|
| |
|
|
| Daily
Results and Reports from Manchester |
|
Day TWO, Mon 7th Feb
Day ONE: Happy Anniversary! |
|
|
Today's Matches
Men's Qualifying concluded today, with two rounds whittling 32 hopefuls
down to eight qualifiers, and Women's Qualifying also started.
Inside the National Squash Centre
|
MEN'S DRAW
WOMEN'S DRAW
 |
Men's Qualifying Finals:
Derek Ryan bt Nick Douglas
7/11, 11/4, 11/6, 12/10 (40m)
Chris Simpson bt Andrew Learoyd
11/6, 11/6, 11/8 (24m)
Andy Whipp bt Joel Hinds
13/11, 11/5, 11/5 (38m)
James Wright bt David Barnett
11/9, 12/10, 11/7 (36m)
Daryl Selby bt Simon Pickering
11/4, 11/4, 11/6 (25m)
Peter Billson bt Darren Lewis
11/8, 11/7, 4/11, 11/7 (46m)
Laurence Delasaux bt Oliver Davidson
11/4, 11/5, 11/9 (22m)
Tim Vail bt Chris Tasker-Grindley
6/11, 11/1, 11/8, 11/3 (23m)
|
Women's Qualifying round One
Caroline Chaloner bt Emma Chorley
9/2, 9/5, 9/3 (30m)
Georgina Stoker bt Deon Saffery
9/5, 9/4, 9/5 (31m)
Rachel Willmott bt Susannah King
9/1, 8/10, 3/9, 9/6, 9/3 (54m)
Isabelle Tweedale bt Emmeline Goulden
9/5, 9/1, 9/4 (24m)
Suzie Pierrepont bt Leoni Holt
9/0, 9/1, 9/4 (19m)
Fiona Moverley bt Jenny Wright
9/5, 9/7, 9/4 (31m)
Jenna Gates bt Victoria Lust
9/3, 9/0, 9/1 (19m)
Kirsty McPhee bt Louise Clark
9/3, 9/5, 9/0 (23m)
|
|
25 MINUTES FOR FIRST TIMER SIMPSON
 Do not think that Andrew Learoyd didn’t
give his best this evening, but Chris Simpson was a man with a
mission, to get his first place in the first round of the prestigious
Nationals. He didn’t let Learoyd breath much, I must say: penetrating
length, tight drives, good drop shots..
Chris was always in front, never let his opponent take the control of the
score, of the rallies or of the games. And even if the score is quite close,
7, 6 and 8, Simpson was never in danger of losing the encounter.
And the little man got his dream, as he is playing tall James Willstrop…
Chris Simpson bt Andrew Learoyd
11/6, 11/6, 11/8 (24m)
Learoyd and Barnett commisserate |
WRIGHT IN…
 The
young James Wright is a happy man tonight, as his last match was not
an easy one. David Barnett didn’t come here for the view, you know...
The 25 year old player from Newcastle who just moved to Alnwick fought hard
but ran of steam at the end of the third.
I’m not sure though he was right, from a tactical point of view, to play a
lot of short balls as counter-attacks. One, it didn’t seem to affect James
that much, and two, he lost a lot of energy picking up drop after drop after
drop.
The second game was the tightest, 1/1, 3/3, 5/5, 7/7, 8/8, 9/9, 10/10. But
with a remarkable backhand front of the court boast, and a slide drop shot,
Wright took a definitive advantage, two games up.
In the third, Barnett shot in front, 4/1, then 6/4, but a series of mis-hits
and tins allowed James to equalize, take the lead and finally the game 11/7.
The match lasted 36 minutes, and a very smiling Wright in now playing
Impressive Nick Matthew.
James Wright bt David Barnett
11/9, 12/10, 11/7 (36m)
|
ANDY EARNS HIS
DATE WITH NICK
Andy Whipp earned his third outing in the main draw of the Nationals,
eventually wearing down young Joel Hinds in three games.
The first was long, 21 minutes, with both players driving hard, keeping the
ball to the back of the court. The ball burst at 5-all - it actually burst
earlier, but they played a couple of rallies with the crowd thinking
something was strange.
Hinds had his chances ... he led 8-6, had game ball at 9-8 and saved game
ball at 10-11 with a mis-hit winner as he fell over. "You lucky so-and-so,"
laughed Andy.
Whipp could afford to smile. He took that game 13-11, and in the next two
his experience told, as he moved the youngster around, forcing him into
error time and time again.
The last two games, 11/5, 11/5, took just 15 minutes, and Andy Whipp was
through. And his dream of the 'ladies match' against Nick Taylor came true
too ...
Andy Whipp bt Joel Hinds
13/11, 11/5, 11/5 (38m)
|
BILLSON: SO MANY TINS….
