• Alan Thatcher's Super Series Grapevine Diary

Alan Thatcher will once again be on the spot in the heart of the City of London, bringing you reports on the action, and on the goings-on at Broadgate.  

MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI


Filming the introduction sequence for Jean De Lierre's official tournament video production.

THURSDAY Diary

LONDON SELL-OUT AS NICOL MEETS
POWER IN SUPER SERIES SHOWDOWN
Jonathon Power and Peter Nicol produced immaculate performances to win last night’s Brit Insurance Super Series semi-finals at London’s Broadgate Arena and a sell-out crowd is assured of a spectacular showdown in tonight’s final.

Power outplayed Thierry Lincou and Nicol outclassed Anthony Ricketts as the top two seeds moved smoothly and stylishly towards the decider everybody wants to see. Both won in straight games and if they can maintain that form tonight then we are in for a real treat.

Lincou and Ricketts did little wrong in their respective clashes. But they were facing two opponents playing with sublime skill, covering the court with ease and unleashing winners at will.

Power won 15-7, 15-8, 15-7 in a 44-minute display of flair and finesse. Lincou, who gained his first victory over Power in New York recently, looked tired at times, probably still feeling the effects of his marathon battle with Nicol, and looked tentative and submissive as the Canadian controlled the game from start to finish. It was a backward step for the Frenchman after his heroics in the ToC, but Power clearly means business this week.

He has seriously under-achieved on all of his previous visits to London, but said: "It's my first final here in London so I'm pumped up. I was really happy with my performance here tonight. I never had much luck in England until the Commonwealth Games but now I think I've turned the corner, so this could be my new place."

Nicol took a little longer to remove Ricketts 15-11, 15-12, 15-7 in 57 minutes and book his 60th PSA Tour final. The closeness of the scoreline in the first two games illustrates how well Ricketts competed, but he made crucial forehand errors towards the closing stages of the two opening games, tinning drops and volleys to allow Nicol to move ahead to a winning position each time. In the third Ricketts was clearly demoralised as Nicol surged through to the final with a superb display of shot-making and court coverage.

His victory extended his unbeaten run in 2003 and puts him just one match away from equalling Jansher Khan’s five-year-old record of four Super Series titles.

Nicol is clearly relishing the chance to extend his unbeaten run throughout 2003 against his great rival. He said: “This will be the 33rd time we’ve played and most of them have been in finals. Currently we stand at 16-all, with hardly a game or point between us after all this time. It should be a great final. Jonathon is playing well, he's focussed and wants to win, and when he’s in that mood he's very difficult to beat. But I also want to win and I’m quite difficult to beat too!”

Regarding the performance of his young Australian rival, Nicol added: "Anthony played very well but made a few errors at crucial times so I can understand why he is feeling frustrated."

Ricketts responded: "I was pleased to reach the semi-finals but I was a bit disappointed because I know I can do much better. But Peter showed why he is such a great champion. I know I made a few errors and I'll just have to go away and work on sorting out those mistakes."

Lincou was equally respectful of his opponent, saying: "Jonathon is very difficult to play when he is in that mood. He can hit winners from so many places. I wanted to keep the ball away from him because I know he is so dangerous but tonight he was just too good."

Ricketts and Lincou will be an entertaining third-place play-off, although Ricketts is carrying an injury and hinted that he might not be able to make it. The final should be another classic, with both Nicol and Power reaching top form as they approach a rare final showdown on UK soil. Nicol has beaten Power several times in Super Series matches, but Power holds the edge in finals over here, winning last year's Commonwealth Games decider in Manchester and lifting the British Open trophy in 1999 when Nicol collapsed at courtside in Aberdeen suffering from food poisoning.
 


Super Series
Caption Competition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
WEDNESDAY Diary
LINCOU LINES UP POWER WHILE
RICKETTS TACKLES NICOL (AGAIN)

Thierry Lincou and Anthony Ricketts claimed the two remaining semi-final places in the Brit Insurance Super Series Finals after another dramatic night inside the Broadgate Arena marquee.

Lincou was too strong for Lee Beachill and Ricketts made Ong Beng Hee pay for a high error count as the final pool matches were completed.

