Sharp Over Hinds In 82 Minute PSA Toronto Final
from DailySquashReport.com
August 21, 2011 - Canada’s Dane Sharp converted his first PSA final into a tournament victory last night, as he edged top-seed Joel Hinds of England in a lengthy battle to capture the $5000 National Squash Academy Open at Downsview Park in Toronto.
Mike McCue files this report:
(4) Dane Sharp (CAN) bt (1) Joel Hinds (ENG) 11/8, 8/11, 8/11, 11/7, 11/7 (82m)
This was to be Dane’s first ever final on the PSA Tour, a daunting task for anyone, much less playing it in your home court. While he would certainly be nervous, it could also be an advantage given the local support and familarity with the surroundings. Joel is certainly more experienced and it was noticeable in the minutes before they took to the court. Dane had yet to be seriously tested and in the opening rallies realized that Joel was a different class of player. Once he adjusted to this new game he found the groove he had been in all week. Two somewhat lucky yet somewhat deserved nicks in the back of the court gave him a slight edge to take the game and the all important 1-0 lead. Joel improved considerably in the second (as he has done all week) and took control of the court with fast movement from the T.
The referee became heavily involved in the third game; both players were rightly aggrieved at many of the decisions, particularly Joel. The game nearly fell into disrepute on a few separate occassions, with both players off court voicing their displeasure. There was little bad behaviour or dirty play though, mostly suspect calls. Hinds battled through the Let’s and disagreements to take a stranglehold lead at 8-4. Dane won four quick points to reach 8-all but again fell behind 8-10. A diving counter drop in the following rally which was later judged to be both not up and a stroke gave the Englishman the game (but not before some confusion). The Canadian battled back though and began to exert more of a physical presence in the middle to keep Joel from running balls down and then hitting kills. The fourth was his game and we finally arrived at the decider. Joel seemed to slow down or tire at this point, losing points on mistakes he had not previously made. Dane looked fresh as ever and reached 9-7, two points from the title. Several Lets ensued but he finally set up matchball with a backhand drop Joel could only swipe at. He kept at bay all the dangerous thoughts that can creep in at times like these, and won his first title with a backhand crosscourt flick...a shot he has hit thousands of times but surely has never felt so good. The home fans gave a massive ovation to a delighted Dane.
Afterwards, squash legend Gary Waite thanked all the sponsors, namely Shane Son Kee of 24hrpestcontrol.com, and presented the two finalists with their cheques. A successful end to the first of many PSA events to be held at this mecca of squash.
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 5 National Squash Academy Open, Toronto, Canada
1st round:
[1] Joel Hinds (ENG) bt Kimesh Chetty (CAN) 11-8, 11-5, 11-5 (25m)
David Letourneau (CAN) bt [Q] Declan James (ENG) 11-6, 9-11, 13-11, 8-11, 12-10 (84m)
Julian Wellings (ENG) bt [Q] Michael McCue (CAN) 12-10, 11-3, 11-5 (33m)
[Q] Lyall Paterson (SCO) bt [3] Tyler Hamilton (CAN) 12-14, 11-6, 6-11, 13-11, 11-7 (62m)
[4] Dane Sharp (CAN) bt [Q] Eric Dingle (CAN) 11-1, 11-6, 11-1 (28m)
Matthew Serediak (CAN) bt Adrian Dudzicki (CAN) 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 (31m)
Jamie MacAulay (SCO) bt Maxime Blouin (CAN) 11-8, 9-11, 11-13, 11-9, 11-4 (73m)
Thomas Brinkman (CAN) bt [2] Eddie Charlton (ENG) 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6 (62m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Joel Hinds (ENG) bt David Letourneau (CAN) 10-12, 11-3, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8 (83m)
Julian Wellings (ENG) bt [Q] Lyall Paterson (SCO) 13-11, 11-1, 11-1 (26m)
[4] Dane Sharp (CAN) bt Matthew Serediak (CAN) 11-5, 11-5, 11-5 (38m)
Jamie MacAulay (SCO) bt Thomas Brinkman (CAN) 11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6 (72m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Joel Hinds (ENG) bt Julian Wellings (ENG) 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 (48m)
[4] Dane Sharp (CAN) bt Jamie MacAulay (SCO) 9-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-4 (50m)
Final:
[4] Dane Sharp (CAN) bt [1] Joel Hinds (ENG) 11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7 (82m)
photos by Meghan McCue
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