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THURSDAY Diary
LONDON SELL-OUT AS NICOL MEETS |
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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. |
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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
TUESDAY
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MONDAY Diary: THUNDER AND LIGHTNING: VERY, VERY FRIGHTENING
Heavens open at Broadgate 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
MONDAY |
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