Carol Weymuller Day One Report by Linda Elriani
photos Reynold Chan
October 17, 2018
Hi Everyone,
The 2018 Carol Weymuller Squash Tournament is now underway with the
first 8 matches of the new 24 draw format that PSA started this year.
The matches started at 5.30pm on our Heights Casino squash courts. We
have an amazing 10 countries being represented in our tournament with
players from literally all over the globe from as far as New Zealand
and South Africa.
We are streaming the whole event live onto the internet so it's
exciting for everyone to be able to see matches even if they are in
different countries or can't make to the matches.
Please also follow the Carol Weymuller on instagram, facebook and twitter #CW2018
To follow the streaming live please go….https://www.ustream.tv/combined-embed/23617386?videos=gallery&html5ui
The first matches started at 5.30pm and the match on the east court was
between from Milou van der Heijden the world # 36 from the
Netherlands and her opponent from Canada, Hollie Naughton, who is
currently world # 38. These two are incredibly close in ranking
so it would be interesting to see who came through victorious.
Hollis is left-handed and she used her strong forehand to put pressure
on Milou’s backhand winning several points deep on the backhand side.
Milou tried to vary and pace and get control of the T, but Hollie was
taking the ball too early and pinning Milou in the back. Hollie came
through in the relatively comfortable 3-0 after a close first
game….11-9, 11-5, 11-4.
When I asked a beaming Hollie how she felt after her match she said "I
feel good overall! I played well. I played her last week and lost 3-0!!
So I knew I had to play well and relax. Last week I was jittery and put
pressure on myself. Milou played really well last week, she’s a good
volleyer and taking it in on the volley nick. I felt I found my length
a bit better and pushed forward and volleyed. I’m excited to play
Olivia. I have played her a few times and lost the last couple but
managed to win the time before that. So I know that it’s possible if I
play well and stick to my plan.”
The second 5.30pm match on the west court was between world #49 South
African Alexandra Fuller and young Egyptian player Zeina Mickawy, who
is ranked #35 in the world.
Zeina controlled the first 2 games, not allowing Alexandra to get in
front, but in the 3rd Alexandra pushed hard, volleyed more and managed
to take it down to the wire, but eventually losing out 13-11. Zeina
went through to the second round winning 11-5, 11-4, 13-11. Her next
opponent is Tesni Evans world #12 from Wales.
Zeina said after her match “Actually it’s a long time since I played
her and last time it was a close 3-2, so I started very stressed,
because I knew the court was different and I was trying to manage my
game. She’s so experienced and has been on the tour longer than I have.
I’m so happy that I made it through in 3. I’m so excited to play Tesni
on Friday. Hopefully I will do my best and we’ll see what happens.”
The 6.15pm match on the east court was Amanda Landers-Murphy, world #
37 from New Zealand against England’s Julianne Courtice, who is the
world #46.
Julianne played a very precise and accurate game, really containing her
New Zealand opponent. Julianne took the first 2 games and was really
controlling the pace of the match. In the 3rd and 4th games Amanda came
out blazing, with much more pace and taking the ball way earlier,
forcing some errors from Julianne that were not there in the early part
of the match. This earned Amanda the 3rd game 11-9 and also pushed
Julianne in the 4th, but Julianne just managed to clinch it 11-9.
Julianne won 3-1…..11-4, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9.
A smiling and happy Julianne said to me when I asked how she felt
“Relieved!!! I’m just happy to finish it off. I’ve had so many times
getting close to these players and just not quite getting through. I
had a good lead in the 3rd and she just knuckled down and played hard.
It will be my first time playing Salma and 1st time getting though to
play these top players. So I’m ready to give it my all!!”
The second 6.15pm match on the west court was between Egyptian Rowan
Elaraby who is world #27 and Canadian Nikki Todd who is ranked #49 in
the world.
Rowan dominated the first game, but the 3rd and 4th were very closely
contested. Nikki was way up in the second game, first 7-2 and then
10-8, but some unfortunate unforced errors from Nikki cost her that
game. We all know how different it is to be 1-1 or 2-0!!When Nikki
didn't keep the ball tight Rowan was able to put the ball away as she
has great touch, but there were still some great and challenging
rallies and Rowan came through in the end 3-1…..11-5, 13-11, 13-11.
Rowan said after her win “I’m very happy to be through my 1st match. I
was pressured in the 1st game and then I felt confident afterwards. I’m
really excited to play Alison. I hope that I can play better than
today. I’m looking forward to it.”
In the first 7.00pm match we had Belgium’s Nele Gilis who is world #33
playing against wild card Canadian Nicole Bunyan who is currently
ranked 63 in the world.
Nicole really pushed Nele in the first and third games, using her great
reach to cut of the ball and keep in front of Nele. In the second game
Nele completely dominated winning 11-1. Nele is incredibly athletic and
used her movement around the court so Nicole had to work hard for any
rallies that she won. Nele came through 3-0…..11-9, 11-1, 11-9.
When I spoke to Nele after her match she said “I didn’t feel like
myself on court today but Nicole played well. She had no pressure. I am
happy to get through in 3 as the 1st and the 3rd games could have gone
either way. I haven’t played SJ for a while. I’m looking forward to
seeing where I’m at. I will have to step up a gear for this match as I
won’t get away with any loose shots with her!!”
