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Reports Day
6:
Semi-Finals:Willstrop knocks out
distraught Power
Willstrop was euphoric after his 5-11, 12-10,
11-3, 11-6, 11-7 win that put him in the final. His opponent Jonathon Power
was depressed.
Willstrop came back to from 10-7 down to win the second after Power lost
concentration following a severe stroke lost it in a hand. Power dived
recovered won a let, was stroked again, argued a no let, and did not endear
himself to referee Mazarella. Willstrop levelled the games 12-10 but fell
behind at the start of the third and let it go. At 2-1 Power had the
initiative.
It is what players have done in this tournament, said Willstrop. When
they have been down they have let the game go and preserved their bodies. It
was a gamble but it paid off.
In the fourth the preserved Willstrop seized the initiative to go 5-2 ahead
and it was a lead that Power did not threaten. Power varied his play between
full length and bursts of low kills but there was not quiet the precision or
threat to knock Willstrop out. Errors crept into his play and the feud with
Mazarella continued. Willstrop levelled 11-6 to take the match to the
decider.
It was a point for point struggle in the fifth levelling at 6 all but Power
was the beneficiary of a fortunate backwall nick and a side wall one. A
stroke gave Willstrop the initiative again and from 6 all three fine winners
a backhand drop off the back wall, a forehand drop, and a crosscourt
blasted passed his opponent once he had been lured up the court to cover the
short ball.
It was a push and the winners came. I didnt want to take risks though,
said Willstrop.
That pass was crucial, Power new it and attempted to destroy his racket on
the back wall only to receive censure form Mazarella. What abuse, I didnt
hear any , said Power disarmingly. Mazarella would have his own back soon.
Power made room, lots or room for a backhand drop winner, 7-9, and then
Mazarella struck. No let, he said. Power was distraught to put it mildly,
opinion was divided.
The ball shot into Power at an awkward angle an error came and Willstrop
leap to claim victory with sheer delight 11-7.
I have a lot of respect for him and to beat him in the semi-final of the
British Open is fantastic, said Willstrop.
Power was mad with himself:
I should have polished it off 3/0 but to his credit he played well to take
the last two. I didnt underestimate him I overestimated myself. I didnt
think there was anyone in this tournament playing that well and that I could
win it but I tightened up.
The calls didnt help. They were as bad as being in Pakistan. They were
biased calls particularly in the second.
Nicol out in cliffhanger
Peter Nicol was so close to making his sixth
British Open final but the last ball struck by Anthony Ricketts after 95
minutes just rolled out of a deep nick and gave the match to his opponent
9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 2-11, 11-10 (2-0). This was a intense physical
confrontation which fluctuated wildly, at times was loose but always a
grinding effort.
Nicol up 2-1 fell behind in the fourth 4-0 and at 4-2 miss hit, tinning a
volley drop and started to question whether he should be expending energy on
this game. He let the last 3 or 4 points go as Ricketts went through in one
hand.
The fifth was to be an epic. Ricketts got away to 4-1 with Nicol now late on
the ball and forced into error. Somehow he revived and snapped a volley out
of the air to level at 5 all. A stroke, a tin and Ricketts still strong was
starting to move away. Nicol dived, a spectacular recovery of a ball even he
could not run down, got up and ran down the next ball. Then he did it all
again but the match was moving away from him. The physical effort was taking
it toll. A new plan was needed.
Nicol attacked and attacked again. Ricketts got it all back and the tempo
kept rising. A winning volley drop got Nicol to 6-9. He looked as if he
would decide to stop the torture, as he had in the last game but slammed the
ball into the side. The boast dead nicked in the front and the crowd
exploded. He was coming back. A drive clung and died. 8-9. A fast edgy boast
from Ricketts tinned and it was 9-all. A no let, a difficult one when he was
struggled and on the wrong end of a rally penalized him harshly. It was so
crucial. Ricketts had match ball.
Nicol fell, got up but set up an easy shot for Ricketts. The Australian,
took up his room, crunched it it should have been the final ball but it
slammed into the tin. 10-all. Nicol dived again retrieved miraculously, ran
the ball down, but he couldnt get near Ricketts winning drop. The whole
crowd urged him on. Ricketts struck a crosscourt and it rolled out at
Nicols feet to the groans of all Manchester. The players embraced, shared
the pain and the crowd were on their feet for long applause.
David wins classic semi
This was a superb match of exquisitely crafted shots and carefully
built rallies with brilliant retrieving front to back to run
down dying balls. Once retrieved the pattern would start all over again,
rallies rebuilt, opening sort and taken. It had concentration, fierce
competition and commitment, and was played in a spirit of friendliness.
Rachael Grinham, asserted herself at the start and although David was neat
in all her work she did not have the cutting edge in her play to disrupt the
Australian. Grinham won it 9-3 and lead 5-4 in the second but this was so
close it could have gone either way. David bounced on the T, found her
rhythm more and sneaked the game to level the scorces, which was just about
right.
In the third Grinham took the pace up her weight of shot was greater ¬ to
go to 8-5 before David staged a comeback only to be thwarted by an unlucky
bounce and go 2/1 down. It turned in the fourth. David took the initiative
and with her lobs played to telling effect and her ability to take the ball
in short with absolute confidence from very high, especially on the backhand
she won through 9-4 . Stepping up the court with renewed confidene she hit
five assertive winners in the fifth to take t he advantage. A unplayable ace
on match ball gave her a British Open final place.
She will hope her luck holds for the final.
Day 6:
More on Semis:
Nicol Edged Out, But Willstrop In Final
Early England disappointment at the loss of Peter Nicol in a
dramatic semi-final of the Dunlop British Open Squash Championships at the
National Squash Centre in Manchester today (Sunday) turned to jubilation at
the end of the day when Yorkshire's James Willstrop produced a stunning
comeback to earn a first ever appearance in the prestigious event's final.
Seventh seed Willstrop will face Australia's No6 seed Anthony Ricketts in
the men's climax, while the women's final will also introduce a new champion
when Malaysia's third seed Nicol David takes on Australia's fourth seed
Natalie Grinham.
In one of the most dramatic matches ever seen on the all-glass showcourt at
Sportcity, Peter Nicol narrowly failed in his bid to reach the final for the
sixth time when he lost out to Ricketts in a 95-minute marathon which had
the packed crowd on the edges of their seats.
