No one knew who the Girls’ Under 17 and Girls’ Under 19 champion would be at the end of day two because it was just too close to simply call. But on day three it got even more intense to find out who would win the Girls’ Under 17 and Girls’ Under 19 category, which was depending on the remaining matches to be played in each respective category.

However the results from the last three matches that were played in the Girls’ Under 17 would draw the attention of everyone at the National Squash Centre in Paul’s Avenue, because what they were about hear would shock them totally, “It is a three way tie for first place in the Girls’ Under 17 category”, spectators all replied by saying “wow” signaling a definite shock after hearing this news. The tournament statistician was busy in his office doing all the calculation that is required when situation like this arises.

 Matches won and lost;

 Positive difference between games won and lost;

 Positive difference between points won and lost.

When the tournament statistician was finish doing all the calculation it was clear how close this age group was to call. In third place is Deiriai Myers (VIN), she won 9 games and lost 5. In second place is Thandi Myers (VIN), she won 10 games and lost 5. The Girls’ Under 17 Champion 2013 is Gianna Miller Alexander (VIN), winning 11 games and only losing 5. In fourth place is Abayomi Maddox (IVB) and fifth place went to Zeina Reyes (LCA).

Girls Under 11

3^rd- Paige Cadogan (VIN)

2^nd- Loushanna Peters (VIN)

1^st- Giovanna Miller Alexander (VIN)

Boys Under 11

3^rd- Jordan Barnwell (VIN)

2^nd- Jlan McMaster (VIN)

1^st- Luca Joseph Reich (IVB)

Girls Under 13

4^th- Paige Cadogan (VIN)

3^rd- Loushanna Peters (VIN)

2^nd- Giovanna Miller Alexander (VIN)

1^st- Lauryn Doyle (VIN)

Boys Under 13

4^th-Jlan McMaster (VIN)

3^rd-Luca Joseph Reich (IVB)

2^nd- Samuel Childs (IVB)

1^st-Kai Bentick (VIN)

Girls Under 15

6^th- Lauryn Doyle (VIN)

5^th-Kerstin Gordon (IVB)

4^th- Johanna Kerins (IVB)

3^rd- Emily Abrehart (IVB)

2^nd- Abayomi Maddox (IVB)

1^st-Thandi Myers (VIN)

Boys Under 15

5^th-Ryan Wooldridge (IVB)

4^th-Zanti Dick-Read (IVB)

3^rd- Geronimo Ross (VIN)

2^nd-Luc Chevrier (LCA)

1^st-Kai Bentick (VIN)

Girls Under 17

5^th-Zeina Reyes (LCA)

4^th-Abayomi Maddox (IVB)

3^rd-Deiriai Myers (VIN)

2^nd-Thandi Myers (VIN)

1^st-Gianna Miller Alexander (VIN)

Boys Under 17

3^rd- Marc Spurway (LCA)

2^nd-Andre Segovia (LCA)

1^st-Jason Doyle (VIN)

Girls Under 19

4^th- Erin Anderson (IVB)

3^rd-Erika Sorrentino (IVB)

2^nd-Deiriai Myers (VIN)

1^st-Gianna Miller Alexander (VIN)

Boys Under 19

5^th-Marc Spurway (LCA)

4^th- Andre Segovia (LCA)

3^rd-Eshwan Adams (VIN)

2^nd-Romario Constance (VIN)

1^st- Jason Doyle (VIN)

If the spectators at the Nationals Squash Center came to see a match that was in similar fashion as Geronimo Ross (VIN) VS. Zanti Dick-Read (IVB)the day before they got it surely.

It was Lauryn Doyle (VIN) against Emily Abrehart (IVB) in the Girls’ Under 15 Pool B match up to see who would play Thandi Myers (VIN) in the Girls Under 15 Semi-Finals. But this match was way different compare to that of Ross and Dick-Read, Abrehart took control of the match from the start by taking the first two games 11/7, 11/6. However Lauryn Doyle sister of Jason Doyle Caribbean Boys’ Under 13 Champion 2010 and Runner Boys Under 15 2012 played some of her brothers shots allowing to take the third game 12/10.

But the excitement and drama that accorded the day before mounted in the crowd as all the Vincentian supports began to rally behind Lauryn even more during the match in the fourth game Doyle played some great lengths and cross-court but Abrehart started to match her by doing the same thing which allowed the game to tie 10 all. After the score was leveled more drama occurred from both players it was a very tense moment 12/11 match ball then 12/12 but it was Abrehart who would finish on top 14/12.

Emily Abrehart (IVB) Defeated Lauryn Doyle (VIN) 11/7, 11/6, 10/12, 14/12

Day TWO Updated DRAWS

Medal Standings

Kevin Hannaway

Tournament Director

Thu 11th Apr, Day ONE:

Match of the Day

It was Geronimo Ross (VIN) VS. Zanti Dick-Read (IVB) in the BU15 division that really got the spectators at the National Squash Center on their feet with the excitement and drama that occur during the first five setter of the tournament.

Zanti took the first game 11/9 but Ross never called it quits as he took the second game 11/6 and the third 11/4. However Dick-Read refused to simply hand over the match to Ross without a fight, the British Virgin Island player took the fourth game 11/5. But most of the drama and excitement of this match came in the fifth game with scores constantly being leveled, but it was the Dick-Read who took the lead after all this excitement and drama 10/7 match ball.

However it wasn’t over the Vincentian refuse to let any ball go to the back of the court by constantly volleying the ball down the wall to good lengths which allowed him to save three match points and tie the game 10 all, which allowed him to be victorious in the end 12/10.

Kevin Hannaway, Tournament Director

Preview:

This year Junior OECS [Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States] Squash Championships will be held in St. Vincent at the Nationals Squash Centre in Paul’s Avenue from 11-14 April,

30 players from the respective OECS Squash countries of British Virgin Island, Dominica, St. Lucia and host St. Vincent and the Grenadines competing to be #1 in their respective categories over the three days period of competition. There are some 60 plus matches expected to be played on the two courts at the Centre, they are expected to be full of excitement.

