|
|
|
 |
|
TODAY in Kuwait
Fram in Kuwait, Steve in Manchester ... |
|
En Bref #3
Kuwait Time |
Sat 30th, Day THREE
Qadsia Club, from 14.00:
[8] Peter Barker (Eng) bt [15] Alister
Walker (Eng)
5/11, 11/6, 117, 11/6 (82m)
[6] James Willstrop (Eng) bt [12]
Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egy)
11/1, 7/11, 11/6, 11/7 (58m)
[7] Thierry Lincou (Fra) bt [13] Azlan
Iskandar (Mas)
11/7, 11/9, 13/11 (58m)
Green Island, from 18.00:
[9] Daryl Selby (Eng) bt [1] Nick
Matthew (Eng)
9/11, 6/11, 11/7,
11/1, 11/7 (83m)
[5] Gregory Gaultier (Fra) bt [14]
Adrian Grant (Eng)
11/3, 11/4, 11/6
(50m)
[3] Amr Shabana (Egy) bt [16] Cameron
Pilley (Aus)
7/11, 11/5,
11/5, 11/6 (56m)
[4] Karim Darwish (Egy) bt [10] Wael
El Hindi (Egy)
11/7, 11/8,
11/7 (36m)
[2] Ramy Ashour (Egy) bt [11] Laurens
Jan Anjema (Ned)
7/11,
11/8, 11/9, 11/0 (52m) |
|
Session One at Qadsia Club |
|
[8] Peter
Barker (Eng) bt [15] Alister Walker (Eng)
5/11, 11/6, 117, 11/6 (82m)
TRADITIONAL SQUASH
When those two started rallying like 50+ shots in each and every
rally of the first half of the first game, I thought, well,
could be here for a while. Was I right? 82m for four games. Yes
I was.
 But
it was like a mental contest. As if Ali was saying, you want to
play up and down, I can do that too. And beat you at it. And for
a game, he did. He found the perfect balance between length (in
particular his forehand drive is perfect) and short attacks.
To do that, though, he had to dig massively into his fuel tank.
And in the second, he was constantly on the back foot. Not able
to really have any impression on a Peter that found his
composure and confidence again.
In the third, Ali found his second wind, but by that time, Peter
was not doubting anymore as he did at the start of the match,
and was gruellingly adding pressure rally after rally. Ali found
a few attack shots here and there, there were a few high paced
rallies, but Peter was now too much in control to be threatened.
We thought we’d may have a decider in the fourth, when Ali came
back from 5/2 to 5/5, and looking good physically, but two no
lets and a tin later, Peter was not going to lose that....
 May
I say first of all that I’m very happy. Because the last two
times we played, I was playing very well, and Ali wasn’t. And I
saw him play against Olli yesterday, and he played really well.
He just stayed in Cairo for a week, and played with the boys,
and his squash is much better than it’s been recently.
In the first game, he played really well, there was not much I
did wrong there, he just was up there, and I was right down.
Gradually, I got better, and he got a bit more tired, so it’s
balanced it out.
I tried not to panic after the first game, get in front of him,
stop him from dominating me. And there were a few too many lets,
but it’s was to be expected, we both wanted to take the ball
early, and if I didn’t do that, it would have been 3/0.
We played very tough on there, but right in the second, I
thought to myself to smile a bit, and in the 3rd, he cracked a
few jokes. And that’s the way squash should be played. Hard, but
with a smile on your face…
|
Last times I played him, I tried to play my game, volleying,
taking it to him. And I made so many errors, and ended up
beating myself up for it. So this time, my only game plan was to
match his length, and prove to him I could match his game.
The form is better. It’s a massive step in the right direction
if you compare it to the rest of my season, and to the last
times I played Peter, India, Canary Wharf, Hong Kong. I’m much
happier with that.
 |
I started really badly, but then, I started to be patient, in
particular on the backhand side, and tried and was as tight as
possible.
I think he maybe lost a bit of concentration in the middle of
the second game, maybe because I was putting him under a lot of
pressure.
The third, 7/6 is quite crucial, I play 4 tins in a row, and
that made a big difference in the game. And in the 4th, I was
4/0 up, and I found myself at 8/4 down! He played so fast, he
really played well in the 4th.
I realise now that I should have volleyed more, but I think we
played a good match, and I’ll try and learn from it, and play
better next time….
 |
[6] James
Willstrop (Eng) bt [12] Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egy)
11/1, 7/11, 11/6, 11/7 (58m)
NOT TRADITIONAL SQUASH
 Oh
my. This was in my mind the best match I’ve seen so far. Put
aside the first game, where Mohamed thought he was back in the
juniors again, tinning more shots that I’ve got grey hair. And
that’s a lot.