The twice former champion reached the last four after upsetting France's
world No1 Thierry Lincou in a 74-minute quarter-final on Saturday. But the
32-year-old from London, conceding six years to his opponent, showed little
sign of fatigue as he built up a 2/1 lead.
Ricketts, however, piled on the pressure in the fourth to level the match
with the loss of just two points as the veteran campaigner began to look
vanquished.
Despite being 1/4 and then 5/9 down, Nicol refused to give up in one rally
twice having to pick himself up from the floor to continue the fight back
against the younger Australian as he levelled to nine-all. The Englishman
saved one match ball to force the decider into a tie-break, but Ricketts
ultimately prevailed to reach the final for the first time.
It was a smiling Nicol, however, who announced later: "It's all coming
right!
"I'm not always going to win, but I'm pleased with the way I played and
that's the most important thing," said the former Scot.
Ricketts, who was out of action for more than half of last year following
surgery on his knee, was delighted to have made it through to his maiden
British Open final: "Last year I didn't know what was going on with my life
so to be in the British Open final is a dream come true.
"It almost doesn't seem right but I'm going to do my best to enjoy the
occasion," added the 26-year-old from Sydney.
In talking of his opponent's incredible fight back in the fifth, Ricketts
said: "I've learned over the years never to underestimate Peter Nicol."
Ricketts was asked whether he felt he had it in the bag at 9-5. "No - that's
when he's most dangerous."
The other match featured Willstrop, in his first semi-final, and Canada's
1999 champion Jonathon Power. The 31-year-old from Montreal led throughout
the first game and had three game balls in the second before Willstrop, 22,
fought back to draw level.
In just five minutes, Power reclaimed the advantage to move 2/1 ahead but
the young Yorkshireman, a former world junior champion from Pontefract,
stuck to his task and after 77 minutes secured a magnificent 5-11 11-10 3-11
11-6 11-7 upset over the world number two.
"The turning point for me was when I came on in the fourth and made a good
start that certainly lessened the pressure slightly," said the 6' 4"
Englishman.
"One of my main targets this year is to win a major and it can't get much
more major than this!"
Power felt he threw the match away: "I should have won it three zero he
stole the second game as a result of my negativity.
"He fell off in the third and I thought I had him. We were both tired, but
in the fifth it was his reach that took over. But he played well," conceded
the former champion.
Earlier, Nicol David became the second Malaysian to upset an Australian
defending champion in the event when she recovered from 2/1 down to beat top
seed Rachael Grinham 3-9 9-7 7-9 9-4 9-1 in 69 minutes in the first women's
semi-final.
"When Rachael starts off so strongly, it's so hard to break up her rhythm,"
said the 22-year-old from Penang after the high quality match. "Then I
started to play my game, and she stepped back a bit, and I went on,"
explained the former twice world junior champion.
"But my mind's a blur right now I can't believe that I'm in the final,"
said David, after her third successive win over the Australian since July.
Rachael Grinham was downcast afterwards, but refused to acknowledge that
pressure of a third successive title played on her mind: "Sometimes first
round matches can be a bit nerve-wracking but by the time you get to the
semis, you're well into the tournament," said the reigning world number one.
"I just couldn't play my game tonight. In the decider I didnt seem to ever
get a chance - she was really chopping the ball in."
Later in the evening, Rachael's younger sister Natalie Grinham ensured the
family name's presence in the women's final after beating England's Tania
Bailey 10-8 9-1 9-2 in 44 minutes.
"We were talking earlier and agreed that at least one of us should be in the
final, to try and keep the family name on the trophy," said the
Netherlands-based Queenslander afterwards.
Observers were quick to point out to 27-year-old Grinham that she had beaten
her final opponent on each of the last four occasions they met.
"Yes, but we haven't played each other this year yet and I feel that the
last time I beat her, in the 2004 World Open in Malaysia, was the turning
point for Nicol as she began her charge up the world rankings."
__________________________________________________________________________
Day 5: Quarter-finals:
Willstrop in semi-final after Boswell win
Stewart negates my game, said James Willstrop to
explain how hard it was to finaly wear down the Australian comeback kid and
go through to the British Open semi-finals.
Boswell was slow to start dropping the first five points but once he was
into his game Willstrop had his hands full. Boswell hits straight and
persists with it. Hit length is better than other players so he pushes them
back into the corners. He waits for the short ball and he drops that
straight, short and clinging so there is not really anything to hit. Thats
largely it. He varies the pace well, lobs intelligently applies the pressure
with volleys and half volley when he can, boasts are rare. Willstrop had to
break that down to win a British Open semi-final place.
He didnt find it easy. Despite his lead, and despite two game balls, he
lost the first 13-11 making crucial errors when over keen to finish it. The
second was a point for point struggle in which he eventually same out on top
11-8 and a game apiece was about right.
Half way through the third Boswell served at 3-4 before Willstrops winners
started to take their toll and at the end of the game Boswell slowed and let
it go. There was little left in the fourth. In a hand Willstrop was through
from 2-1 to 8-1 largely on winners as Boswell struggled to retrieve and the
Englishman saw the match out 11-4.
I have nothing but admiration for Stewart being away for two years and he
has come back in as if he has not been away. Im pleased with the win, said
Willstrop.
On Sunday he has Jonathon Power in the semi-finals.
He is one of the squash greats, said Willstrop, but I will be looking for
a win in the match and the tournament. Powers in great nick but so am I.
White suicidal against Power
Jonathon Power was extolling the virtues of John White
after routing him in the quarter-final.
"Playing him is playing at a different speed
to all the other players," he said. "It's a sprint. Although it was not a
long match he hits is so hard and low that you have to get down to it all
the time and its hard on the legs."
White failed to hit a winner in the first,
hit four in the second and none again in the third. That was never going to
trouble the speedy Power who was moving with ease and moved the ball as
easily to hit seven winners in the first, four in the sescond and only two
in the third but by that time White had imploded into mistakes in a game
marred by 16 lets.
"I'm happy to be off in three after a tough
game yesterday. He got frustrated. I got the ball past him and straight so
it didn't kick out. Today I was in control but often I'm like a headless
chicken against him."
"I should pull up OK, but you are doing a lot
of lunging. I'm going to go out and play my game and not worry about the
other guys and hope it will all fall into place."