At the end of the competitions a team would be selected to represent the OECS at this year’s Junior Caribbean Squash Championships to be held in the twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago from 21^st-28^th July.

Thursday 11 April Schedule | |  Friday 12 April Schedule | Saturday 13 April Schedule  | 

Kevin Hannaway, Tournament Director

[1] Nicol David (Mas) 3-0 [3] Laura Massaro (Eng) 11/6, 11/8, 11/6 (44m)

Seventh Heaven for Nicol in Camana Bay

Nicol David claimed her seventh World Open title with a straight-games win over first-time finalist in front of a packed, noisy and enthralled crowd at Camana Bay tonight.

The Malaysian went into the match as hot favourite, having long since avenged two rare defeats at the hands of the Englishwoman ranked three in the world, but the match, although over in three games, was one of David’s toughest recent encounters.

The defending champion started solidly enough, opening up a 4-1 lead in the first game, extending it to 7-3 with the patient, accurate squash tat is so effective. Massaro found her way into the game, started matched David in the rallies and got back to as close as 8-6, but David finished off the next three rallies with lengths that were just too good to take the lead 11/6.

The second was tough, close, and probably crucial. David again made the better start, but Massaro was well into the match now, and soon pegged back that 3-1 deficit, levelling at 4-all. The game, the match, was all about long, patient rallies, working your opponent around and taking opportunities to increase the pressure rather than going for outright winners, until the pressure paid off.

That’s Nicol’s game of course, and to some extent she foces opponents to play her at her own game. Massaro was doing that, and for a good portion of the game she was beating Nicol at it. The Malaysian was the one working harder, doing more scrambling, and she edged ahead 504, 6-5 and 7-6.

Another part of Nicol’s game is that she finishes games off well, and she did it again, taking four points in a row, reaching game ball with a lovely dropshot on the full stretch, and doubling her lead 11/8 at the end of another long rally.

That was crucial, and David zoomed into a quick 5-0 lead in the third. Massaro, as in the first, settled but couldn’t get all the way back, 6-4, 7-5 and 8-6 were as close as she could get.

Nicol moved to 9-6 on a stroke, 10-6 as Laura’s volley clipped the tin, and she gleefuly put away the loose ball she’d worked hard to earn at the end of the next rally to claim an amazing seventh World Open title.

“I’m proud to make the final, but a bit disappointed that the games but I couldn’t close any of them out. You have to work really hard to beat her, she doesn’t lose very often but we’re all working to get closer, but she steps up to the challenge too.

“I’ve had a great tournament and a great experience here, and congratulations to Nicol on another title!”

“I can’t believe it,” said Nicol. “I’m so pleased with my game tonight. ILaura played so well she was pushing me on every point, I just couldn’t relax at any time, she played a brilliant match today.

“I was focused for the match but I had to step up another gear to win today, I just wanted to win so much, to win again in Cayman, that seventh world title, I wanted it all!

“It’s been a great experience here again, I’ll try to see a bit of the island before I leave tomorrow! Thanks to Dan, the sponsors and organisers, and the fantastic Cayman crowd, we feed off their energy, and they all do it better than anywhere else we go.

Thanks also to my family and friends all watching back home, to my team here and in Amsterdam in Malaysia who have been with me all the way this week and from the beginning, to all the Malaysian supporters who always come and give me such great support, and a special thanks to the SquashCity gang from Amsterdam who have come out here specially this week!”

Cayman World Open 2012 presented by BDO

Thu 20th December, Semi-Finals:

[3] Laura Massaro (Eng) 3-2 [2] Raneem El Weleily (Egy)  5/11, 11/9, 12/14, 11/4, 13/11 (69m)

[1] Nicol David (Mas) 3-0 [6] Jenny Duncalf (Eng)  11/7, 11/4, 11/2 (37m)

It was down to the final four in the Cayman World Open, with the world’s top three ranked players – Nicol David, Raneem El Weleily and Laura Massaro – joined by Jenny Duncalf who was a fixture at number two until recently.

Massaro edged past Weleily in a 13/11 in the fifth thriller to reach her first World Open final, while six-time champion Nicol David went through to yet another final with a repeat of last year’s straight-game final victory against Duncalf.

[3] Laura Massaro (Eng) 3-2 [2] Raneem El Weleily (Egy) 5/11, 11/9, 12/14, 11/4, 13/11 (69m)

Massaro makes the final

Phew what a thriller! Not that the opening game gave any indication of what the finish would be like, as Raneem El Weleily, after going 4-0 down in about a minute, found her shots and raced through to take the first game 11/5.

The pace had been slow, and Laura Massaro had been subdued, no “CMON” tonight.

That changed, as did the match, from the outset of the second game as the rallies became longer and the play more determined. Massaro’s “CMONS”s started to appear, as she worked her way back into the match, a big one as she reached game ball before levelling the match 11/9.

The Englishwoman was hanging in during the third game though, always behind but digging in to recover from 10-6 down only to lose it 14/12 with two volleys that just clipped the tin.

Massaro was dominant in the fourth for 11/4 setting up a decider that couldn’t have been closer. By now Raneem was joining in with the fistpumps and “CMON”s, they both wanted it, clearly.

Massaro got to match ball first, thought she;d won it on a stroke (so did we behind the front wall) only for the video ref to agree with the “yes let” decision.

Raneem had her cannce at 11/10 as Laura tinned an easy dropshot, but couldn’t get across to Laura’s next crosscourt for 11-all.

A well worked rally forced Raneem to lob out, and another forced a rushed dropshot that was too low and a delighted Englishwoman was in the final.

“We’ve been taking turns at winning and swapping in the rankings all year, so it’s fitting that there was just a couple of points between us in the whole match,” said an emotional Massaro. “You always know with Raneem there are going to be patches where she hits winners, you just have to hang in and come through them.

“It feels great to reach the World Open final, I’m so happy!”