There was a very enthusiastic crowd at 7.00pm on the championship court
when home grown Haley Mendez, at her career high of world # 43, played
Egypt’s Hania El Hammamy who is only 18 years old but already ranked
world #19. Haley has grown up playing and learning squash at the
Heights Casino and so she seems very comfortable on her ‘home’ courts
and certainly got some incredible and much deserved support. Haley did
herself proud and managed to push Hania very hard and make her feel the
pressure of playing someone with a home advantage.
Haley came out the blocks taking the ball early and keeping the ball
tight and slotting the ball away on any openings. Haley kept the
pressure on constantly and managed to squeeze some mistakes out of
Hania taking the first game 12-10.
In the second game Haley managed to keep with Hania until 7-7 and then
with a couple of errors and 2 backhand kill winners from Hania, her
opponent managed to take the second 11-7.
In the third Haley didn’t manage to stick to her previous early, fast
pace and Hania had time to take the ball in short and leave Haley
defending. Hania took the fourth 11-5.
In the fourth Haley came out with the same purpose and drive that she
had in the first game and the points went back and forth all the way
through to 8-8. With a winning drop shot Hania and an out of court from
Haley, Hania came through 11-8 in the fourth game. . It was the
longest match of the evening and Haley should be very proud of her
performance tonight. All the Heights Casino members are very proud of
her and her fantastic accomplishments so far.
Hania said afterwards "It’s my first time to play against Haley. She’s
a good volleyer so I tried to stay away from her volley. She pushed me
to play some loose shots and I was a little stuck behind her, but I am
happy to be through. I have to play Nour tomorrow. Nour and I have
played so many times. We play at the same club, we train together and
we have the same coach!! I’m looking forward to it of course!!!”
I also spoke to Haley after and when I asked her how she felt
about her match she said “Good, it’s always super exciting to play here
in front of my home crowd and to play well here. I guess I can’t be
disappointed when I’m hanging in there and competing with a top 20
player. At the same time it didn’t feel out of reach so it’s
frustrating not to capitalize on the opportunities. My next tournament
is in Hong Kong in a month and it’s a luxury to have 4 weeks in the
middle of the season so I’ll take these next 3 weeks to work hard and
then taper the week before the Hong Kong Open. I like it there as Hong
Kong sort of reminds me of NYC, so I’m looking forward to it.”
The 7.45pm match on the west court was between Egyptian Mariam Metwally
who is world #22 and her opponent Tinne Gilis from Belgium who is
world #47 and Nele’s younger sister.
Mariam played aggressive and attacking squash to go 2-0 up, but in the
third Tinne dug in and managed to unhinge Mariam slightly and took the
third 12-10.
In the fourth Tinne played well and managed to get forward on the court
and dominate some points, but Mariam pushed hard and eventually
came through 11-8 to take her place in the second round tomorrow
against Joshna Chinappa the world #14 from India.
When I asked Mariam how she felt the match went, she said "I was
feeling good on court today, I was feeling fresh. I’m feeling in a good
mood so the 1st 2 games I played really well. In the 3rd I was 8-5 up
and then slipped a little bit and my shots started to be very loose. In
the 4th game I was really tough and then we started to become close
again and I had to wake myself up. This is my 3rd time to play Joshna
and last time I managed to win 3-0 so hopefully tomorrow I will play as
well as I did then. I’m really looking forward to it. This is one of my
favorite tournaments, I play well in NY!”
The 7.45pm match on the east court was between American and world
#18 Amanda Sobhy against Danielle Letourneau who is world # 41 from
Canada.
Amanda played a great and clinical match this evening and even though
Danielle gave 100% effort and played some lovely squash, Amanda was
just too good. She made barely any mistakes and was so focused and
relentless. Amanda won 3-0……11-6, 11-2, 11-5.
When I asked Amanda how she felt, she said straight away "Not bad,
considering this is my 3rd tournament in a row! I had world teams in
China, Netsuite in San Fran and the US Open in Philly.
Other girls have done the same, but with me spending all last year out
(injured) mentally it’s a bit of an adjustment for me. I was happy with
how I was moving and just mentally focused the whole time. I’m all
about conserving energy! I just played Lusty at the US Open and I won
in a close 4 games and that was on a glass court. It will be very
different on this court, more bouncy and non glass! I’m looking forward
to it.”
It was a truly fantastic evening of squash to start off the 2018
Weymuller. Congratulations to all the winners and we look forward to
the second tomorrow where the top 8 seeds start to play.
We have our Weymuller@Lunch luncheon at noon followed by the first
qualifying match at 1.30pm between Joshna Chinappa, world #14 from
India and Egyptian Mariam Metwally.
The rest of the second round matches run from 5.30pm in the evening. We
are looking forward to hearing Amanda Sobhy speak at our luncheon
tomorrow so our members can hear about her inspiring and successful
squash career and her amazing comeback from a terrible injury.
Good luck to all the players for their upcoming matches.
Tonight's results:
5.30pm Hollie Naughton (CAN) beat Milou van der Heijden (NED) (3-0) 11-9, 11-5, 11-4.
