|
|
• TODAY • 2006 Finals • SEMIS • Day SIX • Day FIVE • Day FOUR • Day THREE • DAYS ONE & TWO • WILLSTROP •
Day SIX, Fri 10th Feb
QUARTERS TAKE TWO
MEN'S QUARTERS:
[4] Nick Matthew bt [5] Alex Gough 14/12, 11/4, 11/3 (45m)
[2] Peter Nicol bt [6] Peter Barker 11/9, 11/5,
11/7 (42m)
WOMEN'S QUARTERS:
[1] Linda Elriani bt [5] Laura Lengthorn 9/3, 9/5, 4/9, 9/4 (50m)
[3] Jenny Duncalf bt Laura Hill
9/7, 1/9, 9/2, 9/7 (57m)
 |
MAIN DRAWS
THE MASTERS
 |
|
|
[2] Peter Nicol bt [6] Peter
Barker
11/9, 11/5, 11/7 (42m) |
NICOL COMPLETES THE TEAM
 Peter
Nicol ensured that the semi-finals of the National Championships will be a
contest between England's world team championship winning quartet when he
concluded day six play with a straight games victory over fellow
left-hander Peter Barker.
The second seed forged ahead 7/2 in the first, and although Barker
resisted well, levelling at 9-all, Nicol stepped up again to close out the
first, and never looked back, maintaining comfortable leads in the next
two games.
 "I’m
happy with the way I played today, I was moving well, and I’m glad to
play that well after a long rest.
"I’m feeling fresh, and I’d better be, with Canary Wharf, TOC,
Commonwealth Games and Bermuda all coming up…"
Peter Nicol |
|
 "I
had a terrible start, and after that I felt I was chasing the game all
the time.
"I was never quite there, my length wasn't good enough, and players of
that quality are always going to punish that."
Peter Barker |
|
|
|
[1] Linda Elriani bt [5] Laura
Lengthorn
9/3, 9/5, 4/9, 9/4 (50m) |
LINDA TAKES OUT LAST
LANCASHIRE HOPE
Defending champion Linda Elriani ended hope for a local victory in the
women's event as she fended off a spirited fightback by Laura Lengthorn.
 Elriani
imposed her game from the start, slowing the pace and denying Lengthorn
opportunities to attack, pinning her at the back of the court for the most
part.
Two games went to Elriani, and when she quickly went to 4-0 in the third a
quick finish seemed likely. But Lengthorn at last managed to get into the
match, forcing herself to the front eliciting errors from Elriani as she
found herself suddenly on the back foot.
Lengthorn pulled a game back, losing just one serve in a run of nine
points, and continued it into the fourth, establishing a 4-1 lead.
But the game turned again, Elriani's lobs once more forcing weak returns
and errors from the Lancastrian's racket, and once she levelled the
defending champion quickly finished the match off to reach another
semi-final.
 "I
lost my gameplan, which was to slow down the pace and keep her in the
back corners. After the first two she managed to get in front of me
and hit some penetrating lengths.
"When I was down in the fourth I thought 'come on, play your game'. If
it wasn't good enough the it wasn't good enough, but I knew it was
because it worked in the first two.
"As soon as you get into a hard hitting game with her you're in
trouble, so I went back to my high serves and lobs. It's worth the
risk of the odd one or two going out as they create so many
opportunities for me.
"I'm pleased to come through that one, I think mine was the toughest
quarter, Laura is what, 13 in the world, so it was never going to be
easy."
Linda Elriani |
|
 "In
the first two games I couldn't get into it, I just let her volley
everything and she was well on top. I knew I needed to create
something, so I started attacking the lobs, and I managed to get in
front.
"I though I was playing well, had a good start in the fourth, but she
hit a few really good shots from out of nowhere and I was on the back
foot again."
Laura Lengthorn |
 |
|
|
| [4] Nick Matthew bt [5] Alex
Gough 11/10(4-2), 11/4, 11/3 |
ANOTHER GREAT FIRST GAME…
Framboise reports
"This week, I had the pleasure of seeing several good first games… Sorry,
l know it looks weird, but it’s true… Steve Meads against Adrian Grant,
Simon Parke against Nick Matthew, and today, the same Nick against the
Welsh Devil Alex Gough…
 "It
took four game balls for Nick to be able to sneak that first game today.
Alex had one himself, that ended up in the tin, and that could have
changed the end result, that’s for sure, as the two players were point for
point throughout the first 25 minutes that the game lasted.