“Now it’s all about getting the right preparation for tomorrow. I haven’t been to swim with the Dolphins yet, it looks like Danny will have to go on his own now!”

[1] Nicol David (Mas) 3-0 [6] Jenny Duncalf (Eng) 11/7, 11/4, 11/2 (37m)

It’s Nicol again

Next up, in a repeat of last year’s final, was Nicol David against another Englishwoman, Jenny Duncalf.

David had scored 11 unanswered points to finish of that match, their last, so it must have been a weight off Duncalf’s mind when she took the third point of the night. She continued to take them too, and looked to be playing well, moving smoothly, and making David work for everything.

The Malaysian doesn’t mind work of course, and she buckled down to her task, maintaining the lead although Duncalf closed to 5-4, and 8-7. Three points in a row put David into the lead 11/7 and Duncalf’s task began to look as daunting as it did on paper.

The Malaysian dominated the next two games as Duncalf’s belief slowly drained. 7-1 in the second became 11-4, and although the Englishwoman took a 2-0 lead in the third Nicol once again reeled off eleven in a row with Jenny barely contesting the last few.

So it’s yet another final for Nicol, against a very determined Englishwoman in her first. Should be fun.

“Jenny was playing some great shots at the start, I just couldn’t tell where the ball was going next and I wasn’t able to play my own game,” said Nicol.

“I really had to up my game to stay in it, and thankfully I got it all together as the match wore on.

“It’s great to be in another final here, especially the World Open! Laura and I both know we have to step up our games for tomorrow, so it should be a great battle.”

Full coverage: www.worldopensquash.com

Raneem El Weleily also made a first semi-final as she found her shots to beat Natalie Grinham in three, and to finish Madeline Perry gave six-time champion Nicol David a real test before the world number one reasserted to win in four.

[6] Jenny Duncalf (Eng) 3-2 [4] Alison Waters (Eng) 7/11, 17/19, 11/5, 11/4, 11/9 (77m)

Comeback Queen Jenny

The first quarter-final of the Cayman World Open presented by BDO was an all-English affair between two opponents who know each other well but hadn’t played competitively for just over two years, but that didn’t show tonight as they fought out another five-setter that was as close as can be.

The opening game and a half were a bit scrappy – Duncalf’s description – as they got used to the slightly cooler, windy conditions, and it was Waters who won that segment of the match, taking the first 11/7 from 5-all, and going 7-2 and 9-4 up in the second.

That game turned into the one that no-one wanted to win – Duncalf came back to 9-7 more on the back of a lapse in concentration from Waters, and both mixed nice winners with inexplicable errors as the score crept up and up. Eventually Waters took it 19/17 with a trademark volley drop but Duncalf was well into the match now.

The next two games were comfortably Duncalf’s, 9-4 in the third and 6-0 in the fourth were converted 11/5 and 11/4 and we had a decider.

There were no big leads in the final game, both playing fluently now, and with hardly a point to split them the score reached 9-all.

A volley into the tin for once from Waters brought up match ball, which was decided with one of the best rallies of the tournament, Waters not quite catching hold of Duncalf’s crosscourt and tinning again.

Jenny has normally been the higher seed when these two have met, and the delight she showed on that final point spoke a lot of the trials she’s been through of last as her ranking has slipped. Another World Open semi-final does wonders for the confidence though.

“It was a bit scrappy at the start, but in the second I was starting to feel much better, and even though I lost it I felt the momentum had turned towards me.

“On the final point I knew she would be there to hit a crosscourt but I played it anyway and fortunately it just clipped the tin. Delighted to win, a bit disappointed for Al too, but not that much!

“We all love playing here, the whole vibe is great and it makes you feel so relaxed on court – and it wasn’t too hot tonight which was a bonus!”

[3] Laura Massaro (Eng) 3-1 [7] Low Wee Wern (Mas) 8/11, 11/4, 11/5, 11/5 (46m)

Massaro double up for English

Massaro made it two English semi-finalists with was was ultimately an impressive and dominant performance against Malaysia’s Low Wee Wern.

The match started out with controlled and patient rallies, and although Massaro opened up from 3-all to a 6-3 lead, it was the Malaysian who started to get the better of things as, much to Massaro’s frustration, Low moved ahead 10-7, taking the lead on her second game ball.

That proved to be a temporart blip as far as Massaro was concerned though as she proceeded to dominate the next three games, increasingly catching Low out with boasts and crosscourt flicks.

She established leads of 6-1 in the second, 9-2 in the third and 5-0 then 10-3 in the fourth, with cries of “Cmon” emanating regularly from Massaro herself and from watching husband Danny as the Englishwoman maintained her unbeaten record against Low to win in a round 45 minutes.

“She gets so many ball back, whenever I play her I have to try to keep my aggression up, that’s where all the “cmons” help. I’ve become better at dealing with the pressure of being expected to win over the last couple of years and that’s helped me improve my consistency and my ranking.

“I’m so pleased to make a first World Open semi-final, I’ll just take each match as it comes now.”

[2] Raneem El Weleily (Egy) 3-0 [11] Natalie Grinham (Ned) 11/9, 11/9, 11/7 (26m)

Raneem edges it

Second seed Raneem El Weleily won through to a first World Open semi – she was actually playing her first quarter-final – with a straight-games win over four-time finalist Natalie Grinham that was anything but straightforward.

Both have abundant racket skills and both are willing retrievers, and the match quickly settled into the expected pattern of short, sharp rallies with winners coming from unexpected places from both players, with of course a few tins thrown in for good measure.

From 5-all in the first the Egyptian found her mark enough times to build a 10-6 lead, finally taking the lead with Grinham closing, 11/9.

The second was even, all the way to 9-all, but a tin and a stroke did for the Dutchwoman as Weleily repeated the 11/9 score to go two up.

A 4-0 start for Grinham in the third, but Raneem’s shots were going in more consistently now and she levelled at 6-all with a volleydrop glued to the wall. More sublime shots took her to 10-6, and after missing out on the first attempt she took the match with a wrongfooting return of serve that left Natalie rooted to the T.

