2010 North American Open

Matthew wins North American Open 2010

2010-02-27T18:37:00.003-05:00

#2 Nick Matthew def. #1 Ramy Ashour 11-9 16-14 5-4 ret. (48m)

Nick Matthew fought back from 9-7 in the 1st game and 7-4 in the 2nd game to break the heart of current No.1 and defending North American Open Champion Ramy Ashour.
Ashour seemed to be playing the kind of freeflowing squash that is his trademark, though Matthew kept pegging him back, using his straight volley drop to force Ashour to reach uncomfortably into the front corners.
It wasn't obvious that Ashour was injured, though maybe because he doesn't play traditional physical, length-based squash. He attacks into the front corners, especially crosscourt, and his wins are predicated upon when he can force the loose shot and how far forward he can get to reduce the risk of playing a winning shot.
The second game was make-or-break for Ashour; win it and he might have gone on to dominate the match. This wasn't to be - Matthew wouldn't let his opponent break free, forcing Ashour deeper and deeper in the court, eventually getting the error.
Matthew's steely resolve and physicality means that he is incredibly hard to break down when he is in a rythym, and also hard to dominate in more random conditions due to his insistence on making his opponent play one more shot to finish the rally.
Matthew's 2-0 lead proved to be unassailable. Ashour tried for a few points in the 3rd game, though it was a half-hearted effort. He knew he couldn't summon the effort required to come back and win, especially while carrying a niggling injury.
Matthew fully deserved his victory. He labored through a couple of average matches during the tournament, finding his volley drops and short game in the semi-finals and finals. The interest now lies in a potential rivalry for the top spot on PSA. This win pushes Matthew closer to that goal, one which he is yet to achieve.
Congratulations to Matthew for his deserved victory and also to Gus Cook and his team for building one of the showcase North American events on the PSA World Tour.

Ashour defeats "older brother" Shabana

2010-02-26T21:07:00.011-05:00

North American Open 2010

Friday February 26th

Semi Finals

#1 Ramy Ashour def. #3 Amr Shabana 12-14 13-11 7-11 11-7 11-8 (76m)

The current World Champion and former No.1 playing the former World Champion & current No.1; it couldn't be a better billing, and it sure lived up to expectations.

Amr Shabana started the match in control, playing crisp length and carving in deadly volley drops at will. Ashour's astonishing speed allows him to retrieve and win the scrappy rallies, which is all that he had at the beginning of the match. The nucleus of Ashour's armoury, the backhand crosscourt volley drop, wasn't firing as well is it has been all week. Shabana took a lead in the first three games, though Ashour pegged it back each time, firing in some incredible power forehand crosscourt nicks.

Shabana looked to have it sewn up after he breezed through the third game, though let Ashour back in the 4th. It wasn't until the 5th game that both players played at their full potential. Amazing 5 shot rallies ending in a nick, emulating grasscourt tennis, was the order of the day. It was Ashour that received the momentum at the end of the game, though it could so easily have been a different outcome.

Put it down to the energy and confidence of youth. And perhaps the most prodigious squash talent the world has ever seen.

#2 Nick Matthew def. #6 James Willstrop 11-8 11-9 12-10 (62m)

Willstrop never really looked comfortable for the whole of the match. He did take a lead in the first two games, though he was half the player of yesterday. Matthew was hitting a more precise length and bringing the ball short enough on the volley drop to make Willstrop lunge, intercepting the next ball to end the rally at the back of the court.

It was a pattern that was repeated through the match. Willstrop briefly looked in control in the 3rd game, though Matthew levelled the score and from then on it slid away. In what started as an even rivalry, Matthew has won the last 5 matches against Willstrop before tonight. Considering how different a player Willstrop was tonight compared to last night where he destroyed Gaultier, there is a feeling of a slight psychological block, or at the very least a clash of playing styles.

Matthew's movement, especially his recoil recovery from every shot, gives his so much time to anticipate the next shot. This is the element in his game that could lead him to the title tomorrow.

Willstrop keeps winning streak alive

2010-02-25T22:28:00.004-05:00

North American Open

Thursday 25th February

Quarter Finals

#3 Amr Shabana def. #23 Olli Tuominen 11-3 11-7 11-8 (32m)

Reigning World Champion Amr Shabana produced a clinical display of precision squash to end the run of Olli Tuominen. During the first two games Shabana made his opponent run & turn, always in control and eventually finished the ball with a deadly dropshot or flick crosscourt. It wasn't until 8-8 in the 3rd game that Tuominen looked to handle the short swing, precision & deception of the Egyptian. From Tuominen's serve at 8-8, Shabana slotted a dead crosscourt nick, received a mistake from the Finn on the next point and ran out the next point to end the hopes of Tuominen and move onto the semi-finals.

