ROUND 2 - 2021 PRO SQUASH CLASSIC

Day 2

October 20

The top 8 seeds took to the courts on day 2 of the DAC Pro Squash Classic in front of an enthusiastic crowd that all night couldn’t stop themselves from “oooh-ing” and “aaah-ing” and “oh-my-God-ing!” over their constantly filled beers. ‘Blown away’ would be an understatement. We were treated to an overload of astonishing squash:

[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v Melissa Alves (FRA)

On paper, Nouran had this in the bag. In reality, not so much. Melissa is enjoying her best form of her career getting inside the top 30 this year for the first time and she clearly was not intimidated by the world number 2. She was more than up to the task, matching Nouran’s intensity through the first game- right up until the last couple of points where she tried to force a couple of ill-timed shots and found tin instead. With the first game in the pocket, Gohar found herself on a roll for the second and in more familiar territory, running through comfortably for an 11-4 win. But Melissa came out more determined in the third picking up her resistance, holding strong on the ‘T’ and doing her best to stay in front. It paid off and we were into a fourth much to the delight of the crowd. Of course, though, it’s a little ‘careful what you wish for’ with Nouran- she wasn’t happy losing a game and her first return of serve in the game was a blinding backhand winner that amazingly didn’t turn our front wall into rubble. It set the tone, Gohar kept herself in front by a few points the whole way and she closed it out. 11-8, 11-4, 8-11, 11-7.

 [6] Nele Gilis (BEL) v [WC] Lucy Beecroft (ENG)

This was a kind of a tale of two matches: The first game, and then the 2^nd and 3^rd games. Lucy is on her way up the rankings and she proved she can hang with the best of them. She did just that in game one giving Nele all she could handle and no doubt making the Belgian rather edgy. In situations such as these however, experience goes an awful long way. Nele simply held her nerve better and walked off with the important game one win, a mental edge that seemed to knock Lucy out of her mojo. The next two games were not as distressing for Nele as she asserted herself more the deeper into the match they went. It was a 3-0 result, but watch out for Lucy in the future! 12-10, 11-6, 11-3

 [5] Tesni Evans (WAL) v Hana Moataz (EGY)

We remember Hana from our 2019 event and now, 2 years on, she is a much improved young player. She is currently ranked 58, has been as high as 53, but also consider she it currently studying at Harvard she isn’t full time on tour. Can’t wait until she is though. She plays a lot higher than her ranking suggests. Tesni is currently 13 in the world, has been as high as 9, has won the British National Title in 2018, and also claimed bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. This was a high level match, and again, I’m going to put this one down to a little more experience. When the games are tight it’s who can hold their resolve better in the business and of them and usually it’s the ones who have been there and done that before. Tesni squeaked out the first 2 games by a whisper and coming back form 0-2 down was a tall ask for the Egyptian lass. She did buckle up for the 3^rd and managed to push it one extra set, but the mission proved to be too tall. Tesni a deserved 3-1 winner. 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-8

 [4] Olivia Clyne (USA) v Donna Lobban (AUS)

Olivia will be forever fondly remembered at the DAC as out first ever winner of our pro event! Delighted to have her back in her attempt to defend, she was playing against the proficient Donna Lobban from Australia. The first two games were all one way traffic as Olivia dominated the pace and was leaving Donna all too often a little flat footed and stranded. Donna needed to step it up and the third game was a different story. Using a little more height on her shots and then moving forward to use her reach and volley, Donna was able to open up the court better and she took the 3^rd. Unfortunately for the Aussie, she couldn’t keep up the game plan as effectively in the 4^th and Olivia’s speed and consistency would be her undoing. 3-1 to the American. 11-4, 11-5, 7-11, 11-7.

 [3] Joshna Chinappa (IND) v Tinne Gilis (BEL)

This match baffled me somewhat. Joshna is ranked 12 in the world, with a wealth of experience. Tinne is coming off a tough 5-setter yesterday and also recovering from a calf injury earlier this season. When the first game was done in lightning fashion, I was actually a little shocked that it was so one-sided – for Tinne. An 11-1 was not what I was expecting. However, I did expect that the rest of the match would be different. And I was right (mostly) with that. The 2^nd and 3^rd games were fantastic. Long rallies, intense hitting, both players not giving an inch. Tinne was full of confidence, and she was smelling upset. Probably the longest 2 games of the tournament so far, they split the spoils and they were setting the table for a marathon 5-setter. But strangely, déjà vu hit us for the 4^th and we were transported back to game one. I don’t rightly know what happened to Joshna, but Tinne wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass her by. 11-1, 11-9, 9-11, 11-2

[8] Alison Waters (ENG) v Sivasanagri Subramanium (MAL)

Alison is a legend. Remarkable stat: if you take out an injury in 2012 that tanked her ranking for a few months, Alison has been inside the top 20 of the world since 2008! She first reached that milestone in 2006 when Siva was just 7 years old. It’s also the first time I’ve seen her play live (strangely) and what a clean hitter she is. Give her an inch and she will punish you. But Siva is no pushover and she is quick, ready to win, and has tasted success against top players already in her young career. A tough first game and Siva taking it, but she faulted in the second and basically handed it to Alison 11-2. Regaining her composure in the third, Siva once again found her footing and made the rallies long and tough. The longer the points were extended the more Alison faded in the second half of the games. Siva advances 3-1. 11-9, 2-11, 11-7, 11-6.

 [7] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) v Georgina Kennedy (ENG)

Our first 5-setter. Though after the first two we didn’t think it would be. Two young ladies, both moving up the rankings, both powerful hitters, both excellent movers. Similar styles, the first game had nothing between them. It was incredible to watch. Hungry squash would be a good way to describe it, both players 100% on every shot, every rally. Sabrina was the first game 12-10, but it could just as easily gone the other way. Both players were equally good. However, losing the first game must have rattled the Englishwoman somewhat and Georgina lost her line and length in the second completely. A quick 11-3. But hold the phone! You can’t keep this woman down for long. New determination in the third, Georgina reset the game plan, and worked herself back into contention. One brutal long rally at a time. And she could sense the tide turning as she was even more on her toes than usual (is that even possible?), jumping around the court, eating up the ball. She had Sabrina on the ropes, she had Sabrina looking tired. Georgina pulls herself out of the 2-0 hole for an incredible comeback victory. 10-12, 3-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6.

 
[2] Joelle King (NZL) v Liu Tzs-Ling (HKG)

It was always going be a big ask for Ling, tackling world number 8. She played a great match yesterday against her countrywoman, but Joelle proved to be a different challenge altogether. Ling struggled to compete with Joelle’s style where she uses her mid-court volley to great effect, able to control and dictate the play. Ling was stuck playing behind her opponent too often, her length simply not good enough to get it past the long reach of the Kiwi. The first two games were fairly straight forward for Joelle, before Ling started to get more effective hitting into the back for the third. But coming back from 0-2 down to world number 8 was not going to happen – at least today. Joelle takes the win 3-0. 11-5, 11-2, 11-8.