But from that moment on, we had two extraordinary player. One
Englishman playing like an Englishman and an Egyptian. And an
Egyptian, playing like an Egyptian and an English man.
As in both able to rally up and down as tight as it comes, and
then volley drop shot and nick the shots from virtually any
position.
We had a delightful stunningly intense, accurate and fair match.
Between two players that respected each other immensely. Furious
squash in furry gloves. Stunning. Pure and simple.
 Mohamed
is I think a player that can play up, he had a few wins over top
players, including myself, and not many people can do that,
winning for the top 10. So I was aware of that. Not to mention
he is Junior World Champion, he’s got a pedigree, and there was
no question about me underestimating him.
I needed to produce quality squash to beat him. We had a few
tins, which is due to the pressure we were putting each other
through. But I think we played good squash.
It’s good to get a match in the legs like that, where you’ve got
to be at the top of your game, really ready. And not going on
too long, it’s perfect for the quarters.
Quite satisfactory.
James Willstrop
|
|
[7] Thierry
Lincou (Fra) bt [13] Azlan Iskandar (Mas)
11/7, 11/9, 13/11 (58m)
INTENSE AND FRIENDLY
This is the kind of game I want. Everybody’s gone to the Glass
Court as the matches are starting at 6, and it’s past 5. Only a
few aficionados, the refs, and each of the player’s coach, as in
Beng Hee for Azlan, and Alister for Thierry. Plus Celia
Allamargot, who is helping me on the French site, may she be
thanked for that.
And they start. And from the first rally, you know it’s going to
be one of those tough matches, played by two players that have
got the utmost respect for each other.
A bad start for Azlan really, who makes far too many tins,
Thierry on the contrary, very focused. Unusual for the Old Man
who takes the first one.
But in the second, Azlan is mentally right in there again. But
the Frenchman doesn’t let go of anything. 3/3. 5/5. TitiTight is
frustrating the Malaysian, who can’t attack in the position he
would like to. At 7/8, Azlan to serve, Thierry wins the point,
but Azlan realises that the ball burst. The ref still give 9/7
to Thierry, who immediately gives it back. 8/8. 9/9. Some
stunning rallies all in attack, flair, touch and accuracy. Game
Lincou, 2/0.
The old Azlan would have maybe let the focus go right out of the
window in the 3rd. But not this Azlan. 1/1. 2/2. 3/3. Then
suddenly, the Malaysian flies ahead with beautiful short game,
kills and nicks that Thierry doesn’t have any answer for. 7/3.
“There is 5 setter written all over that one” me thinks.
Naaa. The ComeBack specialist does it again, like he did it so
many times. Patiently, he claws back, 7/7. But Azlan won’t die.
9/7 he goes.. Tin from the Frenchman. Game ball Malaysia. But
no, 10/10. Match ball for Thierry, saved with a stunning
crosscourt nick that he can only salute as a great shot. 11/11.
Azlan doesn’t see a deep crosscourt. Second match ball. 13/11,
Thierry.
Beating Azlan 3/0 in 58m. I wouldn’t have bet on that result.
 The
first game, the second game, the third game, they were all
pretty crucial.
Today I was hungry. Bleeping hungry. I wanted to keep on with
the momentum of those past weeks…
I got my forehand drop going, and that got him a bit weary. I
think that’s where maybe I made the difference. But you had to
make him move the lot, send the ball to the four corners,
especially as the ball stands up a lot on this traditional
court…
Azlan is a fast, fit, remarkable athlete. I had to play the
right shot at the right time at every point. And it all comes
down to a few points here and there. Maybe today I was more
hungry than he was…
 |
 I
was lacking concentration, I was playing 4 good rallies, and two
bad, then 4 good rallies and 4 bad. But he was switch on all
along, and even in the 3rd at 7/3 where I thought I could give
it a big push, he got a couple of forehand drops, and I just
tightened up a bit.
There are a few things I could have done better, like my shot
selection.
I’m really disappointed to not get a game, but the Man is a
legend, 34 and he is still here. You can only aspire to be like
that at that age, I know I won’t! And I really wish him good
luck for tomorrow.
