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OFFICIAL: PETER NICOL
IS HUMAN AFTER ALL…

I know I know, for so many years, we have been used to Peter never making mistakes, never being tired, never being … human. Well, it’s now official, Peter Nicol has good days, and bad days. Yesterday was a good one, today, wasn’t.
	The first game started very well, and he quickly went up 9/2. It was obvious to all of us that he was going to win the game. But Simon was very clever, he pushed, and pushed, and pushed, forcing Peter to run just once more.
Parke had seen the Ricketts/Nicol match the night before. He knew Peter was bound to be tired … Point per point, rally per rally, Simon came back to 8/11. All the rallies were very, very long indeed. Peter finally took it 15/10 in 25 long minutes. From then on, Peter was on a rollercoaster. Winning a few points, then losing a lot of them, then refocusing, then letting go again. In other words, he was a normal human being, and not Super Peter anymore… On the other hand, Simon was as regular as clockwork, retrieving like Simon Parke the world number 3 used to do, calm, precise, enjoying the moment, enjoying the state of grace… At 3/7 in the 4th, the world number one simply stopped running, purely and simply, and the final score was cruelly explicit: 10/15, 15/9, 15/6, 15/3 in 69 minutes. Simon Parke's Summery comeback goes on…

Framboise in Sheffield

   

Framboise reports on Day THREE at the Crucible

[Q] Simon Parke (Eng) bt [4] Nick Matthew (Eng)
      15/11, 15/6, 15/10 (59m)
 
[1] Peter Nicol (Eng) bt [5] Anthony Ricketts (Aus)
      15/4, 13/15, 15/12, 15/10 (75m)
 
[6] James Willstrop (Eng) bt [3] John White (Sco)
      7/15, 14/15, 15/10, 15/12, 15/7 (90m)
 
[2] Lee Beachill (Eng) bt [7] Adrian Grant (Eng)
     15/5, 15/8, 15/9 (42m)

EMOTION,
EMOTIONS…

No, no report about the matches tonight. Not a traditional one anyway.

If you have read my “portrait” of Peter Nicol, you may remember that his “new life” could be summarised in 3 words: Brutal, Emotional, Honest.

And today was the perfect example of a brutal, honest, and emotional day.

It started when a person I estimate very highly and love got upset because a small “en bref” I did, just by “hear say”. He didn’t read it. He heard about it. And yet, was very emotional, displeased, angry towards me. Without reading it???

That was the beginning of the day.

Then John White introduced me to his two new treasures. Talk about love, talk about emotions…

Then squash.

A Nick Matthew so eager to live up to everybody’s expectations, his parents who was there, his friends, his compatriots, his coaches… So much pressure…. So much at stake….When it’s so crucial that it becomes impossible…

And the bitter taste of defeat.

And Simon Parke. Getting older. So many injuries. And cancer. The mountain to climb with rocks in your rucksack. Will you ever see the top again? And training all over again. And appreciating life like never before. Seizing the instant and giving it all the attention it deserves. And the energy that goes through the roof…

And the intoxicating feeling of victory….

“I’m still here”, Simon was shouting to the world. “Look at me, I'M STILL HERE!”

In come Peter Nicol and Anthony Ricketts. Peter, a squash-born again. Anthony, boiling to play after 6 months of injury.

And the introduction of Malcolm Willstrop: “last year’s match was one of the best matches ever played”. Yeah, go and follow that one…

And the anger, the frustration that comes out of Anthony because he is not what he wants to be…Aggression toward the referee, so much aggression, so much aggression.

And Peter at his best, the whole panel of control, touch, patience, invention, deception, imagination… Clinging the victory with a true smile, with a true joy…

And to make it all complete, James Willstrop and John White.

James, the brilliant young English hope, John, the well established Australian/Scottish. One fit, reposed, the other one exhausted. Both wanting the victory desperately.

In the fifth, John was so tired, SO TIRED from 16 days of non-sleep that he actually couldn’t walk anymore. And yet, he gave the best performance I ever saw in my life. I never EVER saw anybody give as much as John gave tonight.