Nicol runs down Lincou
It must be disconcerting to control a match, take your
opponent to every corner, stamp your presence on the commanding centre
ground, anticipate the volley and straight drive opportunites, fade replies
into the side and to die on the back, place the softest of drops and volley
drops just above the tin - and come away with a bitter defeat. That's
how Thierry Lincou feels now beaten 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7 by the Peter
Nicol running machine that just kept getting the ball back.
They were both superb. At one game all Lincou
lead 5-4 but hit out to lose the first of a series of points that gave Nicol
an 8-5 lead and the initiative. It was finger tip retrieving at express
speed from Niocl but the balls kept coming back and eventually the
opportunity came for the winner. The third was won 11-7.
"He was in control the whole game and controlled the middle and deep. I was
moving well and that gave me the chance," said Nicol. "Only in the fourth
could I get forward."
Lincou held 2-1 in the fourth, but he then
made a series of mistakes, tired mistakes, to give Nicol a 6-2 advantage in
one hand. Lincou staged a last chance revival that ended with a forehand
drop that wavered and then tipped the tin. If it had gone up it would have
given Lincou 8-9 but it was not to be and Nicol's crosscourt beat him
and he thrust his fist in the air. They growled at each other at the pain of
it. Nicol flung open the door for his opponent and then they exited to a
standing ovation.
"His placements are good but his shots don't
worry me. I cope with the pressure. Other players are finished. It is too
hard for them but what he does suits my type of movement," said Nicol.
And on his prospects: "I just want to play
well and enjoy it. If I have one game where I'm not moving well I think I'm
too old for this and I have to get out of that".
On Sunday he will have Ong Beng Hee or
Anthony Ricketts.
Duncalf Challenges Grinham
Rachael Grinham goes through to semis after surviving a first
game shot making onslaught from England's Jenny Duncalf to win 5-9, 9-4,9-6,
9-1 over 60 minutes.
"She was fresh and attacked everything lose
at the start and I was just running around," said Grinham. "It's a bouncy
ball and the English girls who have trained on this court have done well. It
was dangerous to put short."
Duncalf did look good. Neat movement and neat
shots and left one with the feeling that perhaps she could have done this
better _ the talent is there _ but perhaps too many points were given away
too easily.
Grinham, who is on a hat trick of titles, was
not to enamoured with her performance, but it was pretty adequate in the
end. It took something special to beat her. The weight of British Open
expectation rests easily on her.
"I'm OK with it. I'm not thinking about it
too much but I want to feel sharper tomorrow."
___________________________________________________________
More on Quarters
Nicol Topples Top Seed In 'Brutal'
Dunlop British Open Quarter-Final
England's Peter Nicol will meet Australian Anthony
Ricketts in tomorrow's (Sunday) semi-finals of the Dunlop British Open
Squash Championships after toppling top seed Thierry Lincou in what he
described as a "brutal match". The former Scot and five-times finalist upset
the world No1 from France 11-6 8-11 11-7 11-7 in a 74-minute marathon at the
National Squash Centre in Manchester.
The other men's semi-final will feature Canada's fourth seed Jonathon Power
and England's No7 seed James Willstrop while the women's last four line-up
will pitch Australia's defending champion Rachael Grinham against
third-seeded Malaysian Nicol David, and Rachael's younger sister Natalie
Grinham, the fourth seed, against England's eighth seed Tania Bailey.
Despite being ranked five places below Lincou, fifth seed Nicol was
celebrating his tenth successive major event win over the Frenchman - but
conceded that "every match with Thierry is so close".
The 32-year-old from London is enjoying a renaissance in his career since
slipping from the top of the world rankings a year ago and is now focussed
on a third successive gold medal at next year's Commonwealth Games in
Melbourne.
"This is the best I've played since the English Open (in August) by a long
way," explained Nicol, a twice winner of the sport's most prestigious title.
"For me, playing well is more important than winning though I do want to
win this trophy for a third time."
When asked why Nicol seems to be his nemesis, world champion Lincou replied:
"I think he wants to do well against me because I'm French!"
Ricketts, the sixth seed from Sydney, coasted to an 11-2 11-8 11-5 victory
over Ong Beng Hee, avenging the Malaysian's defeat of his Aussie team-mate
David Palmer, the defending champion, in the previous round.
"I wanted to get off to a quick start, and not allow him to carry on from
where he left off in his earlier match," said Ricketts, in the semi-finals
for the second time. "That worked well, and I plan to play a similar game
against Peter tomorrow, though I'm sure it will be even more intense."
In a high-paced match, Jonathon Power defeated Scotland's eighth seed John
White 11-4 11-6 11-4 in 45 minutes. After surviving a 70-minute second round
marathon with France's Gregory Gaultier, the Canadian was glad to get the
match over in straight games.
"John is always tricky, and nobody else plays at his speed. I like to play
fast but he's something else," said Power, who has just risen to No2 in the
world. "Considering I had such a tough game yesterday, I felt I was moving
well. In the third he was getting frustrated."
While White was disappointed with the outcome, the former British Open
finalist was pleased with his overall performance in the tournament.
"Jonathon's playing well and back on form, which has taken him to two in the
world. He's putting it together on a squash court which he hasn't done for a
while," explained the former world No1.
"But my confidence is back and I'm now looking forward to putting in good
performances at the Motor City Open in Detroit and the US Open in Boston
next month."
In the last match of the night, James Willstrop delighted his Manchester
fans by fighting back from a game down to beat Australian qualifier Stewart
Boswell, the former world No4 who is enjoying a sensational comeback run
since recovering from a mystery back ailment.
"To be in the semi-finals of the British Open for the first time is such a
thrill," said the 22-year-old Yorkshireman who will be the youngest men's
semi-finalist by more than four years. "It's a huge event, and I always
dreamed about playing in the closing stages.
"But I really had to work at it Stewart played magnificently and I have
nothing but enormous admiration for the way he has come back, as if he has
never been away," added the former world junior champion.
The 27-year-old from Canberra the only qualifier to reach the men's
quarter-finals was understandably disappointed with the outcome: "But if
someone had told me at the beginning of the year that I'd be playing in the
quarter-finals of the British Open before the year was out, I'd have thought
they were mad," said the comeback king.