So it’s not to be a fifth final for Natalie, who will feel aggrieved not to get at leas a game, she certainly deserved that, but it could well be a first for Raneem.

“I played better today than I did yesterday, and I’m thankful for that,” said the winner. “Natalie has great racket skills and it’s always difficulty trying to stay focused and consistent when you play her sdo I’m pleased I managed to do that today.

“I’m really happy to make a first semi-final and I hope I can play as well tomorrow and make the final.

“I haven’t seen much of the island so far, but I’ve seen lots of photos of the other girls with the dolphins. I haven’t been to see them yet, and I hope I don’t get the chance to!”

[1] Nicol David (Mas) 3-1 [10] Madeline Perry (Irl) 11/3, 11/7, 9/11, 11/3 (51m)

Nicol steps up in the end

Defending champion and top seed Nicol David started the final match of the day well in control against Madeline Perry, taking the first game 11/3 with the Irishwoman struggling to get a foothold in the match.

David finished it in the same vein with Perry struggling to match the pace injected by the Malaysian who won the final game 11/3 as well.

But in between Madeling gave the world number one a really good challenge. During the second and third games there was hardly a rally that wasn’t long, well executed, and plain tough. Each one had to be won, and the 10th seed was winning her fair share of them, often outmaneouvring Nicol, which isn’t an easy thing to do.

Nicol always had a slight edge in the second, which she took 11/7 after being 10/5 up, but Perry was in the ascendancy y throughout the third despite Nicol’s best efforts, and they were considerable. Madeline moved to 10-7 with a lovely crosscourt finish to a well worked rally, thought she;d blown it when she tinned a sitter at the end of a similar rally, but held on to take a well-deserved game 11/9.

That was the end of it though as Nicol resumed dominance in the fourth. “It was a really good game, I enjoyed it,” said Madeline, “but once she stepped up the pace in the fourth I just couldn’t live with it any more.”

Nicol was as much relieved as pleased: “Very happy to win that,” she said, “Madeling kept plugging away and coming back at me even when she was 2-0 down. She was really firing it in and I knew I had to do something. I had to step my game up in the fourth and everything was coming off for me, but it wasn’t easy.

“It seems that everyone I play here I’ve played in finals before, it shows that the standard is so high and there’s no easy games! “

Semi-finals start at 19.00 on Thursday

Full coverage: www.worldopensquash.com

[11] Natalie Grinham (Ned) 3-2 [5] Joelle King (Nzl) 8/11, 11/3, 8/11, 11/8, 11/7 (54m)

Natalie on World Open course

Four time World Open finalist Natalie Grinham – undeterred by the Haka performed right in front of her at the opening of the match – set her sights on more than just a fifth final – after beating fifth seed Joelle King in a five-setter lasting just short of an hour the Dutchwoman declared “I’d rather win my first title than just make a fifth final!”

The match was a rather scrappy affair with both contenders playing well in patches, then succumbing to errors, not helped by the hot humid conditions and the frequent intervention of the court sweeper. “My hands never sweat, and look at the floor,” said Grinham at the end of the match.

For the most part it was Grinham’s shots that dictated the match – when they were going in she was on top, when King could run them down the Kiwi would frequently take the point.

Suffice to say that the first four game were shared, only the second not being in doubt, but Grinham always had the edge in the decider, winning it on her second match ball.

“That was very tough,” she said, “I’ve come here from frezing conditions and it’s soooo hot here!

“I made the World Open semis last year, but my results hve been up and down, I’m just happy that I’m playing well. I like being the underdog, there’s no pressure on me then, so I’ll take that scalp.”

[7] Low Wee Wern (Mas) 3-0 [12] Kasey Brown (Aus) 11/5, 11/8, 12/10

Kasey getting closer …

Low Wee Wern joined Malaysian team-mate Nicol David in the quarter-finals, but the seventh seed had a much harder time of it tonight against Kasey Brown.

The rallies were always competitive, but the Aussie suffered from too many mistakes in the first two games, much to her own frustration and Low’s gratitude as the Malaysian took the lead 11/5, 11/8.

Brown started the third better, leading 3/0 and holding the slight edge all the way to a 9/8 and 10/9 lead. The errors returned at the wrong time though as a tin wasted the game ball, a loose return resulted in a stroke for match ball to Low, and a scuffed return off a tight drive spelt the end.

“It’s always tough against Kasey, she never gives up and was getting closer all the time,” said Low. “The pace seemed to get faster and faster but you can’t afford to slow down against any of the top girls.

“I’m used to playing in conditions like this which might have been an advantage to me. I can play fine with my leg strapped [after a hamstring injury in Hong Kong], but I’m glad to be able to get through in three.”

[3] Laura Massaro (Eng) 3-0 [Q] Nicolette Fernandes (Guy) 11/9, 11/9, 11/7 (51m)

Out of her skin, but …

What a great performance from Caribbean Champion Nicolette Fernandes, who pushed world number three Laura Massaro so, so close for three games that delighted the Cayman crowd but also left them with a bit of ‘what might have been’ feeling.

She played out of her skin, did Nicolette, matching her illustrious opponent all the way, even if she did get a little overexcited at times.

From 5-all in the first Nicolette edged into the lead 8-6, but Laura kept to her steady, solid game, and took five of the last six points to take the lead.

Nicolette started the second even better, a 4-1 lead accompanied by a few fist pumps and “C’mon” cries. Laura worked her way back into it, levelled at 7-all, but Nicolette wouldn’t let her get away, and at 9-all it was in the balance. Two volleys into the tin spelt bad news for the crowd though as Laura doubled her lead 11/9.

Roles were reversed in the third – 3-0 for Laura but Nicolette levels at 3-all, 4-all, 5-all, 6-all. Despite some serious heroics from Nicolette Laura will take five of the next six points to end the Caribbean dream, but what an effort, from Nicolette and her crowd, well played indeed.

