Memorial US Open

The Final - Wed 9th Jan 2002

[1] Peter Nicol (Eng) bt [2] Jonathon Power (Can)  15/7 15/5 15/7

Nicol dances past Power in Boston Ballroom
Peter Nicol and Jonathon Power met for the 26th time since 1995 in the Memorial U.S. Open final in in Boston, in the Sheraton Hotel's Grand Ballroom, but this wasn't one of the classic encounters as Nicol cruised to a straight games win, taking him ahead 15-11 in the head to head series.

Nicol was definitely on song tonight, starting at, and maintaining, a furious pace that seemed to unnerve Power.  "Jonathon's play is fast, but I've been practicing 'fast' and was able to adapt my play accordingly, so I was able to keep him off track. He really wasn't expecting it," Nicol said post match.

Power was his usual scrappy self, but he never really reached full wattage in the match. "I was really up for a competitive match, but my back was seizing up and I don't know, it just never really happened, " Power noted. 

Power held his own for the first few points of the first game, but then fell away, and only threatened towards the end of the third with a 4-point rally, but Nicol quickly put to rest any thoughts of a comeback.
 

The evening began with a Lightning Round competition featuring players Joe Kneipp,  Chris Walker,  Martin Heath and Paul Price,  Rodney Durbach and Gary Waite, all playing a 5-point, single elimination game, with the last man standing walking off with a $2K purse - literally. A stainless steel, gun-box style racquet case contained the winning cash, with Walker the happy recipient.

Semi-Finals - Tue 8th Jan

[1] Peter Nicol (Eng) bt [Q] Joseph Kneipp (Aus) 17/16 15/10 15/7

[2] Jonathon Power (Can) bt [4] Mark Chaloner (Eng) 15/10 15/4 15/7

Peter Nicol finally put an end to the run of qualifier Joe Kneipp in straight games, but this was no walkover for the top seed, world champion and world number one. Throughout the match, the volleys were long and aggressive, regularly leaving the sell-out crowd truly wondering who would win the point.  Nicol exhibited his usual pinpoint control and often caught Kneipp up with his basic lob. Nicol found himself down a few points in the first game, but he found his rhythm near the end and not only broke Kneipp's mental game, but had him reeling spiritually. The second and third games were more comfortable for Nicol. Post game, the affable Aussie, Kneipp, commented, "There were a couple of tough calls early on, but in the end, the best man won and I'm very happy with my play."

From the first point, Jonathon Power was clearly in control of his match against Mark Chaloner. His short game was astounding and though Chaloner put up a good struggle, he spent the majority of his time moving around the court, chasing shadows. Not surprisingly, he fell in three.  Post match, Jonathon commented, "The balls were moving slower off the front wall presenting the need to adjust accordingly for both of us.  But with that in mind, I expect a good, clean match tomorrow with Peter, including a lot of running by him!"

Quarter-Finals - Mon 7th Jan

[1] Peter Nicol (Eng) bt Martin Heath (Sco)  15/11 15/4 15/7

[Q] Joseph Kneipp bt [3] John White 15/7 15/12 15/12

[4] Mark Chaloner bt [Q] Stefan Casteleyn 15/9 15/8 15/9

[2] Jonathon Power bt Graham Ryding 15/9 15/7 15/9

Kneipp stuns White
Colleen Turner reports
Fellow Australians (though John White plays for Scotland) battled it out in the first match of the Quarterfinals at the Memorial U.S. Open today in Boston. Ultimately it was Kneipp's amazing concentration and ability to hit virtually every shot that allowed him to best third seed John White in three straight. White clearly had a tough time finding his rhythm and though exhibited flashes of his typical brilliance, ultimately found nothing but tin through all three games. Kneipp noted after the match, "I've ranked as high as 13th and am currently sitting at 27th … I consider this tournament the ideal stepping stone to the Top 10!"

In another battle of compatriots (yes, we know Peter plays for England, but he is still a Scotsman), Peter Nicol easily topped Martin Heath in the second Quarterfinal. Not many players can give Nicol a run for his money and it was tight in the first game. But as Nicol noted, "The first game was tough … both of us going head-to-head in all aspects, but I was able to break him both mentally and spiritually in games two and three." This was most evident in Nicol's length and volley … tiring Heath in the corners.

