Assaiante, Provencal, Illingworth Weigh In From Paderborn
Following US-Canada Clash
from DailySquashReport.com
August 25, 2011
US Head Coach Paul Assaiante Told DailySquashReport:
So happy for boys.
First time in qtrs since 1983, supposedly.
Gilly was not right physically and so we needed to trust in Todd.
He has not had much international experience AT this level-
He needed to attack the front of the court more and that is out of his comfort level
Up 10-8 in the first
Then 10 all.
Schell was running Todd ragged but Todd pulled out the game.
We told him that his forehand was stronger than Schnell's and so to bring the flow to the right wall.
Also if he didn't focus on his recovery rather than just fetching, the tank would be empty.
Game Two to todd.
A lapse in concentration down 0-5 in third and Schnell kept that lead.
Todd got back to focusing on flow to the right wall and bringing the ball to the front,
got a 9-0 lead and Schnell starting attacking. Todd looked exhausted mostly through match closure nerves.
But won
1-0. USA
Julian really had the weight of the world on his shoulders in the toughest type of match. One that you think you should win.
Shahir played classic rope a dope squash with the ball high and soft.
Slow pace.
This caused Julian to hit a lot of tins off of his favorite dropshots.
Julian then to Shahier's style.
Oops bad idea as Shahier is better at being Shahier than Julian is. 0-2.
Julian started hitting harder which got him in the flow making his short game more accurate.
Shahier sensed that this was going to be too much work and so made julian basically hit 22 winners.
Match 2-2
Shahier came out firing as we knew he would but Julian had regained his confidence in his shots and held him off.
For poor Chris Gordon the whole time Julian was playing he had to warm up and be READY for the rubber match.
It was not needed.
Tomorrow we play Egypt in the qtr finals on the glass.
What a thrill for all of us.
Team Canada Coach Provencal told DailySquashReport:
Harrity played well, stayed focused and Andrew did not come out 100% physically.
Julian changed his tactics after the first two and played well in the last three. Razik hadn't recovered from his first two matches. His quads seized up.
Sure I was surprised Harrity went in. Gilly must not be at 100% and is the loudest cheerleader out here.
US #1 Julian Illingworth told DailySquashReport:
Started off a bit slow and with a true lack of confidence I think. After the 2nd I had to change something drastically and I just started really moving up the court and looking for the volley. Anytime I got it to the back wall I looked to cut off the next shot, and I hit a few good winners and sort of ran away with the next 2 games. In the 5th it was all mental, I knew he was hurting and I was feeling strong, but at that point it is all about execution and keeping the nerves down and just playing the same game. I got a little tentative but was able to close it out. Physically I think he hit a wall and I definitely shifted up a few gears after the 2nd, and ran a little off adrenalin with my back against the wall. Great having the coaches here, calming us down and getting us in the right frame of mind to perform.
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