As World Open Champion Nick Matthew will be live in BBC1 at 10.35 UK time today, it was a 2nd successive Berkshire Open runner-up finish for Tom Richards (ri) as top seed Alister Walker (le) romped to a straight games victory over the Englishman in the final in Williamstown, USA.
Walker, the world No18 from Botswana who survived 131 minutes a 5-game semi-final battle against 3rd seed Borja Golan was in surprisingly fresh form as he despatched his former compatriot Richards 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 in 44 minutes.
The triumph marks the 6th title of Walker's career - but the 3rd since the 29-year-old former Englishman switched his allegiance to Botswana, his country of birth, last June.
"After last night's brutal match with Borja, my body was really struggling and I didn't expect much in the final - which probably worked in my favour because I was very relaxed against Tom in the final," said Walker post-match.
"For me it is a real privilege to get Botswana its third PSA title - and I am hoping the results will help in our association's attempts to re-energise the sport at home. In turn hopefully we can send a national team to the World Team Championships in France next year."
Final:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [2] Tom Richards (ENG) 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (44m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [3] Borja Golan (ESP) 12-10, 4-11, 7-11, 12-10, 12-10 (131m)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Julian Illingworth (USA) 8-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-5 (55m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [Q] Olivier Pett (ENG) 12-10, 11-8, 11-6 (38m)
[3] Borja Golan (ESP) bt Shawn Delierre (CAN) 11-1, 11-4, 11-6 (27m)
Julian Illingworth (USA) bt Yasir Butt (PAK) 2-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 (41m)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 (40m)
1st round:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt Chris Simpson (ENG) 13-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5 (74m)
[Q] Olivier Pett (ENG) bt Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 (50m)
Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt [Q] Scott Arnold (AUS) 11-6, 11-6, 11-13, 11-9 (82m)
[3] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [Q] Charles Sharpes (ENG) 11-5, 11-1, 11-4 (27m)
Julian Illingworth (USA) bt [4] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 8-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-6 (70m)
Yasir Butt (PAK) bt Arturo Salazar (MEX) 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 11-9 (56m)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [Q] Christopher Gordon (USA) 11-7, 12-10, 11-7 (44m)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Siddharth Suchde (IND) 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10 (65m)
Category: "tournaments"
Walker beat Richards to take Berkshire Open title!
April 16, 2012 • Tags: Alister Walker, Berkshire Open, PSA, Tom Richards, USA, Williamstown • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
Ramy El Gouna Champion as Willstrop concede!
April 13, 2012 • Tags: Egypt, El Gouna, El Gouna International Open, James Willstrop, PSA, Ramy Ashour • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
Everythings seems to be fine with World No1 James Willstrop in the 1st game as the Englishman managed to control and lead most of it, but Ramy Ashour (pi) injects pace at the end to take the game on extra points.
Ramy’s comeback had different effects on the players. As Ashour was on fire and dominated the 2nd game at his discretion, Willstrop started to complain about the court conditions. Ashour did not take any notice and doubled his advantage before an appreciative crowd.
During the break between game 2 and 3 Willstrop was in intense discussions with PSA CEO Alex Gough. Whatever had been discussed, Willstrop did not look as he seems to be very happy but came back on court for the 3rd game. The Egyptian did not mess around and lead the 3rd game 5-2 as Willstrop conceded the match due to the floor conditions (12-10, 11-5, 5-2 rtd).
Check out the El Gouna International gallery.
Ramy’s comeback had different effects on the players. As Ashour was on fire and dominated the 2nd game at his discretion, Willstrop started to complain about the court conditions. Ashour did not take any notice and doubled his advantage before an appreciative crowd.
During the break between game 2 and 3 Willstrop was in intense discussions with PSA CEO Alex Gough. Whatever had been discussed, Willstrop did not look as he seems to be very happy but came back on court for the 3rd game. The Egyptian did not mess around and lead the 3rd game 5-2 as Willstrop conceded the match due to the floor conditions (12-10, 11-5, 5-2 rtd).
Check out the El Gouna International gallery.
El Gouna conditions cause disruption at the semis!
April 13, 2012 • Tags: Egypt, El Gouna, El Gouna International Open, James Willstrop, PSA, Ramy Ashour • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
It was an unfortunate start to the El Gouna International semi-finals when the 1st semi-final was suspended in the 2nd game due to the players slipped on the floor of the glass court, as the wind at the Abu Tig Marina was loaded with sand too. James Willstrop had taken that game, which the players decided to continue on the traditional court inside the Movenpick hotel – where Willstrop quickly finished the match off in straight games (11-7, 11-5, 11-2).
Meanwhile after extensive court cleaning and testing of the floor by the players, the 2nd semi-final started on the ASB glass court, where Ramy Ashour (le) and Englishman Nick Matthew (ri) did not have any of the problems the 1st semi-final contenders had. Ashour reached his 2nd El Gouna final, winning a fast-paced and enthralling 4-game encounter 11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 to set up another Egypt v England clash in tomorrow’s final.
