|
|
|
WATERS CLAIMS BURNING RIVER CROWN or at least watch…..
Nathan Dugan reports from the Cleveland Racquet Club |
 Londoner,
Alison Waters, became only the second player in the four year running of the
event, to lift the Burning River Classic trophy on Wednesday night at the
Cleveland Racquet Club. The previous three years had been dominated by
Natalie Grainger, who was unfortunately sidelined this time around due to
injury. Alison didn’t miss Grainger’s presence though as she survived a
valiant fight back from the Egyptian number one.
The two finalists had met only ten days earlier in the
final of Greenwich, with Alison winning in three straight games. Tonight
looked to be heading the same way after Alison took a 2-0 game lead, but
Omneya had no intention of gifting Alison the title and the TAG watch that
went along with the winner’s purse. The first game of the night was tight
until 6-6, but two lose balls resulting in strokes and an error from Omneya
left her with too much to do and Alison took it 11-7.
The second game was a tale about Omneya, or rather the
good Omneya and the bad Omneya. The world number seven from Cairo produced
three delightful early winners that were un-returnable to take a 4-2 lead,
but that was followed swiftly by two errors. Omneya produce some more magic
to go 8-6 up, but then again two errors to go back to 8-8. Another spark of
inspiration took Omneya to 9-8 but then she got a little too clever for
herself as she deceptively hit the ball right up the middle of the court
leaving herself pinned in the corner, 9-9. To Alison’s credit she had played
a patient, solid game up until this point, so when the big points arose at
the end of the game; it may not have been a surprise that she was the player
to remain steady and take advantage of the opponent’s errors, taking the
game 11-9.
The third game seemed to be going in the same vain as
Omneya raced to a 4-0 lead with some great accuracy and stroke play, but
then gave the lead right back with some sloppy play to go 5-5. At 7-7 Alison
hit a rare tin as she left the margins of her backhand drop shot a little
too close. A wonderful combination of shots allowed Omneya a two point
cushion before another uncharacteristic mistake on a big point gave Omneya
three game balls. She only needed the offer once to take the third game.
 The
fourth game is one that Alison would surely rather forget. She hit more
unforced errors in one game than she probably had for the entire week, as
Omneya surged to a 9-3 lead. Omneya herself had stepped up her play with
some tight drop shots out of the back hand back corners and a much better
quality of length on her shots. Another tin from the English player at 10-3
meant we were going into a fifth game.
Four tins in nine rallies from Omneya was the major story
of the fifth game as Alison was able to regain the lead and establish some
confidence that seemed to have left her since early in the third game.
Omneya’s length suddenly fell shorter and the short game that had been
working up until now was suddenly ineffective. Despite a mini come back from
Omneya to go from 9-3 to 9-6, the game already appeared out of reach as
Alison could see the finishing line near and her confidence visibly
increased. It seemed somewhat poetic that the final rally was decided by
another tin from the Egyptian which was clearly the difference between the
two players on the day. There were flashes of genius from Omneya’s racquet
and the lightness of movement and general control from Alison was also to be
admired. You couldn’t help but wonder what may have been if they both
produced their best squash at the same time! Congratulations to Alison who
has made it two wins in two weeks in America.
ALISON WATERS Beat OMNEYA ABDEL KAWY 11/7 11/9 7/11 3/11 11/6
|
|
TOP TWO TO PAY OFF FOR CLEVELAND TITLE…
Nathan Dugan reports from the
Cleveland Racquet Club
Alison Waters and Omneya Abdel Kawy, will face each other
in the final of a WISPA event for the second time in two weeks. In the first
encounter Alison won in five games, but we will have to wait until tomorrow
night at the Cleveland Racquet Club to see if she can claim her second title
of 2010.
Omneya
was the first to book her place in the final with a win against fellow
Egyptian Raneem El Weleily. Raneem had not started well in her previous two
rounds, losing both first games before making a comeback to secure passage
through. Today was a different story though as she raced in to a 6-2
advantage in game one. Everything about her play indicated that this might
be a good day for the younger player as she was able to maintain her lead to
the 11-8 finishing line. The second game was a complete role reversal though
as Omneya jumped out to an early lead, a lead she was able to hold onto
until the end of the game. A combination of good stroke play from Omneya and
errors from Raneem allowed the number two seed to come to even terms.