“Nicolette’s had a fantastic tournament, and that shows you just what a bit of home support can do for you,” said a relieved winner. “She pushed me all the way in each game, it just shows you can’t take anything for granted the level is so close these days.

“Nicol will be tough for anyone to beat, but until you get through to play her you just have to take each match as it comes.”

Nicolette was delighted with her World Open, but her instant reaction was “Sweaty!!!”

“I’m thrilled with my tournament, disappointed it’s over obviously but I’ve never had support like this anywhere, a lot of the girls have told me they’re jealous. They believed in me and made me believe in myself – I’m going to take this experience and run with it.

“It didn’t feel as though I was the number 40 playing the number 3, it was just a couple of points in each game, that’s what it felt like to me anyway.

“I had to cancel my flight, so I don’t even know if I’ll get home for Christmas, but it’s been well worth it,” concluded Nicolette.

[2] Raneem El Weleily (Egy) 3-1 [13] Dipika Pallikal (Ind) 7/11, 11/9, 11/6, 11/5  (38m)

Raneem pulls through

The final last sixteen match promised for a while to deliver the third upset of the round as India’s Dipika Pallikal led second seed Raneem El Weleily by a game and a few points.

As you would expect with these two players, rallies were generally short, with both going for their shots and both scoring outright winners at regular intervals, with a few errors from both sided thrown in for good measure.

Dipika’s shots held sway for the early part of the match but Raneem slowly but surely found her range, levelled in a close finish to the second game and began to take control from the outset of the third.

“We have very similar games and it’s always close between us,” said the winner, “she had me all over the court for a while so I’m pleased to be able to come through to win it like that, it was far from an easy win.”

Full coverage: www.worldopensquash.com

Cayman World Open 2012 presented by BDO

It was the last day at South Sound Squash Club, and a busy one too, with eight matches each of two courts, starting at noon and finishing …. whenever (it’s the Caribbean, after all) …

Nicolette’s at it again

If the first main draw match of the Cayman World Open provided double disappointment for the home fans as Cayman’s own Marlene West went down in straight games and then announced her retirement (more to follow on that one), the next match on South Sound’s court one more than made up for it as Caribbean Champion Nicolette Fernandes came from matchballs down in the third to beat former world champion Rachael Grinham!

Having come through an 83-minute marathon last night, the early signs weren’t good for Fernandes as Grinham’s tricky game left the Guyanan struggling for most of the first two games, and at 10/7 in the third it looked all over.

Five points in a row for Fernandes made all the difference though, and having taken the third she was on top for then next two games, running down everything Grinham could throw at her and reaching matchballs of her own at 10/6.

Three nervous rallies, three match balls saved, but the Australian finally hit the tin ant the Caribbean celebrations could begin.

“I’m just so happy, and grateful, and thankful for everything,” was Nicolette’s immediate reaction.

“You have to believe you can win, even if you don’t expect to. I don’t even remember saving those match balls in the third, but when I got to 10/6 in the fifth and she started coming back I just told myself to keep playing the way I’d played to get to that point.

“Very happy, very thankful.”

Elsewhere in the early matches Low Wee Wern overcame a sluggish start to beat Sarah Kippax 3/1, two-time Cayman finalist Jenny Duncalf recovered from a second-game 1/11 blip to beat compatriot Sarah-Jane Perry, and Hong Kong finalist Camille Serme came through a tough four game opener against Emma Beddoes.

More English success came as third seed Laura Massaro ended the run of Colombian qualifier Catalina Pelaez in straight games.

It wasn’t quite as straightforward for Annie Au, Madeline Perry and Natalie Grinham, the 9th, 10th and 11th seeds having to work hard for their four-game victories over Line Hansen, Nour El Tayeb and Donna Urquhart, all taking, like Duncalf, three-quarters of an hour.

The final two matches on court one both delighted the packed South Sound crowd as second seed Raneem El Weleily and six-time world and three-time Cayman champion Nicol David displayed their skills.

Weleily, playing her first ever match on the island, was given a good workout by Aisling Blake before winning in what seems to be today’s customary 3/1 in 40-odd minutes.

“I don’t recall playing Aisling before,” said the world number two, “but I know she’s been improving and getting some good results recently. She played really well and I had to work hard to win that.

“It’s great to finally get to play in Cayman and I’m looking forward to playing at Camana Bay in the next round.”

David faced the toughest possible first round draw in Egypt’s Omneya Abdel Kawy, who has been beating top ten players for fun since her return from injury. The first was nip and tuck and at 8-all it was anyone’s, but as is her wont it was Nicol who finished strongly taking the lead 11/8.

From 2/5 down in the second the Malaysian took nine points in a row to double her lead and wrapped up the match in just over half an hour.

“It was definitely a tough draw, for both of us,” said Nicol. “She’s all there now, and when she’s firing them in it really puts the pressure on you. If she’d taken that first game it could have gone any way, so I was pleased to finish that one, I really didn’t want to have a big struggle in the first round.

“Glad to take it in three, and really looking forward to playing on the glass court now, the setting looks really spectacular.”

Full coverage on the official site: www.worldopensquash.com

Cayman World Open 2012 presented by BDO
15-Dec, Qualifying Finals:

Delia Arnold (Mas) 3-0 Tesni Evans (Wal) 11/9, 13/11, 11/8 (51m)
Sam Cornett (Can) 3-0 Lisa Aitken (Sco) 11/5, 11/7, 11/9 (30m)
Catalina Palaez (Col) 3-0 Lauren Selby (Eng) 11/5,11/6, 11/9 (23m)
Lauren Briggs (Eng) 3-0 Mary Fung-a-Fat (Guy) 11/1, 11/1, 11/4 (19m)
Emma Beddoes (Eng) 3-0 Nayelly Hernandez (Mex) 11/4, 11/4, 11/6 (24m)
Nicolette Fernandes (Guy) 3-2 Misaki Kobayashi (Jpn) 6/11, 12/10, 9/11, 13/11, 11/9 (83m)
Sarah-Jane Perry (Eng ) 3-1 Heba El Torky (Egy) 11/4, 8/11, 11/4, 11/9 (39m)
Latasha Khan (Usa) 3-1 Yathreb Adel (Egy) 11/6, 8/11, 11/9, 11/9 (47m)

Fernandes keeps Caribbean bandwagon rolling in Grand Cayman

The first qualifier for the Cayman Women’s World Open presented by BDO was qualifying top seed Delia Arnold, the Malaysian coming through in three close games against Tesni Evans.