Meanwhile after extensive court cleaning and testing of the floor by the players, the 2nd semi-final started on the ASB glass court, where Ramy Ashour (le) and Englishman Nick Matthew (ri) did not have any of the problems the 1st semi-final contenders had. Ashour reached his 2nd El Gouna final, winning a fast-paced and enthralling 4-game encounter 11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 to set up another Egypt v England clash in tomorrow’s final.
Willstrop and Ashour followed to El Gouna semis!
April 12, 2012 • Tags: Egypt, El Gouna, El Gouna International Open, James Willstrop, PSA, Ramy Ashour • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
World No1 James Willstrop faced an early onslaught from Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema, who was delighted as he took the 28-minute 1st game 11-9. Willstrop quickly regrouped himself and started dominating the game to take the 9-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5 victory after 69 minutes.
In the last quarter-final of the day Ramy Ashour (ri) delighted his home crowd at the Abu Tig marina with a marvelous attacking display against 2nd seed Greg Gaultier (le). To be fair, the Frenchman was equally impressive for most of the match, but Ashour found the necessary extra when it was needed to win 11-5, 12-10, 11-8.
The set-up of the semi-finals at El Gouna will be Egypt v England, Willstrop v Darwish and Matthew v Ashour.
In the last quarter-final of the day Ramy Ashour (ri) delighted his home crowd at the Abu Tig marina with a marvelous attacking display against 2nd seed Greg Gaultier (le). To be fair, the Frenchman was equally impressive for most of the match, but Ashour found the necessary extra when it was needed to win 11-5, 12-10, 11-8.
The set-up of the semi-finals at El Gouna will be Egypt v England, Willstrop v Darwish and Matthew v Ashour.
Darwish and Matthew made the semis in El Gouna!
April 11, 2012 • Tags: Egypt, El Gouna, El Gouna International Open, Karim Darwish, Nick Matthew, PSA • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
Defending champion Karim Darwish was the 1st player to reach the semi-finals of the El Gouna International as Darwish played more conservative than fellow Egyptian Mohamed El Shorbagy. Darwish started to win the 1st as Shorbagy pulled back, but Darwish again stepped ahead and Shorbagy was able to level again. In the decider, it was the experienced Darwish who was moving 9-6 ahead as Shorbagy slipped in the back corner and took 3 minutes recovery time. But afterwards Darwish quickly finished (11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6) to reach the last 4.
In the 2nd quarter-final World Champion Nick Matthew faced Egyptian Hisham Ashour, whose magic style had delivered him a long-awaited win over Amr Shabana yesterday. The Englishman was a different proposition as he was controlling the game and limiting Ashour’s attacking opportunities. Even with a 10-6 lead in the 2nd Ashour missed his chances as Matthew pulled back to win on extra point and took the momentum to take the 11-6, 12-10, 11-7 victory.
In the 2nd quarter-final World Champion Nick Matthew faced Egyptian Hisham Ashour, whose magic style had delivered him a long-awaited win over Amr Shabana yesterday. The Englishman was a different proposition as he was controlling the game and limiting Ashour’s attacking opportunities. Even with a 10-6 lead in the 2nd Ashour missed his chances as Matthew pulled back to win on extra point and took the momentum to take the 11-6, 12-10, 11-7 victory.
No surprises on the Show Glass Court in El Gouna!
April 11, 2012 • Tags: Egypt, El Gouna, El Gouna International Open, Greg Gaultier, James Willstrop, Karim Darwish, Nick Matthew, PSA • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
Egyptian Ali Anwar Reda (le) gave home hopes a push as he took the opening game and had game balls at 10-8 in the 2nd against Nick Matthew (ri). But the English World champion survived the scary situation to take the game 14-12 and closed out the match 9-11, 14-12, 11-6, 11-6.
Defending champion Karim Darwish looked to be taken by surprise by Jonathan Kemp as the Englishman took the 1st game 11-7. But the Egyptian dominated the next 3 games in style 7-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-3.
Top seed James Willstrop saved 5 game balls in his 1st game as Saurav Ghosal played very well on the ASB all glass court. But Willstrop got the upper hand 14-12, 11-2, 11-7.
The final match saw 2nd seed Greg Gaultier 2 games ahead and had match balls at 10-4. Mermany’s Simon Rosner fought back to 10-all and took the tiebreak and pulled a game back. But Gaultier took the next 9 points in a row take a 11-6, 11-8, 12-14, 11-1 victory.
Defending champion Karim Darwish looked to be taken by surprise by Jonathan Kemp as the Englishman took the 1st game 11-7. But the Egyptian dominated the next 3 games in style 7-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-3.
