In the qualifying finals of the Allam British Open Frenchman Mathieu Castagnet (le) had the longest match of the tournament so far, as he wore down Malaysian Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (ri) 11-13, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10 in an 112 minutes thrilling encounter.
Further qualifying results:
Alan Clyne (SCO) bt Siddharth Suchde (IND) 11-6, 11-5, 11-7 (38m)
Chris Simpson (ENG) bt Zac Alexander (AUS) 11-4, 11-7, 12-10 (56m)
Jonathan Kemp (ENG) bt Robbie Temple (ENG) 11-8, 11-7, 13-11 (43m)
Marwan El Shorbagy (EGY) bt Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 13-11, 11-4, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9
Max Lee (HKG) bt Amr Khaled Khalifa (EGY) 5-11, 11-8, 11-5, 13-11 (67m)
Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) bt Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW) 5-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7 (67m)
Gregoire Marche (Fra) bt Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 12-10, 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8 (100m)
Main draw placements: Alister Walker v Chris Simpson, Mohamed El Shorbagy v Mathieu Castagnet, Nick Matthew v Max Lee, Stephen Coppinger v Alan Clyne, Laurens Jan Anjema v Gregoire Marche, Peter Barker v Ryan Cuskelly, Saurav Ghosal v Marwan El Shorbagy, Miguel Angel Rodriguez v Jonathan Kemp
Category: "tournaments"
Allam British Open main draw complete!
May 14, 2012 • Tags: British Open, England, London, PSA • Categories: all posts, tournaments
Squash on BBC Breakfast!
May 12, 2012 • Tags: BBC, British Open, England, James Willstrop, Laura Massaro, London, Nick Matthew, PSA, WSA • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
It’s good to see that squash getting some air time on BBC Breakfast, with repeated showings of little pieces featuring James Willstrop (le) and Nick Matthew. Not only that, but both were live on BBC Radio 4, and James and Laura Massaro (ri) were additionally live on the BBC1 Breakfast this morning.
It’s a great exposure for squash, especially before the start of the Allam British Open at the O2 Arena in London – the squash community would love MORE squash on BBC …
It’s a great exposure for squash, especially before the start of the Allam British Open at the O2 Arena in London – the squash community would love MORE squash on BBC …
David goes for title No61 at the O2 Arena!
May 9, 2012 • Tags: British Open, England, London, Nicol David, Rachael Grinham, WSA • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
World No1 Nicol David (le) will be looking to add title number 61 to her WSA haul next week as she and the world’s top stars head to the Allam British Open Championships at the O2 Arena in London from the 15-20 May.
Malaysia’s 6-time World Open champion will have the chance to equal current British Open champion Rachael Grinham’s (ri) 4 titles.
Rachel Grinham is the third most successful player in British Open history, having won the title in 2003, 2004 and 2007 and most recently in 2009, after which the event suffered a two-year absence from both the WSA and PSA calendars.
However, both players have some work to do to catch the most successful British Open winners, Susan Devoy and Michelle Martin. Former New Zealand international Devoy won eight British Open events between 1984-92, and Martin won six titles in the mid-90’s.
Hoping to close the gap on these legends of the women’s game, David is looking forward to the challenge of competing in the rejuvenated tournament.
1st round – 15th May 2012
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v Qualifier
[11] Samantha Teran (MEX) v Qualifier
[6] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Emma Beddoes (ENG)
[12] Joelle King (NZL) v Qualifier
[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Qualifier
[9] Natalie Grinham (NED) v Qualifier
[8] Kasey Brown (AUS) v Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL)
[10] Camille Serme (FRA) v Sarah Kippax (ENG)
[13] Low Wee Wern (MAS) v Alison Waters (ENG)
[7] Annie Au (HKG) v Qualifier
[16] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v Joey Chan (HKG)
[4] Madeline Perry (IRL) v Qualifier
[14] Dipika Pallikal (IND) vOmneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
[5] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) v Amanda Sobhy (USA)
[15] Donna Urquhart (AUS) v Qualifier
[2] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v Delia Arnold (MAS)
Malaysia’s 6-time World Open champion will have the chance to equal current British Open champion Rachael Grinham’s (ri) 4 titles.
Rachel Grinham is the third most successful player in British Open history, having won the title in 2003, 2004 and 2007 and most recently in 2009, after which the event suffered a two-year absence from both the WSA and PSA calendars.
However, both players have some work to do to catch the most successful British Open winners, Susan Devoy and Michelle Martin. Former New Zealand international Devoy won eight British Open events between 1984-92, and Martin won six titles in the mid-90’s.
Hoping to close the gap on these legends of the women’s game, David is looking forward to the challenge of competing in the rejuvenated tournament.
1st round – 15th May 2012
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v Qualifier
[11] Samantha Teran (MEX) v Qualifier
[6] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Emma Beddoes (ENG)
[12] Joelle King (NZL) v Qualifier
[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Qualifier
[9] Natalie Grinham (NED) v Qualifier
[8] Kasey Brown (AUS) v Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL)
[10] Camille Serme (FRA) v Sarah Kippax (ENG)
[13] Low Wee Wern (MAS) v Alison Waters (ENG)
[7] Annie Au (HKG) v Qualifier
[16] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v Joey Chan (HKG)
[4] Madeline Perry (IRL) v Qualifier
[14] Dipika Pallikal (IND) vOmneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
[5] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) v Amanda Sobhy (USA)
[15] Donna Urquhart (AUS) v Qualifier
[2] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v Delia Arnold (MAS)
England successfully retained their European titles!