Raneem’s temperament looked a little questionable and she
helped contribute to her own demise in the third, gifting a couple of
strokes while losing the first seven rallies without return. She produced an
attempt at a fight back when Omneya hit a few tins but Omneya kept her
composure to end the game ahead. The fourth started competitively but the
mountain was just a little too high for Raneem to climb on the day today.
Her results in Greenwich moved her up to world number 18, and the result
here this week will also help elevate her average.
Alison
made Samantha Teran move from corner to corner in their semi final
encounter. Although the Mexican didn’t ever seem to look tired, she did
start making an uncharacteristic amount of errors, which we did not see in
her victory against Madeline Perry the night before. After she won the
first, Alison continued to dominate, displaying great balance and a
controlled authority on the court. Samantha tried to get into the points but
struggled to find a way to put Alison under any real pressure. Instead she
tried to get more aggressive and increasingly likely to hit the tin, which
she did for the last time at 10-7 in the third.
Semi Finals
Omneya Abdel Kawy beat Raneem El Weleily 8/11, 11/6,
11/6, 11/4
Alison Waters beat Samantha Teran 11/5, 11/5, 11/7 |
|
|
 |
|
El Weleily continues to impress in the US as seeds fall again
Nathan Dugan reports from the Cleveland Racquet Club
Once again seeds fell on quarter finals day of the 2010
PNC Burning River Classic, at the Cleveland Racquet Club. First on court
were Raneem El Weleily and Kasey Brown. Kasey had survived a severe test and
a couple of match balls during her first round, but was unable to produce
the same miraculous comeback when faced with a 2-1 game deficit today.
Raneem had quoted the previous night that she never knew which player was
going to turn up; the good Raneem or the bad one. Well it was the later that
started the match with Kasey taking full advantage winning 11-2. Good Raneem
didn’t stay dormant for long though as she controlled the second game from
start to finish. The third game was a much closer affair with both players
refusing to give. At 10-10 they played the longest rally of the match and
Kasey was left guessing, going helplessly the wrong way from a drive from
the front corner. It looked like her tank was empty as she failed to defend
the game ball with much conviction. Kasey tried to stay with Raneem in the
fourth but was always trailing by a couple of points. This was her third top
ten victory in two weeks and she may be reaching a point of consistency.
The
second match was expected to include a little flair from each player and the
crowd was not disappointed as both Omneya Abdel Kawy and Isabelle Stoehr
produce a multitude of winners between them. Isabelle found the tin just a
little too frequently to mount a serious attack on the first two games
despite coming back from 9-1 down in the second to make the game somewhat
competitive. The third was a different story though as Isabelle clearly
showed her desire to win getting both herself and the crowd motivated.
Unfortunately for Isabelle the momentum was not to last as Omneya reeled of
some deceptive winners from not the most obvious of attacking opportunities.
Omneya’s victory sets up an all Egyptian semi final, a repeat of last week’s
event in Greenwich where Omneya won in 5 close games.
Madeline
Perry had not played to the top of her game in the first round and she
started off in her quarter final in the same vain. Madeline never really
looked settled on the court despite moments of quality, and Samantha took
full advantage. The first went to the Mexican 11-2, but at 7-5 to Madeline
in the second, it looked as though the number three seed was finally going
to get going. It was not to be though as the tenacity of movement and the
lack of errors gave Samantha a well deserved victory on the night.
Qualifier Joelle King found Alison Waters just a little
too tough in the last quarter final of the night. She had played some great
squash to reach this stage, but Alison was able to move the tall New
Zealander around the court with ease. Alison showed why she won in Greenwich
last week, by moving effortlessly around the court and playing shots with
great precision. Her control to the front was the big difference between the
two players. There was some drama during the game though when the clubs fire
alarm sounded at 6-2 in the second. The players had to take a 20 minute time
out while the fire brigade fixed the problem, thankfully a false alarm!
Alison’s straight game victory sets up an encounter with Samantha Teran, a
player she has only lost one game to in their last 6 meetings. Samantha has
looked good so far on the courts in Cleveland though so this could be a
close one.
|
Quarter Finals
Alison Waters beat Joelle
King 11/7, 11/6, 11/5
Samantha Teran beat Madeline Perry 11/2,
11/8, 11/8
Raneem El Weleily beat Kasey Brown
2/11, 11/3, 12/10, 11/8
Omneya Abdel Kawy beat Isabelle Stoehr 11/6, 11/6, 7/11, 11/5
|
|
 |
|
King Conquers
and Brown survives, on a day where seeds struggle in Cleveland.