Tonight’s semi-final line-up features Lincou against Jonathon Power and Ricketts against top seed Peter Nicol. Ricketts will again be anxious to put up a good display as he searches for his first win over the world number one. Lincou, meanwhile, will be hoping for a repeat of his first-ever victory over Power which propelled him towards the recent ToC final in New York.

Nicol was once again taken to five, this time by his former international team-mate Martin Heath, and was unable to reach the heights achieved in last night’s titanic battle with Thierry Lincou.

Heath, playing relaxed and fluent squash under no pressure after two successive defeats, pushed Nicol all the way before the world No.1 triumphed 15-11, 3-15, 15-9, 9-15, 15-6 in just over an hour.

“We have 20 years of rivalry,” exclaimed Nixcol. “And Martin always gives at least an extra ten per cent when he plays me these days.”

There was an exhibition air about the match, and a similar carnival atmosphere prevailed as Jonathon Power and John White dazzled the crowd with a spectacular array of shots in their slapstick dead rubber. The crowd were treated to a brand of squash many had never seen before, with White attempting slam nicks, rocket drives and geometrically challenging corkscrew shots, but still came off second best to Power’s genius with the racket. He mixed up topspin drop shots with head feints and fast boasts, and was happy to mix it up as long as he didn’t hang around too long before today’s semis.

As soon as the match was over, won by Power in straight games, he was off out of the marquee before he could be interviewed.

Beachill looked to be moving well against Lincou and the opening games were shared, the first 15-13 to the Frenchman and Beachill taking the second by the same narrow margin. Lincou then tightened up his game and gave Beachill fewer opportunities to attack as he won the third by a wide 15-6 margin. The fourth was closer but Lincou clinched it 15-11.

The all-action Ricketts beat Beng Hee 15-13, 15-11, 15-11 and was delighted to reach the semi-finals in his first appearance in the Super Series. Ultimately, Ricketts made fewer errors than the Malaysian and will go into his match against Nicol sporting his usual bustling, hustling confidence.
 

Semi-Finals


 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Finals

   
TUESDAY Diary:
THE PERFECT STORM AS
NICOL REIGNS IN LONDON
Every now and then you are fortunate enough to be present at a match that defines an era of the game, and a player’s contribution to it. Last night was one of those rare occasions, when a delighted audience packed into the Broadgate Arena marquee witnessed a classic encounter between world No.1 Peter Nicol and rising French star Thierry Lincou in the Brit Insurance Super Series finals.

Nicol triumphed 15-6, 15-2, 10-15, 9-15, 15-10 after an epic battle in which Lincou played his full part, recovering from a seemingly hopeless position from two games down to take the match the full distance.

Nicol began this Fleet Group qualifier in imperious fashion, with a performance that showcased every positive facet of his wide-ranging armoury.

Moving smoothly, his anticipation was in a zone described as one of “high arousal” by sports scientists. Nicol read the game so intelligently and precisely that wherever Lincou put the ball, there was Nicol, ready to attack.

When Lincou played a tight, clinging drop shot, Nicol moved liked lightning to the front corners and somehow played an even tighter counter-drop, a brilliant lob or his trademark crosscourt flick.

When Lincou played it straight, Nicol was behind him in a flash, his racket ready to unleash a devastating array of shots. Crosscourt nicks, straight volleys and clinging drives racked up the points.

When Lincou played a crosscourt drive, Nicol simply buried it with a straight volley kill. Nicol was totally fired up, in a state of advanced mental and physical preparation.

He dominated the first game to win 15-6 and then the impossible happened. He got even better. Poor Lincou was left looking utterly bewildered as he ran out of options. His every shot seemed magnetically attracted to the sweet spot of Nicol’s racket. The crowd knew they were watching something special, a master craftsman in his element and totally in control of proceedings.

Nicol swept through the second game 15-2. As the rain cascaded down on to the roof of the Broadgate marquee, it was Nicol who had unleashed the Perfect Storm, reaching heights of accuracy and consistency most players can only dream of.

The crowd expected the same again in the third. But Lincou had other ideas. His Gallic pride was clearly hurt by the beating he had just taken and he set about the third in determined fashion, desperate to avoid another humiliation at the hands of the man who has dominated the world rankings almost uninterrupted for five and a half years.

