Round ONE:
[1] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt Lee Beachill (ENG)
6-15, 17-15, 15-11, 15-5
[Q] Graham Ryding (CAN) bt [7] Karim Darwish (EGY)
15-10, 3-15, 7-15,15-11, 15-5
[4] Jonathon Power (CAN) bt Joseph Kneipp (AUS)
15-8, 15-8, 15-7
[5] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt Amr Shabana
(EGY)
15-13, 15-6, 15-8
[6] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) bt Martin Heath (SCO)
15-14, 10-15, 15-11, 15-12
[3] John White (SCO) v [Q] Adrian Grant
(ENG)
15-11, 15-14, 15-12
[Q] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [8] Ong Beng Hee (MAS)
15-11, 15-12, 17-15
[2] David Palmer (AUS) bt [Q] Olli Tuominen
(FIN)
15-9, 15-9, 15-13
Top four move into quarters
Colleen Turner reports
The top four seeds all moved easily enough into the US Open quarter-finals,
but the first round produced two shocks as qualifiers continued into the
quarters.
Peter Nicol's win over fellow Englishman Lee Beachill wasn't a pretty
win, even by Nicol's own account. Nicol explains, "I was a bit nervous and
struggled when Lee buried balls in the corner, but I knew if I stepped up my
physical game I could take him." And he did.
Showing flashes of brilliance, even when coupled with several unforced
errors, Peter showed why he has held the coveted number one slot for over 50
months ... he's a smart, patient player and knows how to win.
Graham Ryding started out strong against seventh seed Karim Darwish,
but then gave two games to the Egyptian, almost appearing as if he'd lost
focus. He was up 8-4, then 11-9 in the middle games, but couldn't close the
deal. But his ability to capitalize on an opponent's real or perceived
weaknesses allowed him to stay strong and take the match.
No power outages here tonight. Jonathon Power was exhibiting good
length and moving well thorough out his 51-minute victory over Australia's
Joe Kneipp. "I played solid and didn't have too many mental lapses. I feel
good," said Power. In a twist of refereeing, it was Kneipp who earned a
scolding from the referee for off-color language. "I know, what was I
thinking?" Joe said post game. On his play he shared, "I was dodgy at best,
and didn't have great expectations."
Kneipp cited his tough training schedule in July and a
"lack of getting on the court" as possible reasons for his poor performance.
Impending fatherhood is definitely agreeing with Thierry Lincou. "I
knew it might be a difficult match, so I figured if I could start strong
with a couple of good volleys I might take it," Lincou said after the match.
And he was correct. In three quick games, Lincou took and maintained control
of the T, leaving Amr Shabana little option but to watch and stare.
In four very tight games, the Anthony Ricketts v Martin Heath match
really could have been anyone's. Heath started strong and continued to play
his way into the game. But well into the third, Ricketts turned up the juice
and now can look forward to playing John White in tomorrow's quarterfinals -
a repeat of last month's English Open semi.
In the evening's biggest upset, qualifier Nick Matthew (England,
25th) took 8th ranked Ong Beng Hee in three. Both moved around the court
well during the 1 hour 33 minute match, slowly working each other and
waiting for an opening. Was it youth that gave Matthew the win? Perhaps, but
he'll need more than that when he faces David Palmer (seeking the first-ever
back-to-back US Open title) in tomorrow's quarter-final.
Finnish qualifier Olli Tuominen provided defending US Open champ David
Palmer with some decent volleys throughout the match, but when push came
to shove, he came up with nothing but tin. Palmer owned the T and on those
rare occasions when Tuominen sent him deep into the corners, he came right
back to center court.
Making his move in games two and three, Olli had David working hard for his
wins, but it was clear to see that this Aussie is looking for back-to-back
wins and US Open history.
The final match of the evening saw the in-form John White take on
England's qualifier Adrian Grant. Both are big fans of the soft lob, each
earning key points with it on numerous occasions. The feisty Grant has some
serious legs, fighting tooth and nail for the T, but it was John White-hot
who took the match in three.
Grant's bold move to go for it at 14-all in the second game was likely the
turning point, as he stayed with White through the third, but just couldn't
finish him off for even one game win. White played hard, one only hopes the
rangy Scotsman has something left for tomorrow.
Nicol eases past Beachill
"I was a bit nervous"
Peter Nicol
"I feel good"
Jonathon Power
"what was I thinking?"
Joe Kneipp
"I knew it might be a difficult match"
Thierry Lincou