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TODAY at the ISS
Canary Wharf Squash Classic |
Tue 20th March, Day TWO:
Steve Cubbins reports from Canary Wharf
Round One, Day Two:
[7] Wael El Hindi (Egy) bt [Q] Chris
Simpson (Eng)
11/8, 11/8, 11/5 (36m)
[2] Nick Matthew (Eng) bt Bradley
Ball (Eng)
8/11, 11/7, 11/9, 11/8 (59m)
[5] John White (Sco) bt [Q] Davide
Bianchetti (Ita)
11/3, 6/11, 4/11, 11/3, 11/8 (70m)
Alex Gough (Wal) bt [Q] Stacey Ross
(Eng)
11/3, 2/11, 11/2, 11/7 (43m) |
Canary Chit Chat
#1: Corporate Challenge
Photo Galleries |
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Mon 19th March, Day ONE:
[1] Thierry Lincou
(Fra) bt [Q] Aaron Frankcomb (Aus)
9/11,
11/3, 11/1, 11/8 (48m)
[8] Adrian Grant (Eng) bt Renan Lavigne (Fra)
9/11,
11/4, 11/13, 11/5, 11/4 (74m)
[4] James Willstrop (Eng) bt [Q] Daryl Selby (Eng)
11/2, 7/11, 11/7, 15/13 (62m)
[6] Lee Beachill (Eng) bt Shahier Razik (Can)
11/6,
11/4, 11/6 (42m) |
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Tue 20th March, Day TWO: |
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MATTHEW KEEN TO FASHION
A RESULT AT CANARY WHARF
Roundup from Alan Thatcher
 British
Open champion Nick Matthew was made to fight hard by wild card
Bradley Ball before claiming his place in the quarter-finals of the
ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic.
Matthew, with his right ankle heavily strapped, surrendered the
first game before recovering to beat his Ipswich-based opponent in
59 minutes.
 Matthew,
the world No7 from Sheffield, now faces fiery Egyptian Wael El
Hindi, who beat Guernsey’s lucky loser Chris Simpson in straight
games at the stunning East Wintergarden venue at Canary Wharf.
The 19-year-old Simpson, who came into the main draw after
Australian Anthony Ricketts withdrew because of an elbow injury,
performed solidly in the opening two games before El Hindi mopped up
the match in three games.
Matthew last week returned after injury to reach the semi-finals of
the Malaysian Open and is confident of getting his season back on
track after missing the past two months.
He said: “The ankle is fine. It’s no problem now but I’ve been
advised to keep the strapping on it for a while. It was good to get
some matches under my belt in Malaysia and I am sure it will be OK
against El Hindi.”
 The
Egyptian is honing his fitness in the UK under the watchful eye of
squash legend Jonah Barrington and is sure to make an impression
with his fashion sense as much as his stylish squash.
Tonight he took to the court in a green and yellow singlet, showing
off his heavily tattooed biceps, and sporting calf length white
track bottoms.
El Hindi, 24, said: “This is my first time at Canary Wharf and I am
so pleased to be here – despite the freezing cold weather.”
The winner will face the victor of the battle between Matthew’s
Yorkshire and England team-mates James Willstrop and Lee Beachill,
who are both based at Pontefract Squash Club, where they are coached
by James’s father, Malcolm.
 Willstrop,
who is seeded above his clubmate at Canary Wharf, is searching for
his first victory over his more experienced opponent.
Left-hander Adrian Grant, the No8 seed, makes the short journey from
his family home in Catford to challenge the top seed Thierry Lincou,
the reigning champion from France.
Scotland’s No5 seed John White, the hardest hitter in the history of
squash, faces Welsh veteran Alex Gough, 36. White, who is now based
in Philadelphia and was recorded blasting the ball at 172mph at
Canary Wharf two years ago, had to battle for 70 minutes to remove
Italian Davide Bianchetti. White was timed at a more modest top
speed of 144mph as he hit back from 2-1 down to beat Bianchetti,
from Brescia in five games.
Gough, White's former Nottingham team-mate, was forced to stay on
court for 42 minutes before overcoming Surrey qualifier Stacey Ross
3/1.
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Alex Gough (Wal) bt [Q] Stacey Ross
(Eng)
11/3, 2/11, 11/2, 11/7 (43m)
They meet again ...
The last match of the night threatened for a while to be a repeat of
the previous one - four one-sided games followed by a thriller.
 It
didn't quite work out that way though, as Alex Gough and Stacey Ross
traded three games - each one seemingly decided once one or the
other reached six - before embarking on the crucial game.