It was the Welsh youngster who made the better start, taking leads of 5/1 in the first and 6/2 in the second, but in both games Arnold, after some early errors, worked her way back into it, levelling at 9-all in the first and 8-all in the second, taking them 11/9 and 13/11.

By the end of the second Evans was definitely working the harder of the two, and was beginning to lose out in some scrambling rallies, but the third was still just as competitive, nothing to split them up to 8-all. Again though it was Delia who finished the game better, taking three points in a row to move into the main draw.

“It was really hot and bouncy, even more than at home in Malaysia,” commented Delia. “I’d never played Tesni before and she has some tricky shots, so in the first two games I was never sure where the ball was going, but it was better in the third.

“I haven’t had to qualify for a while, so it’s good to get get off in three games, looking forward to tomorrow now.”

The scond qualifier also won in three tough games. Samantha Cornett came out firing, taking Lisa Aitken a little by surprise as the Canadian blasted through the first game 11/5, aided by some Scottish errors.

Aitken picked up the pace though, and the next two games were fast and furious, much harder hitting than the previous match, but still it was Cornett who continued to get the better of things, just, as she took the second and third games 11/7, 11/9 with Aitken frustrated at not quite being able to close the gap.

“I knew it would be a hard, fast game,” said Cornett, “we both play that way but I play better when it’s fast like that so I was quite happy to play her at that game. I’m really pleased to qualify in my second World Open, I’ve been getting a lot of snorkelling in but I need to do some serious practice now!”

Colombian Catalina Pelaez has been out for a few weeks with injury, and it looked as though she was enjoying being able to run again as she ran for everything in the first two games of her match against Lauren Briggs, catching her opponent off guard with some lovely running winners too.

Having lost the first two 11/5, 11/6, the Englishwoman looked to be getting more and more control of her opponent as the third game went on, but a 9/7 lead disappeared courtest of a trio of unforced errors, and Catalian seized on the opportunity to win the final rally with a running volley boast.

“I was enjoying being able to run, but I think I relaxed a bit in the third,” admitted Catalina, “and she was putting me under a lot of pressure with her dropshots. I was getting a little tired, so I was happy to be able to win that third!”

There was better news for England’s Lauren Briggs, who eased through to the main draw with an 11/1, 11/1, 11/4 win over Guyana’s Caribbean Junior Champion Mary Fung-a-Fat, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience:

“It’s completely different playing at this level compared to what I’m used to,” explained Mary, “it’s very serious and very accurate. I see now what I have to do, and how much training I have to put in to get to that level, challenge accepted!

“It’s just been great being here, meeting, seeing and playing the people I normally just read about online, that’s the win for me.”

More English success followed as Emma Beddoes beat Mexican Nayelly Hernandez 11/4, 11/4, 11/6

“I’m just glad to be here really,” said Beddoes, who is not long back into action after injury, “two and a half months ago it wasn’t looking good. This is the big one though, so I’m glad to be here and playing quite well, qualifying is always a horrible thing to go through so now the pressure’s off and I just hope I can perform against whoever I get tomorrow.”

Next up was what promised to be a cracking match, and so it proved. There wasn’t much to choose between Misaki Kobayashi and Nicolette Fernandes in terms of ranking, style of play, determination … even their outfits were a good match, and it was more than a good match that they delivered to the South Sound crowd, who were supporting their Caribbean favourite Fernandes, of course.

Long story short, virtually every rally was hotly contested, both players were on the floor several times, and there were 53 lets or strokes, but it wasn’t that type of match, it was a fast-paced, no-quarter-given or asked for, allm or nothing slugfest and the crowd and ultimately both players enjoyed it immensely.

After Kobayashi took the first 11/6, there was hardly a point between them for the next four games. Kobayashi had 10/9 in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th games but Fernandes refused to yield and we were into a decider.

The Japanese led againg in the fifth, only 9/7 but it made the crowd very nervous. Two nervous tins fromMisaki levelled it at 9-all, two forceful drives from Nicoletter were too tight and after 83 minutes the Caribbean had itself a main draw player. The crowd had probably seen the match of the tournament too, and we’re only on day two!

“You guys have no idea how much pressure you put me under, bloody hell!” said a delighted and relieved Fernandes. “It’s great to be playing in front of a home crowd like this, but I’m a nervous wreck. I had a shoulder injury after the last CASA championships here last year, it’s been a long road back but it’s all coming together now and I’m really excited to make the main draw of the World Open, right here in the Caribbean!”

Sarah-Jane Perry made it a hat-trick of English qualifiers as she came through a feisty encounter with Heba El Torky – they’re both determined characters but it was Perry who was more determined on the day, fighting back from 1/5 down in the fourth to win 11/4, 8/11, 11/4, 11/9.

“Last year I was match ball up in the qualifying finals against El Sherbini, so it feels pretty good to get past another tough Egyptian this time,” said Perry.

The final main draw spot was claimed by USA veteran Latasha Khan, who ensured that for once there would be no young Egyptian winners with a four game win over Yathreb Adel. It wasn’t the prettiest match, with 43 decisions , but Latasha was delighted to be through to another World Open main draw.

“It was a difficult match but it wasn’t physically tough, as we never really got any rallies going,” explained Khan.

Main draw matchups: Sherbini v Cornett, Teran v Briggs, Duncalf v Perry, Serme v Beddoes, Brown v Khan, R Grinham v Fernandes, Massaro v Pelaez, Pallikal v Arnold, LL1 Hernandez, LL2 Adel, LL3 Kobayashi

The main draw kicks off at noon on Sunday with Cayman’s own Marlene West first on court.