Good Lord, how many times can one player hit
the tin, and still win the match…
Well, I guess that when one is playing drop shots as tight as Peter
Billson hits them, a certain amount of loss is to be expected, but it
must be so frustrating… And so pleasant for the opponent, in this instance
Darren Lewis.
In the first, for example, Peter was up 7/2. Well, thanks to his unforced
errors, he let Darren come back to 8/8, only to re-establish his control and
grab the game 11/8 in 12 minutes. He will take the second with less trouble,
11/7 in 10 minutes.
In the third, he basically gave the game away to an opponent who was
fighting on every shot, and never gave up, ravishing the game 11/4 in only 7
minutes.
But Billson got his act together, and in 12 minutes, wraps it up 11/7. But
if he wants to make any impression upon left-handed Peter Barker, he’d
better cut the unforced errors big time…
Peter Billson bt Darren Lewis
11/8, 11/7, 4/11, 11/7 (46m) |
VAIL IN GOOD FORM
 Tim
Vail is in the main draw for the 6th time. And he will arrive rather
fresh tomorrow to face “Vet” Alex Gough, as he only played once, a bye and a
walkover gave him a privileged status…
His opponent Chris Tasker-Grindley didn’t play at his best today,
that’s the very least we can say, and even if Tim relaxed a bit in the
third, losing the game 11/8, the second and fourth game say it all, 11/1,
11/3. The young TG was maybe impressed with the event, I’m not sure, but
let’s hope that he’ll learn from the experience…
So, nice to see Mr Vail back in form, and in shape (the man has been
training hard in the gym for the past month) as he is a pretty impressive
shot maker and a good fighter… Welcome back, Tim… |
|
FIRST TIME IN THE MAIN DRAW
!! |
 "Last
year I was in the final of the qualifying, playing Ricky Davies, but I was
injured.
"I'm excited, I could get anybody, I could get the chance to play Peter
Nicol, and that would be fantastic."
James Wright, 18. |
 "I'm
excited about being in the main draw for the first time.
"I hope I get to play Peter Nicol, but whoever I get I will give it my best
shot."
Peter Billson, 24. |
 This
morning's match with Tom was great, and after my win tonight I'm really
happy to be in the main draw for the first time.
I've never played anyof them before, but I'd really like to play James
Willstrop, if only to see how stupid he can make me look!" (Wish
Granted!)
Chris Simpson, 17. |
|
|
RYAN: "I don't care who I get ...
... as long as it's in the bottom half."
Derek Ryan earned himself a place in the main draw with a 3/1 win
over Nottingham team-mate Nick Douglas, then declared that he needed
a slot in the bottom half, since he was working during the day tomorrow!
"Today was my first day of a six-week placement at Rochdale Infirmary as
part of my training to be a physio," said Irishman Ryan, just turned 35 and
top seed in that event. "The bottom half plays in the evening, and I don't
think they'd be too impressed if I asked for time off on both of my first
two days!"
Ryan's match with Douglas was a cagey affair, both willing to go short at
every given opportunity, twisting and turning the opponent to force the
opening.
 Douglas
took the first, Ryan levelled it, but during the third Douglas became
increasingly frustrated. A 'no let' at 6-3 down brought a conduct warning,
and a let to Ryan at 8-5 increased his unhappiness.
At 9-6 Nick came out of court to appeal a pickup ... "all the balls were
good" said the ref. "I'm sure I saw a smile on your face then," retorted
Douglas.
Nothing nasty, but Nick felt things weren't going his way. A final precision
drop from Ryan gave him the third 2-1.
The Irishman started strongly in the fourth, with several precise kills, and
aided by a couple of mis-hits from Douglas reached 6-2. More cagey rallies,
9-6 to Ryan, the Douglas serves at 7-9.
"Foot fault," said the marker. Not happy, was Nick, but is spurred him on to
level the game at 10-all, and he let out a determined "come on!"
But Ryan took the tie-break 2-0 to clinch the match, and one final fling of
Douglas's racket earned him a conduct stroke. So was that 13-10, then ?
We hope that Derek's wish will be met, but it should be noted that the
bottom half of the draw is pretty strong ...
|
Derek
looking for
a favourable draw
"I never
foot-fault" |
|
BEEN THERE BEFORE
... |
 "It's
my third time in the main draw, and I've played Peter Nicol both times!
So I hope I get someone else this time ... actually it would be great to
play Nick (Taylor) as it would be a Manchester derby - the crowd would love
it, and the ladies would love it!" (Wish Granted!)
Andy Whipp, 23. |
 "I've
been in the first round for the last five years ... and lost to Ben Garner,
Parky, Simon Johnson and then I can't remember!
"My English ranking has dropped since I only play league games, so I'm glad
to qualify. I don't care who I get, I just want to play.
You get a few funny bounces on these courts, and they're quite dead."
