2012

England and Netherlands on course!

May 3, 2012 • Tags: , , , • Categories: all posts, teams, tournaments

In women's division 1 the top 2 seeds England and Netherlands eased through their opening matches, while 3rd and 4th seeds Ireland and France saw off their nearest challengers Germany and Scotland, also 3-0.

Pool A:
[1] ENGLAND bt [8] WALES 3/0
Jenny Duncalf bt Tesni Evans 11-2, 11-2, 11-5
Alison Waters bt Deon Saffery 11-6, 11-4, 11-6
Sarah Kippax bt Stacey Gooding 11-2, 11-3, 11-6

[4] FRANCE bt [5] SCOTLAND 3/0
Camille Serme bt Frania Gillen-Buchert 11-4, 11-4, 9-11, 11-1
Coline Aumard bt Lisa Aitken 11-7, 11-6, 11-6
Maud Duplomb bt Senga Macfie 11-13, 11-4, 7-11, 11-3, 11-3

Pool B:
[2] NETHERLANDS bt [7] SWITZERLAND 3/0
Natalie Grinham bt Gaby Huber 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-9
Orla Noom bt Sara Guebey 11-4, 11-4, 11-1
Milou van der Heijden bt Jasmin Ballman 11-4, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6

[3] IRELAND bt [6] GERMANY 3/0
Madeline Perry bt Kathrin Hauck 11-13, 12-10, 11-5, 11-9
Aisling Blake (le) bt Pamela Hathway (ri) 10-12, 5-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-8
Laura Mylotte bt Eva Brauckmann 12-10, 11-2, 11-6

Results at the official ETC-site.

England and France as expected, Scotland and Germany with upsets!

May 3, 2012 • Tags: , , , • Categories: all posts, teams, tournaments

The European Team Championships have been started in Nurnberg, Germany. England’s teams are favourites to win another double. The notable result of day 1 was in men's division 1, where Scotland's 3-1 win over 3rd seeds Italy. France started off with a comfortable 4-0 win over Finland.

In pool A favourites England cruised past Denmark 4-0 while the evening match on the ASB glass court was a delight for the home fans as Germany beat the higher-seeded Netherlands 3-1. Especially Germany’s No1 Simon Rosner (ri) performed excellent as he beat Dutch Laurens Jan Anjema (le) in straight games.

Pool A:
[1] ENGLAND bt [8] DENMARK 4/0
James Willstrop bt Kristian Frost Olesen 11-8, 11-8, 11-8
Nick Matthew bt Caspar Grauballe Nielsen 11-2, 11-4, 11-4
Daryl Selby bt Morten W Sorensen 11-4, 11-5, 7-11, 11-1
Tom Richards bt Thomas Pilak 11-1, 11-1, 11-1

[5] GERMANY bt [4] NETHERLANDS 3/1
Simon Rosner bt Laurens Jan Anjema 11-7, 12-10, 11-5
Raphael Kandra lost to Piedro Schweertman 13-11, 11-7, 11-13, 9-11, 10-12
Jens Schoor bt Sebastiaan Weenink 11-6, 11-6, 11-4
Andre Haschker bt Bart Ravelli 11-5, 11-6, 11-8

Pool B:
[2] FRANCE bt [7] FINLAND 4/0
Gregory Gaultier bt Olli Tuominen 11-8, 5-11, 11-2, 11-5
Thierry Lincou bt Matias Tuomi 11-4, 11-5, 11-6
Mathieu Castagnet bt Janne Jarvinen 11-2, 11-4, 11-6
Yann Perrin bt Jaakko Vahamaa 11-6, 11-8, 11-7

[6] SCOTLAND bt [3] ITALY 3/1
Alan Clyne bt Davide Bianchetti 9-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-7
Greg Lobban lost to Marcus Berrett 6-11, 3-11, 4-11
Chris Small bt Amr Swelim 4-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-7
Stuart Crawford bt Jose Facchini 9-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8

Results at the official ETC-site.

Selby denies home hero Mueller Grasshopper glory!

April 29, 2012 • Tags: , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

England's Daryl Selby (ri) denied Nicolas Mueller (le) the chance to become the 1st local winner of the Grasshopper Cup in the 33-year history of the event when he beat the Swiss No1 in the final in Zurich.

