01-May:
Men's Final:
Graham Ryding bt Victor Berg 15/2, 15/12, 15/2
Women's Final:
Alana Miller by Runa Reta 8/10, 9/6, 10/8, 10/9
RYDING & MILLER TAKE
CANADIAN CROWNS
CBC SPORTS ONLINE - They weren't the favourites earlier this week but
Graham Ryding and Alana Miller were crowned the men's and women's
champions on Saturday at the 2004 Canadian squash championships in
Vancouver.
The women's final was the most exciting of the two as Miller defeated Runa
Reta of Ottawa 8-10, 9-6, 10-8, 10-9. In the fourth game, Miller
squandered an 8-2 lead and saw Reta move ahead 9-8.
"I just felt that if Runa won that fourth game she would have the momentum
in the fifth," said Miller, a native of Winnipeg who was seeded third
while Reta was seeded fifth.
"I just made up my mind that I would fight for every shot. It was a very
intense match. I was a bit surprised she came back like that but she's
always been a fighter."
"I never thought I would win this tournament but I'm playing and training
full time now and it's paying off."
In the men's final, Ryding reclaimed the title for the first time in five
years with an easy 15-2, 15-12, 15-2 victory over fourth-seed Victor Berg
of Vancouver.
Berg advanced to the final when top-seed and five-time defending Canadian
champion Jonathon Power of Montreal withdrew from their semifinal with the
score tied at 12-12 in the first game due to a leg injury.
"I was really hoping to get my shot at Jonathon because I played well all
week," said Ryding, a native of Toronto. "Suddenly the pressure was all on
me today because I was expected to win. I didn't play as aggressively as I
would have liked."
Power was disappointed not to finish the tournament.
"I always enjoy playing the nationals because I get to see a lot of the
people I grew up playing with and who guided through my career," he said.
"But I had a tough overseas trip here and basically spent two days sitting
in a plane. A few muscles tightened up."
courtesy Canadian Sport News30-Apr:
Top Seeds Fall at
Canadian Nationals
In a day of upsets the biggest came when Jonathon Power withdrew in the
first game due to injury, allowing hometown favorite Viktor Berg to
advance to his 1st National Championships Final.
The other semi final saw 2nd seed Graham Ryding defeat 3rd seed
Shahier Razik in 3 straight games. Razik has defeated Ryding a number of
times recently however could not pull through today.
Also 5th seed Runa Reta of Ottawa upset top seed Melanie Jans of
Vancouver in 4 games. Reta who upset the 4th seed a day earlier continued
her fine play. In the other Women’s Semi Final Alana Miller of
Winnipeg upset 2nd seed and reigning Champion Marnie Baizley, also from
Winnipeg, in 4 games.
Men's Semi-Finals:
Viktor BergJonathon Power 12-12 rtd
Graham Ryding bt Shahier Razik 3/0
Women's Semi-Finals:
Alana Miller bt Marnie Baizley 9/4, 9/5, 9/5
Runa Reta bt Melanie Jans 4/9, 9/2, 9/1, 9/2
Alana Miller of Winnipeg and Runa Reta of Ottawa posted upset wins in the
women's semifinals in Vancouver on Friday at the 2004 Canadian Squash
Championships.
The duo will now rekindle a rivalry from their junior days in Saturday's
final.
Reta, seeded fifth, defeated top-seed and multiple Canadian champion
Melanie Jans of Toronto 4-9, 9-2, 9-1, 9-2. The pair met for the first
time earlier this week in an exhibition match to promote the tournament,
which Jans won in straight games.
"During the week I just felt more and more comfortable on the glass
court," said Reta, 23, Canada's top-ranked international player at No. 34
in the world.
"Tonight I dictated the tempo of the game and I kept the ball tight and
deep. I made sure she didn't slow the pace down."
Miller, seeded third, posted a convincing 9-4, 9-5, 9-5 victory in her
victory against second-seed and defending champion Marnie Baizley of
Winnipeg.
"This was totally unexpected, I had never beaten her before," said Miller,
23, who had lost her three matches to Baizley over the past couple of
years. "But we had a close one in March so I knew it was possible. My
short game was really on."
Miller and Reta met on several occasions in their junior days often in
title matches. "Alana usually beat me in the big matches so I know she'll
be ready," said Reta.
In the men's semis top-seed and five-time defending champion Jonathon
Power of Montreal meets Victor Berg of Vancouver while Shahier Razik of
Toronto faces second seed Graham Ryding of Toronto.
"I'm playing to win," said Berg, prior to his match. "I have a game plan
but I know I'm in tough. I've had a very good tournament so far so I have
some confidence. Plus I'm at home and I feel comfortable here."
On Saturday the women's final is at 3 p.m. (all times local) followed by
the men's final at 4 p.m. Both matches are at the Hollyburn Country Club.
courtesy Canadian Sport News |
CANADIAN NATIONALS
OFFICIAL SITE
Power
aims for
Sixth Straight |