James played beautifully, don’t misunderstand me, but the star, the real star tonight, was the tall man. Because his performance defied all the rules, all logic, all standard. In some points, he actually played like in slow motion, the energy was gone, and still he was running, and still he was hitting, and still he was suffering.

And after he lost the point at 6/11, he stopped in the right front corner, and started to cry. He cried because he was hurting physically, because he was bruised from all the diving onto the floor he had been doing during that game, but most of all, he cried because he didn’t want to let go of anything, and yet he knew that he was going to have to.

And that’s when all the emotions of the day got the better of me. I looked at John, at his pain, his frustration, and I could feel tears, stupid tears rolling down my face. And for the next 20 minutes, I couldn’t stop crying.

John, your performance tonight should be shown in squash schools all over the world, because it is for me the perfect incarnation of what squash is all about. It’s about dedication, giving it more than everything you got, sweat, blood, tears, but still respecting your opponent, the referee and the crowd.

And when people ask me why do I do this job, why do I put so much energy, time, effort, sleepless nights for no financial rewards, it’s because it gives me the chance to live moments like tonight, and meet people like you.
 

And finally ... John White.
 

Framboise in Sheffield



Grant and Matthew, disappointed


Simon Parke
with his mum Jan, elated

Nicol, tired and relieved


White and Willstrop, joking


John White, hurting


Willstrop expectant,
White exhausted


White dejected,
Willstrop triumphant


The crowd, amazed


The Willstrops, engaging

CONTRACT HONOURED
AND FULFILLED, BEN…

Not easy to get a wild card from your brother, is it? People could think, “yeah right, a bit easy, don’t you think”?

Well, the new father of twins John White wears in his legs the proof that Ben Garner “rightly deserved to be here”….

What a match!

Yes, yes, I know, everybody knows that John was exhausted, that “they just keep on crying…”, that he was a bit slow, but I very rarely saw a player as committed, as focused, as tenacious as Ben was tonight.

“I know it sounds a bit of a cliché, but I just focused on every rally. I was concentrating on hitting good length, because, with a player like John, if you are too short, he is bound to hit a nick, he is ruthless!”

And John was ruthless in the first game, hitting hard and precisely, in front, leading every rally, making few mistakes. 15/10. And I wrote as a note: “John very focused, not happy when making mistakes, Ben keeping in touch, not overwhelmed by John’s hitting, quite a good first set”.

In my mind, that was it! Ben had given it his best, fought hard, proved that he had his place in this tournament…. Now, John was home free…

Euh, WRONG!

In the second, John just slowed down the pace. Not that he lost his concentration, he just lacked the energy to get into fifth gear, he was let’s say, in third.

Ben was in seventh gear, and got the second game 15/9 in 12 minutes.

In the third, John hit so many “perfect length” shots in a row it must have been sickening for the young Englishman. Crosscourt forehand, backhand, drive… A lesson I tell you.

But Ben wasn’t overwhelmed, and encouraged by Paul Carter, England Squad coach, kept his cool, his head, and more importantly… his legs!

“Paul was telling me to make sure that I was keeping the length, to keep it deep, and to keep positive. And there is one thing I’m really glad about, my fitness. I worked extremely had this summer, and it paid off, as when I arrived in the 5th, I was tired, of course, but not exhausted. I know now that I can physically stand the challenge, and it makes me feel good”.

Garner took the fourth very easily in 8 minutes, John was just out of energy.

But it was John’s turn to receive advice, from his friend from Prince, Andy Bunting.

“I told him that, if he wanted to win this match, he had to stop fooling around, that he had to get some length and width, to go back to basics and to play some squash.”

And that he did. In the fifth, he found his energy, his length and his focus all together, but don’t think that Ben just let him win the points. 3/3. 4/4. 7/7. And John found the accelerator, his kills, and eventually, his smile.

“Was it hard work John”, asked compere Malcolm Willstrop cheekily. ” No, it’s was alright” retorted Big John. “Ben took advantage of me being slow, but it doesn’t take anything away from him, he played extremely well.”

Yes, extremely well.

Congratulations, Ben, I was impressed….