Earlier, Australia's top seed Rachael Grinham kept alive her hopes of
winning the women's title for a third successive year by beating England's
seventh seed Jenny Duncalf 5-9 9-4 9-6 9-1 in 60 minutes.
"I had trouble getting the ball tight in the first game and Jenny played
really well," said the world number one afterwards. "She and the other
English girls are obviously used to this court look at all the upsets
they've caused this week but I definitely find it punishing.
"You've got to be playing 100% to win this title, and I don't think I'm
quite there yet but generally I have been playing a lot better recently
since taking a long six-week break in the summer," explained the 28-year-old
Queenslander.
Grinham will meet Malaysia's third seed Nicol David, who fought from two
games down to beat local favourite Vicky Botwright 8-10 7-9 9-1 9-1 9-2 in
71 minutes.
"She was so relaxed in those first two games and I just didn't feel
comfortable," said the relieved Malaysian, who lost the last two meetings
with Botwright in straight games. "In the third game, though, I managed to
get control.
"I guess it's also because it's the British Open, so mentally it's quite
tough and this is the first time I've been expected to reach the
semi-finals, which I've never done before, so all the pressure was on me,"
explained the world No3 from Penang.
Botwright was downcast at her quarter-final exit in front of a loyal home
crowd: "I let her get too good a start in the third game but the biggest
disappointment was to lose from a 2/0 lead," explained the world number
seven from Manchester.
The other semi-final will feature Australia's Natalie Grinham and England's
sole survivor Tania Bailey, from Lincolnshire. Both beat English qualifiers
in 45 minutes, fourth seed Grinham putting out Lancashire's Laura-Jane
Lengthorn 9-5 9-7 9-4, and eighth seed Bailey defeating her good friend
Alison Waters, from London, 9-3 9-4 10-8.
Grinham junior, who was given a walkover in the previous round, confessed to
'first round nerves' in her quarter-final victory over the 21-year-old from
Preston. After a major upset in the previous round over fifth seed Natalie
Grainger, Lengthorn was disappointed not to have at least taken a game from
her higher-ranked opponent.
"But what I learned from this match is that more experienced players are
able to push at the important points," said Lengthorn. "It's really hard to
be disappointed overall as I've just played in the last eight of the
British Open, yet I've never even reached the National Championships'
quarter-finals before!"
Tania Bailey knew she would have a tough battle with Waters: "Last time we
played, she beat me in the National Championships on this court, and has
just gone from strength to strength since then. After all my setbacks over
the past few years, I feel at last as if I'm playing as well as I ever did,
especially after a good hard training period over the summer.
"Having reached the final on this very court three years ago, I'd love to
get back there this year," added Bailey.
________________________________________________________________________
Day 4:
Boswell returns to vanquish Beachill
Stewart Boswell is back, right back. He has been
playing for a while on the comeback trail, getting the games under his belt,
gradually building his fitness and tonight it all became worthwhile - he
knocked out the no.2 seed Lee Beachill 6-11, 11-8, 11-8, 5-11, 11-6 in 71
minutes.
"I'm happy with that. I've been back playing
a while and I've got to a certain level but that is the first time its felt
like I've played top 10 standard," he said.
"It's great to be back. There was always a
part of me that thought I would play again. I'm pleased to be able to have a
second chance."
Boswell rallied superbly and it was an effort
for Beachill, for all his fine shots, to apply consistent pressure. It
was an accomplished tactical performance from the Australian who rallied
straight down the backhand, lobbed superbly frequently, varied the pace,
poached the volley from around the T and refused to let Beachill get on top.
"I wanted to play at a high pace," said
Boswell. He did and came back after dropping the first to go 2/1 up in close
combat but it took its toll on him.
"I had worked hard and when I fell behind in
the fourth I felt my legs had gone. I decided to let it go."
The fifth was a point for point struggle. At
6-5 Boswell was pushed corner to corner finally conceding the easy ball set
up for the kill. It had 'despatch me' written all over it and Boswell was
nowhere insight. Beachill tinned. And he never recovered. A sharp
volley gave the Australian the lead. Beachill tinned again and it all ran
away form him.
"I was a bit lucky in the fifth but you need
a bit of that," said Boswell. Whatever. It was a deserved win. In the
quarters he has Beachill's stablemate James Willstrop who many joked would
be out for revenge but it does free him from the block of playing a
player he has never beaten. It will be a fascinating battle.
Waters shock Atkinson
Alison Waters provided the shock of the women's
event on the fourth day when she dumped the world champion Vanessa Atkinson
out of the tournament in just 36 minutes.
Waters played superbly and kept her cool
while Atkinson was of great assistance with loose and error prone play. The
Dutch player worked hard, didn't give up but brain and body where not
connected. The chances came Waters way and she took then superbly. It would
have been so easy to get over excited and venture short early but she kept
rallying and kept attacking when the opportunities came her way which they
frequently did.
It was a fine counter punching performance.
"It is not every day that you beat a world
champion so I'm pretty pleased with that," said Waters.
"I'm pleased with how I played. I kept it
straight and did not make many errors. If you let her in front you are in
trouble. I was able to rally and wait for the openings."
Waters had the shots to accomplish the task
and did so with ease. It is a result that can only give her confidence. She
is a dangerous young player that her opponent should really have kept
in her place. Atkinson has some serious questions to ask herself after
this performance.
Champions Galore Exit Dunlop British Open
In Day Of Upsets
Reigning British Open, World Open and US Open champions crashed out of the
Dunlop British Open Squash Championships in a day of upsets in both the
men's and women's events at the National Squash Centre in Manchester.
Australia's men's champion David Palmer, the third seed, was the first
casualty beaten 11-7 4-11 11-6 9-11 11-9 in 100 minutes by 15th seed Ong
Beng Hee. The second round match was reconvened this morning (Friday) after
an overnight injury break which following a 'contributed' calf injury
sustained by the Malaysian when he collided with Palmer during the fourth
game last night.
Although outraged by the decision to delay the match, the world No3 from New
South Wales conceded that he didn't deserve to win. "There's no way I would
have won the title - I would have been wiped off the floor in the
quarter-finals by fellow Aussie Anthony Ricketts."
A beaming Beng Hee admitted that he had never before beaten anybody in the
world's top four and that this was the culmination of a two-year programme
which had seen him completely transform his game.