Lincou fought for every point, working the ball straighter, tighter and deeper. Suddenly, Nicol’s domination began to be undermined as Lincou built up a steady lead. He won the third 15-10 and Nicol’s vice-like grip was broken.

His confidence boosted, Lincou continued to take the attack to Nicol in the fourth. His drop shots and volleys were devastating, his court coverage as impressive as Nicol’s had been minutes earlier. A classic confrontation was unfolding as Lincou turned the tables and forced Nicol into a series of tired-looking mistakes. Lincou won the fourth 15-9 and was clearly looking to continue in the same vein in the fifth.

True champions show their true strength when they are under the greatest pressure and this was the case in the fifth as Nicol responded to Lincou’s attack and regained his composure. Lincou was upset by a harsh “no-let” call at 2-2 and Nicol moved 5-2 ahead. Back came Lincou to lead 6-5 and a massive upset was on the cards. Suddenly Nicol picked up a run of points to move from 8-7 to 12-8.

It was the critical phase of the match as the top seed finally overcame Lincou’s resistance. Nicol held his nerve to win 15-10 after 76 minutes of incredible, jaw-dropping squash and both players left the court to a prolonged and deserved standing ovation.

It was a joy to watch as both players demonstrated that modern squash is a hugely entertaining spectacle. Played at high speed with minimal contact, Nicol and Lincou put on a master-class for spectators and television viewers. I can’t wait to see the video today, and look forward to showing it again to interested parties in TV companies. If this match can’t persuade them to cover the game, then nothing will.

Nicol’s victory booked him a place in Thursday’s semi-finals, and another titanic battle is on the cards tonight as Lee Beachill and Lincou fight for the right to join him. Beachill looked to be moving much better last night as he worked his way stylishly past martin Heath.

Jonathon Power is through from the Harrow Group after beating Anthony Ricketts but John White is out after suffering a second 3-2 defeat, this time to Ong Beng Hee. Bengy and Ricketts battle it out tonight to see who has the honour of joining Power in the semi-finals.

If Power beats White he finishes top of his group and avoids Nicol in the semis. That’s enough motivation for the Canadian to go flat out in the battle of the game’s great entertainers. But hang on a minute. Add Nicol to that list.

TUESDAY
Results/Reports/Photos

 

 

 

 

 

TUESDAY
Results/Reports/Photos

 

   
MONDAY Diary:

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING:

VERY, VERY FRIGHTENING
The Broadgate Arena venue has produced some interesting incidents in the Super Series finals over the years, with play interrupted two years ago by a jazz band performing in one of the many wine bars at the London financial centre.

Last night it was very nearly “rain stopped play” as a fierce thunderstorm erupted above the Broadgate marquee as this year’s event, sponsored by Brit Insurance, got under way in desperately unseasonal weather. It wasn’t just rain, but thunder and lightning. And, at one stage, we heard the crackle of sparks as the lights threatened to blow due to the surge in electrical power caused by the storm.

The two combatants, Jonathon Power and Ong Beng Hee, looked at each other, looked at the flapping marquee roof, which threatened to cave in under the pressure of the rain, and wondered about stopping. Jonathon Power asked referee Jill Wood “Can you do something about that?”


Jill replied that it would take a greater authority than a WSF referee to have any effect and the players decided to continue. At least Bengy must have felt at home in the Malaysian-style monsoon conditions.

Beng Hee, a late replacement for Stewart Boswell, started nervously but grew in confidence once he got used to the cool court conditions and pushed Power hard for much of the game. Bengy took the second game thanks to an improvement in length and it was interesting to have his coach, Neil Harvey, next to me in the commentary box. We were instantly treated to the news of his between-games comments to his pupil, who faces another tough task tonight against John White.

The weather, and the lateness of the evening, meant that most spectators, who had almost filled the marquee to capacity in an encouraging opening day audience, deserted the Arena before the final match between White and Anthony Ricketts. We’d heard the thunder and lightning overhead, and these two provided plenty of fireworks on court with a ferocious, non-stop attacking assault. Ricketts kept his cool to win in five and earn a notable scalp. White knows he must beat Beng Hee tonight and overcome Power tomorrow if he is to reach his seeded position in the semi-finals.