STAY FOCUSED, MR GRANT…

“I started slowly, it took me a while to find my rhythm ...”

Yop, Adrian Grant, you are right, you did start slowly dear, losing 12/15 to a very strong, very length hitting, very focused young Peter Barker, one of Paul Carter’s protégés. A first game that lasted 24 long minutes, where both players, used to training together quite a lot, obviously knew and respected each other’s game.

Adrian woke up at 1/3 in the second, and just accelerated his game, starting attacking instead of just responding, got in front, where he stayed for the next 25 minutes, and took the second and the third 15/5, 15/5.

But then he thought, “what the heck, can have a little rest now” and although up 6/3, he let Peter attack his way back in, coming back at 7/7, realised that the match was still on at 9/14, and finally lost the 4th 12/15 in 18 minutes…

“During two games, I played really well, I felt really comfortable. And then I relaxed a little bit, and I wasn’t concentrating on placing the ball anymore. I just wanted to get off court quickly to keep my energy for the next match, and I found that I wasn’t controlling the rallies anymore, and he was clever and capitalised on it.”

By the time the fifth came, Adrian was all focused and precise again, took the lead 7/2, and never looked back.

“I just got back to basics, length and width, which I was doing in the second and third, and got the control back…”

In a long 93 minutes, Adrian won the right to play Lee Beachill in the quarter final. It could have been done easily in 70 minutes, but then again, why make things simple when you can make them complicated…

JUST A STRETCH OF
THE LEGS FOR LEE

It was the first time I saw Mansoor Zaman, after hearing a lot of good things about him.

I was disappointed.

I know, it’s not that easy to play Lee Beachill, certainly quite difficult to play in a foreign country, against the world number 2, but … to win, you need to want it badly, and be very committed.

I don’t think Mansoor was either.

The least interesting match of the evening from far, lasting 42 minutes.

Sorry guys, nothing more to say….

JAMES : IN CONTROL

Despite the shortness of the meeting (38 minutes, the shortest match of the evening), James Willstrop, the new marvel of the world squash, and Scott Handley, a well respected name on the circuit, known for his fighting spirit, his great smile, and a very good speed on court, gave us a very nice closing match.

James was very much in control in the first game, but Scott started to get the measure of his opponent in the second. 3/3, 7/7, 8/8. And don’t think that James was making unforced errors, like he is prone to do sometimes. No, Scott was hitting good length, staying with the 6' 5" Yorkshire boy.

Scott eventually lost the second 10/15, and really gave James a good run for his money in the third, sticking to the score, keeping his focus and his will alive. 8/8. 10/10. 12/10 to Scott. But James got back, to finally take the third and last 15/13.

Scott got near, very near to taking the third, but James Willstrop, as with all great players, knew that danger was knocking at his door, and made sure he kept it firmly closed…

James is now playing John White. That is a match you shouldn’t miss, so, if you live around here, come into Sheffield, ask for the Crucible, buy a ticket, and enjoy the show…
 

Framboise in Sheffield

White's mighty relieved!

"I felt rusty ..."
 
 

Well done, son ...

Wednesday 11th, Round one, top half:
 
[5] Anthony Ricketts (Aus) bt [Q] Joey Barrington (Eng)
      15/10, 15/7, 15/7 (48m)
[1] Peter Nicol (Eng) bt Olli Tuominen (Fin)
      15/11, 15/9, 15/9 (42m)
[4] Nick Matthew (Eng) bt Alex Gough (Wal)
      12/15, 15/13, 15/4, 10/15, 15/13 (94m)
[Q] Simon Parke (Eng) bt [8] Mark Chaloner (Eng)
      15/8, 15/13, 15/7 (57m)

THREE IN THREE,
AND ONE IN FIVE….

Yes, we had 3 matches in 3 games, and one, Alex Gough vs Nick Matthew, in 5..

I HOLD MY PROMISE…

By now, you must have read my colleagues’ reports, and found out that Simon Parke, like he announced it this morning, “has that one won”, and in a beautiful fashion.

21 minutes, 21 minutes and 13 minutes.