I have to admit I’m a bit tired too, the past four weeks have
been pretty full, with the CWG, Egypt. I’m not one of the
professionals that can live out of a suitcase for 5 weeks. And I
can’t take a break yet, we’ve got the Asian Games coming up in
the next 2 and a half weeks. I need to keep pushing…
|
|
Session Two at Green Island |
|
[9] Daryl Selby
(Eng) bt [1] Nick Matthew (Eng)
9/11, 6/11, 11/7,
11/1, 11/7 (83m)
NICK HIT THE WALL
When I arrived in the Press Room here at the Green Island, Nick
was comfortably 2/0, and something quite normal in the 3rd. By
the time I set up my computer, and walked off, Daryl was 9/4
up!!!!
And even if Nick tried to come back, Daryl took the game 11/7.
After that, it was like Nick hit a brick wall. Literally. His
body was sweating an awful lot, he looked completely drained.
His face very white. And Daryl bless him, played just extremely
well. Aggressive, taking the initiative, retrieving the great
shots Nick was cleverly still putting at the front, and in the
back corners. Daryl was in charge.
And he stayed in charge. Till the 5th.
Nick seemed to get his teeth back into the match. Getting a good
start, 3/1, then 5/3. After a few lets, we were back at 5/5. But
if Daryl looked fresher and fresher, Nick looked just knackered.
Daryl went straight up, 8/5. Nick clawed back, as the true
champion that he is, and it must have cost him, it must have
hurt. But Daryl was not to be denied today. Even a crosscourt
backhand close to the body, a Beachill as I call it, didn’t get
the point, as Daryl found the nick with a reflex volley that
produced a loud “YES” from the contender.
One match ball was enough. Nick Matthew, seed number one, was
out.
 "Thing
is. I was leading 2/0 and in the third, he made two errors in a
row, and in my head I thought that’s it. I won. And he just gave
it a last push, gave it all he had. And it worked. Which is a
good lesson of what you should never do. I had it. And I let it
go.
"I’m not physically tired, it’s just I don’t have mentally
anything to give. I remember thinking that I should have won in
the 3rd game. The game became scrappy, but normally, I can
get through those scrappy stages, but today, I just couldn’t.
"There were far too many lets in the end, Daryl is not taking
the right line to the ball recently, and the referees doesn’t
see that. And they give let where they should be no let.
"I’m not overly disappointed, because this year, I think it’s my
third loss, so I’m not doing too badly! And I really couldn’t
expect much. Yesterday was my first day of preparation since the
CWG. It was my biggest goal ever, and after that, I really
didn’t want to even look at a squash court!
"And yet, on the calendar, PSA put El Gouna two days after the
last day of the CWG, and this one right after. Nobody that’s
done the Games has been doing well there, and it’s the same for
the Asian Games. It’s a massive advantage for the Egyptians, the
French, etc. So at the moment, I’m not very happy with the
calendar.
"But if the CWG made it impossible for me to go for the World
Ranking, the Word title is still possible. So there is always a
silver lining, and I guess that I’ll be able to rest a bit more
this week…
"Maybe today, he wanted it more than me…"
 |
"Definitely the
best win of my career. Nick was number one most the season, and
with Ramy, they are the best players in the world…
"Nick is a very good friend, and we respect each other. I give
him the respect he deserves, and he gives me the respect I
deserve.
"What am I going to do now? Change my flight first of all, and
trying to get a good night sleep, if my room mate Peter Barker
doesn’t snore too much, he’s been pretty good so far!!!"
"I just don’t know what to say…"
 |
Today I was really trying to get a
good start, I’m still finding my way, I’m not as sharp as I
would like to be, but every tournament, I’m building up,
building up.
But I must say that tonight, I was really annoyed with Greg’s
attitude on court. At 3/0 down in the 3rd, I just wanted to go
off court, but he really got me going. And it takes a lot for me
to do that.
On the 10 years I’ve been on the court, I’ve never said a bad
word about anybody. But I feel that a player of his talent and
level should have a different attitude on court.
 |
[5] Gregory
Gaultier (Fra) bt [14] Adrian Grant (Eng)
11/3, 11/4, 11/6
(50m)
DIDN’T GET IT ALL…
 I
could see that Greg was in complete control in the first two
games, no contest really, his length was too perfect for Adrian
today, and it was opening the court wide for the Frenchman.
But in the third, Greg seemed to be unhappy with the refs for
most of the game, till at 5/5, I heard them talking, Adrian
seemed not happy, but we couldn’t really understand what was
going on.
And that really pushed Adrian to try and win that game. The fire
came back in his belly, and we were spoiled with great, hard,
disputed rallies, with a lot of running, and superb attacks and
retrieving from both players.
 Today,
I had a good practice with Cameron Pilley to get my marks on the
court and tonight, I was pretty sharp, on my toes.
