Toronto NSA Open First Round Qualifying Report
by Mike McCue
August 13, 2012 - Qualifying action at the NSA opened with an all-junior matchup between Canadian u-15 champ Carter Robitaille against 18 year-old Ben Leizman from America. Carter is possibly the smallest ever player in a PSA event, but that didn't stop him from taking a brilliant 6-0 start. He went on to consolidate that lead, but from the second game onward struggled against the stronger and more experienced Leizman. Next up was the always-dangerous James Van Staveren taking on another PSA rookie in JC Jeffrey. James was always ahead and comfortably won 3-0, but it was definitely a good experience for the 16 year-old Guyanese/Canadian transplant.
The next two matches featured a much higher intensity and different level of squash. See Hyun Lee has travelled here from Korea and thus is an unknown quantity at this event. Brian Hong won several national junior titles and has a deadly all-attack game. An upset looked very possible as Hong led by a game and 3-0, but at that point having a full-time summer job caught up with him and his fitness diminished rapidly. Lee slowly gained control and ultimately won the last two games with some degree of comfort.
Colin West began his match with trademark Usain Bolt-esque pace and appeared to be overwhelming Max Blouin. However, Blouin has improved greatly since taking a break from squash and certainly had a say in the rallies. Colin was more comfortable at that pace though and easily advanced to tomorrow where he will face another Max; this time Max Leclair.
The nightcap was a classic matchup between two NSA folk heroes. Will Mohr has been living here for the better part of a year and quietly been making major improvements. Nick Guest is also a staple at morning training sessions (and the Snickers stand afterwards). Unfortunately I had to leave as the match started, but according to Jamie Nicholls it ended with great drama. In the end, Nick pulled off a considerable upset to move onto tomorrow's qualifying finals.
Qualifying Round 1 Results:
Yuta Fukui (JPN) bye
Ben Leizman (USA) d. Carter Robitaille (CAN) 3-1 (7-11, 8, 1, 5)
James Van Staveren (CAN) d. JC Jeffrey (GUY) 3-0 (5, 6, 8)
See Hyun Lee (KOR) d. Brian Hong (CAN) 3-1 (8-11, 6, 5, 4)
Maxym Lecalir (CAN) bye
Colin West (CAN) d. Maxim Blouin (CAN) 3-0 (5, 5, 5)
Nick Guest (CAN) d. Will Mohr (USA) 3-2 (5, 6-11, 8, 10-12, 12-10)
Eric Dingle (CAN) bye
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