BSPA Edinburgh Open 2020


GRAND PRIX

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Edinburgh Open  2020
Men's Draw

29 Jan - 02 FEB
Edinburgh, Scotland, $20k
Round two
30
JAN
Quarters
31 JAN
Semis
01 FEB
Final
02 FEB

[2] Paul Coll (NZL)
11-4, 11-5, 11-6 (30m)
Fergus Richards (SCO)

Paul Coll
11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (45m)
Greg Lobban
Greg Lobban
11-6, 11-5, 11-13, 11-13, 11-9 (96m)
Daryl Selby
Greg Lobban
11-8, 11-8, 11-4 (30m)
 
 Karim Abdel Gawad
[5/8] Greg Lobban (SCO)
11-6, 11-6, 11-5 (32m)
Sean Conroy (IRL)
[5/8] Peter Creed (WAL)
11-3, 11-4, 7-11, 12-10 (44m)
Robert Downer (ENG)
Peter Creed
11-8, 11-6, 11-7 (23m)
Daryl Selby
[3/4] Daryl Selby (ENG)
11-5, 12-10, 11-7 (35m)
Douglas Kempsell (SCO)
[3/4] Joel Makin (WAL)
11-7, 11-4, 11-8 (40m)
Jamie Henderson (SCO)
Joel Makin
11-3, 5-11, 11-7, 11-5 (49m)
Alan Clyne
Joel Makin
11-6, 8-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6 (76m)
 
Karim Abdel Gawad
[5/8] Alan Clyne (SCO)
11-7, 11-4, 11-8 (40m)
Rory Stewart (SCO)
[5/8] Declan James (ENG)
11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9 (46m)
Miles Jenkins (ENG)
 Declan James
9-11, 13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4 (80m)
Karim Abdel Gawad
Abhay Singh (IND)
11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7 (38m)
[1]
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
ROUND ONE

[2] Paul Coll (NZL) bye
Fergus Richards (SCO) bt Chris Ferguson (SCO) 10-12, 11-7, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5 (67m)
Sean Conroy (IRL) bt James Singh (SCO) 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 (27m)
[5/8] Greg Lobban (SCO) bye
[5/8] Peter Creed (WAL) bye
Robert Downer (ENG) bt Farhan Hashmi (PAK) 11-7, 11-3, 11-7 (37m)
Douglas Kempsell (SCO) bt Haris Qasim (PAK) 11-9, 11-9, 11-7 (47m)
[3/4] Daryl Selby (ENG) bye
[3/4] Joel Makin (WAL) bye
Jamie Henderson (SCO) bt Nick Mulvey (ENG) 11-8, 11-5, 10-12, 11-5 (41m)
Rory Stewart (SCO) bt Omar El Bokl (EGY) 11-8, 11-3, 11-3 (19m)
[5/8] Alan Clyne (SCO) bye
[5/8] Declan James (ENG) bye
Miles Jenkins (ENG) bt Pietro Gagliardini (SCO) 11-8, 11-4, 11-7 (21m)
Abhay Singh (IND) bt Chris Leiper (SCO) 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 (31m)
[1] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bye
 

Edinburgh Open  2020
Women's Draw

29 Jan - 02 FEB
Edinburgh, Scotland, $20k
Round two
30
JAN
Quarters
31 JAN
Semis
01 FEB
Final
02 FEB

[1] Emily Whitlock (ENG)
11-7, 11-3, 11-4 (24m)
Georgia Adderley (SCO)

Emily Whitlock
11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 16-18, 11-8 (67m)
Donna Lobban
Donna Lobban
8-11, 6-11, 11-5, 12-10,12-10 (57m)
Alexandra Fuller
Donna Lobban
6-11, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-8 (56m)
 
Julianne Courtice
[5] Donna Lobban (AUS)
11-4, 11-5, 11-6 (19m)
Yura Choe (KOR)
[8] Alison Thomson (SCO)
11-2, 11-5, 11-7 (26m)
Katriona Allen (
SCO
)
Alison Thomson
11-6, 11-5, 11-8 (28m)
Alexandra Fuller
[4] Alexandra Fuller (Rsa)
11-6, 11-4, 11-5 (24m)
Cristina Gomez (ESP)
[3] Lisa Aitken (SCO)
11-5, 11-3, 12-10 (21m)
Elspeth Young (SCO)
 Lisa Aitken
13-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-13, 11-8 (62m)
Rachael Chadwick
Rachael Chadwick
9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-2 (38m)
 
