PSA Windy City Open 2013 Quarterfinals Report
by Jim Wellington and William James
February 1, 2013
An appreciative crowd was on hand to see some remarkable squash moments on quarterfinal day in Chicago.
Stephen Coppinger (RSA) def. Cesar Salazar (MEX) 11/2, 11/3, 11/4 (25 min.)
Salazar must have felt Coppinger was so solid, that if he didn't force something to happen, nothing would. Unfortunately, what Salazar made happen was errors. Salazar settled in as the match went on and played some good, entertaining squash, and made Coppinger concentrate. But it was never going to be enough to hurt the lanky South African with his fluid, cerebral style of play.
Alan Clyne (SCO) def. Matthew Karwalski (AUS) 7/11, 11/4, 11/7, 11/13, 11/6 (67 min.)
Game one was fast paced and exciting because both players were using the whole court effectively - definitely not squash for the unfit. Game two saw Clyne become more accurate and Karwalski less as the punishing pace continued. Just when Karwalski started to look tired, he showed us what it is really like to run, and run, and then the errors came. Game three went the same way with Clyne pushing Karwalski to the edge, but some short rallies at the beginning of game four let Karwalski recover and play on equal footing for a while and he was just able to take it, saving a match ball on the way. The difference in game four was that when Karwalski got tired, he raised his elbow and hit much harder, rather than making short errors as he had done in two and three. Even though he fought hard, there was just not enough left in the tank in the final game to match the fitter and more experienced Clyne. This was a match played by two very fair guys who both played everything they possibly could, with no fishing, even though there were opportunities - a fine example for all of us.
Andrew Wagih Shoukry (EGY) def. Max Lee (HKG) 11/6, 11/7, 10/12, 8/11, 11/7 (90 min.)
Match of the tournament - so far. The first two games showed Egyptian style shot-making on display - intelligent, deceptive, unpredictable. It's not that Lee was playing badly, but when an Egyptian is on his game what are you going to do? Probably referee the next match. Shoukry went up 6-0 in the second, but was looking more and more tired, perhaps having used up his legs in his 74 minute encounter last night. Then the ball lodged in the tin, and they finally removed it, it wasn't round any more, so they warmed up a new ball. Then Shoukry broke a string, then ripped the bottom off his shoe and had to change. All this and he still held onto the game. In game three, it looked as though the flood gates would open because Shoukry looked so tired, and no one thought could lose game three and still win the match. Somehow he held on, and gritted his way to 10-8, holding two match-balls. Everyone held their breath, thinking that it was now or never, but Lee responded with two nicks in a row and then took the game. The rest is history, or so I wrote in my notes. Lee did take game four as expected, and Shoukry looked more and more tired, leaning on walls for support. Somehow he not only continued, but continued to win rallies. At 7-7 in the fifth Lee hit Shoukry in the head with the butt of his racquet, and Shoukry looked hurt. But when he stood up, he hit a winner, and Lee followed with two straight tins, which was completely out of character for him. 10-8...two more match balls...an unreachable cross-court...is was over...standing ovation.
Borja Golan (ESP) def. Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) 11/6, 11/6, 11/3 (45 min.)
Just as last night, Golan opened with length mixed with many boasts. Fathi responded by returning nearly every boast with a cross-court, which made him predictable. Game two was close, but Golan's control was amazing, slowing it down and making the tough moments look comfortable. Game three saw Golan mixing the pace, showing great accuracy, patience, and controlling the whole way.
COMPLETE DRAW
by Jim Wellington and William James
February 1, 2013
An appreciative crowd was on hand to see some remarkable squash moments on quarterfinal day in Chicago.
Stephen Coppinger (RSA) def. Cesar Salazar (MEX) 11/2, 11/3, 11/4 (25 min.)
Salazar must have felt Coppinger was so solid, that if he didn't force something to happen, nothing would. Unfortunately, what Salazar made happen was errors. Salazar settled in as the match went on and played some good, entertaining squash, and made Coppinger concentrate. But it was never going to be enough to hurt the lanky South African with his fluid, cerebral style of play.
Alan Clyne (SCO) def. Matthew Karwalski (AUS) 7/11, 11/4, 11/7, 11/13, 11/6 (67 min.)
Game one was fast paced and exciting because both players were using the whole court effectively - definitely not squash for the unfit. Game two saw Clyne become more accurate and Karwalski less as the punishing pace continued. Just when Karwalski started to look tired, he showed us what it is really like to run, and run, and then the errors came. Game three went the same way with Clyne pushing Karwalski to the edge, but some short rallies at the beginning of game four let Karwalski recover and play on equal footing for a while and he was just able to take it, saving a match ball on the way. The difference in game four was that when Karwalski got tired, he raised his elbow and hit much harder, rather than making short errors as he had done in two and three. Even though he fought hard, there was just not enough left in the tank in the final game to match the fitter and more experienced Clyne. This was a match played by two very fair guys who both played everything they possibly could, with no fishing, even though there were opportunities - a fine example for all of us.
Andrew Wagih Shoukry (EGY) def. Max Lee (HKG) 11/6, 11/7, 10/12, 8/11, 11/7 (90 min.)
Match of the tournament - so far. The first two games showed Egyptian style shot-making on display - intelligent, deceptive, unpredictable. It's not that Lee was playing badly, but when an Egyptian is on his game what are you going to do? Probably referee the next match. Shoukry went up 6-0 in the second, but was looking more and more tired, perhaps having used up his legs in his 74 minute encounter last night. Then the ball lodged in the tin, and they finally removed it, it wasn't round any more, so they warmed up a new ball. Then Shoukry broke a string, then ripped the bottom off his shoe and had to change. All this and he still held onto the game. In game three, it looked as though the flood gates would open because Shoukry looked so tired, and no one thought could lose game three and still win the match. Somehow he held on, and gritted his way to 10-8, holding two match-balls. Everyone held their breath, thinking that it was now or never, but Lee responded with two nicks in a row and then took the game. The rest is history, or so I wrote in my notes. Lee did take game four as expected, and Shoukry looked more and more tired, leaning on walls for support. Somehow he not only continued, but continued to win rallies. At 7-7 in the fifth Lee hit Shoukry in the head with the butt of his racquet, and Shoukry looked hurt. But when he stood up, he hit a winner, and Lee followed with two straight tins, which was completely out of character for him. 10-8...two more match balls...an unreachable cross-court...is was over...standing ovation.
Borja Golan (ESP) def. Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) 11/6, 11/6, 11/3 (45 min.)
Just as last night, Golan opened with length mixed with many boasts. Fathi responded by returning nearly every boast with a cross-court, which made him predictable. Game two was close, but Golan's control was amazing, slowing it down and making the tough moments look comfortable. Game three saw Golan mixing the pace, showing great accuracy, patience, and controlling the whole way.
COMPLETE DRAW
Back To Main