It didn't reach the heights of the White/Bianchetti climax, more
intriguing than exciting, but as these two play each other virtually
every other week it's not a surprise that they know each other's
moves so well.
At six-all it all seemed to be building up nicely, but it all just
seemed to go wrong for Stacey - a dodgy bounce, a couple of loose
shots resulting in strokes, and another shot to the middle on match
ball that had Stacey reaching for his opponent's hand before the
referee had a chance to announce the unanimous stroke decision. |
 "I
started off well, but got a bit tense when he started playing well
in the second.
"It's a funny court, it you're the first to hit a decent length you
win the point as it's quite dead in the back. Once you get stuck
behind it's hard to get out of it, if you try to do too much from
there you just dolly it up.
"We've played lots of times this year, and we've both played better
than that, we had a cracking 3/2 in Winchester a couple of weeks
ago. But this is in a different environment, there's more on it and
it's bound to be more tense.
 "The
first game wasn't very good, but I thought I was playing well in the
second.
"The fourth was how most of our matches are played and I felt well
in it up to six-all. Then a dodgy bounce, a couple of strokes and
it's all over, it's very disappointing …"
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[5]
John White (Sco) bt [Q] Davide
Bianchetti (Ita)
11/3, 6/11, 4/11, 11/3, 11/8 (70m)
Two of each ... then the fifth
"That's not a good way to let John White start a match," said an
observer after 2005 champion John White had blitzed the first game
against qualifier Davide Bianchetti.
 It's
not as though you can really stop it though, if John's in the mood,
and he certainly was in that first game. A few errors from Davide,
yes, but more than a few trademark White winners.
"It depends on which John White turns up of course," added the same
observer after John had lost all form from 4-all in the second. A
few tins from John, some lovely drops and boasts from Davide, a
stroke to finish and John's racket went flying in disgust. It was
the same story in the third - 4-all quickly became 11-4 to the
Italian.
John White mark one was back for the fourth, he started off with
three quick winners and kept it going to level. This time it was the
Italian racket's turn to learn to fly.
 Four
one-sided games so far … surely the fifth would be neck and neck?
Well, yes and no. "Fifth game and they're both moving better than at
the start," said said observer. And they were, pushing each other to
each corner of the court, and going willingly.
John held the lead in the early stages, but two dead lengths from
Davide pulled it back to 7/5.
That gap was maintained up to 10/8, and on match ball we got the
best rally of the tournament by far. Every type of shot there is,
from both of them, tremendous retrieving from Davide in particular,
but as each dive became ever more desperate one was bound to fail,
and when John finally cracked the ball away out of Davide's reach
the crowd exploded and the players collapsed …
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 "I
couldn't do anything wrong in the first, I was controlling the
rallies, hitting winners when I could and feeling really
comfortable. He played really well in the second and third though,
he had patches where I just couldn't do anything about it, but I was
playing too short, I don't think I hit the back wall once in those
two games.
"Andy [Bunting] told me I needed to hit more length, and that worked
in the fourth. I knew he'd come out firing in the fifth, I knew I
had to wait for my opportunities more.
"I'm just glad it was him diving around like a headless chicken at
the end, I was quite lucky to come out of that 11/8."
 "When
you play John it's always unpredictable - he can beat you in 20
minutes of if he makes a few mistakes you can hang in there and try
to sneak a win. That's what I tried to do today and it almost worked
…"
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[2]
Nick Matthew (Eng) bt Bradley Ball
(Eng)
8/11, 11/7, 11/9, 11/8 (59m)
Nick holds off Brad attack
They've both had injury layoffs, Bradley's was longer but he's been
back longer too, so this always looked like being a good test for
both of them.
 It
was Bradley who impressed at the start, pulling away from the middle
of the first game to take the lead after a series of well-contested
rallies at the end of the game.
Nick got off to a flyer in the second, 7/0 in no time, and although
Bradley pulled a few back it was soon level.
Come the third Bradley was back in clear contention, holding a
slight lead for most of the game. The rallies were becoming longed,
played at a high pace with lobs few and far between. At 9-8 to
Bradley a long rally was interrupted with a 'not up' call against
Ball. A let was played after consultation with the two side refs
(yes, we're using the three-ref system), but the damage to Bradley's
concentration was done as Nick took a crucial advantage.
Although Bradley stayed in touch score-wise in the fourth, he always
seemed to be the one under pressure, and a trio of tins towards the
end of the game sealed his fate.
Nick admitted he'd need to improve for tomorrow against Wael El
Hindi ... and also said he hoped he'd wear those shorts again -
"they look hard to move in!"