Decked out in his trademark bandana, Jonathon Power played his part a bit like a desperado … he stole the match from 20th ranked and fellow Canadian Graham Ryding. Typical to form, he contested numerous calls always drawing a chuckle from the audience. Power's play was excellent, but Ryding put forth a particularly challenging third game featuring a number of long volleys that got the better of him. When asked about his style, Power observed, "They either like me or they hate me … not too many fence sitters in regards to my play!" Ryding said he was
especially pleased with his mental game, and except for a slow start, was happy with the match.

Fourth seed Mark Chaloner of England easily swept qualifier Stefan Casteleyn of Belgium. Casteleyn essentially beat himself via poor position choices throughout the match. A break in play occurred during the second game when a cut to the knee had Casteleyn searching high and low for a bandage to avoid a possible forfeit of the game. Despite event physician Dr. Wilk coming to the rescue, Casteleyn went down in three. Chaloner explained, "My play is solid and I'm looking forward to facing Jonathon Power in the semis … it'll be fun … not to mention I'm due to best him!"

There was definitely a strong whiff of haggis around the Sheraton Hotel in Boston today as the first round of the Memorial US Open got under way. The first three matches featured Aberdeen-born Peter Nicol, Oban's Martin Heath and current Scottish number one John White.

[1] Peter Nicol (Eng) bt [Q] Shahier Razik (Can)  15/6 15/10 15/9
Martin Heath (Sco) bt [8] Lee Beachill (Eng)  17/15 5/15 15/2 9/5 rtd
[3] John White (Sco) bt [Q] Simon Parke (Eng) 15/10 15/13 17/15
[Q] Joseph Kneipp (Aus) bt [6] David Evans (Wal)  15/8 15/13 15/6
[2] Jonathon Power (Can) bt Del Harris (Eng)  15/13 15/6 15/9
Graham Ryding (Can)  bt [7] Chris Walker (Eng) 15/9 15/9 15/12
[4] Mark Chaloner (Eng) bt Olli Tuominen (Fin) 15/9 15/14 15/10
[Q] Stefan Casteleyn (Bel) bt [5] Paul Price (Aus) 17-16 15-13 15-13

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[1] Peter Nicol (Eng) bt [Q] Shahier Razik (Can)  15/6 15/10 15/9

World Champion Peter Nicol began his 2002 campaign with a comfortable straight-games win over Canadian qualifier Shahier Razik. Nicol triumphed 15-6, 15-10, 15-9 to set up a second round tie against former Scottish team-mate Martin Heath.

"Razik did play well, so I was pleased to move both quickly and easily through the match after a six week break in play," Nicol explained post match.

Martin Heath (Sco) bt [8] Lee Beachill (Eng)  17/15 5/15 15/2 9/5 rtd

A resurgent Martin Heath got his New year off to a flying start by toppling British National Champion Beachill, who retired in the fourth game while trailing 5-9. Heath had won the opening game by the narrow margin of 17-15 before Beachill, who had squandered a good lead in the first game, bounced back to take the second 15-5. However, he was clearly in some discomfort as Heath roared through the third 15-2 and the Yorkshireman pulled up as the fourth slipped away from him.

Beachill was forced to retire through heat exhaustion brought on by the effects of a recent bout of 'flu which almost caused him to withdraw from the event. After the match Beachill was seen by Dr Richard Wilk, the event physician, and advised to take lots of fluids and to rest. He was reported to be "feeling much better" a short while after the match.

[3] John White (Sco) bt [Q] Simon Parke (Eng) 15/10 15/13 17/15

A good day for the Scots was completed when John White proved a little too strong for England's Simon Parke, making his comeback after a long lay-off. White took the first comfortably, but Parke pressed in the second, narrowly failing to level the match. Parke surged to 8-3 in the third, but White, exhibiting his usual combination of flexibility and strength in his wrist recovered to 8-8, and finally closed out the match 17-15.

