$50K WSA Cleveland Classic Day 2 Report
by Joe Russell
February 1, 2013 - There was an excellent line up in today’s matches at Tub o’ Towel’s Cleveland Classic. The quality of play was extremely high for a final round of qualifying, but that is to be expected as all of the ladies fighting for the final four spots in the draw of 16 are ranked in the top #35 in the world.
Match 1- Rachel Grinham (AUS) def. Delia Arnold (MAS) 11-7, 12-10, 9-11, 11-2
Both players seemed a little nervous at the outset of the match. They both know how strong each one is at the front of the court, so the first part of the match was played mostly in the back corners. Grinham was able to start stronger and control the T throughout the match, but Arnold usually found a way to keep it close. Arnold needed to pick up her pace of play, but she could not knock Grinham off of her rhythm. Grinham took the first game 11-7. In the second game, Grinham took a 10-lead, but quickly lost it as Arnold tied it up to 10-10. Grinham bounced back to win 12-10 and it looked like it would only be a momentary lapse in focus for her. Arnold would not let Grinham build a large lead in the third and it looked like Arnold was not ready to give in. Arnold took the third 11-9. In the fourth, Grinham extended the points and did not give up her position on the T to win 11-2.
Match 3- Sarah Kippax (ENG) def. Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) 11-6, 11-9, 11-3
This was an exciting match. Both came out strong playing, playing fast-paced, hard-hitting squash. Kippax was clearly in control during the match and using her deft touch in the front court to her advantage. Fernandes, playing well was just a little bit over matched. The match was highly entertaining throughout, but the biggest turning point was when Fernandes took at 9-4 lead in the second game. Kippax was able to refocus and rally winning the next 7 points for an 11-9 game victory. Unfortunately for Fernandes, and even with all of the points being very competitive, Kippax was able to coast to an 11-3 victory in the final game.
Match 2 Joshana Chinappa (IND) def. Latasha Khan (USA) 11/7, 11/9, 14/16, 13/11
Game one showed good pace and length by both players but Chinappa attacked more and made less errors to secure the game. Same pattern in game 2 early and Chinappa raced off to a 7-3 lead. Khan stuck with her game, Chinappa made a few errors and it was 10-9. Chinappa hit a straight drop that clung to the wall and won the game. Game 3 saw Chinappa open up several leads but Khan kept fighting back. Down 7-9 she won 3 straight points to go up 10-9. Chinappa was able to tie at 10. Back and forth it went in overtime. Khan fought off several match points until she was able to win the game. Game 4 was an err0r fest early and the rallies were shorter. They settled down and once again began exchanging points. Several contentious points took us to 10-10. A nice drop by Chinappa took her again to match point but a fantastic winner by Khan saved her. At the next match point however, Khans crosscourt shot nipped the tin giving the match to Chinappa
Match 4 Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) def Emily Whitlock (ENG) 11/9, 11/4, 10/12, 11/7
This was highly entertaining. Game one Kawy came out firing as is her wont. It was 5-2 quickly. Whitlock gave her father an interesting look. Just as quickly several errors made it 5-5. Back and forth until a tremendous overhead kill by Kawy wins it. Game 2 more of the same. Once again quickly to 5-2 for Kawy. She had the wind in her sails and Whitlock was overwhelmed. Game 3 Whitlock was trying to find a strategy that worked. She combined great depth and height on her drives with tighter attacking shots but still went down 5-3. But then it turned. One nice point then a lucky bounce and several errors by Khan gave Whitlock a 7-5 lead. Khan regained her form and moved again 9-7. Whitlock hit 2 lovely backhand drop winners and it was 9-9. They exchanged to 10 all. At game point Whitlock hit another backhand drop to win the game. Game 4 Several interesting early points as Whitlock win in the third game seemed to have given her confidence in her strategy. Many challenging points lead to 6 all. Suddenly however 3 quick kills by Kawy gave her a 9-6 lead. She closed it out with another powerful forehead winner.
