Tom Richards (le) pulled off his 2nd successive upset in the Open de Squash in Canada to win the biggest title of his career in Montreal.
In his maiden meeting with former world champion and world No1 Thierry Lincou (ri), the No2 seed, 4th seed Richards beat the distinguished 35-year-old Frenchman 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-5 to lift his 4th Tour title.
The 25-year-old Englishman reached his biggest ever final after ousting favourite Hisham Ashour, the defending champion from Egypt, in the semi-finals 11-8, 12-10, 10-12, 14-12.
Thierry Lincou made the final by beating Frensch fellow Mathieu Castagnet in straight games (11-9, 13-11, 11-6).
Richards was understandably delighted with his triumph: "Winner winner chicken dinner!" exclaimed the champion via Twitter shortly afterwards. "Scraped a 3/2 win in, absolute pleasure playing the legend that is Thierry!"
Final:
[4] Tom Richards (ENG) bt [2] Thierry Lincou (FRA) 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-5
Semi-finals:
[4] Tom Richards (ENG) bt [1] Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) 11-8, 12-10, 10-12, 14-12
[2] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 11-9, 13-11, 11-6
Quarter-finals:
[1] Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) bt [Q] Steven Finitsis (AUS) 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 13-11
[4] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Martin Knight (NZL) 11-3, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7
Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt [3] Cameron Pilley (AUS) 8-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6
[2] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt Alan Clyne (SCO) 5-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-5
1st round:
[1] Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) bt Jonathan Kemp (ENG) 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-3
[Q] Steven Finitsis (AUS) bt Jan Koukal (CZE) 11-7, 11-8, 11-7
Martin Knight (NZL) bt [Q] Andrew Schnell (CAN) 11-6, 11-8, 11-4
[4] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Shawn Delierre (CAN) 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 11-3
[3] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt Julian Illingworth (USA) 9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 12-10
Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt [Q] Raphael Kandra (GER) 11-5, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5
Alan Clyne (SCO) bt [Q] Cesar Salazar (MEX) 11-5, 3-11, 11-7, 11-6
[2] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt Mohammed Abbas (EGY) 11-5, 11-6, 14-12
Qualifying finals:
Raphael Kandra (GER) bt Arturo Salazar (MEX) 4-0 ret.
Steven Finitsis (AUS) bt Christopher Gordon (USA) 11-2, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11
Andrew Schnell (CAN) bt Eric Galvez (MEX) 13-11, 8-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7
Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt Dane Sharp (CAN) 11-4, 12-10, 3-0 ret.
1st qualifying round:
Arturo Salazar (MEX) bt David Phillips (CAN) 11-7, 11-13, 6-11, 11-7, 11-1
Raphael Kandra (GER) bt Fred Reid (CAN) 6-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-5
Steven Finitsis (AUS) bt David Baillargeon (CAN) 11-7, 11-3, 11-3
Christopher Gordon (USA) bt Eric Dingle (CAN) 11-4, 11-3, 11-5
Eric Galvez (MEX) bt Adrian Dudzicki (CAN) 11-6, 4-0 ret.
Andrew Schnell (CAN) bt Maxym Leclair (CAN) 11-1, 11-8, 11-4
Dane Sharp (CAN) bt Graham Bassett (USA) 11-5, 11-5, 11-3
Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt Anthony Graham (ENG) 8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 12-14, 11-3
Category: "players"
Richards claims his best Tour win in Montreal!
March 25, 2012 • Tags: Canada, Montreal, Open de Squash, PSA, Thierry Lincou, Tom Richards • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
Matthew takes Canary hat-trick!
March 24, 2012 • Tags: Canary Wharf Classic, England, James Willstrop, London, Nick Matthew, PSA • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
In the final of the Canary Wharf Classic at the East Wintergarden at London’s Docklands World No1 James Willstrop (re) met World Open Champion Nick Matthew (li).
It was their 42nd meeting with a 32:9 victory advantage for Matthew.
After 78 minutes Matthew had the upper hand in a very tough 3 games encounter (11-7, 11-8, 11-9) to take his 3rd consecutive Canary title and his 20th victory over Willstrop in a row.
The next match of the two Englishman is only one week away, when both lead their German league teams (Worms and Paderborn) into the final.
It was their 42nd meeting with a 32:9 victory advantage for Matthew.
After 78 minutes Matthew had the upper hand in a very tough 3 games encounter (11-7, 11-8, 11-9) to take his 3rd consecutive Canary title and his 20th victory over Willstrop in a row.
The next match of the two Englishman is only one week away, when both lead their German league teams (Worms and Paderborn) into the final.
Willstrop controlled Shorbagy to get to the final!
March 23, 2012 • Tags: Canary Wharf Classic, England, James Willstrop, London, Mohamed El Shorbagy, PSA • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
James Willstrop (front) withstood a ferocious onslaught from hard-hitting Egyptian Mohamed El Shorbagy (back) before winning in 4 games 11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5 in 61 minutes to reach his 5th Canary Wharf final since 2004. Willstrop now meets his English rival Nick Matthew who won the last 19 encounters in a row.