"I have been working hard with my coaches in England over this period, and
this is the reward for me, my coaches and everybody that has helped me over
this period," explained Beng Hee, who followed a career-high No7 world
ranking in December 2001 by slipping out of the top twenty last year.
"My whole approach now is so different, and this win has given me a lot of
confidence," added the 25-year-old Asian champion who is now based in
Harrogate in England.
"I've had a lot of criticism recently in Malaysia while I was slipping down
the rankings. But maybe this did me a lot of good as I am now enjoying my
squash more than I have for a long time and I've got a life as well!"
In the first scheduled men's second round match of the day, Scotland's
eighth seed John White recovered from a game down to beat English qualifier
Alister Walker 8-11 11-8 11-6 11-9 in 57 minutes. "I was a little bit shaky
for the first game and a half but I was happy to get the job done in four
games," said the former world No1 who is now based in the USA.
Walker, the Botswana-born 23-year-old who hails from Gloucestershire, said
he enjoyed playing on the biggest stage of his life. "I didn't think I let
myself down - and each game is a learning experience. In fact, with every
match, you realise how much more clinical you've got to be."
White will meet long-time rival Jonathon Power in the quarter-finals after
the fourth seed from Canada beat France's Gregory Gaultier, the ninth seed,
11-4 7-11 7-11 11-1 11-6 in 70 minutes.
"We train together a lot and always have hard games the last two times it
was 3/2 and I just got it in the fifth," said the world No2 from Montreal
afterwards. "But Greg is one of the players to beat at the moment he's one
of the top four in the world right now."
When asked if he felt he could go all the way, Power responded: "I didn't
come here to finish second!"
The other men's quarter-final settled today will feature England's seventh
seed James Willstrop and Australian qualifier Stewart Boswell. Willstrop
took 59 minutes to overcome compatriot Adrian Grant, the 11th seed, 10-11
11-6 11-6 11-8, while Boswell caused the highest seeding casualty in the
men's event with a 6-11 11-8 11-8 5-11 11-6 victory in 71 minutes over
England's No2 seed Lee Beachill, the reigning US Open champion.
Since returning to the PSA Tour this April after a layoff caused by a
mystery back ailment, Boswell has picked up eight titles in a formidable run
which saw his ranking soar from 261 to 29.
"I felt I'd got to a certain level, but not to top 10 standard yet," said
the exhausted but delighted 27-year-old from Canberra afterwards. "I now
feel close to what I was playing like before," said the former world No4.
Lancashire qualifier Laura-Jane Lengthorn ensured that there will be English
interest in all four women's quarter-finals on Saturday when she upset USA's
fifth seed Natalie Grainger also a reigning US Open champion - in today's
first round of the women's event at Sportcity.
"I kept saying to myself 'get the first get the first', as I knew that would
put her under pressure," said the 21-year-old from Preston after her 10-9
9-4 9-1 victory in 37 minutes.
"I thought I was going to fall over in the last game, my legs were so
wobbly. I can't believe it it's definitely the best win of my career."
"I train here about four or five times a week it's only about half an
hour's drive from where I live so it feels like home to me here. It's a
really big advantage to have played on this all-glass court a lot," added
the world No19.
A disconsolate Grainger, ranked four in the world, conceded: "That was not
my best performance.
"I have been really been struggling with an injury to my right leg, which
just won't get better," explained the 28-year-old from Washington DC. "I've
been trying to train, but that's not been easy. I guess I thought I might be
able to get through a round or two, but the quality of the younger girls is
just too high."
Lengthorn will meet Australia's fourth seed Natalie Grinham, who claimed her
place in the last eight courtesy of a walkover provided by Dutch 'lucky
loser' Karen Kronemeyer, who withdrew following the recurrence of a knee
injury.
Later in the day, Alison Waters became the second English qualifier to claim
an unexpected place in the quarter-finals in the biggest upset in the
women's event. In a career-best triumph, the 21-year-old from London beat
reigning world champion Vanessa Atkinson, the No2 seed from the Netherlands,
9-7 9-2 9-3 in 36 minutes.
"It's not every day you beat a world champion," said the smiling Waters, who
celebrated a career-high world number 16 ranking this month. "The last time
I played Vanessa, she beat me 3/2, so I knew I was in with a chance if I got
out of the blocks quickly."
Waters next meets her good friend Tania Bailey, the eighth seed from
Lincolnshire and runner-up in 2002, who beat Welsh qualifier Tegwen Malik
9-3 9-4 9-1 in 40 minutes.
__________________________________________________________
Round: 3
Palmer's Title Defence Stalled In Dunlop British Open
Less than 48 hours after a fire caused a power cut
which resulted in unfinished matches being continued the following day, a
further incident in today's (Thursday) action in the Dunlop British Open
Squash Championships at the National Squash Centre in Manchester will lead
to Australia's defending champion David Palmer resuming his second round
clash with 15th seed Ong Beng Hee after an overnight injury break.
The Malaysian was 2/1 ahead in games and 2-1 up in the fourth when Palmer
was awarded a stroke for interference by his opponent. But the third-seeded
Australian, seeking his fourth British Open title in five years, was unable
to stop himself colliding with Beng Hee, which resulted in the Malaysian
sustaining an injury to his right calf.
As a 'contributed' injury, Beng Hee was entitled to a recovery break but
as further matches in the same round are also being played the following
day, the period is ruled to be up to 24 hours.
After lengthy discussions between event officials, the injured party and a
less-than-happy Palmer, it was eventually agreed that the match would be
reconvened at 11.00am on Friday.
England's Peter Nicol came through his second round match in straight games
but the fifth seed admitted afterwards that unless his game improves
before Saturday's quarter-finals "I haven't got a chance".
The former world number one and world champion - and twice British Open
champion - beat Pakistan's top player Shahid Zaman 11-7 11-6 11-10 in 39
minutes, but was far from happy with his performance.
"I just didn't feel comfortable I wasn't moving well, I wasn't flowing,"
explained the 32-year-old, who now faces top seed Thierry Lincou, the world
number one from France.
"He's the most consistent player at the moment so I'll have to get it
right by then."
Lincou was fully stretched by unseeded Welsh champion Alex Gough, who took
the opening game and had game-balls in the third before the Frenchman fought
back to claim his 8-11 11-4 11-10 11-3 win in 59 minutes.