May 6, 2012 • Tags: ESF, European Team Championships, Germany, Nuernberg • Categories: all posts, teams, tournaments
England successfully retained their titles in the European Team Championships after a 3/0 men's victory over France and a 2/1 women's win over Ireland in in Nürnberg, Germany.
In the women's final Belfast's Madeline Perry, ranked 3 in the world, fought back from 2/1 down to beat world No2 Jenny Duncalf 13-11, 7-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-8. But Laura Massaro steered the England ship back on course by beating Aisling Blake 11-1, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, before Alison Waters clinched victory by defeating Laura Mylotte 11-2, 11-8, 11-2.
Top seeds England lined up against cross Channel rivals France in the men's final for the 12th time since 2000. Experienced 4th string Daryl Selby gave his team the best start with an 11-3, 11-13, 11-9, 11-9 win over Frenchman Gregoire Marche.
In the 2nd match James Willstrop beat world No3 Greg Gaultier 11-3, 8-11, 11-6, 11-1 to give England a 2/0 lead and Peter Barker then clinched the title after a 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 win over Mathieu Castagnet.
The victory marks England's 20th success in a row - and the 37th in total since the inaugural championships in 1976.
In the women's final Belfast's Madeline Perry, ranked 3 in the world, fought back from 2/1 down to beat world No2 Jenny Duncalf 13-11, 7-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-8. But Laura Massaro steered the England ship back on course by beating Aisling Blake 11-1, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, before Alison Waters clinched victory by defeating Laura Mylotte 11-2, 11-8, 11-2.
Top seeds England lined up against cross Channel rivals France in the men's final for the 12th time since 2000. Experienced 4th string Daryl Selby gave his team the best start with an 11-3, 11-13, 11-9, 11-9 win over Frenchman Gregoire Marche.
In the 2nd match James Willstrop beat world No3 Greg Gaultier 11-3, 8-11, 11-6, 11-1 to give England a 2/0 lead and Peter Barker then clinched the title after a 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 win over Mathieu Castagnet.
The victory marks England's 20th success in a row - and the 37th in total since the inaugural championships in 1976.
England on course for European double!
May 5, 2012 • Tags: ESF, European Team Championships, Germany, Nuernberg • Categories: all posts, teams, tournaments
England will contest both the men's and women's finals of the European Team Squash Championships after decisive victories in the semi-finals in Nürnberg, Germany.
For the 12th time since 1999, favourites England will face France in the men's final. Title-holders England despatched Scotland, the sixth seeds, 4/0 - and later 2nd seeds France beat No6 seeds Germany 4/0.
England's women brushed aside hosts Germany 3/0 and will now face Ireland in the final. With their semi-final against 4th seeds France tied at one-all, Ireland's second string Aisling Blake staged a courageous comeback to beat Coline Aumard 11-4, 6-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-5 to put Ireland into the final for the first time since 1989.
Men semi-finals:
[1] ENGLAND bt [6] SCOTLAND 4/0
Daryl Selby bt Chris Small 11-5, 11-2, 11-3
Nick Matthew bt Alan Clyne 11-5, 11-7, 11-4
Peter Barker bt Greg Lobban 11-4, 11-5, 11-1
Tom Richards bt Stuart Crawford 11-2, 11-8
[2] FRANCE bt [5] GERMANY 4/0
Mathieu Castagnet bt Andre Haschker 11-8, 11-3, 11-1
Gregory Gaultier bt Simon Rosner 11-4, 11-2, 8-11, 15-13
Thierry Lincou bt Raphael Kandra 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 11-2
Gregoire Marche bt Rudi Rohrmuller 11-3, 11-6
Women's semi-finals:
[1] ENGLAND bt [6] GERMANY 3/0
Jenny Duncalf bt Pamela Hathway 11-3, 11-4, 11-5
Alison Waters bt Franziska Hennes 11-1, 11-1, 11-7
Laura Massaro bt Eva Brauckmann 11-2, 11-1
[3] IRELAND bt [4] FRANCE 2/1
Madeline Perry bt Camille Serme 12-10, 12-10, 11-5
Laura Mylotte lost to Maud Duplomb 8-11, 8-11, 8-11
Aisling Blake bt Coline Aumard 11-4, 6-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-5
For the 12th time since 1999, favourites England will face France in the men's final. Title-holders England despatched Scotland, the sixth seeds, 4/0 - and later 2nd seeds France beat No6 seeds Germany 4/0.
England's women brushed aside hosts Germany 3/0 and will now face Ireland in the final. With their semi-final against 4th seeds France tied at one-all, Ireland's second string Aisling Blake staged a courageous comeback to beat Coline Aumard 11-4, 6-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-5 to put Ireland into the final for the first time since 1989.