Matthew survives Barker’s storm!
March 23, 2012 • Tags: Canary Wharf Classic, England, London, Nick Matthew, Peter Barker, PSA • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
World Open Champion and Canary Wharf titleholder Nick Matthew (le) won the longest match of the tournament so far. After 94 minutes the World No3 was able to wear down English compatriot Peter Barker (ri) who gave Matthew a very hard time 4 games long. With the 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 9-11, 11-3 victory Matthew makes his 3rd Canary Wharf final in a row.
Willstrop survived, Matthew being tested!
March 22, 2012 • Tags: Canary Wharf Classic, England, James Willstrop, London, Mohamed El Shorbagy, Nick Matthew, Peter Barker, PSA • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
Two out of the four quarter-final matches at the Canary Wharf Classic came out as really tough battles. The other 2 produced a more or less safe victory of the favourites, as 3rd seed Peter Barker from England beat Germany’s Simon Rosner 11-7, 11-6, 11-5 and Egyptian Mohamed El Shorbagy overcame Englishman Adrian Grant 11-4, 11-6, 11-6.
It was the 2nd match of the night, where titleholder Nick Matthew (le) had to stay strong as English compatriot Daryl Selby (ri9 tried everything in the book to dethrone the reigning champion. But Matthew never loses patience to take the 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 victory in 65 Minutes.
It was James Willstrop’s 2nd 5-setter within 24 hours as the Englishman had to go the fully distance before beating Egyptian Tarek Momen. 6-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3, 11-9 to secure his semi-final place.
Semi-final line-up (head-to-heads):
[1] Nick Matthew (ENG) v [3] Peter Barker (ENG) (18:1)
[2] James Willstrop (ENG) v [4] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) (4:1)
It was the 2nd match of the night, where titleholder Nick Matthew (le) had to stay strong as English compatriot Daryl Selby (ri9 tried everything in the book to dethrone the reigning champion. But Matthew never loses patience to take the 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 victory in 65 Minutes.
It was James Willstrop’s 2nd 5-setter within 24 hours as the Englishman had to go the fully distance before beating Egyptian Tarek Momen. 6-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3, 11-9 to secure his semi-final place.
Semi-final line-up (head-to-heads):
[1] Nick Matthew (ENG) v [3] Peter Barker (ENG) (18:1)
[2] James Willstrop (ENG) v [4] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) (4:1)
Golan takes Manitoba title!
March 19, 2012 • Tags: Borja Golan, Canada, Laurens Jan Anjema, Manitoba Open, PSA, Winnipeg • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
Fourth seeded Spaniard Borja Golan took one of his best ever victories as he overcame top seed Laurens Jan Anjema in straight games (11-4, 11-5, 11-1) in the final of the Manitoba Open in Winnipeg, Canada.
The Dutch world No9 who was the 2010 champion could never keep up with Golan as the world No 21 took the 1st PSA title in 2012 and the 26th of his career.
“This was a very good match for me and a very good win”, said Golan.
Final:
[4] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 11-4, 11-5, 11-1 (42m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt [3] Tom Richards (ENG) 11-5, 11-6, 11-5 (52m)
[4] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [2] Cameron Pilley (AUS) 11-3, 11-8, 11-6 (50m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt [Q] Raphael Kandra (GER) 11-2, 11-7, 11-8 (40m)
[3] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Alan Clyne (SCO) 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 (35m)
[4] Borja Golan (ESP) bt Jonathan Kemp (ENG) 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 (42m)
[2] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [Q] Shawn Delierre (CAN) 11-6, 9-11, 14-12, 11-5 (75m)
1st round:
[1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 11-5, 11-7, 3-11, 11-7 (75m)
[Q] Raphael Kandra (GER) bt Martin Knight (NZL) 3/2 (85m)
Alan Clyne (SCO) bt [Q] Anthony Graham (ENG) 9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5 (35m)
[3] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Jan Koukal (CZE) 3/2 (35m)
[4] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [Q] Steven Finitsis (AUS) 12-10, 11-1, 4-11, 11-6 (60m)
Jonathan Kemp (ENG) bt Thomas Brinkman (CAN) 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 (42m)
[Q] Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt Andrew Schnell (CAN) 11-8, 11-5, 11-8 (60m)
[2] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt Mohammed Abbas (EGY) 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 (75m)
The Dutch world No9 who was the 2010 champion could never keep up with Golan as the world No 21 took the 1st PSA title in 2012 and the 26th of his career.
“This was a very good match for me and a very good win”, said Golan.