Julianne Courtice
[6] Rachael Chadwick (ENG)
11-3, 11-3, 11-5 (15m)
Sanne eldkamp (NED)
[7] Satomi Watanabe (JPN)
11-7, 11-3, 12-10 (23m)
Farah Momen (EGY)
Satomi Watanabe
12-10, 12-10, 11-8 (31m)
Julianne Courtice
Kace Bartley (ENG)
11-7, 11-7, 11-6 (22m)
[2] Julianne Courtice (
ENG)
ROUND ONE

Georgia Adderley (Sco) bt Carrie Hallam (Sco) 11-4, 11-2, 11-2 (22m)
Yura Choe (Kor) bt Eva Fertekova (Cze) 11-0, 11-4, 9-11, 11-6 (27m)
Katriona Allen (Sco) bt Charlotte Jagger (Eng) 11-5, 11-4, 12-10 (24m)
Cristina Gomez (Esp) bt Jessica Shaw (Sco) 11-3, 11-2, 11-6 (18m)
Elspeth Young (Sco) bt Fanny Segers (Fra) 11-4, 8-11, 12-10 rtd (23m)
Sanne Veldkamp (Ned) bt Lucy Murchie (Sco) 11-4, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9 (35m)
Farah Momen (Egy) bt Celine Walser (Sui) 14-12, 9-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-4 (38m)
Kace Bartley (Eng) bt Faiza Zafar (Pak) 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 (17m)
 

REPORTS

DAY FIVE

Donna completes five-game run to the title as Gawad claims a first

Donna Lobban had already survived two five game thrillers to reach the final, while second seed Julianne Courtice had enjoyed an easier passage to the final.

Despite a good start to the first from Donna, Julianne pegged it back to take the lead 11-6. Donna fought back to take the next two 11-9 but when Julianne claimed the fourth 11-7 Donna was looking at a third successive decider.

Donna eased ahead, 8-5, Julianne closed to 6-8 but Donna pulled away again and unlike her previous matches it only took one match ball for the Aussie-cum-Scot to claim her first ESC Open title 11-8 in 56 minutes.

"It's been a tough week," admitted the new champion, "I've had some tough battles and I was really hanging on there at times. I wish I had Jules' racket skills, but I managed to get through in the end. When I think that this time last year I was learning to walk again, I'm really delighted to have come back and to win this title feels really special."

The men's final saw Greb Lobban aiming to continue his run of upset results to reclaim the title he won in 2018, but Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad, who came through to the final with two five game victories, was in no mood for another thriller.

Karim quickly got into his stride, taking the first two games 11-8 with Greg pulling a few points back towards the end of each. There was no recovery in the third as Karim pulled away again, claiming the match and the title 11-4 in 30 minutes.

"People say they'd love to get on court with the top guys," joked Greg afterwards, "I don't know why, it's horrible! I've had a good week, but all credit to Karim, he controlled the match from start to finish and everything he tried came off."

Gawad was delighted with the win: "It's my first time in Scotland and I've really enjoyed it. The club, the crowd, the court are all great, and the prize money helps too! It would be great to see a big PSA event come to Scotland, but hopefully I'll be back to defend my title next year anyway."

A Chris Leiper 3-0 Chris Ferguson 11-3, 11-7, 11-6
B Cai Younger 3-0 Ruan Metz 18-16, 11-7,11-7
C Simon Broatch 3-0 Karl Becker 11-7, 11-9, 13-11
D Michael Buckholz 3-1 Tom Naylor 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9
E Grant Addison 3-0 Andrew Black 11-3,11-4,11-3
F Mark Lockhart 3-0 Robbie Todd 11-5, 11-6, 11-2
 

DAY FOUR

Donna does it again as Jules returns to the final

[5] Donna Lobban (Aus) 3-2 [4] Alexandra Fuller (Rsa) 8-11, 6-11, 11-5, 12-10,12-10 (57m)
[2] Julianne Courtice (Eng) 3-1 [6] Rachael Chadwick (Eng) 9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-2 (38m)

Yesterday Donna Lobban was two-nil up and held off a comeback from top seed Emily Whitlock to win in five games. Today shewas two-nil down to fourth seeded South African Alexandra Fuller and came back towin in five!