And by doing so – in the 1st staging of the popular event for 11 years – Selby kept the trophy in English hands following the 2001 title triumph by former world No10 Mark Cairns.

Second seed Mueller, the world No24 and the country's highest-ranked player of all-time, became the 2nd ever Swiss player to reach the final. Ultimately it was the 29-year-old Daryl Selby who prevailed, winning 12-10, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4 in 70 minutes to celebrate the 11th PSA Tour title of his career.

Final:
[1] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [2] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 12-10, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4 (70m)

Semi-finals:
[1] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [3] Olli Tuominen (FIN) 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 (38m)
[2] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt [4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 (70m)

Quarter-finals:
[1] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt Jan Koukal (CZE) 11-6, 11-4, 11-6 (34m)
[3] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt Charles Sharpes (ENG) 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 (36m)
[4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt Kristian Frost Olesen (DEN) 11-5, 13-11, 11-5 (24m)
[2] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) 11-5, 11-7, 11-3 (34m)

1st round:
[1] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt Kashif Shuja (NZL) 11-4, 11-7, 11-9 (41m)
Jan Koukal (CZE) bt [Q] Fabien Verseille (FRA) 9-11, 13-11, 14-12, 6-11, 11-8 (89m)
Charles Sharpes (ENG) bt [Q] Andre Haschker (GER) 11-8, 11-4, 14-16, 11-9 (58m)
[3] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt Steven Finitsis (AUS) 12-10, 15-17, 5-11, 12-10, 11-4 (95m)
[4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [Q] Davide Bianchetti (ITA) 14-16, 6-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (115m)
Kristian Frost Olesen (DEN) bt Reiko Peter (SUI) 6-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-7 (40m)
Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) bt Yann Perrin (FRA) 11-5, 8-11, 11-5, 12-14, 11-6 (72m)
[2] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt [Q] Raphael Kandra (GER) 11-5, 11-5, 11-5 (34m)

Alister Walker Wins Irish Open Crown

April 29, 2012 • Tags: , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Alister Walker (ri) claimed his 2nd PSA World Tour trophy in 2 weeks when he beat Scot Alan Clyne (le) in the final of the Irish Open in Dublin. The top seed from Botswana arrived in Dublin fresh from winning the Berkshire Open in the USA – and reached the final after despatching England's No4 seed Jonathan Kemp in a 4-game semi-final.

His surprise opponent Clyne pulled off a notable upset in the other semi where he survived a 110-minute marathon against 2nd seed Borja Golan, saving a match-ball in the decider to beat the higher-ranked Spaniard and former Irish Open champion.

But despite Clyne’s determined efforts, favourite Walker maintained the upper hand to clinch the title 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 11-3 after 54 minutes.

"I'm so happy to win my second event this week," said a delighted Walker after the 11th Tour title triumph of his career.

Final:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [3] Alan Clyne (SCO) 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 11-3 (54m)

Semi-finals:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [4] Jonathan Kemp (ENG) 11-2, 7-11, 11-4, 11-4 (46m)
[3] Alan Clyne (SCO) bt [2] Borja Golan (ESP) 10-12, 11-13, 11-2, 11-8, 12-10 (110m)

Quarter-finals:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt Christopher Gordon (USA) 6-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-9 (45m)
[4] Jonathan Kemp (ENG) bt Robbie Temple (ENG) 11-6, 11-5, 11-8 (37m)
[3] Alan Clyne (SCO) bt Rasmus Nielsen (DEN) 11-8, 11-8, 11-5 (33m)
[2] Borja Golan (ESP) bt Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 10-12, 11-3, 12-14, 11-6, 11-3 (110m)

1st round:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [Q] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) 11-7, 12-10, 11-6 (42m)
Christopher Gordon (USA) bt [Q] Ben Coleman (ENG) 11-2, 12-10, 8-11, 11-8 (61m)
Robbie Temple (ENG) bt Chris Ryder (ENG) 7-11, 11-9, 11-3, 7-11, 11-3 (81m)
[4] Jonathan Kemp (ENG) bt [Q] Nathan Lake (ENG) 11-3, 11-5, 11-6 (22m)
[3] Alan Clyne (SCO) bt Arthur Gaskin (IRL) 9-11, 11-2, 11-5, 7-11, 11-6 (78m)
Rasmus Nielsen (DEN) bt [Q] Ben Ford (ENG) 11-6, 11-5, 11-7 (37m)
Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt Mark Krajcsak (HUN) 12-10, 11-4, 11-1 (44m)
[2] Borja Golan (ESP) bt Jens Schoor (GER) 11-0, 11-3, 11-7 (28m)

Clyne downs Golan to clinch final berth in Dublin!