"I was pleased to get that close to someone who's number one in the world,"
said the rejuvenated 34-year-old who knocked out Australia's 12th seed
Joseph Kneipp in the previous round. "In the end I was mentally, not
physically, tired but I felt I put him under pressure."
In the opening match of the day, Rachael Grinham successfully began her
defence of the women's title with a 9-2 9-5 9-2 victory over Scottish
qualifier Pamela Nimmo. Appearing in her ninth successive British Open, the
Australian is seeded to win the title for the third consecutive year.
"It's hard trying to win the British Open once but three times in a row is
something else," said the 28-year-old Queenslander. "I just try not to think
about it."
Grinham will face England's Jenny Duncalf in Saturday's quarter-finals after
the seventh seed from Harrogate beat Dutch No2 Annelize Naude 9-3 10-9 9-7
in 44 minutes.
Manchester squash star Vicky Botwright battled for 83 minutes to reserve her
place in the women's last eight after recovering from a game down against
Irish champion Madeline Perry at Sportcity.
"I have a tendency to play long matches in Manchester," agreed the
28-year-old seventh seed after her 7-9 9-3 9-4 7-9 9-6 victory in the
longest match of the tournament to date.
"I didn't think I played particularly well tonight, but it shows that
sometimes you're not going to play well, but you can still dig in and win.
"I was a bit edgy, perhaps because it was a first round British Open match
but when you have to play the number 13 in the world in the first round,
it's bound to be tough," conceded the world number seven.
Day 2: Beachill
Survives Longest Match Of His Life To Reach Second Round
Though the referee's score sheet recorded the
match time as 36 minutes, it was almost 23 hours after beginning his first
round battle with qualifier Phillip Barker that fellow Englishman Lee
Beachill, the second seed, confirmed his place in the last sixteen of the
Dunlop British Open Squash Championships tonight (Wednesday) at the National
Squash Centre in Manchester.
The Yorkshireman was within two points of establishing a two-games-to-love
lead on Tuesday evening when a fire in an adjacent building caused a power
cut which ruled out further play for the day in the National Squash Centre.
"At the time, I was disappointed by the interruption - but when I woke up
this morning, I was quite pleased to have another workout today, especially
as my next round match is on Friday," said Britain's leading hope in the
event after his 11-8 11-9 11-2 victory.
"I was also a lot happier with the way I played tonight than I was yesterday
but I've obviously now got a tough second round match to look forward to,"
added Beachill.
The England number one's opponent will be Australian qualifier Stewart
Boswell, the former world No4 who took another significant step forward in
his comeback trail this year by beating Pakistan's 16th seed Mansoor Zaman
11-2 11-8 11-2 in 29 minutes.
Whilst Boswell's match was also delayed by the NSC power cut, it started and
finished tonight but was played on the Centre's all-glass showcourt
instead of the scheduled conventional court.
"That was great for me playing on the all-glass court so I was happy
with my match being delayed a day," admitted the 27-year-old from Canberra
who become the second qualifier to make it through to the second round.
"I can't remember the last time I played Lee, but we came through juniors
together so we know each other well," added Boswell, whose spectacular
comeback after a mystery back ailment has included eight PSA Tour titles
since April this year.
"It's great to be back in the British Open again and if I can beat Lee, it
will be the furthest I've ever got in the event," said the Aussie.
The first match in the unscheduled programme on the day originally planned
as a 'rest day' featured the remaining women's qualifying final between
London's Alison Waters and Manchester's Rebecca Botwright.
Waters, the world No16, was one game and 6-0 up against the younger sister
of sixth seed Vicky Botwright when play resumed after the interruption.
There was no way back for Botwright junior, however, as the in-form Waters
raced to a 9-4 9-1 9-4 win in 24 minutes and a place in Friday's first
round against second seed Vanessa Atkinson, the world champion from the
Netherlands.
"I just wish I could have found another court to finish the match that
night," said a disappointed Beccy after the match which began on a plaster
court, and was completed on the Centre's all-glass showcourt.
"I didn't have the chance to practice on the all-glass court either though
it was the same for both of us, so I'm not complaining."
Thursday's programme begins at midday with the first round women's match
between Australia's defending champion Rachael Grinham and Scottish
qualifier Pamela Nimmo, followed by the men's second round match featuring
France's world No1 Thierry Lincou and Welsh champion Alex Gough.
Day 1: Matches Postponed As Fire Causes
Blackout On Opening Day
As the opening day of first round action in the
2005 Dunlop British Open Squash Championships neared its conclusion at the
National Squash Centre in Manchester, a power cut caused by a fire in the
building's plant room resulted in play being abandoned for the day with
three matches unresolved.
Second seed Lee Beachill, the England No1 who is leading the British
interest in the men's event, was two points away from a two-game lead in his
first round match against qualifier Phillip Barker when the lights on the
all-glass court extinguished rapidly followed by an announcement over the
PA system for the building to be evacuated.
Two other matches were similarly disrupted: another men's match between
England's 11th seed Adrian Grant and qualifier Davide Bianchetti (later
conceded by the Italian), and the fourth and final women's qualifying final
an all-English clash between London's Alison Waters and Manchester's
Rebecca Botwright.
After inspection by fire authorities proved inconclusive, it was decided
that further play would be abandoned for the day, and outstanding matches
continued from 6.00pm tomorrow (Wednesday) a day which had originally been
planned as a 'rest day'.
Earlier, England's Alister Walker became the first qualifier to claim a
place in the men's second round when he beat 13th seed Olli Tuominen in what
he immediately acknowledged as "my best ever win".
The Botswana-born 23-year-old fought back from 2/1 down to topple Tuominen
11-4 9-11 7-11 11-6 11-6 in 64 minutes preventing the in-form Finn from
achieving his PSA Tour seeding for the first time for almost four years!
"I have been remodelling my game completely over the last two years with my
coach David Pearson and things like this take time," said the beaming
world No42 from Gloucestershire after his victory over an opponent who this
month reached a career-high world No15.
"You've got to gain confidence from a win like this and I aim to build on
it," added Walker, who is now based in Leeds.