"The rallies were extremely long, so close, Nick was clever, he didn’t
mind losing a few as long as it meant tiring the “Old Guard”. Great
attacks from the Englishman, superb counterattacks from the Welsh, we had
a great show… until Alex lost the first game, and then, it all turned
Nick’s way… Hitting the ball very hard, the Sheffield boy applied the
pressure where it hurt, and the result appeared and was ineluctable….
The last time I saw Peter play Nick, it was in the final of the English
Open, with a “close to exhaustion” Matthew, and an “unstoppable” Nicol.
Tomorrow could be a different game altogether. Nick has much more
confidence in his game, he is fresh, he is fit, and he is hungry. So,
we’ll have two mouthwatering semis tomorrow, and whoever could predict the
results is a clairvoyant, that’s for sure…
 "He
was hitting the ball very well. I was moving alright, but not quickly
enough. To start with, I was quite accurate, but then, I started
playing some loose shots, because I couldn’t keep up at that pace…
"Also, I was not severe enough… Against Lee, for example, in Qatar, I
needed only one shot at it, whereas here, I needed three, and against
players of that quality, you don’t get three chances that often…
"I was too negative, I’m not happy with myself when I play like that.
I was not that tired in the second, but Nick is another Palmer, he
cracks it away…. Not to mention that getting the first game gave him
confidence and allowed him to step up the court.
"I guess that I also put too much expectations on myself, I was never
relaxed, and I didn’t enjoy my game enough… I’m playing him again on
Monday first round of Canary Wharf, and I will have to just let go…"
Alex Gough |
 |
"This match against Alex reminds me about my match against Simon two
days ago, where the first game was long and brutal, and could have
gone either way. Against Simon, I lost it, and that led me to spend an
extra 20 minutes on court…
"So today, I made sure that I got the first game, and that I took a
good start in the second, and we could see how quickly the momentum
changed… I was hitting the ball rather well, also, I just spent a few
days training with David Pearson, and that was the first time since we
went on the Asian Tour, so that did me a hell of a good…
"Now, when it comes to the next round, regardless of whom you play, a
friend, a team mate, etc, as soon as you close the door, you want to
win…"
Nick Matthew |
 |
|
|
| [3] Jenny Duncalf bt Laura
Hill 9/7, 1/9, 9/2, 9/7 (57m) |
SQUASH IS A HOBBY…
Framboise reports
 I
must say I enjoyed watching Laura Hill today.
Not nervous whatsoever, perfectly focused and concentrated, brain
connected 200%, perfect length, superb fitness, it’s really a shame for
the world of squash that that young lady has chosen another career (I was
told she is a fire-fighter, which I guess explains the fitness) on which
to spend her days…. I think she would have brought a real strength to the
WISPA tour, and no, I don’t mean that it needs it, don’t put words in my
pen, ok???
On the other hand, a slightly nervous Jenny Duncalf, as always when a lot
is expected of her, as talented as ever, but not at her best today, a bit
like her Commonwealth Games doubles partner Alison Waters yesterday
against Dominique Lloyd Water.
But overall, we had some great rallies, a lot of nice and structured
squash, a few unforced errors too many for Jenny, a great performance for
Laura, who could have really upset the cards had she took the 17 minute
first game, as she took the second with not too much trouble 9/1…. Still,
Jenny prevailed in the end, and is now ready to meet Mrs Elriani yet again
for another should-be-close encounter…
 "I
was a bit tense, because everybody expects me to win, and that puts a
lot of pressure on me.
"I played her a few times in Premier League, and I know how fit she
is, and how dangerous she can be.
"She played a very good length today, and I really don’t enjoy the
length game, so I guess I tried to finish the rallies a bit too soon.
"I’m looking forward to playing Linda in the semi, we are playing each
other a lot recently, and it’s always very close matches, and I’m also
playing her in the first round of the Malaysian Open…"
Jenny Duncalf |
|
 "That
was the first time I'd played on a glass court, I just had half an
hour practice this morning and ten minutes before the match. The
lights took a bit of getting used to, and I found the floor very hard,
it was going through my shoes.
"I was a bit disappointed not to sneak the first, because Jenny didn't
come out in the second and then it was so easy for her in the third.
"I usually get to play Linda in the first round, so although this is
the furthest I've ever got in one sense it doesn't feel like a
'proper' Nationals for me! But I really enjoyed that, I'm just glad
that I put in a good performance, especially in front of a big crowd
like this.
"Squash will always be a hobby for me. I only joined WISPA to be able
to play the British Open last year, and I didn't renew this year.
"I enjoy the physical training, but I don’t spend hours on the court,
I play about twice a week, but I go to the gym, and ride the bike, run
every day…"
Laura Hill |
 |
|