Nathan Dugan reports from the Cleveland Racquet Club
Over eight hours of squash for eight matches was required
in the first round of the 2010 PNC Burning River Classic to determine the
quarter final places. Joelle King produced the shock of the event thus far
with a 5 game victory over world number 13 Engy Kheirallah. The match was a
physical affair with the referee having to play a significant role in the
process. After splitting the first two games, Joelle raced to an early
advantage in the third. During a rally at 8-3 Joelle was completely knocked
off her feet after playing her shot and found herself seated on the floor,
she was still able to get up and scramble the next shot back somehow and
went on to take the game 11-6. An upset looked on the cards when Joelle
extended a game four lead to 6-3, but Engy had other ideas. She battled her
way back with persistent lengths and the occasional block to level at 2-2.
The 5th game showed just how far Joelle has improved her physical
conditioning and speed. She was bouncing in between shots like a boxer about
to deliver the next punch, and she delivered the final blow with a tight
backhand drop that was too tight for the Egyptian to return, giving her a
well earned victory. In the quarter finals Joelle will face Alison Waters,
who although started off slow by dropping the first game to Emma Beddoes,
never really looked in any trouble from there on out. Emma was noticeably a
step slower than she had been the night before in her thrilling win in
qualifiers over American Amanda Sobhy.
In
the second quarter both seeds prevailed, but not without drama. Samantha
Teran overcame Lauren Briggs with a display of power squash and gutsy
retrieving. For large periods of the match Lauren looked to be in control,
but she was unable to find the finishing shot and too frequently the
relentless pressure Samantha applied resulted in an error from Laurens
racquet. At 2-1 in games down Lauren held a 10-8 lead, but she was unable to
convert to force a decider. Instead an error at 10-10 gave match ball away
and Samantha only needed the one chance to progress.
Madeline Perry joined Samantha in the quarters with the
narrowest of victories over Aisling Blake form Ireland. The third seed
struggled to find her length and control of the game in the early stages of
the match and Aisling took full advantage. At 2-1 down in games Madeline
needed to step up her level of play and she did so with great effect,
winning 15 of the next 16 points. Aisling was not to be thwarted easily
though and she rallied back into contention nearly leveling at 10-9. It was
a huge sigh of relief for Madeline as she saw her last forehand drop not
returned giving her a quarter finals birth.
In the bottom half of the draw, second seed Omneya Abdel
Kawy and eigth seed Isabelle Stoehr, both notched up straight game wins over
Latasha Khan and Dominique LLoyd-Water respectively. Omneya looked very
relaxed in her victory and Dominique put on a better show than she may have
expected, after suffering a foot injury prior
to the match. Both of the other bottom half matches went the distance with 4th
seed Laura massaro being the first major casualty of the event. Her
opponent, Raneem El Weleily, looked to be completely off the boil in the
first two games, making a string of unforced errors including serving out
and boasting the ball in to the tin on the return of serves. In the 3rd
game though she came alive, giving the crowed a hint of what there may be to
come from the young Egyptian later in the draw. In the fourth Raneem was on
the end of a number of court-sprints due to the accuracy of Laura’s shots
but a crucial tin at 8-9 gave Raneem a game ball and a chance to level the
match. She took it with the first attempt and then ran away with the fifth.
Kasey
Brown joined Raneem in the last eight with the most unlikely of comebacks;
she trailed 2 games to 1 and 9-3 in the third game to qualifier Sarah Kippax,
before saving two match balls. Kasey’s movement was the polar opposite to
that of the Egyptian on before her, and despite chasing down ball after ball
she was not able to apply much pressure to Sarah’s game. Sarah was little
more creative with the ball and played herself into a two game lead. Kasey
stayed resilient in the third and held on to extend the match, but when she
hit a cross court nick attempt into the tin off return of serve to go 9-3
down in the 4th it looked to be game, set and match. Sarah didn’t
make any errors to give the game away at this point, but she also stopped
attacking the front of the court. Kasey meanwhile had relaxed and with
nothing to lose started attacking with a free abandon. This was very
effective as shot after shot vanished into the nick un-returnable. Sarah did
get two match ball opportunities at 10-8 but was unable to convert as Kasey
played another two winners. A winning drop shot presented Sarah with her
third match ball but once again Kasey leveled after one of the longest
rallies of the match. A perfect lob gave Kasey a 12-11 lead and she was able
to extent the match to a fifth game at the first attempt. Sarah looked a
little deflated at the start of the fifth game and Kasey took full advantage
racing to a 6-2 lead. Sarah attempted to close the gap but once Kasey smelt
victory her tail was up as she surged for the finishing line. It was a great
escape and as the final point ended a huge smile spread across Kasey’s face
as she realized what she had done.