Former champion Peter Nicol coasted to a straight games win over fellow
Englishman Laurence Delasaux, but admitted afterwards that he felt "a bit
uptight" and wasn't quite as relaxed as he wanted to be.
The 32-year-old former Scot has enjoyed an excellent association with the
sport's premier event, with five final appearances since 1997 and title
triumphs in 1998 and 2002. However, after an indifferent run over the past
twelve months, it was a re-energised Nicol that won both the World Games and
English Open titles this summer to mark an apparent renaissance in his
career.
"I think it's part physical, part mental, but I'm seeing the Physio later
and I'm sure I'll sort it out," said Nicol after his 11-6 11-6 11-2 win in
just 26 minutes. "I never start a tournament feeling great, so maybe it's
just that I'm just trying too hard," added the fifth seed, who now faces
Pakistan's 14th Shahid Zaman tomorrow (Thursday) for a place in the
quarter-finals.
Watched by his father Jonah Barrington, a six-times British Open champion
between 1967 and 1973, unseeded Joey Barrington fully tested Australia's
defending champion David Palmer before going down 11-10 8-11 11-3 11-8 to
the third seed in 53 minutes.
"I had game balls to win the first, then after taking the second I also led
in the third so I am pretty pleased with the way I played," said the
25-year-old from Glastonbury in Somerset who is ranked outside the top 30.
"I'm starting to become more of a squash player, understanding the game
better and better," said Joey, a self-confessed late-starter, despite the
inevitable early paternal influence.
"I've only been working seriously with my Dad for the past six weeks, and
it's been really motivational. I realise how much he inspires other people,
but now that I'm becoming a young adult, I'm beginning to discover how
inspirational he also is as a father. I just wish he could be in my corner
at other tournaments."
There was an early upset in the event when unseeded Alex Gough, the Welsh
national champion, recovered from a game down to beat Australia's 12th seed
Joseph Kneipp 4-11 11-1 11-6 11-5 in 38 minutes.
"I hardly trained at all over the summer and the break seems to have done
me a lot of good," explained the 34-year-old former world No5 who has
slipped to 32 in the rankings. "I want to get back into the top 20 then
we'll see!"
Welsh champion Tegwen Malik caused a notable upset in the women's qualifying
finals when she beat France's world No15 Isabelle Stoehr 9-7 2-9 6-9 9-6 9-2
in 73 minutes the longest match of the tournament to date! Malik is drawn
to face England's eighth seed Tania Bailey in Thursday's first round.
Scotland's Pamela Nimmo defeated Karen Kronemeyer 9-5 9-3 6-9 9-0 in 40
minutes to earn a place in the main draw against Australian defending
champion and favourite Rachael Grinham but her Dutch opponent Karen
Kronemeyer was later picked as 'lucky loser', and also secured a place in
the main draw (against compatriot Annelize Naude) when it was revealed that
England's seventh seed Jenny Tranfield had withdrawn due to injury.
day of first round action in the 2005 Dunlop British Open Squash
Championships neared its conclusion at the National Squash Centre in
Manchester, a power cut caused by a fire in the building's plant room
resulted in play being abandoned for the day with three matches unresolved.
Second seed Lee Beachill, the England No1 who is leading
the British interest in the men's event, was two points away from a two-game
lead in his first round match against qualifier Phillip Barker when the
lights on the all-glass court extinguished rapidly followed by an
announcement over the PA system for the building to be evacuated.
Two other matches were similarly disrupted another
men's match between England's 11th seed Adrian Grant and qualifier Davide
Bianchetti (later conceded by the Italian), and the fourth and final women's
qualifying final an all-English clash between London's Alison Waters
and Manchester's Rebecca Botwright.
After inspection by fire authorities proved
inconclusive, it was decided that further play would be abandoned for the
day, and outstanding matches continued from 6.00pm tomorrow (Wednesday)
a day which had originally been planned as a 'rest day'.
Earlier, England's Alister Walker became the first
qualifier to claim a place in the men's second round when he beat 13th seed
Olli Tuominen in what he immediately acknowledged as my best ever win.
The Botswana-born 23-year-old fought back from 2/1
down to topple Tuominen 11-4 9-11 7-11 11-6 11-6 in 64 minutes
preventing the in-form Finn from achieving his PSA Tour seeding for the
first time for almost four years!
I have been remodelling my game completely over the
last two years with my coach David Pearson and things like this take
time, said the beaming world No42 from Gloucestershire after his victory
over an opponent who this month reached a career-high world No15.
You've got to gain confidence from a win like this
and I aim to build on it, added Walker, who is now based in Leeds.
Former champion Peter Nicol coasted to a straight
games win over fellow Englishman Laurence Delasaux, but admitted afterwards
that he felt a bit uptight and wasn't quite as relaxed as he wanted to be.
The 32-year-old former Scot has enjoyed an excellent
association with the sport's premier event, with five final appearances
since 1997 and title triumphs in 1998 and 2002. However, after an
indifferent run over the past twelve months, it was a re-energised Nicol
that won both the World Games and English Open titles this summer to mark an
apparent renaissance in his career.
I think it's part physical, part mental, but I'm
seeing the Physio later and I'm sure I'll sort it out, said Nicol after his
11-6 11-6 11-2 win in just 26 minutes. I never start a
tournament feeling great, so maybe it's just that I'm just trying too hard,
added the fifth seed, who now faces Pakistan's 14th Shahid Zaman tomorrow
(Thursday) for a place in the quarter-finals.
Watched by his father Jonah Barrington, a six-times
British Open champion between 1967 and 1973, unseeded Joey Barrington fully
tested Australia's defending champion David Palmer before going down 11-10
8-11 11-3 11-8 to the third seed in 53 minutes.
I had game balls to win the first, then after taking
the second I also led in the third so I am pretty pleased with the way
I played, said the 25-year-old from Glastonbury in Somerset who is ranked
outside the top 30.
I'm starting to become more of a squash player,
understanding the game better and better, said Joey, a self-confessed
late-starter, despite the inevitable early paternal influence.
I've only been working seriously with my Dad for the
past six weeks, and it's been really motivational. I realise how much
he inspires other people, but now that I'm becoming a young adult, I'm
beginning to discover how inspirational he also is as a father. I just
wish he could be in my corner at other tournaments.