 "I
was pleased with how I played, but disappointed to lose the third, I
thought I had it under control and had the measure of him, I needed
that one really.
"It was a big game for him too, and I lost concentration when the
ref called that ball of mine not up.
"I was tiring at the end, I just lost out on a couple of hard
rallies, then made a few errors at the end.
"I've been back after my injury for a while now, I'm looking to push
on and create some upsets. Nick's been out for a while so I thought
I had a chance tonight, but he retrieves so well and makes it really
hard for you."
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 "I
wouldn't call that a good performance, from me but Brad played well,
all credit to him, I really had to push to hold him off at the end.
"I'm at that stage where I'm still thinking about some many
different things instead of just playing and enjoying my squash. I
just need more matches to start getting things out of my head.
"The ankle's fine, it's no problem, but I've been advised to wear
strapping for a while and I just haven't got it out of my head yet.
"I only really played well when he was ahead, the rest of the time
my concentration wasn't really there, but I've got to improve that
for tomorrow …"
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[7]
Wael El Hindi (Egy) bt [Q] Chris
Simpson (Eng)
11/8, 11/8, 11/5 (36m)
Worth the wait for Chris
Chris Simpson had to delay his planned Skiing trip to make this
match, after he was awarded the 'lucky loser' spot after qualifying
was over.
 It
was worth the wait for the young Englishman though, as he took the
game to the much higher-ranked Wael El Hindi from the start, and
although he ultimately lost in three, he will take a lot from it.
Chris jumped into a 4-0 lead in the first, two good lengths and two
tins from Wael, which was quickly pegged back, but from then on it
was close, with Wael just holding the edge.
The second went the other way, Wael sprinting to 5-1 and Chris
clawing back, but again falling just short.
In the third 2-0 to Simpson quickly became 7-2 to Wael, the Egyptian
finishing it off on his second match ball with a nonchalant return
of serve straight into the nick and a knowing smile towards his
young opponent.
 "Chris
is one of the up and coming English players, he's really stepped up
his game in the last year or so. He gave me a hard time in the first
two games, but it's a good start for me.
"It's my first year here, really pleased to be playing in this
event, despite the weather …"
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 "It's
a big change playing on the glass court, on normal courts you can
play looser shots and get away with it, but on here you have to be
so accurate, and it really suits the shot players.
"In my mind I knew I was playing a top player, so I was going for
big shots on the big points knowing I needed to finish it first.
"In the third I tried to change my game plan a bit, I knew that if I
kept on doing the same thing I'd lose another close game. It was
either going to work or not and unfortunately it didn't work as well
for me.
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[6]
Lee Beachill (Eng) bt Shahier Razik (Can)
11/6,
11/4,11/6 (42m)
Beachill breezes through
Shahier Razik has a reputation as a 'marathon man' - indeed the
introductions to the Canary Wharf crowd cited one of his 140m
victories - so most of the crowd probably expected long attritional
rallies and a lengthy match.
Lee Beachill was having none of that. The opening exchanges were
short and sharp, and after not many minutes it was 6-all with just
one monster rally to record. Then the Yorkshireman went on a
points-scoring spree, taking the next 13 to lead 8-0 in the second.
That was closed out, and although Shahier made the third more
competitive, leading 5/2, Lee simply set off on another run of
points, dropping just one more as he moved into a clash on Wednesday
with James Willstrop
The Nationals semi that never was will be, fingers crossed...
 "I
think Shahier struggles on the glass courts, he doesn't get much
time on it and it's hard coming from qualifying on normal courts.
"He played better in the third, but I was surprised how comfortable
I was in the first two.
"I'm quite pleased with that, I was stroking the ball well and
moving ok, getting used to the court. It's a good start ..."
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 "A
slow start, as usual. I haven't played many matches recently, so
mentally I wasn't too intense tonight.
"I always struggle on the glass courts, it's tough to hit the ball deep,
and he was hitting it pretty tight today.
"I hung in there, and I'd hoped to sneak the third but he did enough to
close it out."
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[1] Thierry Lincou (Fra)
bt [Q] Aaron Frankcomb (Aus)
9/11,
11/3, 11/1, 11/8 (48m)
Typical Thierry
Thierry Lincou is famed for his slow starts, and he was certainly
taken by surprise in the first game tonight.
Young Aussie qualifier Aaron Frankcomb came out of the blocks fast
and quickly established a 7/3 lead. Thierry rallied, but couldn't
fully recover as Aaron took the lead.
Predictably it was the Frenchman who was firing on all cylinders
from the second, taking that and the third at a canter, helped along
the way by some errors creeping into Aaron's game.