Full coverage: www.worldopensquash.com

“I lost 3/0 last time we played,” explained Fernandes, “but I’m used to the courts here and used to the hot conditions, so maybe that was an advantage for me today. It’s just the first match though, everyone is here with the aim of winning the world title, so there’s a long way to go yet.”

The cheers were almost as loud for local wildcard Eilidh Bridgeman, even if she was one of five players to lose in 20 minutes or less, in this case to Misaki Kobayashi.

“I’ve been here since Monday, really enjoying it,” said Japanese champion Kobayashi. “It’s great to get on court, I finally feel like a squash player!”

Wales’ Tesni Evans was the first player through to tomorrow’s finals with a quick win over Ivonne Diaz, and English pairSarah-Jane Perry and Lauren Selby were equally efficient, as was Egypt’s Heba El Torky.

Colombian Catalina Pelaez provided the biggest upset of the round as she beat Kiwi Kylie Lindsay in straight games. “I was injured at the World Teams and hadn’t played much, so I was a bit worried,” said the South American, “But I played pretty well and I’m very pleased to win in my first world open.”

Scotland’s Lisa Aitken and Mexico’s Nayelly Hernandez were both made to work hard for their wins, Aitken squandering a two-game lead before reasserting to beat Leoine Holt in the fifth, Hernandez coming from 2/1 down to upset Holland’s Milou Van Der Heijden.

“I lost my concentration after the first two,” explained Aitken. “It’s so hot on these courts and I lost confidence in being able to take the ball in short, I stopped attacking.

“Fortunately she made a few errors at the start of the fifth and I picked it up from there.”

The final match was a hotly contested affair between Yathreb Adel and Maria Toor Pakay, two highly-competitive characters. It was Egyptian Adel who won through in three close games, to set up a meeting with veteran American Latasha Khan in tomorrow’s qualifying finals.

Full coverage on the official site: www.worldopensquash by SquashSite

The Bermuda Squash Challenge took place from November 15-17^th on the tiny island paradise in the middle of the Atlantic.

64 Players in 3 Men’s and 3 Ladies Divisions battled over 3 days with the top 4 players in each category gaining points for their nominated teams.

Now in its 5^th year the Bermuda Squash Challenge is growing all the time. Conceived by former Bermuda resident Brett Erasmus and New York friend David Uprichard, the Challenge started as a team event between Bermuda and New York.

It has now developed into a regular annual weekend squash break for players from up and down the East Coast and even started to pull players from further afield… this year players from Arizona made 10 hours’ worth of flights to take part!

The Challenge involves 4 games of squash in 3 days, countless hours of socializing up and down the island of Bermuda and finally joining the sell-out crowds here for the Bermuda World Rugby Classic.

The 2013 Bermuda Squash Challenge will take place November 14-16, 2013. For more information contact patrickf@bermudasquash.com

David seeded for Seventh in Cayman

The first four days of the event will take place at the South Sound Squash Club, before the action moves to an all-glass court on Festival Green on Camana Bay, with the final set for 21st December.

David, the Malaysian world No.1,who claimed her six World Open titles in Egypt, England, Ireland, Hong Kong, and twice in the Netherlands, also has three Cayman Open titles to her name.  She is set to attempt her seventh World title, but faces a tough first round opponent in former world No.4 and 2010 World Open runner-up Omneya Abdel Kawy of Egypt.  One of the pair could face ninth seed Annie Au in round two, should the Hong Kong player defeat unseeded Jaclyn Hawkes.

Currently enjoying her highest world ranking, Raneem El Weleily is seeded second, having never made it past the second round in her previous World Open campaigns.  Now enjoying the form of her life, the Egyptian will play Aisling Blake in the first round, before potentially meeting No.13 seed Dipika Pallikal in round two.

Current world No. 2 Laura Massaro is seeded as No.3 – the seedings were based on earlier rankings – and will face a qualifier in her first match. She could then meet 2007 World Open champion Rachael Grinham in the second round.

Having finally fought back to the top end of the women’s game, Alison Waters rose to the No.4 ranking in November, and is seeded fourth for the event.  She will face local wildcard entrant Marlene West, who reached her highest world ranking of 71 in 2010.  Waters could then meet last year’s semi-finalist Samantha Teran in the second round, should the Mexican overcome a qualifier.

Another success story of 2012 Joelle King reached her highest ranking this month to earn her the position of fifth seed position for her third World Open.  She will play Joey Chan of Hong Kong in the first round, and could meet either No.11 seed and four-time runner-up Natalie Grinham or Donna Urquhart in round two.

Last year’s World (and Cayman) Open runner-up Jenny Duncalf is sixth seed, and is drawn to face a qualifier in the first round.  The Englishwoman could then play Camille Serme of France – who beat Duncalf in the 2010 quarter-finals in Sharm – in the second round, with the possibility of facing fellow Englishwoman Waters in the quarter-finals.

Seventh seed Low Wee Wern, currently enjoying her highest-ever ranking, will face unseeded Sarah Kippax with the possibility of meeting twelfth seed Kasey Brown in round two and Massaro in the quarters.

After becoming the youngest ever World Series finalist in May’s Allam British Open, World Junior Champion Nour El Sherbini rose to No.5 in the world and currently sits at No.8.  Seeded eighth in the draw the Egyptian, just turned 17 years, will play a qualifier and if she advances may meet tenth seed Madeline Perry, should the Irishwoman defeat Sherbini’s predecessor as World Junior Champion Nour El Tayeb.

Lots more on the official site:
www.worldopensquash.com

Bermuda Squash Challenge 2012, 15th-17th November

Players from New York, New England, Boston, Canada and Arizona begin arriving in Bermuda next week to take part in the Bermuda Department of Tourism, Bermuda Squash Challenge 2012.

64 players will compete in Men’s and Ladies A, B and C Grade events of the Squash Challenge which over the last four years has grown from a small bunch of visiting players from New York into this new multi divisional graded format.