There was an early upset in the event when unseeded
Alex Gough, the Welsh national champion, recovered from a game down to beat
Australia's 12th seed Joseph Kneipp 4-11 11-1 11-6 11-5 in 38 minutes.
I hardly trained at all over the summer and the
break seems to have done me a lot of good, explained the 34-year-old former
world No5 who has slipped to 32 in the rankings. I want to get back
into the top 20 then we'll see!
Welsh champion Tegwen Malik caused a notable upset
in the women's qualifying finals when she beat France's world No15 Isabelle
Stoehr 9-7 2-9 6-9 9-6 9-2 in 73 minutes the longest match of the
tournament to date! Malik is drawn to face England's eighth seed Tania
Bailey in Thursday's first round.
Scotland's Pamela Nimmo defeated Karen Kronemeyer
9-5 9-3 6-9 9-0 in 40 minutes to earn a place in the main draw against
Australian defending champion and favourite Rachael Grinham but her
Dutch opponent Karen Kronemeyer was later picked as 'lucky loser', and also
secured a place in the main draw (against compatriot Annelize Naude) when it
was revealed that England's seventh seed Jenny Tranfield had withdrawn due
to injury.
___________________________________________________________
Qualifying Finals:
Ben Betters Brother Tim To Qualify
Since turning professional four years ago after graduating from Oxford
University, Englishman Ben Garner has been trying to emulate his older
brother's successes on the world squash tour. In today's (Monday) men's
qualifying finals of the Dunlop British Open Squash Championships at the
National Squash Centre in Manchester, the 25-year-old Surrey champion
surpassed sibling Tim Garner's achievement by claiming a place in the main
draw of the world's most famous event for the first time in four attempts.
"I remember being a ball-boy at the British Open when it was held at
Wembley, wondering whether I would ever be able to play in this
world-renowned event, with all its tradition," said Ben Garner after his
11-7 10-11 11-5 11-5 dismissal of 15-year-old Pakistani Aamir Atlas Khan,
the Asian Junior Champion.
"Tim did once get into the first round of the British Open, as a lucky
loser, but I guess I am proud to have now achieved something he hasn't done
but I still have to try and improve on his top thirty world ranking,"
admitted Ben, who reached 40 in the world two months ago and now faces
another Pakistani,14th seed Shahid Zaman in the first round.
In a bumper day for the hosts, Garner was one of four Englishmen who
survived the men's qualifying finals: Essex's Phillip Barker, from
Upminster, twice came from behind to beat Pakistan's Farhan Mehboob 7-11
11-6 9-11 11-9 11-10 in 64 minutes, while Gloucestershire's Alister Walker
defeated Farrukh Zaman 11-8 11-6 11-10 in 43 minutes.
Another Surrey player Stacey Ross was giving 14 years to his younger
opponent Yasir Butt. But 31-year-old Ross proved that experience ultimately
counts as he beat 17-year-old Butt 11-3 11-3 11-4 in the fourth
Anglo/Pakistan clash of the day which went the hosts' way. Ross was later
handed the toughest first round opponent: France's world No1 Thierry Lincou.
There was continuing North West success in the second day of qualifying in
the women's event: Preston's Laura-Jane Lengthorn, ranked 19 in the world,
defeated Cheshire's Sarah Kippax 9-5 9-4 10-8 in 38 minutes to earn a place
in Tuesday's qualifying finals against English compatriot Dominique
Lloyd-Walter.
But Manchester's own Rebecca Botwright caused the biggest upset at the
Sportcity venue when she ousted the Pakistan No1 Carla Khan. Rebecca, the
younger sister of Worsley-based sixth seed Vicky Botwright, battled for 69
minutes to overcome Khan, ranked 24 in the world, 9-4 4-9 9-3 10-9.
The 23-year-old world No32 now faces another English opponent Alison Waters
for a place in Thursday's first round. Waters, the world No16 from London,
recovered from a game down to beat Sussex's Suzie Pierrepont 9-10 9-5 9-2
9-4 48 minutes.
Qualifying
Simpson Excels In Dunlop British Open Qualifiers
English players dominated the action in today's (Sunday) opening day of
qualifying in the Dunlop British Open Squash Championships at the National
Squash Centre in Manchester, with Guernsey junior Chris Simpson pulling off
the biggest upset in the men's event to claim one of six English slots in
the men's qualifying finals.
Simpson, the reigning European Junior Champion who is ranked 178 in the
world, toppled India's Ritwik Bhattacharya a winner of three PSA Tour
titles this year and ranked more than 100 places higher - 11-8 11-10 11-10
in 41 minutes. The Brighton-based 18-year-old now faces Italy's Davide
Bianchetti for a place in Tuesday's first round draw.
Pakistani players secured five places in the qualifying finals, three of
which battles will be England v Pakistan affairs. The youngest player to
survive was Pakistan's Aamir Atlas Khan, the 15-year-old Asian Junior
Champion who beat compatriot Safeer Ullah Khan 7-11 11-10 11-5 11-7 and will
now meet England's Ben Garner for a place in the main draw.
Stewart Boswell was the only Australian to make it into the second day of
qualifying action. The 27-year-old from Canberra, who has picked eight PSA
titles in his comeback trail this year after a long layoff as a result of a
mystery back ailment, beat the first ever Lebanese player to compete in the
British Open. Boswell was too strong for Michel Zeinaty, winning 11-2 11-2
11-7 in 15 minutes the quickest full match of the day.
Manchester interest in the women's event was given a boost when Rebecca
Botwright beat France's Soraya Renai 9-1 9-2 9-5 in 25 minutes. The
23-year-old from Worsley in Manchester meets Pakistan No1 Carla Khan in the
second qualifying round and will hope to join her older sister Vicky
Botwright, the sixth seed, in the women's first round on Thursday.
Botwright junior is joined by six other English players in the next
qualifying round in the women's event including Lancashire country
team-mate Laura-Jane Lengthorn, who also beat a French opponent, Celia
Allamargot, to progress in the tournament.
Hopes of making a ninth successive appearance in the 'Wimbledon of Squash'
were dashed today for England's former world No4 Stephanie Brind. The
28-year-old from Kent, a quarter-finalist in both in 1999 and 2001, bowed
out 9-1 10-9 9-7 in 37 minutes to event newcomer Amanda Hopps, from
Doubleview in Western Australia.
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Dunlop
British Open