Top seed James Willstrop saved 5 game balls in his 1st game as Saurav Ghosal played very well on the ASB all glass court. But Willstrop got the upper hand 14-12, 11-2, 11-7.
The final match saw 2nd seed Greg Gaultier 2 games ahead and had match balls at 10-4. Mermany’s Simon Rosner fought back to 10-all and took the tiebreak and pulled a game back. But Gaultier took the next 9 points in a row take a 11-6, 11-8, 12-14, 11-1 victory.
Three Egyptians through on traditional court session!
April 10, 2012 • Tags: Egypt, El Gouna, El Gouna International Open, Hisham Ashour, Laurens Jan Anjema, Mohamed El Shorbagy, PSA, Ramy Ashour • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
The 1st 4 matches of the 2nd round in the El Gouna International have been played on the traditional courts. 8th seeded Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema met speedy Egyptian Tarek Momen. Both shared the 1st 2 games but Anjema had more energy left to close out the match 11-7, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7.
The next match was featured by 21-year-old Mohamed El Shorbagy and 36-year-old Thierry Lincou. The Frenchman was 7-5 ahead in the decider as Shorbagy got back to take the 5-11, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8 victory.
In the all-Egyptian affair, it was the 1st time in 10 meetings that Hisham Ashour (ri) beat four-time world champion Amr Shabana (le) 13-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8. Hisham’s 1st reaction: “I feel like crying, man …”.
Ramy Ashour made it 3 for Egypt in the session as he beat England's Adrian Grant in 4 fast and furious games 11-4, 9-11, 11-5, 11-1.
The next match was featured by 21-year-old Mohamed El Shorbagy and 36-year-old Thierry Lincou. The Frenchman was 7-5 ahead in the decider as Shorbagy got back to take the 5-11, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8 victory.
In the all-Egyptian affair, it was the 1st time in 10 meetings that Hisham Ashour (ri) beat four-time world champion Amr Shabana (le) 13-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8. Hisham’s 1st reaction: “I feel like crying, man …”.
Ramy Ashour made it 3 for Egypt in the session as he beat England's Adrian Grant in 4 fast and furious games 11-4, 9-11, 11-5, 11-1.
Locals continue to flourish in El Gouna!
April 10, 2012 • Tags: Egypt, El Gouna, El Gouna International Open, PSA • Categories: all posts, tournaments
Local interest in the El Gouna International remains high as former world number ones Amr Shabana (ri) and Ramy Ashour led four Egyptians through the 2nd day of 1st round action in the in the Red Sea resort of El Gouna.
Fifth seed, four-time world champion Shabana beat young compatriot Karim Abdel Gawad (le) 11-4, 11-9, 11-9 to secure his place in the next round.
Shabana progresses to meet another fellow countryman after Hisham Ashour came back from a game down to beat French qualifier Mathieu Castagnet 9-11, 11-8, 14-12, 11-9.
Later in the day, Hisham's younger brother Ramy Ashour came through 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 against his fellow former world junior champion Amr Khaled Khalifa.
England's 2 times world champion Nick Matthew, seeded 3, moved smoothly through with a comfortable 11-5, 11-5, 11-3 win over Egyptian qualifier Andrew Wagih Shoukry.
Further 1st round (lower half of draw):
Mohd Ali Anwar Reda (EGY) bt [Q] Wael Farag (EGY) 11-5, 11-6, 11-5 (32m)
Adrian Grant (ENG) bt Omar Mosaad (EGY) 9-11, 11-3, 5-11, 11-1, 11-3 (61m)
Simon Rosner (GER) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 10-12, 11-6, 12-14, 11-9, 11-6 (87m)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Marwan El Shorbagy (EGY) 11-4, 11-9, 11-2 (33m)
Fifth seed, four-time world champion Shabana beat young compatriot Karim Abdel Gawad (le) 11-4, 11-9, 11-9 to secure his place in the next round.
Shabana progresses to meet another fellow countryman after Hisham Ashour came back from a game down to beat French qualifier Mathieu Castagnet 9-11, 11-8, 14-12, 11-9.
Later in the day, Hisham's younger brother Ramy Ashour came through 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 against his fellow former world junior champion Amr Khaled Khalifa.
England's 2 times world champion Nick Matthew, seeded 3, moved smoothly through with a comfortable 11-5, 11-5, 11-3 win over Egyptian qualifier Andrew Wagih Shoukry.
Further 1st round (lower half of draw):
Mohd Ali Anwar Reda (EGY) bt [Q] Wael Farag (EGY) 11-5, 11-6, 11-5 (32m)
Adrian Grant (ENG) bt Omar Mosaad (EGY) 9-11, 11-3, 5-11, 11-1, 11-3 (61m)
Simon Rosner (GER) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 10-12, 11-6, 12-14, 11-9, 11-6 (87m)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Marwan El Shorbagy (EGY) 11-4, 11-9, 11-2 (33m)