It wasn't over yet though, as Aaron pulled his game back together
and took a 7/4 lead in the fourth. Thierry was in no mood for a
decider though, and allowed his young opponent just one more point
as he opened his defence of the title.
 "Aaron
was really up for it tonight and came out really firing. All credit
to him, he played really well and I had to fight hard to finish the
fourth.
"I just couldn't see the ball at the start, so I'll take that as a
lesson for the matches to come."
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 "I
knew that he was so strong around the 'T', so I went out there really
trying to keep him out of the centre of the court, and I was hitting
some good lengths in that first game.
"He was always going to pick it up though, and he came back so strongly
in the second and third and really started to take control. I was hoping
to sneak the fourth, but he just turned it up again at the critical
point, which is what these guys can do and what I have to learn to do.
"It's a good experience for me though, a good lesson, it's what I need.
"I'd like to thank Neil Guirey for all the help he's given me in the two
seasons I've been based in Leeds, and for all his advice this
tournament, and the Selbys for their wonderful hospitality this week."
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[4] James Willstrop (Eng)
bt [Q] Daryl Selby (Eng)
11/2, 7/11, 11/7, 15/13 (62m)
James struggles through
He wasn't happy with his performance, the new British National
Champion, but even though he was below his best he did what was
necessary to see off a determined challenge from qualifier Daryl
Selby.
James blitzed the first, but hopes of getting the schedule back on
track were dashed as Daryl fought back well to level. He threatened
in the third too, leading 6/4, and threatened even more in the
fourth but couldn't capitalise on any of four game balls. Two of
those were earned with fantastic volleys into the nick, shots which
left Daryl pumping himself up with loud "c'mon" and the full crowd
applauding wildly.
They were both in vain though as James saved them all and took the
match on his first opportunity as the ball skidded down the wall off
a damp patch, leaving Daryl frustrated at what might have been ...
 "It
wasn't one of my best performances. I played well in the first, but
after that there was just a total lack of confidence. Nothing was
working, I didn't feel I could go for winners as I didn't have any
confidence in what I was doing.
"This court doesn't seem to take a shot well, it wasn't giving me
anything, the pace was getting slower and I just wasn't enjoying it.
You need to be able to change the pace and I wasn't able to do it.
"I have a bit of a problem with first rounds, I had a bad one in New
York and this was another.
"But Daryl's working hard and improving fast, and he'd had a couple
of games already. I'm glad to get through though, it's nice to have
a rest day ..."
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 "Normally
James takes it so early, you really struggle to keep up with him. He
didn't give me a chance in the first, but he let me into it from the
second. He wasn't as sharp as he usually is and I started finding a
better length and felt good after that.
"If I could have taken one of those game balls who knows ... it was a
bit sickening that he should win it on his first match ball on a shot
like that. I was feeling good, I would have been happy to go to a
fifth."
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[8] Adrian Grant (Eng) bt Renan Lavigne (Fra)
9/11,
11/4, 11/13, 11/5, 11/4 (74m)
Home win for Adrian
Adrian Grant took his time, but after falling 2/1 behind to
Frenchman Renan Lavigne the London lad looked in control for the
final two games as he became the first player to reach the
quarter-finals.
 "I
was quite nervous at the start. This tournament means a lot to me,
playing in my home town and there are lots of my friends and
supporters in the crowd, I really want to do well here.
"It took me a while to get into it, the ball was bouncing around at
the start, but towards the end it slowed down and started dying in
the corners so I tried to take my opportunities to finish the
rallies off.
"It always seems to come down to how well I prepare myself, if I can
find what works for me, apply it and stick to it it's worth another
10% to me. I also need to make sure I concentrate through the whole
match, and not go walkabout like I sometimes do.
"If I get everything right I know I can beat the top guys, this
would be a good week to do it."
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 "I
was 9-3 up in the third but couldn't finish it off, that took a lot of
energy out of me, even though I won it in the end.
"The fifth could have
gone either way - he went 3-0 up, I came back to 3-all then missed two
volleys when I had the court open and after that he just pulled away.
"Length was the key tonight, he got a better length than me at the start
of the games. I couldn't get a consistent rhythm tonight, I struggled to
breathe properly at times.
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English
trio James Willstrop, Lee Beachill and Adrian Grant advanced to the
quarter-finals of the ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic after an
eventful first round at the stylish East Wintergarden venue.
Selby
gave a great account of himself on his debut performance in the
tournament and thrilled the packed gallery with a succession of
stunning shots, including two dazzling overhead volley kills.