The opening day began with last year’s runner-up, Thierry Lincou, in action against Martin Heath, who came in as first reserve to replace world champion David Palmer. Heath looked steady and stylish as he won the opening game, but wasted chances to win the crucial third and he left the court looking bitterly upset with his performance. Lincou was happy with his 3-1 win, despite putting several drop shots in the tin. He tightened up in the fourth, however, to win 15-6 as Heath’s contribution faded. Heath admitted: “I’m pretty disappointed. I felt as though I was playing alright.  I’ve now got to win the next couple of matches to get through to the semis. I feel that the way I’m playing I should be winning these kind of matches.”
 

Peter Nicol hails from one of the coldest parts of the United Kingdom, the north-east of Scotland, and not surprisingly loves warmer climes. He looked in a hurry to get off court against Lee Beachill last night and back to the luxury of the official hotel, the Park Lane Hilton, for a hot bath and a massage. At two games ahead everything looked to be going according to plan. However, his accuracy declined as Beachill’s movement improved and suddenly things changed. Dramatically. Beachill took control and Nicol virtually surrendered the fourth game 15-5 as he set about psychologically regrouping in preparation for the fifth.

Words of wisdom from Neil Harvey obviously helped and he regained control to take the fifth 15-7. Tonight Nicol faces a repeat of the New York final as he meets Lincou in the second match of the Fleet Group programme.

Ricketts will be looking for another major victory as tackles Power in the opening match at 5pm, followed by White v Beng Hee (6pm); Heath v Beachill (7pm) and Nicol v Lincou (8pm). With that kind of line-up, don’t be surprised if the schedule runs an hour or two late again.

I’ll be there early, joining the guests from Brit Insurance in a coaching clinic, and today I must write myself a reminder to pay my London congestion charge, a new £5 a day tax on car drivers entering the city centre. Yesterday I forgot it, and the cost doubles if you pay between 10pm and midnight, and goes up to £40 if you pay the following day. Just one message to London mayor Ken Livingstone: what about the workers?
 


Heavens open at Broadgate
As tournament promoter Satinder Bajwa welcomed the eight players at the opening press conference for the  2003 Super Series finals here at Broadgate, the heavens opened with a vengeance (although there's some sun promised for later).

World number one Peter Nicol was soon on court, with Brit Insurance CEO Neil Eckert. Asked about his prospects, Neil replied: "my superior fitness is sure to prevail." Some minutes later he could be heard to mutter something about "15 lucky nicks"!

Anthony Ricketts was next on court with four Brit Insurance guests, aided and abetted by some useful hints and tips from the Grapevine.

Having stumped up £5 on the new congestion charge to get my car near to Broadgate, and a further £8 in a parking meter for two hours' parking, I managed to pop out and grab a free space outside Lambs Club - I only hope the car is still there when I return at close of play tonight.

Then it was on to some player interviews with John White and Anthony Ricketts. The last time we spoke was in the freezing cold of New York during the Tournament of Champions. This time around the Delierre crew brought torrential rain with them from Toronto (but hopefully no SARS!). Thankfully I was wearing a substantially thicker jacket than the one I sported in the sub-zero conditions in Times Square.

Jean Delierre is looking forward this week to showing the PSA members the fruits of his efforts in New York, with a video presentation prior to next week's initial screenings on the American Tennis Channel.

Martin Heath has recovered from the self-inflicted injury he sustained during the Maidstone Open semi-finals, and will be opening the on-court action against Thierry Lincou at 5pm this evening. Thierry himself was last seen reclining on a sofa at Lambs Club - a better option for a pre-match nap than fighting through the London traffic to the tournament hotel.

New Lambs coach Tim Garner is busy organising some corporate matches on the glass court, which has been the subject of some debate between the court builders, Satinder Bajwa and Jean Delierre - it's apparently a few feet off-centre in the Broadgate ice rink ...

 

MONDAY
Results/Reports/Photos

 


Grapevine in the commentary position ...

 


Grey day at
Broadgate

 

 

 

MONDAY
Results/Reports/Photo