Tim Vail. |
THE MORNING SESSION
UP AND DOWN FOR
ANDY WHIPP
Boy o boy, if that young man could keep his concentration in one place for a
whole match, he could go places… He hits blipping hard, lobs beautifully,
drops, retrieves… and then, the brain goes for a little stroll down the
corridor… He was facing a very fit Robert Shepherd, who fought every
ball with great determination.
Both players had a strong game, precise hitting, good pace, good spirit, and
to tell you the truth, the first and third game could have gone either way,
especially the third, as Andy’s focus seemed a bit blurry, and Robert took
an early lead that he kept up to 7/5. But Andy re-established his authority,
pushed his opponent to the back, and we had a great finish, 8/8, 10/10,
11/11, and finally 13/11 for Whipp.
Andy is now playing the young Joel Hinds at 18.45.
Andy Whipp bt Robert Shepherd
11/9, 11/3, 13/11 (32m)
Andy Whipp and Robert Shepherd
Advice for Simon Pickering from Nick Taylor |
 "It
wasn't too bad, I felt quite comfortable, although I'm playing Derek
Ryan at 6. Yes it was a five setter, but if anything I needed that match
as it's only my third game this month."
Nick Douglas |
Hinds v Binns
A close first game between two youngsters, Joel Hinds and Jethro Binns,
with Hinds coming out the winner 11/7 in 12 minutes. Hinds took control
at the start of the second, going 5/0 then 8/3, playing the four corners
well. He allowed the Welshman a bit of a look-in, but took it 11/7,
again in 12 minutes.
In the third there was only going to be one winner as Hinds went 9/0
before finishing it 11/5.
 "It
was a good match, I played well, had good distribution. I relaxed a few
times but overall I'm pleased with my performance, I think he gave up a
little towards the end. I'm looking forward to my match with Andy Whipp
tonight."
Joel Hinds
Chris Robertson urges
on Jethro |
"I started slowly, as I've not played on these courts since last year.
The front wall is slow so the ball doesn't come as fast as you expect.
Once I found my length I was ok though, but Tom's a good young player
with lots of potential."
Daryl Selby |
PICKERING/CRAWFORD: PRETTY CLOSE
It started very well for fit Stuart Crawford, as he took the first
game 11/2. I came and watched the game as he was down in the second 9/2,
then game ball 10/4. He clawed back, and I thought he was actually going to
get to the tie-break, you know, as his focus was strong, and his opponent
Simon Pickering’s game less and less steady. But his run stopped at
9/10, as Pickering placed a beautiful back hand nick.
For the rest of the match, the score speaks volumes: 11/9, 14/12, 13/11. In
other words, yes, Pickering won, but so close… I feel that Crawford is one
of those players who has worked very hard at his craft, on his fitness (that
give him a great retrieval ability), on his hitting and on his drop shots
(probably the sector that he still need to improve slightly). Pickering is
probably a much more natural player, and he offered us some beautiful nicks
more than once…
Simon Pickering bt Stuart Crawford
2/11, 11/9, 14/12, 13/11 (42m)
|
THE MATCHES I GLANCED AT…
Well, I was able to just have a look at next court matches, just enough to
have a feel of the match. If I’m wrong, don’t shoot, OK???
Joel Hinds was altogether in another league, and although Jethro
Binns gave it his all, threw himself on the floor more than once, he
couldn’t do much to stop the young Hinds proceeding in the event…
Daryl Selby had a few words (not bad, I promise you) with referee
about lets, strokes, and life in general, but took only 38 minutes to beat a
very young Tom Pashley that I’m sure we’ll see very soon at a higher
lever…
A frustrated Ricky Davies didn’t seem to have the right answers to
Laurence Delaseaux's precise hitting, and despite being advised by the
great Chris Robertson, had to let go of the match, 11/5 in the
fourth…
|
 SURPRISE
OF THE DAY
You know, assuming is not a good thing. At all. And today, I had the proof
of it. I had one glance at Galen Le Cheminant, at his “presumed age”,
at his rare hair, looked at his opponent, at least 10 years younger, fit as
a fiddle, I thought to myself, “Oh well, that’s going to be quick”.
Blast woman, how wrong can you get???
Fifty minutes and five games later, I knew that, once again, my talents of
prediction leave a lot to be desired…
Oliver Davidson seemed to have the match in hand, as he was quite
rightly leading two-love, 11/8, 11/4. Did he relax slightly? Most probably.
It cost him the third, 11/6. No panic, Oliver must have thought. 11/5 for
his opponent in the fourth.
Now, he started not to enjoy the ride that much.
In the fifth, he gave all his attention, got up 8/2, but the Galen was going
to go out kicking and screaming, let me tell you. And the man clawed back to
7/10, to finally accept defeat 11/7 in the 5th.
Well, that proves one thing I already know for a fact: older doesn’t mean
less dangerous…
Oliver Davidson bt Galen Le Cheminant
11/8, 11/4, 6/11, 5/11, 11/7 (50m)
|
|
|
|