Parke was generally pleased with his performance, but conceded he wasn't moving as fast as he would like.

[Q] Joseph Kneipp (Aus) bt [6] David Evans (Wal)  15/8 15/13 15/6

27th ranked qualifier Joseph Kneipp handily beat 8th ranked David Evans in the fourth match of the first round. Kneipp's play was solid, while Evans appeared somewhat flat on his returns.

[2] Jonathon Power (Can) bt Del Harris (Eng)  15/13 15/6 15/9

Jonathon Power moved one step closer to his second consecutive U.S. Open title as he trounced England's Del Harris.  "I was nervous at first, but settled in fairly quickly and am very pleased to have advanced into the quarterfinals," Power explained.  Harris agreed, explaining, "I might have taken advantage early on, but I ended up spending the majority of my time just retrieving. Still, it was a good, fair match."  Power, a sometimes outspoken player, offered a bit of levity in the first game when his "good shot" comment regarding challenges to the referee and subsequent over ruling by the appeals referee drew a hearty laugh from the crowd.

Graham Ryding (Can)  bt [7] Chris Walker (Eng) 15/9 15/9 15/12

Fellow Canadians, Jonathon Power and Graham Ryding will face off in the quarterfinals on Monday, Jan.7 at 7:30 p.m. after Ryding swiftly took first round opponent Chris Walker in three. A wiry, quick sort who likes to move the ball around the court, using all four corners, Ryding said after his win, "I felt I controlled the match fairly well with good ball movement and by sitting on the "T" so that Walker had to dig deep into the corners."

[4] Mark Chaloner (Eng) bt Olli Tuominen (Fin) 15/9 15/14 15/10

Mark Chaloner and Olli Tuominen were in no mood for a patient game of squash in the seventh match of today's first round.  The crowd was entertained with a high-energy match, featuring both players going for winning shots.  Most interesting was Chaloner risky decision in game two of the match to elect "set one" when tied at 14, led him to take three straight to ensure a spot in tomorrow's quarterfinals.  Chaloner notes, "I felt a lot more solid and steady in the match, taking advantage of Olli presenting me with opportunities."

[Q] Stefan Casteleyn (Bel) bt [5] Paul Price (Aus) 17-16 15-13 15-13

The final match of the day produced the biggest shock, as Belgium's Stefan Casteleyn pulled off a dramatic victory over Paul Price, in a match where the referee had almost as work much to do as the players, Price becoming increasingly frustrated with his high error count.

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Former Champion Parke Advances to First Round;
Razik to Face Top Seed at Noon!

Final Qualifying:
Shahier Razik (Can) bt Rodney Durbach (Rsa) 15-7 13-15 15-14  15-7
Simon Parke (Eng) bt Lars Harms (Swi) 15-8 15-10 15-10
Joseph Kneipp (Aus) bt Mark Cairns (Eng) 15-10 15-10 15-7
Stefan Casteleyn (Bel) bt Robby Lingashi (Zam) 15-10 15-9 15-9

Simon Parke, finalist in 2000 and winner of the 1999 U.S. Open, advanced to the first round of the Memorial U.S. Open with a comfortable victory over Switzerland's Lars Harms. Currently ranked at 25, Parke appears to be recovering nicely from a foot operation, and is likely to provide a stern test for new world #3 John White in Sunday's first round match.

In an upset, Canadian Shahier Razik defeated 24th ranked Rodney Durbach in  final qualifying at the Harvard Club. Durbach played hard, but could not shake the aggressive Razik. Razik's reward is to face top seed Peter Nicol tomorrow at high noon to determine who advances to the quarterfinals.

Joseph Kneipp also advanced to the first round, defeating Mark Cairns of England. Kneipp is no stranger to the world of upsets having previously defeated much higher ranking players like Jonathon Power, John White and Del Harris in tournaments over the past four years, and will have first round opponent David Evans in his sights.

The fourth and final qualifier is Stefan Casteleyn, who had little trouble in getting past Robby Lingashi. He will face 9th ranked Paul Price of Australia in the first round.