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)
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 4th
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 5th, 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.
