I haven’t been able to play at all, as I got
injured while playing Ramy, and since, I just couldn’t play. So
it’s good he made me move a lot today, help to clean the system
up!!! I know one thing, it will be better on the next match.
"In the third, there was nothing I could do, Abdullah was just
too good, his shots went in really well. I tried and dug in, but
he deserves that game.
"And I want to take that opportunity to say how much we are all
grateful for the support we are getting from Kuwait. We all need
the support, like Abdullah, who is a very talented player, and
we want to thank Kuwait and its organisation for the great
tournament it’s putting on again…"
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[3] Amr Shabana (Egy) bt Stewart Boswell (Aus)
7/11, 11/8, 7, 6 (59m)
SHABANA IN, SHABANA OUT…
It was weird to see the Prince of Egypt tonight, who I haven’t
seen play for quite a while now. I know that he’s been riddled
with injuries, mostly on the knees, and that he is slowly
getting better.
But it’s not just in the legs that a player needs to get better,
it’s in the head too. When you get injured, you need to get
confidence back in your body first, you must be able to move on
the court without pain. And after that, comes the habit of
winning again. Cause you get used to losing, it’s like, oh, it’s
normal, I’m in pain, I lose. And you’ve got to teach your body
again the way to victory.
Tonight, sorry to be so blunt, but at times, I had the feeling
that Shabana was a top 20 player, trying to find some nice shots
in. But as the match unfold, the Mighty Shabana reappeared, and
found stunning length, and lovely nicks. And it was a pleasure
to see him reborn at each good shot he was playing. Like his
face would gradually lighten up.
Meanwhile we had Bozza, as precise as ever, playing a tight and
sharp game, trying not to get drawn into his opponent mental
meanders. And he nearly got it right. A few bad choices in the
second, at the end of the game, whereas the two players had been
head to head the whole way, a tin that gave the Egyptian that
little margin for errors he needed, and 1/1 we went.
It was one of those games that could have really gone either
way, Shabana must be delighted to move as well as he moved
today. And the loud, lively and so young Egyptian support
enjoyed every second of it.
 In
the first game, Boswell came out firing, taking the ball so
early, and he kept in front of me on the T. He can hit the ball
better than anybody else really, hits it sharper than anybody
else I feel.
You know, when you are playing well, it’s easy to stay up there,
levelled, mentally. I know I’m playing well at the moment, but I
know there is still better that I can produce…
In the second, I felt I had a bit of a chance, that I had a
little opportunity to push through. But I played a couple of bad
points, and then, he got back into the game, his shots started
to go in….
In the 4th, it was just comfortable for him, I sort of lost
confidence, kept on thinking that I lost the game in that
second, when I could have gone 2/0 up. And against Shabana, you
can’t do that. He is just too good.
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[16] Cameron Pilley (Aus) bat [Q] Ryan Cuskelly (Aus)
11/7, 11/2, 11/8 (53m)
 It’s
so tough to get to play Ryan. We had to play in the single event
of the Commonwealth Games, then were doubles partners for 10
days. We were on the same team, talking to each other,
supporting each other. And we actually come from the same region
in Australia, we live 40m apart from each other, and my brother
had a few hard battles with him in Juniors!
I’m happy to get off 3/0, and to have been able to limit his
attacking. I did relax a bit after the second, as it was 11/2,
which is normal, but I shouldn’t have! He changed his game, and
whereas I was the one attacking and going short in the first
two, he suddenly took the initiative, and it worked! He went 5/0
within what, 10 seconds!.
As for Shabana, I can take a lot from his match with Bozza
tonight. I may not get 6 points out of watching that match, but
it’s always good to watch other players game, and if I can get
one or two points out of him, I’ll be happy. I take any point I
can from Shabana!!!!!
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I got in a bit
late really. I found it hard to find the push after the CWG, I
was going through the motions. In the third, got up at 5/1, then
just let him back in.
He was playing well, he’s got the confidence, as for me, playing
decent squash for half a game, and the rest pretty average is
not good enough.
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"I watched him play numerous times,
and I thought I knew his game, but it’s always different until
you actually play against him!.
"I knew he was able to play some pretty good shots, and that he
was also very patient, but what he surprised me with was his
ability to switch from one to the other.
"I found it hard to read his game, and he was able to break my
game, all credit to him."
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[1] Nick Matthew (Eng) bt [Q] Steve Coppinger (Rsa)
11/9, 13/11, 11/6 (49m)
NOTHING TO LOSE ...
 Don’t
know about you, but I have the feeling that Steve played out of
his skin tonight, and that he found some drop shots, lobs and
acceleration that I certainly didn’t know he could play. Not
sure he knew it either!
But playing a player such as Nick, you’re bound to raise your
game. Especially as you have nothing to lose, and that you see
that your game is working, and putting the World number 2 under
so much pressure!
A stunning match really, two perfect gentlemen, very few
decisions, superb running and retrieving from both, with lengthy
rallies, and some astonishing volleying from both.
The first one was hard for Nick to take, as he was 10/6 up, when
Steve raised his game, looking for and finding nicks from every
position he could find. Then the second. Oh boy. Steve had 3
game balls, 10/8; 10/9. And again, just to prove he was no
fluke, at 11/10. Nick got it by a string of his racquet. Lucky?
Oh yes. Or is that experience.
What I really appreciated tonight in particular was the voice
work from Steve, who kept commenting the match. Like “ No, it’s
too tight”. Or “ Too good”. But the best one, as Nick found a
beautiful drop shot to take that crucial second game, “Good
shot, damned”.
Like I said, a match of perfect gentlemen, but my God, fierce,
hard and brutal. Loved every minute of it.
I’ve worked pretty
hard this summer, so I knew I improved a little bit, and I knew
that I was not going to play ordinary today, that I was going to
play well against Nick.
I think I got him at the end of a few rallies, which I’m very
happy with, but at the crucial times, he was able to stick to it
a bit better.
I was happy with my concentration, apart from a few points in
the middle of the 3rd, I was pretty much focused the whole time.
I lost 3/0, which is not a good result in anybody’s book. But
there is still some positive to take away from there…
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