#6 James Willstrop def. #5 Gregory Gaultier 11-6 12-10 11-3 (53m)

This was billed as the potential match of the tournament. Gaultier reached No.1 in the world only a few months earlier, while Willstrop won the last Super Series event in New York.
Both players started out at a furious pace, with Willstrop managing to hit a slightly better length, allowing him to dominate the middle of the court. Gaultier didn't manage to move his opponent long and short, and any time he did move his opponent into the front court, Willstrop would lunge and produce a deft dropshot or a neutralizing lob. Gaultier never really controlled any point in the match, though he is a great fighter. Through sheer will he managed to win a few scrappy points towards the end of the 2nd game to force a tie-break.
It was an "if-only" scenario - win the 2nd, Willstrop might tire, Gautier might find his way into the match. It wasn't to be. Willstrop kept to his plan, kept dominating the T, stretching for volleys and killing the ball straight & short when he had half a chance. He snuck through the 2nd game 12-10 and at that point Gaultier looked as though he knew his fate. Gaultier stuck to his natural game of fast paced hitting & counter-attack in the 3rd game, though it was ineffective, Willstrop closing out the last few points in a couple of minutes.

#1 Ramy Ashour def. #9 Thierry Lincou 8-11 12-10 11-9 11-8 (49m)

Lincou produced a fantastic display of fighting squash against the touch and speed of Ashour. Like the match between Gaultier & Willstrop, the match hinged upon the 2nd game. Lincou played tight squash and dominated Ashour in the 1st game and up to mid-way throught the 2nd game. Ashour likes to step forward and carve in crosscourt dropshots with alarming regularity, though Lincou wasn't giving him any obvious opportunities. Lincou was keeping the ball out of the middle and counter dropping Ashour straight & tight. At 10-8 to Ashour in the 2nd game, Ashour hit two crosscourt volley drops into the tin, an unusual occurance. Normally relaxed and strolling around the court as if it were a practice match, Ashour looked tense and rattled. He regained composure and Lincou started to tire. Two more crosscourt dropshots and this time they went in - game to Ashour 12-10.
The 3rd and 4th games were tight, though Ashour always had his nose in front and always looked like the winner. He produced some spectacular shotmaking and retrieving to carve out an impressive 3-1 victory.

#2 Nick Matthew def. #10 Adrian Grant 11-9 5-11 11-4 11-7 (67m)

Two friends playing far from home, this was played like a practice match on the backcourt of Pontefract Squash Club. Neither player dominated the match, and with no particular tactical plan from either player, the winner was most likely going to be the player with better movement and the most confidence. Matthew is great at winning the scrappy rallies and is certainly focused and confident. To win when not playing well is a skill, and it was this one that carried him through to the semi-finals yet again.

Darwish injury lets Grant proceed to Quarters

2010-02-24T21:17:00.004-05:00

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.

Behind the scenes...

Lincou sets up duel with Ashour

2010-02-24T00:36:00.008-05:00

Tuesday's 2nd Round results from the 2010 North American Open in Richmond, Virginia USA
(from Martin Heath in Richmond)
[14] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt [8] David Palmer (AUS) 11-9, 6-11, 11-4, 4-11, 11-8 (67m)

Tuominen clinched a 5 set win from 2-1 down. Olli has always performed well against Palmer and completes a repeat of last year's 1st round result.

[3] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [11] Wael El Hindi (EGY) 11-5, 11-7, 3-5 ret. (32m)

El Hindi pulled his hip in the first point of the match though hung around until the 3rd game. Shabana fully took advantage of his opponents lack of mobility with searching length and devastating volley drops.

[1] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [13] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) 11-4, 11-4, 10-12, 11-4

Ramy started the game as relaxed as ever, dropping his racket head to cut in some deadly straight and crosscourt drops. Aamir fought bravely to clinch the 3rd game. Eventually Aamir's lack of tactical experience meant he was going for the winning shot too early, exposing himself to Ashour's wristwork and artistry. Ashour ran away with the 4th 11-4.

[9] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [6] Peter Barker (ENG) 11-8, 11-7, 11-9

Both players have similar styles with low risk, attacking length, always pushing forward looking to volley and increase the pace. It was Lincou's deft volley drops and ability to control the middle that made the difference, with Barker only creeping in front of Lincou at 6-5 in the 3rd, two games down. These two have had some great battles, though it was Lincou that moves through to the quarter-finals for a showdown with No.1 Ashour.

