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Anaka Alnakamony (Ind) 3-0
Oxane Ah-Hu
11/3, 11/2, 11/1 (17mn)
[9/12] Julia Lecoq 3-1
Lakshya Ragavendran (Ind)
11/6, 11/1, 8/11, 13/11 (27m) |
FAST AND FURIOUS
And I finished as I started, with the girls...
Not that the other matches weren't much longer, but Anaka, two
times Asian Junior Champion of course, didn't waste any time
today against French girl Oxane Ah-Hu. 17 minutes, with Oxane
completely outplayed by the Indian's power, accuracy and
steadiness.
 The
Frenchgirl found some lovely acceleration and shots of a own,
but not enough to threaten Anaka in any way, shape or form today.
Now, for Julia, bless her. She is one of the most gifted
French girls with the racquet, but her attention span is about
the one of a sparrow. She'll play astonishingly beautiful,
accurate and lethal shots, to switch within seconds into a
"junior game", going for silly shots that of course end in the
tin again and again.
Today, that's exactly what happened. She completely axphyxiated
India (again, the 4th of the day for the French!) Lakshya
Ragavendran for two games. I mean, atomised her, with some
gorgeous shots, "unplayable" as one of the French boys described
them.
 But
as she seemed to be on her way to the changing room, leading 5/2
in the 3rd and up 2/0, 11/1 in the second, she helped her
opponent to get right back in the match. At 8/8, it was all
about the India girl that started playing her best squash, so
fast, so accurate, and so surprising. 11/8 for India. And a
match on our hands.
Still Julia thought, ok, I had enough of this, let's play
squash. And within minutes, she sets up her first match ball,
10/4. 5 tins later, we are back at 10/10. You see the drill. It
was to take 8 match balls for the French to finally close it
down at 13/11, on a no let that broke Lakshya's heart, as she
thought, quite rightly in my opinion, that she deserved a
decider.
At least. |
Come on, Fram, we've got to put a bit of suspense on our matches...
I still have a bit of a focus problem, I find it hard to stay
concentrated for a whole game. I'm working hard with Philippe
[Signoret] on it, on the consistency, and although I sill have some
work to do, it's amazing the improvement in a year.
I'm working on the rally construction too. I find it easy to play a
more "adult" squash, longer rallies, when I'm on the WSA tour, it's
like I was mirroring my opponent a bit.
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I was a bit nervous at the start of the
match, and in the first game, I put on far too much pace on. It's
his game, he was loving it, volleyed beautifully, and chopped me
really. And I knew I needed a plan B fast otherwise I was on my way
out.
So I slowed out as much as I could, and it worked for two games. He
went for too much too soon, or made short shots that were not
damaging me enough, which I could hurt him with and make him do an
awful lot of work.
But then, he changed his game, the clever boy, he understood what I
was doing, and started to lengthen the rallies. I didn't want to let
go of that 4th game, so when I did, it was hard mentally.
But I told myself to be more aggressive to put him under more
pressure. And the fifth, well, there was nothing between us the
whole time. Never more than 2 points between us, shoulder to
shoulder really, nobody giving the other one an inch.
It was pretty intense on there, but I loved it. That's to feel that
kind of pressure that I play squash. And don't get me wrong, but I
was not in doubt. I thought I was on top of the game. Of course, he
could have got a few nicks in, and he did too, but I always have the
feeling that I was going to win it.
Still, I was a very lucky boy, several time, including a funny shot
that hits the racquet, bounces on the side wall and offers me the
best drop shot ever!!!!
It was so close all the way, gripping really. And he really
astonished me with his quality of play, he played so well, and
deserves as much as I do the victory.
Now, I'm happy I only had a match today, I'm pretty dead to be
honest!!!! I'm going to rest, a good massage, and get ready for my
match against Abdulla tomorrow. Playing him home, with the good
results he had lately... Won't have much to lose, I'll only try and
enjoy the moment....
