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 Malcolm
in Bermuda
#3: Quarter-Finals ... |
World number one Amr Shabana,
man in form, was first on against Thierry Lincou and for
three games the outcome was in doubt. Lincou has a reputation as a
slow starter, but perhaps realising that was not a good idea against
Shabana, he began well and aided by some uncharacteristic errors he
took a one love lead.
He was not able to capitalise, however, and the Egyptian, seeking
his third world title, drew level with some ease, his strength on
the forehand beginning to show.
The third was likely o prove crucial and so it did. Shabana won it
after a tie-break and Lincou looked rather dispirited as the world
number one quickly went clear in the fourth.
Not surprisingly, after all his recent success, Shabana looked in
fine form and he will take all the beating.
Alex Gough had performed something of a miracle to reach the
last eight, beating Lee Beachill and Wael El Hindi on the way. To
expect him to get past a highly-motivated David Palmer, who
looks fit and ready, was not realistic and in truth that's how it
was.
Gough moves unbelievably well at his age, but Palmer is one of the
game's heavyweights - heavyweight that is in the widest sense - and
nothing that the Welshman offered could disturb him.
So, Shabana v Palmer, a clash of giants.
Two Yorkshiremen made up the third quarter-final - a repeat of the
US Open final which Nick Matthew won. James Willstrop
had been doing things the hard ay in Bermuda - 2/0 6/1 down to LJ
Anjema, 2/0 down to Mohammed Abbas before recovering to win both.
Matthew had been less troubled to reach the layer stages and he
began sharply, going clear in the first, before Willstrop fought
back only to lose it 11/8. He was beginning to play now, but
Matthew's defensive qualities withstood the challenge and his game
was well balanced and clearly defined.
Despite Willstrop's previous exertions, he was moving and playing
well enough, but it was Matthew who took a 2/0 lead. It is doubtful
if even Willstrop thought he could come back from 2/0 down to an
opponent of Matthew's calibre, and he fell behind quickly in the
third, which Matthew won comfortably.
Gregory Gaultier has been providing the late night show at
the championship and John White was his next opponent. The
first game was close and decided on a tiebreak, and White continued
to resist, holding Gaultier until the middle of each of the next two
games before the Frenchman settled matters after an entertaining
match.
The Semi-Finals:
Shabana v Palmer
Gaultier v Matthew
The regrettable absence of Ramy Ashour and Karim Darwish have
created imbalances in the draw and as the whole world knows, the
draws in PSA's top events are crucial to the outcome.
Gaultier has had an easy run through, as has Palmer, and neither has
dropped a game. That pair will be as fresh as paint, so the saying
goes.
Shabana's road had been more difficult - a 3/2 win over Stewart
Boswell and a well-contested 3/1 against Thierry Lincou, but
he has not been over taxed, looks fresh enough and is in the form of
his life.
Matthew has had three matches, which might add up to the ideal
preparation, testing but not trying. He looks in great shape and was
impressive beating James Willstrop.
So whilst Palmer and Gaultier have been favoured by the draw,
Shabana and Matthew have had the sort of matches which may well have
honed their games.
A fascinating prospect then, with four in form players seeking the
world crown in the idyllic setting of Bermuda. Shabana and Palmer
are bidding for their third championships, Gaultier and Matthew
their first.
It s only marginally easier to predict a winner now than it was a
day ago, and as a fence sitter, I will remain on the fence ...
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Malcolm
in Bermuda
#2: Second Round Day Two ... |
The last four matches of the second
round certainly provided the appreciative and enthusiastic Bermudian
crowd with more than a little entertainment.
At this level and in a Tournament as important as this there is
enough for the players to contend with, but the glass floor added
another, unwelcome dimension, varying from the unplayable to the
dangerous. It was greatly to the players' credit that they dealt
with it, though it became apparent that there as little practical
alternative other than to play on.
First match was between in form Nick Matthew , US Open
champion, and the promising Egyptian qualifier Omar Mosaad,
who was first noticed at this level in last year's World
Championship in Egypt.
Mosaad is easy on the eye with pure technique, and well though he
played he was never going to beat battle-hardened Matthew, who used
the drop tellingly. The closest Mosaad came was in the second game
which he lt 11/9. Matthew quickly led 10/4 in the third before
clinching a quarter-final place 11/7.