Tuominen through to Last 8

2010-02-23T19:03:00.003-05:00

Finland's Olli Tuominen earned the first berth in the NAO quarterfinals with a hard-fought 11-9, 6-11, 11-4, 4-11, 11-8 win over world no. 8 David Palmer in 67 minutes in Tuesday's first match at the Univ. of Richmond's Millhiser Gymnasium. Tuominen will play world no. 3 Amr Shabana in the quarters. The four-time World Open titleist advanced with a routine 11-5, 11-7, 3-5 (ret.) win in 32 minutes over compatriot Wael El Hindi, who had to eventually abandon the match due to a troublesome hip.

Next up on court the world no. 1 and defending NAO champion Ramy Ashour playing Aamir Atlas Khan of Pakistan.

Tuesday's 2nd round Line-Up

2010-02-22T21:23:00.002-05:00

Play begins at 5 p.m. local time at the Univ. of Richmond's Millhiser Gymnasium

#8 David Palmer vs. #14 Olli Tuominen

followed by

#3 Amr Shabana vs. #11 Wael El Hindi

followed by

#1 Ramy Ashour vs. #13 Aamir Atlas Khan

followed by

#6 Peter Barker vs. #9 Thierry Lincou

Round of 16 Set in Richmond...

2010-02-22T21:20:00.002-05:00

More 1st round results from the North American Open, with the field now whittled to the final 16.

#10 Adrian Grant (ENG) def. Simon Rosner (GER)
11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 10-12, 11-6 (70 mins.)
Grant appeared to be in control, then Rosner mounted an impressive comeback to make it interesting before the Englishman's fitness carried him through in the fifth game.

#5 Karim Darwish (EGY) def. Amr Swelim (ITA)
11-6, 11-5, 11-2 (27 mins.)
Darwish, a semifinalist here last year, advanced routinely to a Round of 16 match-up with the 10th-seeded Grant.

(Q) Mohammed Abbas (EGY) def. Julian Illingworth (USA)
8-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6 (45 mins.)
The Egyptian veteran found his mark in the second game and was never seriously challenged thereafter by the lone American player in the draw, becoming the sole qualifier to make it into the second round here.

#2 Nick Matthew (ENG) def. (WC) Esteban Casarino (PAR)
11-3, 11-3, 11-8 (33 mins.)

The world no. 2 got off to a good start in his quest to equal or better his appearance in the NAO final last year, cruising to an early lead and then fending off a challenge in the last game to advance to a second-round match-up Wednesday against Abbas.

Continuing 1st-round results from Monday's play

2010-02-22T20:19:00.001-05:00

from Peter Goodings on-site at the University of Richmond...

#12 Ali Walker (Eng) 'v' (Q) Nicolas Mueller (Sui) - 3-0 Walker (11/9, 11/4, 11/8) - 34 mins

This was their 2nd PSA tour meeting, the first one Walker lost - which was just over a year ago. Walker was determined to undo that result & stamp his authority on the match from the word go! What Walker didn't realise was that Mueller was in no mood to lie down and was equally focused on extending that winning record. Mueller came out of the blocks like a bullett from a gun and went 8-2 up in a matter of minutes firing in some excellent winners to the front. Walker finally found his composure and started to gain his range & rhythm and clawed his way back to 8-9. From here he was matching Mueller's aggressive volleying and continued through to take the game 11-9. The pace remained the same throughout the match and Walker seemed now to have the edge and came out the better on a majority of exchanges. Walker pushed through to take the second game convincingly 11-4 and even though he followed through with the same kind of dominant hitting and control in the third Mueller made him work for every point - so a well deserved victory went to Walker, although Mueller should be fairly happy with his overall performance.

#7 James Willstrop 'v' Aaron Frankcomb (Aus) - 3-0 Willstrop (11/4, 11/4, 11/8) 36 mins

This was their first PSA encounter and Willstrop started the better, dominating the 'T' from the start - with Frankcomb desperately trying to get to grips with the pace that Willstrop was putting on the ball. As the match progressed Willstrop was taking the ball earlier & earlier and also started to vary the pace which Frankcomb seemed to struggle with, always seeming to be of balance or reaching too far to be able to do something with it other than just about get it back. First 2 games to Willstrop 11/4, 11/4. The pressure never let up even though a blood break mid-way through the third disrupted the flow and at the re-start Willstrop pushed hard again and never let Frankcomb get remotely comfortable. Willstrop took the 3rd 11/8 and sets up an all-English encounter against Ali Walker.