Fuller controlled the first two games 11-8, 11-6, her pacy hitting and smooth movement keeping Lobban off balance and unable to impose herself on the match.

The Aussie started the third strongly and started to find her range, reducing the deficit 11-5 and leading the early stages of the fourth. Fuller levelled at 8-all but Lobban moved ahead again, levelling the match 12-10 on her third game ball and urging the crowd on as she left the court - not that they needed any such encouragement.

The fifth was nervous, neither player managed to get ahead as the lead changed hands. It was Fuller who edged ahead from 9-all toearn a match ball, but three points in a row for an emotional Lobban and she was through to the final 12-10 in 57 minutes..

"Dramatic or what - you'd think I love the drama, but I'd much rather win easily!

"She was playing amazing in the first two games, but maybe I was playing her game too much. I think I did a good job of playing my game after that, it was effective but I had to work hard to stick to it. It was a great match, tough one to win.

"Greg joked last night that me putting him through the wringer before his match obviously worked and that I'd have to do it again. I don't think he saw it coming, but he got his wish!"

Second seed Julianne Courtice reached her second ESC Open final in three years as she overcame long time adversary Rachael Chadwick in four games. Chadwick was ahead throughout the first, taking the lead 11-9 and was 9-7 up in the second before a run of four points put Courtice level.

It was plain sailing after that as Courtice took the third 11-4 and eased through the fourth against a dispirited opponent 11-2, reaching the final in 38 minutes.

"That second was much needed, if I'd lost that it would have been a real battle," said Julianne. "But to get to level pegging gave me the confidence to push ahead in the third.

"I've only played Donna once on PSA, lost 3-2, but she's had some real battles here so far, I hope I can give her another one tomorrow and get the crowd going again, and maybe on my side!"

Men :Gawad toughs it out again as Greg finally quells Daryl

[2] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-2 [3/4] Joel Makin (Wal) 11-6, 8-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6 (76m)
[5/8] Greg Lobban (Sco) 3-2 [3/4] Daryl Selby (Eng) 11-6, 11-5, 11-13, 11-13, 11-9 (96m)

The first men's semi-final went the distance as second seed Karim Abdel Gawad locked horns with 3/4 seed Joel Makin. The Egyptian was in charge in the first, taking the lead 11-6, but Makin struck back to take the second and third, both 11-8.

If Gawad was going to reach the final he'd need to win a second consecutive five-setter, and that's just what he did, delighting the crowd with his silky skills as he took the last two games, both 11-6.

"Tough, and tough again! I flew to London, played a PSL match in Birmingham, flew to Scotland for a five setter yesterday, I didn't expect that I'd be able to last long against Joel today, but I was happy with my squash and my performance.

"The crowd here are beautiful, and the great thing about this court is that you feel like you're playing in the middle of the crowd. Looking forward to playing the final on it tomorrow."

Having despatched Paul Coll yesterday, Greg Lobban looked like he was going to do it again as he powered into a two game lead over 3/4 seed Daryl Selby 11-6, 11-5, and with the Englishman looking the more fatigued of the two as the third game started, another three-nil seemed to be on the cards.

But Daryl isn't a five-time ESC Open champion for nothing, and he dug in as only he can, making every rally tough and at times earning a breather as he questioned referee John Massarella's decisions - not an opinion, after one exchange he admitted "I need a rest!"

Neither player could score a run of points now, and the next three games were an exhibition of court craft and sheer determination. Daryl saved one match ball in the third and two more in the fourth, taking them both 13-11.

There was no letup in the fifth, as Daryl eked out a 7-3 lead only for Greg to fight back to 8-all, then 9-all. The last two points went Greg's way and he lifted him arms into the air as reached the final for the second time in three years.

