2010 North American Open: Darwish injury lets Grant proceed to Quarters

North American Open 2010

Wednesday February 24th

2nd Round matches

#6 James Willstrop def. #12 Alistair Walker 11-6 11-5 11-6 (40m)

Recent Tournament of Champions titlest James Willstrop produced a workmanlike performance to dispose of Alistair Walker 3-0. Much was expected of the up-and-comer Walker in this encounter, though Willstrop played better length, always getting in front of his opponent and controlling the middle of the court. Walker's frustration was evident, and needs to pack a few more tools into his bag before he can consistently challenge the top players. Willstrop stayed in front until the middle of each game then ran through to the end quickly.

#5 Gregory Gaultier def. # 28 Joey Barrington 11-7 11-3 11-3 (32m)

A fairly straighforward victory for Gaultier. Barrington put up a good fight in the 1st game though gradually Gaultier took advantage of Barrington's labored movement in and out of the corners. Using speed to the ball and even quicker recoil back to the T, Gaultier was always in control and moves through to the quarters unscathed.

#10 Adrian Grant def. #4 Karim Darwish 6-11 6-11 5-0 ret. (35m)

Darwish was in control the first two games, using his racket head speed to cut the ball straight into the front corners on any opportunity. Grant is a great athlete, though couldn't break Darwish's metronomical rythym and silky touch.
Grant did find his way into the game in the 3rd game, stepping up the court, hitting the ball with a little more pace to run to a 5-0 lead. It was going to be very interesting to see Darwish find his way back against the momentum, when he moved into the front corner and rolled over his ankle.
Darwish took a 3 minute time out, then conceded the 3rd game for another 2 minutes, though his efforts were to prove fruitless. A recurrance of an old injury forced Darwish to concede the match. Grant was very gracious in victory, though nonetheless looking forward to competing in another quarter-final.

#2 Nick Matthew def. #8 Mohammed Abbas 11-13 11-9 11-3 11-7 (54m)

In the best match of the evening Nick Matthew came from 1-0 and 8-6 down to overcome a resurgent Abbas.
Abbas has spent most of the past 12 months struggling with plantar fasciitis, a debilitating injury of the bottom of the foot. he was as high as No.13 in the world, and currently lies at #58. A victory in the recent Edmonton Open in December showed that he is getting back on track, and the match tonight is another stepping stone in his recovery.
Matthew played very patient squash up and down the backhand wall, waiting for the opportunity to attack Abbas short. Abbas stayed with the pace of Matthew up and down the wall and it was Abbas that was getting the first opportunity. Carving deadly volley drops from the middle of the court, Abbas was playing textbook glasscourt squash and was frustrating the world No.2.
Matthew has two gears - fast and faster. Matthew slightly increased the pace, was able to stand forward, Abbas eventually starting to show signs of lack of belief towards the end of the second game and then signs of fatigue in the 3rd game. Matthew was on a clean up mission in the 3rd and 4th, and having had to deal with a little bit of adversity will stand him in good stead for the remainder of the event.