Joey Barrington (Eng) 'v' Rafael Alarcon (Bra) - 3-2 Barrington (10/12, 11/5, 11/7, 9/11, 11/6) - 85 mins

Many long rallies, many discussions with the referee and a match that became increasingly impossible to predict was the story here - this had 5 games written all over it even before they started. No-one really asserted any dominance here and the game was littered with controversy, disagreements on decisions and tentative play, but the player who first reached nine points sniffed out the game-winning strategy to take it. The long and the short of it is that Barrington did it a little better, particularly from 6-5 up in the final game, losing only a lone point before closing out the match.

#4 Gregory Gaultier (FRA) vs. (Q) Yasir Butt (PAK) - 3-0 Gaultier (11-6, 11-9, 11-6) - 38 minutes

High-paced game with lots of great shot-making and a big battle for the center of the court. Gaultier won a majority of the exchanges to gain dominance and this showed with the speed with which he contained Butt and took the match. A few flurries from the Pakistani, attacking the ball into the nicks, didn't fluster the Frenchman, who kept the pace high and the qualifier couldn't capitalize on any opportunities because the low, hard cross-court drives from Gaultier were just too good to get a racket on. Ultimately, Butt was slower in and out of the frontcourt corners than Gaultier, and this was the telling factor in a well-deserved 3-0 victory for the fourth seed.

Monday's schedule of play

2010-02-22T10:25:00.000-05:00

Monday's continuing 1st-round action at the NAO, as follows:

Daytime matches beginning at 12:00 p.m.

[12] Alister Walker (ENG) v [Q] Nicolas Mueller (SUI)
[7] James Willstrop (ENG) v Aaron Frankcomb (AUS)
[15] Joey Barrington (ENG) v Rafael F Alarcon (BRA)
[4] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [Q] Yasir Butt (PAK)

Evening matches beginning at 5 p.m.

[10] Adrian Grant (ENG) v Simon Rosner (GER)

[5] Karim Darwish (EGY) v Amr Swelim (ITA)
[16] Julian Illingworth (USA) v [Q] Mohammed Abbas (EGY)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) v Esteban Casarino (PAR)

More 1st round results from Richmond...

2010-02-21T21:04:00.001-05:00

#6 Peter Barker (ENG) def. (Q) David Phillips (CAN)
11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 14-12 (50 mins.)
Barker beat back a determined challenge from the Canadian qualifier, who used potent defense to nearly extend the match to a decisive fifth game.

#1 Ramy Ashour (EGY) def. Stephen Coppinger (RSA)
11-7, 6-11, 9-11, 11-3, 11-5 (53 mins.)
The world no. 1 and last year's winner here turned on the jets after falling 1-2 behind to stay on track to defend his title.

#13 Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) def. (Q) Steve Finitsis (AUS)
11-5, 2-11, 11-4, 13-11 (37 mins.)
The Pakistani battled past the Australian qualifier in a high-caliber match featuring great shot-making from both players.

2010 North American Open Underway in Richmond

2010-02-21T18:06:00.000-05:00

Play started earlier today on the campus of the University of Richmond and five matches have been completed so far.

The results:

#14 Olli Tuominen (FIN) def. (Q) Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)

11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5 (53 mins.)

Tuominen's experience paid dividends, as he advanced to a second-round meeting with #8 David Palmer.

#8 David Palmer (AUS) def. Shahier Razik (CAN)

13-11, 11-8, 11-2 (39 mins.

Palmer made quick work of the Canadian veteran after a see-saw first game and will play Tuominen in the 2nd round.

#11 Wael El-Hindi (EGY) def. (Q) César Salazar (MEX)

11-3, 11-2, 7-11, 11-8 (34 mins.)

The New York-based Egyptian got off to a quick start and fended off the challenge of the young Mexican qualifier in four games.

#3 Amr Shabana (EGY) def. (Q) Zac Alexander (AUS)

12-10, 11-6, 11-9 (33 mins.)

The Aussie qualifier gave the four-time World Open champion a tussle in the opening game before booking a spot in the second round against compatriot Wael El-Hindi.

#9 Thierry Lincou (FRA) def. Farhan Mehboob (PAK)

11-5, 11-6, 11-4 (27 mins.)

The veteran Frenchman, looking as fit as ever, advanced easily to the second round.