Final:
[4] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 11-4, 11-5, 11-1 (42m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt [3] Tom Richards (ENG) 11-5, 11-6, 11-5 (52m)
[4] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [2] Cameron Pilley (AUS) 11-3, 11-8, 11-6 (50m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt [Q] Raphael Kandra (GER) 11-2, 11-7, 11-8 (40m)
[3] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Alan Clyne (SCO) 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 (35m)
[4] Borja Golan (ESP) bt Jonathan Kemp (ENG) 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 (42m)
[2] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [Q] Shawn Delierre (CAN) 11-6, 9-11, 14-12, 11-5 (75m)
1st round:
[1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 11-5, 11-7, 3-11, 11-7 (75m)
[Q] Raphael Kandra (GER) bt Martin Knight (NZL) 3/2 (85m)
Alan Clyne (SCO) bt [Q] Anthony Graham (ENG) 9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5 (35m)
[3] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Jan Koukal (CZE) 3/2 (35m)
[4] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [Q] Steven Finitsis (AUS) 12-10, 11-1, 4-11, 11-6 (60m)
Jonathan Kemp (ENG) bt Thomas Brinkman (CAN) 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 (42m)
[Q] Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt Andrew Schnell (CAN) 11-8, 11-5, 11-8 (60m)
[2] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt Mohammed Abbas (EGY) 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 (75m)
Hong Kong birthday victory for Omar Mosaad!
March 17, 2012 • Tags: Hong Kong, Meco Invitational, Olli Tuominen, Omar Mosaad, PSA • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
Egyptian top seed Omar Mosaad took the opportunity to secure a nice birthday present as he beat 2nd seed Olli Tuominen 3-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-4 in 55 minutes to claim the title in the inaugural Meco Invitational in Hong Kong.
The victory of the world No13 marks the 24-year-old 1st PSA Tour title in 2012 and the 7th in his entire career.
Final:
[1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt [2] Olli Tuominen (FIN) 3-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-4 (55m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt [Q] Leo Au (HKG) 8-11, 11-1, 11-3, 11-4 (38m)
[2] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) 11-5, 13-11, 11-7 (46m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 11-5 (58m)
[Q] Leo Au (HKG) bt Amr Khaled Khalifa (EGY) 12-10, 11-7, 11-8 (50m)
Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) bt [4] Max Lee (HKG) 2-11, 11-9, 15-13, 5-11, 11-9 (76m)
[2] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt Siddharth Suchde (IND) 11-5, 6-11, 11-3, 11-8 (67m)
1st round:
[1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Andrew Wagih Shoukry (EGY) 11-4, 11-5, 11-13, 13-11 (67m)
Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt [Q] Zahed Mohamed (EGY) 11-9, 11-3, 11-9 (50m)
Amr Khaled Khalifa (EGY) bt [Q] Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND) 11-5, 11-8, 11-6 (43m)
[Q] Leo Au (HKG) bt [3] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) 11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-9 (70m)
[4] Max Lee (HKG) bt Dick Lau (HKG) 11-4, 11-4, 11-2 (25m)
Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) bt [Q] Shaun le Roux (RSA) 11-9, 5-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9 (83m)
Siddharth Suchde (IND) bt Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 11-7, 11-3, 11-4 (38m)
[2] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt Matthew Karwalski (AUS) 11-6, 13-11, 11-7 (35m)
The victory of the world No13 marks the 24-year-old 1st PSA Tour title in 2012 and the 7th in his entire career.
Final:
[1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt [2] Olli Tuominen (FIN) 3-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-4 (55m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt [Q] Leo Au (HKG) 8-11, 11-1, 11-3, 11-4 (38m)
[2] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) 11-5, 13-11, 11-7 (46m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 11-5 (58m)
[Q] Leo Au (HKG) bt Amr Khaled Khalifa (EGY) 12-10, 11-7, 11-8 (50m)
Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) bt [4] Max Lee (HKG) 2-11, 11-9, 15-13, 5-11, 11-9 (76m)
[2] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt Siddharth Suchde (IND) 11-5, 6-11, 11-3, 11-8 (67m)
1st round:
[1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Andrew Wagih Shoukry (EGY) 11-4, 11-5, 11-13, 13-11 (67m)
Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt [Q] Zahed Mohamed (EGY) 11-9, 11-3, 11-9 (50m)
Amr Khaled Khalifa (EGY) bt [Q] Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND) 11-5, 11-8, 11-6 (43m)
[Q] Leo Au (HKG) bt [3] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) 11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-9 (70m)
[4] Max Lee (HKG) bt Dick Lau (HKG) 11-4, 11-4, 11-2 (25m)
Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) bt [Q] Shaun le Roux (RSA) 11-9, 5-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9 (83m)
Siddharth Suchde (IND) bt Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 11-7, 11-3, 11-4 (38m)
[2] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt Matthew Karwalski (AUS) 11-6, 13-11, 11-7 (35m)
Canary Wharf Classic 2010: Let situation?
March 17, 2012 • Tags: Canary Wharf Classic, David Palmer, Greg Gaultier, PSA • Categories: all posts, players, videos
Two days to go to start the 2012 Canary Wharf Classic. No let, let or stroke? In the 2010 Canary Wharf quarters David Palmer pushed Greg Gaultier ...