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[21/28]
Alexandre Cogno 3-2 Robin Gadola (Swi)
7/11, 11/3, 11/6,
11/3, 16/14 (80m) |
NEVER IN DOUBT....
 What
to say about a match between two talented and fair players, that
ends 16/14 in the 5th, after 7 match balls and 80m of play.
A lot.
It was a beautiful match. Truly. Robin, not sure how old
he is, but he looks pretty young to me. He'll be back a few
years I bet.
Alex, I think it's his last year. The French boy is
actually "a brain". He is in one of the most prestigious
universities in our country, they are all amazingly good in
Mathematics and Physics, bless them.
And you can see it in his game. The boy has forgotten to be
stupid, and you can see the construction of each rally. In the
first game, he was constructed them, but the pace the Swiss was
playing at was just too fast, and Alex would eventually get the
wrong end of very long rallies.
The second, well, change of scenery. The Frenchboy sloooows down
the pace Wael's style, lobbing again and again, excellent width
and lenght, forcing Robin to volley from less good angles, and
frustrates/tires him a bit. Lots of twist and turns.
In the 4th, it looks like we are going for a 3/1 win, but Alex
seems to run out of fuel a bit, while the Swiss finds a
different style of game that gets Alex far, far away from the
ball. A few lets, a few strokes again the Swiss, as he is
getting tired, and getting a bit in the way apparently.
 A
tight end of the 4th, 4 game balls for Robin, who finally
clinches it 13/11. Worrying times for the French camp,
especially as the Swiss makes an excellent start in the decider.
But Alex is a fighter. He clings to his opponent, and those two
offer us a stunning game, yet again, lots of beautiful rallies,
lobs, volley drop shots, stunning counter attacking from Robin,
and perfect game plan from the French.
Alex gets his first match ball at 10/8. Robin claws back at
10/10. The French camp is suffering. It will take 7 match balls
for Alex to finally clinch the match, 16/14.
What a match that was. And remember that name. Robin Gadola.
You'll hear from him again. |
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Abdulla Al Tamini (Qat) 3-1
Joshau Sekhar (Can)
12/10, 11/4, 12/14, 11/4 (38m) |
 That's
done, the first match out of the way!
I'm sure he must feel the pressure, although he doesn't talk about
it. He is the number 1 player in Qatar, he had a few good results,
and he is expected to perform well, surely it must be difficult to
be the home player.
But it's not easy, as the best players are here. Still, he is in the
third round, and he is playing well enough to win...
The next step for him is to get training as a professional player.
He graduated from the Aspire Academy in June, so he has finished
with me but I managed to get him a post graduate scholarship that
gives him the chance to go and train overseas.
 He'll
start with 6 weeks work in New York with Rodney Martin and Dan
Jenson and their boys.
He has got a lot of things to work on, like his general fitness of
course, but he is improving his skills all the time, he is only 17,
he is pretty light and fast on his feet - mind you, he doesn't have
much excess weight to carry!
It's so good for Qatar, they organised that championship, and they
have a Qatari in the next round. It's good for the sport here...
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Juan Camilo Vargas (Col) 3-1
[17/20] Dylan Murray (Usa)
11/9, 11/8, 11/4 (27m) |
I walked in court 1/2 as
Yousif Saleh from Kuwait was getting back in the match after
losing a bit of focus in the 3rd, against a fiesty American,
Devin Mclaughlin. A strong performance from the Kuwaiti,
against a Devin that can go head high, having performed to his
best today.
 On
court 1, we had the Physical Dylan Murray, who I had the
pleasure of watching last year in Herentals. The physicality of
the boy impressed me then, and it still impresses me today.
I think I remember he was playing basket ball, and his ability
to move fast on the ball, to plunge to get shots and getting
back into the rallies compensate greatly for maybe a not so
accurate technique. He is very involved in the rallies, but
sometimes doesn't really know what to do with the ball, creating
opportunities he doesn't really concretise. Shame really.