COMPLETE DRAW
by Joe Russell
February 1, 2013 - There was an excellent line up in today’s matches at Tub o’ Towel’s Cleveland Classic. The quality of play was extremely high for a final round of qualifying, but that is to be expected as all of the ladies fighting for the final four spots in the draw of 16 are ranked in the top #35 in the world.
Match 1- Rachel Grinham (AUS) def. Delia Arnold (MAS) 11-7, 12-10, 9-11, 11-2
Both players seemed a little nervous at the outset of the match. They both know how strong each one is at the front of the court, so the first part of the match was played mostly in the back corners. Grinham was able to start stronger and control the T throughout the match, but Arnold usually found a way to keep it close. Arnold needed to pick up her pace of play, but she could not knock Grinham off of her rhythm. Grinham took the first game 11-7. In the second game, Grinham took a 10-lead, but quickly lost it as Arnold tied it up to 10-10. Grinham bounced back to win 12-10 and it looked like it would only be a momentary lapse in focus for her. Arnold would not let Grinham build a large lead in the third and it looked like Arnold was not ready to give in. Arnold took the third 11-9. In the fourth, Grinham extended the points and did not give up her position on the T to win 11-2.
Match 3- Sarah Kippax (ENG) def. Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) 11-6, 11-9, 11-3
This was an exciting match. Both came out strong playing, playing fast-paced, hard-hitting squash. Kippax was clearly in control during the match and using her deft touch in the front court to her advantage. Fernandes, playing well was just a little bit over matched. The match was highly entertaining throughout, but the biggest turning point was when Fernandes took at 9-4 lead in the second game. Kippax was able to refocus and rally winning the next 7 points for an 11-9 game victory. Unfortunately for Fernandes, and even with all of the points being very competitive, Kippax was able to coast to an 11-3 victory in the final game.
Match 2 Joshana Chinappa (IND) def. Latasha Khan (USA) 11/7, 11/9, 14/16, 13/11
Game one showed good pace and length by both players but Chinappa attacked more and made less errors to secure the game. Same pattern in game 2 early and Chinappa raced off to a 7-3 lead. Khan stuck with her game, Chinappa made a few errors and it was 10-9. Chinappa hit a straight drop that clung to the wall and won the game. Game 3 saw Chinappa open up several leads but Khan kept fighting back. Down 7-9 she won 3 straight points to go up 10-9. Chinappa was able to tie at 10. Back and forth it went in overtime. Khan fought off several match points until she was able to win the game. Game 4 was an err0r fest early and the rallies were shorter. They settled down and once again began exchanging points. Several contentious points took us to 10-10. A nice drop by Chinappa took her again to match point but a fantastic winner by Khan saved her. At the next match point however, Khans crosscourt shot nipped the tin giving the match to Chinappa
Match 4 Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) def Emily Whitlock (ENG) 11/9, 11/4, 10/12, 11/7
This was highly entertaining. Game one Kawy came out firing as is her wont. It was 5-2 quickly. Whitlock gave her father an interesting look. Just as quickly several errors made it 5-5. Back and forth until a tremendous overhead kill by Kawy wins it. Game 2 more of the same. Once again quickly to 5-2 for Kawy. She had the wind in her sails and Whitlock was overwhelmed. Game 3 Whitlock was trying to find a strategy that worked. She combined great depth and height on her drives with tighter attacking shots but still went down 5-3. But then it turned. One nice point then a lucky bounce and several errors by Khan gave Whitlock a 7-5 lead. Khan regained her form and moved again 9-7. Whitlock hit 2 lovely backhand drop winners and it was 9-9. They exchanged to 10 all. At game point Whitlock hit another backhand drop to win the game. Game 4 Several interesting early points as Whitlock win in the third game seemed to have given her confidence in her strategy. Many challenging points lead to 6 all. Suddenly however 3 quick kills by Kawy gave her a 9-6 lead. She closed it out with another powerful forehead winner.
COMPLETE DRAW
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