April 28, 2012 • Tags: , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Alan Clyne (pic) became the 1st Scot to reach the final of the Irish Open for 12 years when he survived a marathon battle against No2 seed Borja Golan in the semi-finals in Dublin. After the Spaniard managed to take a 2-0 lead in games, Clyne came back to level in games. As the decider took 30 minutes Golan reached match ball – at 10/9, but Clyne saved match ball and went on to get his own – winning 12-10.

Clyne's 10-12, 11-13, 11-2, 11-8, 12-10 victory in 110 minutes makes the 25-year-old from Edinburgh the 1st Scot to make the Irish Open final since his illustrious predecessor Peter Nicol in 2000.

In the tenth Tour final of his career, 3rd seed Clyne will face favourite Alister Walker after the world No18 from Botswana beat England's No4 seed Jonathan Kemp 11-2, 7-11, 11-4, 11-4.

Final:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) v [3] Alan Clyne (SCO)

Semi-finals:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [4] Jonathan Kemp (ENG) 11-2, 7-11, 11-4, 11-4 (46m)
[3] Alan Clyne (SCO) bt [2] Borja Golan (ESP) 10-12, 11-13, 11-2, 11-8, 12-10 (110m)

Top four in Zurich semis!

April 27, 2012 • Tags: , , , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

All 4 seeds scored straightforward straight games wins in the Grasshopper Cup in Switzerland to set up the predicted semi-finals in Zurich.

Egypt's Karim Abdel Gawad, at 20 the youngest of the 4, swiftly despatched newly-crowned Danish champion Kristian Frost Olesen 11-5, 13-11, 11-5 in just 24 minutes.

The 4th seed from Cairo will now face local hero Nicolas Mueller (pic), the Swiss No1, who knocked out Gawad's compatriot Omar Abdel Meguid 11-5, 11-7, 11-3.

The other semi will feature English favourite Daryl Selby and 'Flying Finn' Olli Tuominen, the No3 seed. Selby, the world No11, defeated Czech No1 Jan Koukal 11-6, 11-4, 11-6 and Tuominen showed all his experience to overcome the 20-year-old Charles Sharpes (ENG) 11-8, 11-6, 11-7.

Semi-final line-up:
[1] Daryl Selby (ENG) v [3] Olli Tuominen (FIN)
[2] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) v [4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)

Quarter-finals:
[1] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt Jan Koukal (CZE) 11-6, 11-4, 11-6 (34m)
[3] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt Charles Sharpes (ENG) 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 (36m)
[4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt Kristian Frost Olesen (DEN) 11-5, 13-11, 11-5 (24m)
[2] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) 11-5, 11-7, 11-3 (34m)

Serme takes Texas Open title!

April 26, 2012 • Tags: , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Top seed Camille Serme won her 7th WSA World Tour title after beating Joelle King in the Texas Open final at the previous weekend.

After making short work of Maria Toor Pakay (PAK) and local hope Latasha Khan in the early rounds, the young Frenchwoman beat 3rd seed Samantha Teran of Mexico in the semis to assure her place in the final.

Her final opponent Joelle King of New Zealand, a former Texas Open champion, had similarly quick opening rounds against Deon Saffrey (WAL) and Lucie Fialova (CZE), before claiming a straight-games win over 2nd seed Annie Au of Hong Kong in the semi final.

Just two world ranking places separate the 23-year-old finalists, but it was Serme who took the early initiative in the final and beat King 11-5, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9.

Serme’s seventh WSA World Tour title is her first of the season and will help strengthen her position in the world’s top 10.