"That was very tough out there. So happy to win in 5, Daryl is such a battle hardened competitor and even at 2-0 up I knew I couldn’t relax.

"He played the right game and fought his way back into the match very well. I tried to stay as calm as possible when I was 7-3 down in the 5th and trusted my ability to work my way back into the decider and thankfully managed to win the last point.

"Donna has been doing her best to emotionally drain me by battling through to win in five games herself the last few days but she definitely gave me the inspiration I needed to keep pushing tonight."

There followed a presentation to long-time tournament supporter and five-time champion Daryl,in which he was awarded life membership of the club.

 
DAY THREE:

Scots exit women’s draw as Lobban and Chadwick stun seeds - Lobban takes out Coll in massive men’s upset

Day Three started with men's round two as the eight seeded players started theircampaign against last night's winners. As with with women's draw, all eight won through to setup evening quarter-finals as predicted by the seedings.

The women's quarter-finals started with top seed andformer champion Emily Whitlock taking on fifth seeded Australian Donna Lobban - almost a local with husband Greg watching and the crowd definitely in her favour.

Had the seeding been done on highest world ranking, they would have been #1 and#2, and that closeness was borne out as Donna claimed two close first games, finishing both the stronger for 11-8,11-8 and almost pulling back Emily's early lead in the thirdwhich the top seed took 11-9.

The fourth was a humdinger as Donna edged ahead to 10-8, but after saving those match balls, and four more in extended extra points, Emily edged home 18-16 to set up a decider.

Donna moved ahead gain in the fifth, and only needed two morematchballs as she delightedly closed out the match 11-8 in 67 minutes.

Both Scots exited the draw as Alexandra Fuller overcame Alison Thomson in straight games 11-6, 11-5,11-8 in 28 minutes. Then, in an uncanny repeat of the top match, Rachael Chadwick went two up against third seed Lisa Aitken, who battled back totake the third and save two match balls in the fourth before finally falling 13-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-13, 11-8 in just over the hour.

"I've never got close to Lisa, she's battered me every time before so I went in without any pressure. I had to pick the time to play on her forehand, she's lethal there. I was pleased to sneak the first two, felt I should have won the fourth, and she was really up for the fifth, I was glad to win that one. This seems like a lucky tournament for me, I've had some good results here."

In the final women's quarter second seed Julianne Courtice let 10-6 leads slip in both the first two games against Satomi Watanabe, but took them both 12-10 before the former champion closed out the third 11-8in 31 minutes.

The men's quarters started with a sensational upset - home favourite and 2018 Champion Greg Lobban, this time a 5/8 seed, ousting second seedand defending champion Paul Coll in straight games! Greg maintained leads through the first two games then recovered from 2-6 down to closeout the match 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 in 45 minutes.

Five time champion Daryl Selby wasted no time in despatching Welshman Peter Creed 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 in 23 minutes to set up a semi-final against Lobban, a repeat of the 2018 final.

Wales' Joel Makin added to the home nations' interest in the semi-finals as he overcame determined resistance from Alan Clyne, taking the match 11-3, 5-11, 11-7, 11-5 in 49 minutes.

Last up it was top seed Karim Abdel Gawad against Declan James in a rematch of their thrilling encounter in the World Teamsin Washington. James took the first and had gameball for a two-love lead, but Gawad levelled in extra points. Long story short - it's late, after all - Gawad prevailed in five,like he does, controlling the decider to win 9-11, 13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4 in 80 minutes.

The Graded events continue tomorrow (yours truly is on at 9am) with the semi-finals starting at 17.00.