Mark Chaloner did play very well, his attacks were, as usual, extremely dangerous, but we had the feeling from the start that Parke was hungrier, you know, when one wants it just a bit more that the other… And Parke had two qualification matches to tune his racquet in the exact tessitura. Mark never really threatened his opponent, and even in the second game, where the score was quite close, 15/13, and 15 lets were awarded, Simon had that much more control and precision.

“I feel in great form at the moment”, said Parke to compere Malcolm Willstrop after his match. “This win today gives me a lot of confidence”….

A nice traditional squash game that lasted one minute short of an hour, from two extremely well behaved players, no unnecessary discussions, very honest, very professional players.

That’s what we came here for….

PETER:
A NORMAL DAY AT THE OFFICE

“I feel refreshed! I’ve changed my training regime because my body can’t take as much as it used to, but I’m enjoying my squash again, and I’m very motivated to win this event”.

It’s with those words that Peter Nicol commented about his actual state of mind. Yes, the Boss is back, and Olli Tuominen paid a straight bill for it!

The shortest match of the day, 42 minutes.

Peter doesn’t play the ball, he places it. He doesn’t play a rally; he tunes a crescendo, setting up his pace, hit after hit, stroke after stroke. His precision is legendary, his recovery ability incredible.

Yes, his career has been a sort of rollercoaster these past few months, but, are you surprised? The man has been on top of his game for 10 years. I have been in squash for 5 months, and I’m thinking of retiring!

Like the Boss says, “I’m enjoying my game again”… T

hank God for that, because, as long as he is having fun, he’ll stick around, for the pleasure of us all…

Yes, thank God for that…

BARRINGTON:
A MATCH TOO FAR

Gavin Jones has a lot to answer for, I’m telling you that!

The marathon that he forced Joey Barrington to play last night was bound to leave traces in the gorgeous young man’s legs.

Read this one the way you want.

Anthony Ricketts was back after months of enforced holidays, and was determined to pass the young Englishman. But I do believe that Barrington could have given him a better challenge had he been more rested.

I have three words for Joey: Serve. Lobs. Deception.

His serves didn’t pose any problems whatsoever to his opponent.

His defensive lobs under pressure are not high enough, giving Ricketts a perfect ball to attack and/or volley.

His game again under pressure is too predictable.

But once again, an extremely well behaved young man, who never let his discontentment take the better of him, an example for a lot of players…

And yes, he is still as cute as ever…

IT’S ALL IN THE BRAIN, ALEX…

Alex Gough came THAT close to causing the biggest upset of the tournament, as he forced the Sheffield born and bred Nick Matthew to a five setter, going down screaming, literally, 13/15 in the 5th.

Gough has been training hard for two months now, and it shows. But he forgot something… To believe in himself.

I think, and that’s my opinion, that he has been told so many times that his time was past, that he was too old, and that he started, somewhere, to believe it. And somebody should tell him that that’s not the case.

His game is as varied as ever, his intelligence on court is plain obvious, what the legs can’t do anymore, the brain does, and the brilliance, the daring, the flair of the shots is still there.

He was helped by a tense Matthew, under pressure from the start. Nick wanted to do so well, it nearly cost him the match. Hitting every ball without thinking of the warm conditions on court, giving his opponent too many easy balls, making too many mistakes….

A not so impressive first round for the local boy, but the tournament is only starting, you know, give him a chance.

For Alex Gough, the tournament IS over, but I’m sure he’ll regroup, have a good think about why he is still on the circuit, where he wants to go, how does he wants it, and I’ll bet your squash shirt that I will have the great pleasure to see him again leaving the court a winner.

Come on, Gough, put your mental game in order…
 

Framboise in Sheffield

En BREF: WITH FRIENDS LIKE THAT… Joey Barrington came with two friends of his, as support. Well, one of them, James Powley, who coaches squash in Qatar, told us that Joey's nickname is Borington, in front of Joey of course, who was killing himself laughing…. Charming really, isn’t it? Don’t you just love having your friends around in your hour of need… More En BREF ...

A match too far for Joey

Alex can't finish off Nick

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