On the other hand, we had a very skillful Juan Camilo Vargas,
looking older with his little beard bless him, than Dylan who
looks really a high school boy!
The Colombian played a good game, attacking relentlessly, not
getting over excited when the ball kept coming back again and
again, patiently grinding this opponent away.
It was an extremely entertaining match indeed, they both played
intense rallies, but today, Juan Camilo looked technically more
experienced. |
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[29/32] Josimar Silva (Bra) 3-2
Thomas Deminski (Usa)
11/7, 8/11, 8/11, 11/7, 11/7 (61m) |
But the longest match of the day
so far, maybe the longest of the tournament, was between
Josimar Silva, Brazil, versus Thomas Deminski, USA.
Both looking physically tall and strong, the match was pretty
much balanced all the way, with sometimes my thoughts going
toward a Brazil victory, only to change my mind a few rallies
later!
 Thomas
is for me a bit of a typical American young player. Very
determined, physically strong and terribly fit, with a game that
is not the one that we are used to, different combinations
or/angles, which can surprise I'm sure his opponent.
Not your typical squash.
It was, like the one next door between Dylan and Juan Camilo, a
feisty and intense match. Lots of great rallies, a few
frustrations, the ref having to remind Thomas not to abuse his
racquet several. But nothing bad, really. Just two players
deeply involved in this championship, trying desperately to get
to the next round.
 In
the 5th, there was nothing between the players, 3/3, 4/4, 5/5,
6/6. Maybe a bit of tiredness crept in those American legs,
maybe a bit more experience from the Brazilian, who waited till
the end to play his best shots of the match.
Whatever the cause, it's Josimar that get away with the score,
10/7 match ball. One was enough. |
The difference maybe today was in the head. I think we were squash
wise at the same level, maybe I was a bit stronger mentally at the
end. I didn't play my best squash, but I won, that's what matter.
I did feel the pressure, and I was constantly suprised, I never knew
what to expect, his game is different from what I'm used to.
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Richie was steadier today, and it made
the difference. Deepak fought hard, he is not in our team, he only
came for the junior event, and wanted to prove it was worth for him
to come here. He had his chances in both the 2nd and 3rd, but
unfortunately, he couldn't win either.
In the individual event, we have two players that are seeded 5/8,
and we are looking at getting a step further, as in, reaching the
semis.
As for the teams, the dream would be to win the title, obviously.
Now, realistically, the Pakistani and the Egyptians are a bit above
the rest really.
Our best result was in Switzerland, 2008, where we reached the
semis. We are aiming for the podium, but it goes without saying that
the level of the other teams is such we would have to play our best
squash to reach it...
Indian National Coach
It normally takes a little time for
Cameron to get to his groom, he's got a basic game, but he closes
down quite nicely. And if he plays against somebody who cannot
change his game plan, he can expose their weakness, and shut them
down. He is not what you would call a flashy player, but he grinds
his opponents down...
Our boys, a complete new team to this event, are on the similar
level, and with very little experience, and nobody with a high
seeding. So we were counting on a good draw for the individuals, and
we are hoping to reach the round of 16th. We are not planing
anything really, just playing each match, day by day.
As for the Team, considering none of our four boys have ever
participated to a world event, we have fixed our goal quite high,
the top 8 result.
We took the boys to Amsterdam to train as a team, and the number of
matches they will do in the individuals will help for the team event.
Canadian National Coach |
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[17/20] Richie Fallows (Eng) 3-0
Deepak Mishra (Ind)
11/2, 11/9, 12/10 (37m)
[29/32] Cameron Seth (Can) Jonathan Barnett (Nzl)
5/11, 11/7, 11/3, 11/3 (46m) |
SEEDS
GO THROUGH, BUT HARD WORK....