James Willstrop had come from 2/0 and 6/1 down against
Laurens Jan Anjema in the previous round in over 90 minutes and the
last thing he would want was another such battle against the
talented Mohammed Abbas. The slippy floor was a major factor
in this match, which at one point looked as if it might not
continue.
Abbas began well and went clear to win the first with some quality
finishing. Unfazed, Willstrop fought back in the second, but despite
his best efforts it was Abbas who took a 2/0 lead, winning it 11/9.
Statistics tell us that the are not too many recoveries fro2/0 down,
Willstrop's improving strike-rate being 14%.
In the third he began another famous fightback which saw him begin
to take control, sustain it in the fourth and take total control in
the fifth after another 90minutes ' action.
The court in the third and fourth was slippy to the point of
dangerous, both players taking heavy falls. Matters were improved
when Willstrop lent Abbas a pair of shorts after the fourth, Abbas's
sodden attire apparently aggravating the problem.
The match was played in a sporting manner by both, who deserve much
credit for that in trying circumstances. The crowd enjoyed it and in
more normal conditions the match would have been well-acclaimed.
More was to follow when the popular John White took on
Azlan Iskandar in a match that had an even look at it, even
though White had been in devastating form in the previous round
against Alister Walker.
The Malaysian began as if he was eager to outhit White – not a
realistic proposition – and whe he went 2/1 up and 5/1 up in the
fourth, White's number appeared to be up. Iskandar also led 8/5 but
Whit, although his playing career may be winding up, was apparently
not going to lie down.
Incredibly he levelled the match and as both players slipped more
and fell heavily on occasions, they fought on uncomplainingly, White
always the more probable winner after the fourth game reprieve. To
the delight of the crowd he prevailed to take up a quarter-final
place against Gregory Gaultier.
I the last match of the night, which was a non-event compared to
what had gone before, the second seed dismissed Hisham Ashour
summarily, outpacing the Egyptian from start to finish.
Ashour looked bigger than when I last saw him, moved therefore less
well and was never going to trouble Gaultier unless he could cope
with the Frenchman's mobility.
So a quarter-final lineup of:
Shabana v Lincou
Palmer v Gough
Willstrop v Matthew
Gaultier v White
The top match, Shabana v Lincou, is bigtime and although Shabana
went to five with Boswell his recent form has been outstanding and
he will surely fancy his chances.
Palmer will not be complaining about meeting Gough, who must be
thrilled, at almost 37, with his achievements in Bermuda.
Nor will Matthew be unhappy about Willstrop's exertions in previous
rounds. It is hard to think three hours worth of play will not have
an effect.
Gaultier will be confident against White, having had nothing much to
do so far and being by far the freshest player on view, freshness
being a crucial factor at this stage.
As usual in world class events the quarters promise a great deal. It
is to be hoped that the glass floor does not spoil what promised to
be a fascinating nights play, especially with so much at stake.
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Malcolm
in Bermuda
#1: Better late than never ... |
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A coach's lot is not always a happy one.
Since there is no flight to Bermuda on Mondays, flying on Tuesday
was my only alternative, the risk being that the players I work with
might not survive until I arrived. With Lee already put out by the
Peter Pan of squash Alex Gough, James had to get through a first
round match with Laurens Jan Anjema, one of the players who are a
real threat.
Leaving for Manchester at 6am, with the lateness of the match there
was no way of finding out the result. It was at Gatwick Airport
where I met the ageless George Meiras, himself on his way to
Bermuda. He mentioned that James had had a hard match and since that
indicated James had won, the matter was not pursued.
On arriving at the splendid Fairmont Hotel, James was one of the
first people I saw. It was only then that I realised how close to
losing he had been, 2/0 and 6/1 down. To his credit he had
apparently dug deep, won the third and fourth narrowly, then the
fifth easily.
So 16 hours of travelling was justified, otherwise my visit to
Bermuda would have become a holiday! All I can say is that it could
have been worse: I could have been watching the scoreboard, as I
believe a close friend of James was – what a nightmare!
The hotel is two minutes' walk from the court, so I was able to
watch David Palmer, looking for his third world title and the
current champion, play Peter Barker. Barker matched Palmer in three
closely-contested games, but every time he threatened o win one he
made crucial and at times unforced errors.
The champion will play Alex Gough, who sensationally defeated Wael
El Hindi in the final match of the night.
With Bermuda's record for staging top class tournaments, it was no
surprise to find the court and its setting living up to the
occasion.
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