First Round Main Draw Results:
Alison Waters beat Emma Beddoes
9/11, 11/5, 11/6, 11/3
Joelle King beat Engy Kheirallah 9/11,
11/9, 11/6, 9/11, 11/5
Madeline Perry beat Aisling
Blake 8/11, 11/7, 8/11, 11/1, 11/9
Samantha Teran beat Lauren Briggs
11/7, 5/11, 11/2, 12/10
Raneem El Weleily beat Laura Massaro 10/12,
4/11, 11/4, 12/10, 11/5
Kasey Brown beat Sarah Kippax
8/11, 8/11, 11/8, 13/11, 11/6
Isabelle Stoehr beat Dominique Lloyd-Walter 11/9, 11/4,
11/9
Omeya Abdel Kawy beat Latasha Khan 11/6,
11/9, 11/6 |
|
|
 |
TOP FOUR THROUGH TO MAIN DRAW IN CLEVELAND
Nathan Dugan reports from the PNC Burning River Classic –
Day 2, Jan 30th
Final Round of Qualifying at the Cleveland Racquet Club.
The
top four seeds in qualifying progressed to the main draw at the Cleveland
Racquet Club on Saturday afternoon, but not without a scare or two along the
way! Aisling Blake was the first to progress into the main draw with a
victory over Fiona Moverley. Fiona started well taking a 9-5 lead by cutting
the ball off on the volley. Aisling changed the pace a little to neutralize
the volley, which she did pretty effectively taking the game 13-11 and then
she dominated the second and third games.
Joelle King was too strong on the night for Lisa
Camilleri. Joelle, the world number 31, moved very smoothly all match and
played with great consistency. Lisa joked “it was like playing against a
giant brick wall, the ball just kept coming back!”
Emma
Beddoes and Amanda Sobhy produced a thriller for the crowd in the third
match of the day. The first two games went to Emma, and it looked like the
world number 33 was on course for a comfortable win. There were patches of
brilliance from the young American in the second game, but the combination
of the tin and a very patient opponent meant Amanda was facing a massive
task to turn it around. Much to the crowds delight, turn it round she did,
as a series of great holds and attacking stroke play gave Amanda, and the
crowd, something to get excited about. She won the game 11-4. Emma looked to
have shaken off the loss of the third, producing a solid start to the fourth
game. Once again errors came from the 16 year olds racquet, but a string of
excellent attacking rallies brought Amanda straight back to 5 each. From
then on it was a see-saw battle with both trying to seize the initiative.
Amanda worked Emma to every corner of the court again, and again, and again.
The work took its toll and an exhausted looking Beddoes started to crumble.
At 11-10 game ball to Amanda, they had a gut wrenching rally which Emma won,
but it left both players bent over doubled gasping for air. 11-11 produced
another tired error from Emma, and this time Amanda was able to close out
with a tight counter drop shot. That was the last stand for the talented
American though as Emma dug deep to reel off 9 straight rallies and book a
place in the main draw. Whether she has any legs left for tomorrow will have
to wait and see.
The
Last match of the night was a fairly one sided affair between two players
both residing in Yorkshire, England. Sarah Kippax took full advantage of a
sluggish Deon Saffery, who had survived a marathon 16-14 in the 5th,
the prior day. Sarah extended some early rallies and looked ion control of
the match from then on.
Final Round Qualifying Results.
Sarah Kippax beat Deon Saffery 11/6, 11/7,
11/7 to play Kasey Brown
Aisling Blake beat Fiona Moverley 13/11, 11/2,
11/2 to play Madeline Perry
Joelle King beat Lisa Camilleri 11/4,
11/7, 11/2 to play Engy Kheirallah
Emma Beddoes beat Amanda Sobhy 11/6, 11/9, 4/11,
11/13, 11/2 to play Alison Waters
|
"I
tr |
 |
|
|