Women's Quarter-Finals
[5] Donna Lobban (Aus) 3-2 [1] Emily Whitlock (Eng) 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 16-18, 11-8(67m)
[4] Alexandra Fuller (Rsa) 3-0 [8] Alison Thomson (Sco) 11-6, 11-5,11-8 (28m)
[6] Rachael Chadwick (Eng) 3-2 [3] Lisa Aitken (Sco) 13-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-13,11-8 (62m)
[2] Julianne Courtice (Eng) 3-0 [7] Satomi Watanabe (Jpn) 12-10, 12-10, 11-8 (31m)

Men’s Quarter-Finals
[5/8] Greg Lobban (Sco) 3-0 [2] Paul Coll (Nzl) 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (45m)
[3/4] Daryl Selby (Eng) 3-0 [5/8] Peter Creed (Wal) 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 (23m)
[3/4] Joel Makin (Wal) 3-1 [5/8] Alan Clyne (Sco) 11-3, 5-11, 11-7, 11-5 (49m)
[1] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-2 [5/8] Declan James (Eng) 9-11, 13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4 (80m)

Men’s Round Two
[2] Paul Coll (Nzl) 3-0 Fergus Richards (Sco)11-4, 11-5, 11-6 (30m)
[5/8] Greg Lobban (Sco) 3-0 Sean Conroy (Irl)11-6, 11-6, 11-5 (32m)
[3/4] Daryl Selby (Eng) 3-0 Dougie Kempsell (Sco) 11-5, 12-10,11-7 (35m)
[5/8] Peter Creed (Wal) 3-1 Robert Downer (Eng) 11-3, 11-4, 7-11, 12-10 (44m)
[5/8] Alan Clyne (Sco) 3-0 Rory Stewart (Sco) 11-7, 11-4, 11-8 (40m)
[3/4] Joel Makin (Wal) 3-1 Jamie Henderson (Sco) 12-10, 11-4, 11-7 (28m)
[1] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-1 Abhay Singh (Ind) 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7 (38m)
[5/8] Declan James (Eng) 3-1 Miles Jenkins (Eng) 11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9 (46m)


 
DAY TWO:

Seeds cruise into ESCO quarter-finals

Day Two saw yesterday's winners take on the eight seeded players in the women's PSA Challenger 20 draw, , and there was barely a hint of an upset as the seeds all won in straight games to set up the anticipated quarter-finals.

Yesterday's home winners all lost, two of them to compatriots as Lisa Aitken and Alison Thomson kept Scottish interest alie.

Aitken now meets England's Rachael Chadwick while Thomson takes on fourth seeded South African Alexandra Fuller. English top seeds Emily Whitlock and Julianne Courtice face Aussie Donna Lobban and Japan's Satomi Watanabe in the quarter-finals, which start at 15.30 on Friday.
 

Day ONE:

Trio of Scots progress on Day One

The 20th edition of the Edinburgh Sports Club got under way with Round One of the Women’s PSA Challenger 20 event ,eight matches with the winners progressing to play the seeds in Thursday’s Round Two.

There was plenty of home interest with Scots in five of the eight matches, and successful forays for Georgia Adderley, Katriona Adderley and Elspeth Young.

Adderley, who turned 19 earlier this month, overcame clubmate Carrie Hallam in straight games while Allen and Young upset 9/16 seeds Charlotte Jagger and Fanny Segers to give Scotland five spots in round two. Adderley meets top seeded Englishwoman Emily Whitlock while Allen and Young meet fellow Scots Alison Thomson and Lisa Aitken.

Women’s Round One :
Georgia Adderley (Sco) 3-0 Carrie Hallam (Sco) 11-4, 11-2, 11-2 (22m)
Yura Choe (Kor) 3-1 Eva Fertekova (Cze) 11-0, 11-4, 9-11, 11-6 (27m)

Katriona Allen (Sco) 3-0 Charlotte Jagger (Eng) 11-5, 11-4, 12-10 (24m)
Cristina Gomez (Esp) 3-0 Jessica Shaw (Sco) 11-3, 11-2, 11-6 (18m)

Elspeth Young (Sco) 3-1 Fanny Segers (Fra) 11-4, 8-11, 12-10 rtd (23m)
Sanne Veldkamp (Ned) 3-1 Lucy Murchie (Sco) 11-4, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9 (35m)

Farah Momen (Egy) 3-2 Celine Walser (Sui) 14-12, 9-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-4 (38m)
Kace Bartley (Eng) 3-0 Faiza Zafar (Pak) 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 (17m)

Round Two starts at 17.30 tomorrow, when men’s event gets under way with eight first round matches to determine who meets the top eight seeds on Friday.

Full coverage:
https://edinburghopensquash.com/ 
 

 

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