Men semi-finals:
[1] ENGLAND bt [6] SCOTLAND 4/0
Daryl Selby bt Chris Small 11-5, 11-2, 11-3
Nick Matthew bt Alan Clyne 11-5, 11-7, 11-4
Peter Barker bt Greg Lobban 11-4, 11-5, 11-1
Tom Richards bt Stuart Crawford 11-2, 11-8
[2] FRANCE bt [5] GERMANY 4/0
Mathieu Castagnet bt Andre Haschker 11-8, 11-3, 11-1
Gregory Gaultier bt Simon Rosner 11-4, 11-2, 8-11, 15-13
Thierry Lincou bt Raphael Kandra 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 11-2
Gregoire Marche bt Rudi Rohrmuller 11-3, 11-6
Women's semi-finals:
[1] ENGLAND bt [6] GERMANY 3/0
Jenny Duncalf bt Pamela Hathway 11-3, 11-4, 11-5
Alison Waters bt Franziska Hennes 11-1, 11-1, 11-7
Laura Massaro bt Eva Brauckmann 11-2, 11-1
[3] IRELAND bt [4] FRANCE 2/1
Madeline Perry bt Camille Serme 12-10, 12-10, 11-5
Laura Mylotte lost to Maud Duplomb 8-11, 8-11, 8-11
Aisling Blake bt Coline Aumard 11-4, 6-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-5
Hosts Germany celebrate twin semi-final berths in European Championships!
May 4, 2012 • Tags: ESF, European Team Championships, Germany, Nuernberg • Categories: all posts, teams, tournaments
Hosts Germany fully exploited home advantage in the European Team Championships by securing unexpected semi-final berths in both the men's and women's events of the 40th staging of the European Squash Federation event in Nürnberg.
Despite losing 4/0 to men's favourites and defending men’s champions England, 5th seeds Germany cemented their position as runners-up in Pool A by defeating 8th seeds Denmark 3/1. The hosts, certain to achieve their best finish since 2008, will now meet France for a place in the final. The 2nd seeds, runners-up for the past 4 years, beat Scotland 4/0 and Italy 3/1 to finish as expected Pool B winners.
But Scotland went on to beat Finland 3/1 to finish in 2nd place - putting the 6th seeds through to an unpredicted semi-final, where they will face England.
6th seeds in the women's event, Germany scored one of the best results of the day by beating 2nd seeds Netherlands 2/1. The Dutch side took the lead through Natalie Grinham, but Jennifer Hathway struck back to draw level, then Franziska Hennes produced the performance of her life to fight back from 2/0 to beat Milja Dorenbos 6-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 to clinch a crucial victory for the hosts.
Germany went on to defeat Switzerland 2/1 to finish in second place in Pool B - and will now meet title-holders England in the semi-finals.
Men's semi-final line-up:
[1] ENGLAND v [6] SCOTLAND
[2] FRANCE v [5] GERMANY
5th - 8th place play-offs:
[8] DENMARK v [7] FINLAND
[3] ITALY v [4] NETHERLANDS
Women's semi-final line-up:
[1] ENGLAND v [6] GERMANY
[3] IRELAND v [4] FRANCE
5th - 8th place play-offs:
[8] WALES v [7] SWITZERLAND
[2] NETHERLANDS v [5] SCOTLAND Results at the official ETC-site.
Despite losing 4/0 to men's favourites and defending men’s champions England, 5th seeds Germany cemented their position as runners-up in Pool A by defeating 8th seeds Denmark 3/1. The hosts, certain to achieve their best finish since 2008, will now meet France for a place in the final. The 2nd seeds, runners-up for the past 4 years, beat Scotland 4/0 and Italy 3/1 to finish as expected Pool B winners.
But Scotland went on to beat Finland 3/1 to finish in 2nd place - putting the 6th seeds through to an unpredicted semi-final, where they will face England.
6th seeds in the women's event, Germany scored one of the best results of the day by beating 2nd seeds Netherlands 2/1. The Dutch side took the lead through Natalie Grinham, but Jennifer Hathway struck back to draw level, then Franziska Hennes produced the performance of her life to fight back from 2/0 to beat Milja Dorenbos 6-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 to clinch a crucial victory for the hosts.
Germany went on to defeat Switzerland 2/1 to finish in second place in Pool B - and will now meet title-holders England in the semi-finals.
Men's semi-final line-up:
[1] ENGLAND v [6] SCOTLAND
[2] FRANCE v [5] GERMANY
5th - 8th place play-offs:
[8] DENMARK v [7] FINLAND
[3] ITALY v [4] NETHERLANDS
Women's semi-final line-up:
[1] ENGLAND v [6] GERMANY
[3] IRELAND v [4] FRANCE
5th - 8th place play-offs:
[8] WALES v [7] SWITZERLAND
[2] NETHERLANDS v [5] SCOTLAND Results at the official ETC-site.
England and Netherlands on course!
May 3, 2012 • Tags: ESF, European Team Championships, Germany, Nuernberg • 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.
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: ESF, European Team Championships, Germany, Nuernberg • 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.
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.