The great advantage of those events
is that you get to see players you don't know. For example, I
discovered Cameron Seth, from Canada and Jonathan
Barnett, from NZL.
 Physically,
very different. Barnett is still looking a bit boyish, not too
tall, and nice hands. Seth, looking more like an adult, taller
and bigger.
First game was all about the New Zealander, but from the second,
the Canadian imposed his all around game onto his opponent, who
seems a bit out of breath at times.
The NZL would have lovely batches where he really made some
lovely rallies, but I guess that the grinding imposed by the
Canadian eventually took its toll...
 I
think I saw Deepak Mishra play before, I remember I like
his fighting spirit. And today, against English Richie
Fallows, he was bound to need it!
Completely overwhelmed the Indian was to start with, he didn't
score more than two points in the first game. But what I saw in
the 2nd and 3rd was really some excellent squash.
Richie played an excellent
typical English patient game, and concentrated on the backhand,
that the Indian was happy to match. Followed some lovely
accurate and disputed squash, both games could have gone either
way.
 At
the end of the second game, Richie needed 3 game balls to close
it out, and I thought, well, led 2/0 up, the Indian boy is bound
to let go.
Not at all. It was quite the contrary!
He led 5/1, Richie caught up at 5/5, then up again Deepak went,
8/5, only to be caught up again, 8/8. The English eventually
took the match on the second attempt, 12/10, with the English
boy never losing calm and composure.
To be noted again, some pretty harsh no lets, in particular at
crucial times against the Indian boy, at 8/9 in the 2nd, and 9/9
in the 3rd...
Really harsh I thought, especially as you really couldn't accuse
him of not making enough effort, as he plunged a few times for
the ball, bless him... |
Harshit H Jarwanda (Ind)
3-2 Megan Page (Rsa)
6/11, 11/3, 11/3, 5/11, 12/10 (32m)
Camille Lanier (Por) v Lakeesha Rarere (Aus)
11/7, 10/12, 11/6, 11/3 |
INTENSE START
Once again, don't think for a minute I'm chosing matches. I just
sit between court 1 & 2, and hope for the best. Well, you may
watch the streaming to see what's going on on the glass court,
hence, logic is that I watch what you cannot...
The match between Jarwanda and Page was a bit of a seesaw
one, with the girls completely dominating the other for 2 games
each. Megan, the South African, is a bit of a fighter. She hits
hard, but maybe lacks a bit of accuracy. Hence, her shots arrive
in the middle too often, and she was penalised a few strokes
that way.
The Indian girl was a bit overwhelmed with that power to start
with, and took a game to adjust. Then was pretty comfortable for
the next two games. I thought it would end in 4, to be honest,
but Megan came back with a vengeance in that 4th, not letting
her opponent in the game at all. Excellent game for South Africa
that was. All was square again.
And in the decider, well, there was nothing between the girls.
When we got to the business side of things, the Indian girl
saved a match ball at 10/9, only to have a terrible call - she
hit her opponent with her backswing, couldn't hit the ball at
all, straight stroke really, but was awarded a no let bless her.
Lucky for her, the call didn't change the outcome of the match,
but at such crucial times, it could have been damaging. Still,
she gets the last 3 points to close it out at 12/10.
Good encounter.
Now, on the other court, we had Camille Lanier,
representing Portugal but based in Washington DC, and now to be
coached by Amr Wagih, who I understand is now going to coach
there.
Camille impressed me today. Her rally construction, her calm and
compusure on court, really shows great promises. Plus, she can
hit the ball!
 Her
opponent, Australian Lakeesha Rarere, looking a lot like
Dipika physically, fought hard on there, and especially in the
2nd, seemed to have answers to the Portugese game.
But Camille came back strongly in that second, let 10/5, she
came back to force a tie-break, 10/10, only to bow 12/10. But
although Camille lost the game, she made the Australian doubt.
And the hard work paid off for the Portuguese in the last two
games, where she dominated more easily her opponent. |
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