In the third, he kept the fight going, and it was not easy to
close the match.
There is such a good atmosphere here, and we are all so grateful
for the support and welcome we get here in Kuwait. We would love
to have more tournaments like this one….
 |
|
[3] Amr
Shabana (Egy) bt [16] Cameron Pilley (Aus)
7/11, 11/5,
11/5, 11/6 (56m)
WRONG GAME PLAN??
 I
have the strong impression that Cameron’s tactic was to hit hard
everything he could put his strings on. And to be honest, it
worked pretty well, up to a point. Until Shabana, who is one of
the Masters at adapting to his opponent’s game and absorb power
– along with Karim Darwish I would add – tuned inton the
counterattacking mode, and until the energy it takes to
stick to that game plan run out of it in
the end.
All to the Australian’s credit, he never said die, and kept on
running, hitting and retrieving till the last point. As for
Shabana, he looked ten times sharper than he did yesterday, and
after warming up the body in the first game, he was as accurate
back and front he ever was….
 Today
I played better than yesterday. It’s always like that, the
players tend to get better as the tournament progresses, as we
are getting used to the conditions, and to the court.
Talking of which, I find this court extremely rewarding. When
you do a good shot, you get the reward, and you could see it
when Pilley was getting the right shot in the 3rd….
I’m happy with the way I played today, I stuck to my game plan,
and I think the conditions suited me better, especially as he
kept breaking his strings, and nearly run out of racquets…
 |
In the first game, you are always sharper, so it’s easier to
play your shots. But as the match went on, I went too short too
early, and when you do that against Shabana, you are asking for
trouble….
 |
 |
[4] Karim
Darwish (Egy) bt [10] Wael El Hindi (Egy)
11/7, 11/8,
11/7 (36m)
NO REAL INTENSITY
No offense to either of the players, but it was a pretty
one-sided match, even if the second was close in score, but
somehow, Wael didn’t seem to move too freely, an little niggle
somewhere maybe, and Karim well, was just above him today, in
all departments of the game in my opinion.
|
|
[2] Ramy
Ashour (Egy) bt [11] Laurens Jan Anjema (Ned)
7/11,
11/8, 11/9, 11/0 (52m)
LJ RAISED HIS GAME…
Ramy is like a good French wine, it gets better as it gets
older… What I mean is that he is rarely as good when he starts
than when he finishes the match. It’s like a crescendo. Like he
was taking the measure of the conditions, the court, his
opponent, his options, his shot selection, and little by little,
like a puzzle, it all comes together.
LJ was very disappointed after his match, because he could only
remember the 11/0 he took at the end. But I remember the rest of
the match. And like Mark yesterday, who turned suddenly Egyptian
while I was not watching, LJ, more famous for his physical
strength, determination and court coverage than for his short
game, tonight, took it to Ramy in his territory, at the front.
Of course, you can only do that to the Master in Chief of Short
Game if your length and width are perfect, and that your choice
of shots is wide and takes Ramy on the backfoot.
Which the Netherlander succeeded to do pretty much for two
games, the first one, that he won 11/7, and the second one, that
he should have won, leading all the way through, from 5/5 going
to 8/5, then 9/6, to be caught up by a Ramy on absolute fire,
9/9, and 11/9. All that sprinkled all the way by stunning
rallies, retrieving from hell from the Egyptian, hitting like a
lunatic from LJ, with both being accurate, fast and perfect
gentlemen.
Losing that game, thinking that he could have been
2/1, serving to win the match, and finding himself 1/2 down,
fighting to survive, was I guess mentally too hard for an LJ who
worked so hard and got so close.
Hence the last game. But don’t be fooled by that harsh last
score. Ramy had to play his utmost best tonight to get to the
quarters.
 "LJ is a tough
player, very fast, and today, he picked up everything, wherever
I was playing the ball, he was there. He was very explosive from
the T today…
"I had to have that attitude, to be a bit angry, and letting go…
Today, was a very good physical test for me, I have to thank my
physical trainer Memes, because I pushed hard, and I was able to
do it till the end. And I hope I’ll keep playing that way…"
 |
"I’m just really
disappointed that 10 years of hard training didn’t come to much
today, losing a game like that at the end, it shouldn’t happen.
I could argue that it’s a physical thing, but then again, he
made me run more than I made him run…
"I am working a lot on different things, that’s true, but then,
when it doesn’t work, it comes back to bite you in the butt!!!!
"It’s so great to play Ramy, you learn from your mistakes, and
there is no better lesion than that, and boy, did I get one…"
 |
|