• Bermuda Squash Challenge 2012 Ladies Draws
• Bermuda Squash Challenge 2012 Men’s Draws

The lineup is unbelievably strong featuring former World #29 and Canadian Champion Runa Reta as top seed in the ladies event. Runa will be taking on international players Wendy Ansdell from Boston and Kristi Maroc from New York as well as strong Bermuda players Laura Robinson and Susie Lacy. Christina Lenahan from New York tops the Ladies B Draw whilst Lauri Sklar, also from New York is seeded to win the Ladies C Division.

The Men’s event features an 8 man A Draw with players like former World #63 Nick Kyme, Bermuda National Champion Patrick Foster, BSRA Champion and Bermuda international Thomas Sherratt as well as last month’s RUBiS Open Tournament winner, 17 year old D’Vario Thompson. The B and C 16-man draws are topped be won by Andy McComb and Corporate Games winner Malcolm Woodley respectively. Both draws are packed with local and visiting players all battling to earn points for their nominated city in the overall team event.

The Bermuda Squash Challenge now in its 5^th year is growing year on year now attracting visitors from as far afield as Phoenix, Arizona. The event is scheduled around the World Rugby Classic enabling squash visitors to take in the games at the classic whilst still competing in the squash tournament. The players, officials and other will all also be hosted by the BSRA at the Official Bermuda Squash Challenge Welcome Dinner at local restaurant Ascots.

BSRA Director of Squash Patrick Foster said “ We are thrilling to have attracted so many international players and that this event with the kind support from Bermuda Tourism continues to grow year after year”

Play starts at 6pm on Thursday 15th November, 3pm-7pm on Friday 17^th November with the finals taking place from 3pm on Saturday 17th November.

Admission is FREE so come down and watch some great squash.

For more information please contact Patrickf@bermudasquash.com or call 292-6881

After struggling throughout the tournament, Colin Ramasra showed his class when it mattered most to lead hosts Trinidad and Tobago to only their second ever men’s team title when the CASA (Caribbean Area Squash Association) Championship ended yesterday at Cascadia Squash Club, St Ann’s.

With the Guyana v T&T title fixture deadlocked at 2-2, the six-time national champion, who had lost his three matches in the competition after being upset by compatriot Josh Pinard in the “round of 16″ in “individuals, stepped up and crushed Alex Arjoon 11-4, 11-4, 11-3.

Ramasra also played a vital role when T&T won their only other title in the tournament—which was inaugurated in 1977.

Kale Wilson and Ryan Abraham were on that team and they were also there yesterday. Abraham, the No. 3 player on the team, lost the second match (10-12, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8) to Julian Chin, after national under-17 champ Mandela Patrick had given T&T a flying start by brushing aside Deja Diaz 11-5, 11-4, 11-5.

With the score tied at 1-1, three-time national champ Pinard, playing in this tournament for the first time in four years, allowed a two-set to love lead to slip and lost a heart-breaking battle of the No. 1 players 6-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5, 12-10 to Richard Chin.

The 42-year-old Guyanese, the 2010 Caribbean singles champ and last year’s runner-up, had beaten the 23-year-old Pinard in straight sets in the playoff for fifth on Tuesday.

Wilson, the 2010 Caribbean under-19 champ, then levelled the scores by edging Jason Callender 9-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-1, 11-9 and Ramasra did the rest in the clash of the No. 2 players.

The veterans’ competition was a straight-round robin, but it came down to a virtual final as both Barbados and T&T had beaten Guyana, Jamaica and the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) going into their clash yesterday.

After being deadlocked at 1-1, over-40 players Julian Henry and Ingrid Lloyd were both beaten in straight sets to give defending champions Barbados an unassailable 3-1 lead.

John Holley then made the final score look respectable when he won the over-50 match in five sets. Sonia Carrington, the female over-50 player, had lost the opening match in five, but Richard Hart had cruised home in straight sets in the over-60 encounter. Barbados also retained their women’s crown by beating Guyana 4-1.

From the Trinidad Express

All three Barbados teams won their respective ties on the final day of the 20th annual Caribbean Squash Championships and two of those ties were finals as the Ladies Team and the Veterans team both retained their Caribbean team titles, while the Men’s Team finished third, one better than last year as the curtain came down on the Caribbean Squash Championships at the Cascadia Squash Courts in St. Ann’s, Trinidad on Saturday.

In the tense Ladies final, the #2 seeded Barbados team toppled the top ranked team from Guyana by four matches to one, with three of the matches going the full distance to five games.  First on court at #5 was 15 year old Gylla Mackenzie, playing on the senior Barbados team for the first time, and she defeated Tiffany Solomon 3-2 to start the ball rolling for team Barbados.  Then at #3 Nadia McCarthy played the match of her life, and saved three match balls in the fourth game before taking that game to a tie break against Guyana’s Victoria Arjoon before confidently taking the fifth to win 3-2.

In the #1 string position, Guyana’s Caribbean Individual Champion, Nicolette Fernandes pulled one back by defeating Barbados’ Karen Meakins in a repeat of the Individual final once again in straight games 0-3.  Then at #4 Alex Jordan sealed the victory for Barbados by confidently outplaying Guyana’s Ashley DeGroot by three games to one.  At #2 Cheri-Ann Parris put the icing on the cake by overcoming the reigning Caribbean U-19 champion, Mary Fung-a-Fat by three close games to two.

The Barbados Vets team pulled off a close 3-2 victory over Trinidad and Tobago while the Barbados Men’s Team comfortably defeated the OECS by four matches to one to place third.

In the overall team championships, Barbados placed third for the third successive year, with Trinidad and Tobago placing second and Guyana third.  T&T won the Men’s Team Final defeating Guyana in a pulsating final.  Seven out of the nine CASA countries participated this year.  Next year’s championships will be held in August in Guyana.

The victorious Barbados Squash team returns home this afternoon (Sunday) on Caribbean Airlines BW 454 which is expected to land at GAIA at 1:45 p.m.