MATCH LINEUP:
Sabrina Sobhy v
Brandon DeMontrichard
Sabrina is only 14 years old and is already the #3 Under 19
player on the U.S. Junior National team. She is currently
training in preparation for the World Junior Championships,
which will be held in July at Harvard University.
Brandon is a former Junior National player and was also on the
Trinidad & Tobago Mens team last year as the reserve.
Omar Sobhy v
Josh Pinard
Omar is 20 years old and currently plays #2 for George
Washington University. He won the U.S. Collegiate Championships
B Division title and is hoping to get the opportunity to meet
some tougher opponents next year to help his college ranking.
Josh Pinard is a former Junior and Senior National Champion as
well as a T & T and St. Lucia Open Champion. He was also a
member of the Commonwealth Games team in 2006. He has only
recently started back playing after about a 2-year hiatus from
squash.
Amanda Sobhy v
Paul DeVerteuil
Amanda's achievements are endless. She is the 2010 World Junior
Champion and is the first American to win a world title.
She is currently ranked #20 in the WISPA rankings, but she
attained her highest world ranking of 17 back in April after she
had a good run of tournaments.
Her biggest win came in February when she beat the #6 Kasey
Brown, and even more recently this year she took the world #3
Madeline Perry to 5 games.
She is a two-time U.S. Junior Open Champion and multiple
National Junior Champion. First female to win 4 WISPA titles
before the age of 17 and the first American to make the finals
of the U.S. National Championships.
The list goes on.....
Dr. Paul DeVerteuil is a former multiple National Champion, T &
T Open and St. Lucia Open champion, and Commonwealth Team member
in 1998, Paul De Verteuil is also a prime example of balancing
education in sport.
He managed to maintain his high level of squash within the
Caribbean whilst studying to become a doctor. |
Sabrina Sobhy bt
Brandon DeMontrichard 11-5, 11-4, 11-8
 Both
players walked on court quite nervous despite it just being an
exhibition match. Sabrina was nervous because she was only 14
and playing in front of a brand new crowd with lots of
expectations.
Brandon was nervous... well, also because she was only 14.
 In
the end Sabrina's accuracy was too good and anytime Brandon hit
a loose crosscourt or a ball in the middle he was in trouble for
the remainder of the rally.
He came out strong in the 3rd game keeping the balls straighter
and providing less opportunities for his younger opponent, but
after leading 3-0, 6-4, and 8-7, Sabrina's fitness and
steadiness was just more superior and she eventually took the
match in 3 straight games.
Omar Sobhy bt Josh Pinard
9-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-2
 This
was always going to be a match of fitness as both players were
demonstrating good hands and skilful racquet-work.
Omar seemed to start off a bit casual as he was feeling out his
opponent. And although Josh was keeping up with him shot for
shot, you could see the rallies taking their toll as Josh would
become very friendly with the sidewalls, hugging them for a
couple seconds before getting ready to serve.
 However
with a few nicks from Josh and a few tins from Omar, Josh took
the first game 11-9. One for the home team!!
But one was all he would get. Omar got steadier and Josh's lack
of fitness was more than evident. The next three games presented
some good rallies, but each game was still one-sided. The
big-brother Sobhy eventually closed out the match.
Amanda Sobhy bt Paul J
DeVerteuil
11-5, 11-7, 13-11
As Dr. Paul J DeVerteuil entered
the court to his introduction, the sound of "Trini to D Bone"
was playing on the sound system.
Then Amanda was being introduced. Her list of achievements had
to be summarised as she walked on court to Alicia Keys, "Empire
State of Mind". The New Yorker looked pumped for the warm-up as
this was her opening battle.
Battle of the Sexes between champions:
Lefty vs Lefty ... Youth vs Experience ... Harvard vs Doctor
 From
the first point, Paul found himself stretching to retrieve
shots. His legs were not what they used to be and Amanda was
quick to volley wherever she could. The first game was over
quickly as Amanda's accuracy took Paul off guard.
In the second game, Paul seemed to find his feet and started of
with some great length of his own. He took an early 5-3 lead,
but then suddenly Amanda roared back with her own attacking
shots to reel off 5 straight points and lead 8-5. After a few
more lengthy rallies where Amanda would stretch Paul to the
corners with tight drives and volley drives, she took the second
game 11-7.
 The
last game was similar as Amanda led 9-6 and then 10-7. Then the
we got a glimpse of the old Paul who would never say die as he
fought back with a sense of discipline and steady shots... like
a dog refusing to die. He clawed back to 11-10 earning a game
ball of his own.
After a few exchanges in the back and front of the court, Paul
had a chance to close off the game when Amanda played a
defensive boast. All he had to do was drop the ball, and instead
put it in the back court where Amanda regained her ground and
saved the point.
At 11-11, Amanda took no more chances and she closed out the
game 13-11 to take the match 3-0
All in all it was a spectacular night of squash and the crowds
were pleased. The Sobhy family were happy with their matches and
commended the talent of our players. It was evident that fitness
was a major factor in the overall outcome.
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