Final:
[1] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [4] Joelle King (NZL) 11-5, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9

Semi-finals:
[1] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [3] Samantha Teran (MEX) 11-6, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7
[4] Joelle King (NZL) bt [2] Annie Au (HKG) 16-14, 11-9, 11-7

Quarter-finals:
[1] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [7] Latasha Khan (USA) 13-11, 11-5, 11-4
[3] Samantha Teran (MEX) bt [5] Donna Urquhart (AUS) 11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10
[4] Joelle King (NZL) bt Lucie Fialova (CZE) 11-5, 11-1, 11-1
[2] Annie Au (HKG) bt [8] Melody Francis (AUS) 11-2, 11-4, 11-4

1st round:
[1] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [Q] Maria Toor Pakay (PAK) 11-0, 11-3, 11-3
[7] Latasha Khan (USA) bt Victoria Lust (ENG) 11-7, 11-3, 8-11, 11-7
[3] Samantha Teran (MEX) bt Larissa Stephenson (NZL) 11-3, 11-8, 11-7
[5] Donna Urquhart (AUS) bt [Q] Lisa Aitken (SCO) 11-9, 11-6, 11-5
Lucie Fialova (CZE) bt [6] Sarah Kippax (ENG) 11-7, 7-11, 3-11, 11-5, 11-5
[4] Joelle King (NZL) bt [Q] Deon Saffery (WAL) 11-2, 11-3, 11-0
[8] Melody Francis (AUS) bt Olivia Blatchford (USA) 11-8, 11-3, 11-8
[2] Annie Au (HKG) bt [Q] Kristen Lange (USA) 11-6, 11-5, 11-6

Chan topples Grinham in Buler Cup!

April 25, 2012 • Tags: , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Joey Chan pulled off a famous home-victory in the Buler Challenge Cup final last weekend, after beating No1 seed Rachael Grinham in 5 games.

The top seeded players seemed to struggle early on in Hong Kong, as both eventual finalists were forced to 4 games in round 1. Former world No1 Grinham, defeated local qualifier Tong Tsz-Wing followed by Joshna Chinappa of India and Ho Tze-Lok (HKG), whilst Chan beat compatriot Pansy Chan Pui-Hei, Coline Aumard (FRA) and Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) en-route to the final.

In a close 51-minutes battle, Chan closed out 5-game win (11-7, 4-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9 ) in front of her home crowd, making it her 5th WSA title in 7 final appearances.

Final:
[2] Joey Chan (HKG) bt [1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 11-7, 4-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9 (51m)

Semi-finals:
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [Q] Ho Tze-Lok (HKG) 11-4, 11-3, 11-5 (21m)
[2] Joey Chan (HKG) bt [5] Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) 11-4, 11-5, 11-9 (26m)

Quarter-finals:
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [6] Joshna Chinappa (IND) 11-7, 6-11, 11-3, 11-5 (35m)
[Q] Ho Tze-Lok (HKG) bt [7] Olga Ertlova (CZE) 9-11, 9-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-8 (68m)
[5] Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) bt [4] Misaki Kobayashi (JPN) 4-11, 8-11, 11-8, 14-12, 11-6 (65m)
[2] Joey Chan (HKG) bt Coline Aumard (FRA) 11-6, 12-10, 11-6 (24m)

1st round:
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [Q] Tong Tsz-Wing (HKG) 11-4, 11-7, 9-11, 11-3 (37m)
[6] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt Karman Siu (HKG) 11-9, 11-6, 11-3 (21m)
[Q] Ho Tze-Lok (HKG) bt [3] Siyoli Waters (RSA) 11-5, 9-11, 11-9, 11-6 (39m)
[7] Olga Ertlova (CZE) bt Carmen Lee (HKG) 11-3, 11-7, 11-6 (39m)
[5] Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) bt [Q] Harshit Kaur Jawanda (IND) 11-3, 11-3, 11-7 (19m)
[4] Misaki Kobayashi (JPN) bt Sarah Cardwell (AUS) 11-8, 11-6, 11-5 (23m)
Coline Aumard (FRA) bt [8] Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) 11-8, 11-9, 11-9 (39m)
[2] Joey Chan (HKG) bt [Q] Pansy Chan Pui-Hei (HKG) 11-5, 7-11, 11-1, 11-2 (24m)