Category: "tournaments"

Serme and Tuominen take European titles!

May 27, 2012 • Tags: Borja Golan, Camille Serme, ESF, European Individual Championships, Finland, Helsinki, Natalie Grinham, Olli Tuominen • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Upsets in both finals of the European Individual Championships in Finland led to Olli Tuominen (le) and Camille Serme winning the titles for the 1st time – local hero Tuominen delighting the crowd at the Talihalli in Helsinki by becoming the 1st Finn to put his name on the men's trophy and Serme by stopping Dutch favourite Natalie Grinham from claiming the women's crown for the 3rd time in 4 years.

Tuominen, the 33-year old world No23 from Helsinki, drove the home crowd wild by beating No2 seed Borja Golan (ri) of Spain 11-8, 11-9, 11-3 in the men's final.

The women's final was a replay of the 2011 climax – but this time Camille Serme reversed the result against the experienced Natalie Grinham, as the 23-year old of France came back strong from 1 game down to beat the 11-years-elder Dutch-women 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-9 to take her 1st title.

Men – Final:
[3/4] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt [2] Borja Golan (ESP) 11-8, 11-9, 11-3

Third place play-off:
[1] Simon Rosner (GER) bt [5/8] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 6-11, 11-7, 13-11, 11-7

Semi-finals:
[2] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [5/8] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 11-8, 11-9, 11-4
[3/4] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt [1] Simon Rosner (GER) 11-9, 6-11, 11-3, 11-4

Quarter-finals:
[2] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [5/8] Henrik Mustonen (FIN) 11-1, 11-5, 11-7
[5/8] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt [3/4] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 11-3, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4
[3/4] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt [5/8] Julien Balbo (FRA) 11-7, 11-9, 11-8
[1] Simon Rosner (GER) bt [5/8] Gregoire Marche (FRA) 8-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-4

Women – Final:
[2] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [1] Natalie Grinham (NED) 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-9

Third place play-off:
[3/4] Lucie Fialova (CZE) bt [3/4] Gaby Huber (SUI) 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 10-12, 11-7

Semi-finals:
[2] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [3/4] Gaby Huber (SUI) 11-4, 11-7, 11-6
[1] Natalie Grinham (NED) bt [3/4] Lucie Fialova (CZE) 11-7, 11-4, 11-6

Quarter-finals:
[2] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [9/16] Maud Duplomb (FRA) 11-2, 11-3, 11-1
[3/4] Gaby Huber (SUI) bt [5/8] Orla Noom (NED) 5-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-2
[3/4] Lucie Fialova (CZE) bt [9/16] Laura Pomportes (FRA) 11-4, 11-4, 11-7
[1] Natalie Grinham (NED) bt [5/8] Coline Aumard (FRA) 11-6, 11-4, 11-6

Chinappa takes Chennai Open title!

May 26, 2012 • Tags: Chennai, Chennai Open, India, Joshna Chinappa, Sarah-Jane Perry, WSA • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

World No 71 and 2nd seed Joshna Chinappa (le) of India claimed her 1st ever WSA title on home soil, when she came from 1 game down to beat 3rd seed English-women Sarah Jane Perry (ri) 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10 in the final of the Chennai Open. For former Indian number one, it was the 6th WSA title in her career.

Final:
[2] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt [3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10 (47m)

Semi-finals:
[3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Anaka Alankamony (IND) 8-11, 11-5, 6-11, 14-12, 11-6 (69m)
[2] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt [5] Salma Hany Ibrahim Ahmed (EGY) 13-11, 11-4, 11-8 (30m)

Quarter-finals:
Anaka Alankamony (IND) bt [1] Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) 4-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 (63m)
[3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt [8] Victoria Bell (ENG) 8-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-4 (38m)
[5] Salma Hany Ibrahim Ahmed (EGY) bt [4] Pushppa Devi (MAS) 7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-8 (37m)
[2] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt [6] Carrie Ramsey (ENG) 11-7, 11-8, 11-6

1st round:
[1] Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) bt [Q] Saai Meera (IND) 11-4, 11-1, 12-10
Anaka Alankamony (IND) bt [7] Zulhijjah Binti Azan (MAS) 9-11, 11-0, 11-5, 4-11, 11-8
[3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Jessica Turnbull (AUS) 11-4, 11-2, 11-6
[8] Victoria Bell (ENG) bt [Q] Lakshya Ragavendran (IND) 11-8, 11-3, 11-6
[5] Salma Hany Ibrahim Ahmed (EGY) bt [Q] Mariam Ibrahim Metwally (EGY) 11-6, 6-11, 14-12, 10-12, 11-5
[4] Pushppa Devi (MAS) bt Harshit Kaur Jawanda (IND) 11-8, 12-10, 12-10
[6] Carrie Ramsey (ENG) bt [Q] Ashita Bhengra (IND) 11-5, 11-0, 11-2
[2] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt Nouran Ahmed Gohar (EGY) 11-8, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7

European Individuals suffering from absence of stars!

May 25, 2012 • Tags: Borja Golan, Camille Serme, ESF, European Individual Championships, Finland, Helsinki, Natalie Grinham, Olli Tuominen • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

After this year’s lack of stars as no European player out of the world’s top 18, Germany’s Simon Rosner was top seeded. But in the semi-finals pushed Finnish home hopes as Olli Tuominen (pic) beat Rosner 11-9, 6-11, 11-3, 11-4 to reach the final. His opponent will be the Spaniard Borja Golan who overcame Frenchman Mathieu Castagnet in straight games 11-8, 11-9, 11-4.

The women’s final is a repeat of last year. Titleholder Natalie Grinham (NED) will face French Camille Serme. Both eased into the final as they beat their opponents Gaby Huber (SUI) and Lucie Fialova (CZE) without any problems in straight games.

Allam British Open main draw complete!

May 14, 2012 • Tags: British Open, England, London, PSA • Categories: all posts, tournaments

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

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 …

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)

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.

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