Illingworth & Delierre Win Long Semis To Set Northern Ontario Final
by Mike McCue
April 20, 2012 - Both of tonight's matches were exceptionally long and well contested. Top seed Julian Illingworth and Chris Simpson were on first. The opening rallies were long and mostly played straight down the walls. As the players settled in and the ball calmed down, Illingworth began to take a more proactive approach, moving the ball side to side on the volley. Simpson attacked using a working boast to send Illingworth forward. The Englishman led 7-2 but Julian hit three perfect backhand drives to get back within striking distance. Simpson eventually won the game 11-8 after nearly half an hour. Both players grew frustrated with some inconsistent decisions in the second game. Chris was being made to do some very hard work as Julian took the initiative in the mid-court. His positive play earned him three game balls, but he lost them all and even faced a game ball against him to go 2-0 down. At this key point he hit three quick winners at the front to level the match. The third and fourth game continued in the same vein; Chris began attacking short more frequently, but the forgiving and bouncy court ensured the rallies lasted longer than usual. The pace slowed down slightly but neither player seemed particularly fatigued yet. The American showed the first signs of laboured movement towards the end of the fourth, but again found some great winners to force a fifth game. From the onset of the final game it was clear both men were feeling the effects of the extended rallies earlier in the match. Simpson looked to be cramping in the very first rally but managed to play on. Illingworth was stretching his quads after almost every rally. The points were still long and structured, neither player willing to give in mentally at that point. Simpson actually looked to be the fresher of the two but could not capitalize. From 4-7 down he did manage to reach 7-all, but Julian once again played some great drops and flicks to finally win 11-8. Although I usually try to avoid using superlatives, this was definitely one of the most physically demanding matches I have ever seen. Both players were struggling to move in the fifth but still produced a 20-minute game. Proof that anyone who suggests 11 scoring has marginalized the fitness aspect of pro squash is sorely mistaken.
Charles Sharpes had a career-best win last night and continued his determined play in the first game against Shawn Delierre. Played at a considerably higher pace than the previous match, Charles was hitting hard and low straight lines, while Shawn randomized the play with working boasts and crosscourt holds from the back. The Canadian was managing to dictate play despite usually being pinned deep in the court. The lack of rhythm was a contrast to last night's match for Charles. Just as he did in his previous two matches, Shawn clawed back from a deficit to steal the opener 11-9. The lets came thick and fast starting in the second, which did seem to unsettle Sharpes. Points were being played four or five times, a pattern which Shawn thrives on; he was on the defensive most of the time but hung in and stole several points with quick winners. Charles seemed to finally tire from the wide-open rallies in the third, but came back to hit six outright winners in the fourth to force a decider. By this time Shawn had twisted him around so many times that he finally faltered physically and started reaching balls a half-second later than he had been. This made all the difference...Shawn did not need a second chance and quickly sealed the match 11-5.
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