QUARTER FINALS - 2021 PRO SQUASH CLASSIC

 Day 3

October 21

What a crazy night of matches we just witnessed. Brilliant. We had it all. And more…

[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v [6] Nele Gilis (BEL)

The final score line does not indicate the quality of the hitting between these two ladies. Nouran was doing what Nouran does: Hitting the ball like she’s trying to send it into next week. But it’s not that she’s just aimlessly belting it around, the accuracy and consistency of it all is a sight to behold. Relentless. Inch perfect above the tin, moving early on the ball, heavy volleys, and then spatter in a few delicate drops and the combination is breathtaking. It’s a tough egg to crack. Nele new what she was in for, and she did her utmost to counter the pressure. To the innocent bystander, simply watching the exchanges, one would not have been able to tell who was world number 2 and who was world number 15… until you looked at the score. The rallies were long, tight, demanding. But, it’s what makes Nouran stand out that little but more in the end – it’s just ruthless. She plays every point like it’s her last, it’s almost as if the more an opponent resists, the more she steps it up. I thought Nele looked and played great squash, she just couldn’t finish off the rallies. Nouran took 41 minutes to take a lot-tougher-than-it-looked 3-0 victory 11-7, 11-5, 11-2.

Tinne Gilis (BEL) v Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAL)

Breakthrough event for Tinne? I have been very impressed indeed with Tinne’s squash this week, especially after getting through a couple of tough rounds before having to tackle another rising star on the PSA tour in Siva Subramaniam. Both of these girls were unseeded for this event, and no doubt both these girls will be regular fixtures in the deep rounds of major events in the near future. The first game went the Malaysian’s way but it wasn’t easy. The rallies were arduous as both players were moving well around the court. There really wasn’t much difference between them, Siva though managed to take advantage of a couple of loose balls at the end of the game to close it out. But like yesterday, after winning a taxing first game, Siva for some unknown reason lost her way in the second. It looks like a focus issue to me and maybe something to work on for her because at this level you simply cannot gift away games like this. Basically handing Tinne all the confidence and momentum, Siva did come out in the third a lost stronger, but a more positive Belgian put up an even stronger resistance than in the first game and wasn’t going to let this slip away. It was close mind you, Siva was maybe a little unlucky not to stretch this into a 5^th game but Tinne held strong for the 3-1 win. 8-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-9.

[2] Joelle King (NZL) v Georgina Kennedy (ENG)

Not to diminish the other matches of this tournament, but this one was for the ages and arguably the best one we’ve seen so far. Amazing quality. Georgina is ranked 51 in the world which after watching last night makes that number a complete scandal. Joelle is number 8 in the world, and she is a legit world top 10 player. An incredible first game, fast paced with minimal unforced errors, their lines and angles were spot on. Combining Joelle’s reach and Gina’s speed, it was difficult for either player to put the ball away and we had an absolute ding-dong of a battle going on. When it gets to 9-9, it’s really anyone’s for the taking at that stage, and it was Georgina that was on the receiving end of a couple of stray balls from Joelle and was able to put them away for the 11-9 all important first game. The second game was a very un-like Joelle performance. Georgina didn’t change anything, she came out just as hard as she did in the first, but for the New Zealander, maybe it was the disappointment of losing the first, she appeared to be a little flat-footed and uncomfortable. She couldn’t get anything happening and went down 3-11. But you don’t get to be a top 10 player by packing it in. You adapt. You fight back. Joelle dug her heels in. A change of tactic, she started to take a little pace of the game, more lobs, floating a few. Using her volleys to better advantage and trying to nullify the blinding court coverage of the Englishwoman. It was a masterclass of precise hitting and from looking like this match would be done in 25 minutes, we were all excited to see we were heading to a 5^th game. Desperation squash took over. What a game! Unbelievable from both players, from Joelle’s volleys and length, to Georgina’s road-runner like reactions and hustle (does this woman ever get tired??) we were treated to an epic adventure. Georgina earned a few match points first before Joelle edged her way back to within 1 point. But a deft little backhand drop clinched the 11-9 in the 5^th win and Georgina claimed her first top 10 scalp of her young career and a semi final birth in a Bronze event! 11-9, 11-3, 6-11, 8-11, 11-9.

[4] Olivia Clyne (USA) v [5] Tesni Evans (WAL)

The final match of the day produced another blockbuster. As one would expect from world number 11 and 13! Two terrific movers, these two also have a great racquet work to match. Both of them have the ability to produce winners, a subtle flick with the wrist here, an unusual angle there, it’s a smooth, flowing game. Another first game battle, nothing between them all the way to the tie-break. It was Tesni slotting a forehand quick drop from the mid-court to end it 13-11 a huge confidence booster moving forward. Games 2 and 3 though were not quite as clean for her. Olivia tightened up her length and stepped up the court a little catching her opponent out with her effective backhand volley that she can flick into a short cross just above the tin. Tesni found herself stranded too often behind and before she could fix it, found herself 2-1 down and looking down the barrel. The 4^th game was a different story once again. Finding her groove, Tesni was now the one controlling the middle, getting Olivia to open the court for her. With her ability to slot the ball, it was a comfortable 11-5. Into the 5^th, the cherry on top of what had been an extraordinary evening. The game started out competitively enough, but half way through, Olivia started to edge away building a lead. Not doing anything spectacular, just keeping steady and focused. I also must say however, Tesni was not helped by a couple of… let’s call them “strange” let calls at crucial moments. Not that it altered the outcome of the match, but it certainly didn’t hurt Olivia any. The American scored her first win over Tesni on the PSA and kept her hopes alive to defend her 2019 DAC Pro Squash Classic title. 11-13, 11-7, 11-6, 5-11, 11-6.