Delierre Becomes First Home Nash Cup Champion
by Howard Harding
26 September 2011 - Shawn Delierre stormed to victory in the final of the Nash Cup to become the first Canadian winner of the PSA World Tour Challenger 10 squash event at London Squash Racquets Club in London, Ontario.
Defending champion Jan Koukal took the early, losing three game balls before clinching the first game on the fourth.
The second seed from the Czech Republic led 5-2 in the second, but home hero Delierre reclaimed the advantage to draw level.
The lead changed hands several times in the third. Third seed Delierre had three game balls before finally moving ahead 2/1.
Koukal once led in the fourth, but it was the determined Canadian who ultimately prevailed to win 9-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8 after 91 minutes.
"Relieved! I really wanted the first game and really wanted to impose my game, but he stole that right from me, and my hope," said the victorious 29-year-old from Montreal who now boasts 10 PSA World Tour titles.
"In the second he came out firing and led for most of the game, but I tried to slow things down. I'm not sure how, but I managed to win the second. In the 3rd I decided to straighten things up - Jan's shots were on and I felt like a retriever, but I also felt like I was placing the ball well.
"I scraped that game 12-10," added Delierre. "The fourth was tough until eight-all, but I hung in there and managed to take it 11-8."
Dave Morrish Filed This Report:
The crowd was eagerly anticipating this final having watched the boys play
all week. Asking around the members, the views were mixed as to who they
thought would win.
I spoke with the players before the match and asked them their game plans
and thoughts.
Jan Koukal “I need to keep it straight as Shawn likes to open up the court
a lot. He is not that tight on his backhand and that is one of my
strengths. I will be looking to attack straight both short and deep. I
will be looking to get onto his short balls early and hold him. This game
is definitely going to be interesting!
Shawn Delierre “I will have to play well tonight, that is for sure. I
don’t really have a game plan - I am going to go with the flow. Just hope
I can play my best… I am ready.”
SHAWN DELIERRE (CANADA) beat JAN KOUKAL (CZEC REPUBLIC) 9-11; 11-9; 12-10;
11-8 (91 MINS)
Game 1: 11-9 KOUKAL
Jan definitely kept to his game plan in keeping it straight. The rallies
were long and Jan mixed it up well at the front with tight straight drops
(which Shawn mostly got back) but then attacked the open space. He led
10-6 but then proceeded to 3 unforced errors with the drop from mid-court
to give Shawn a sniff at the game at 9-10. A let followed and then Jan
played his trademark cross court kill dying before the service box to
clinch the first game 11-9.
Game 2: 11-9 DELIERRE
Jan took the momentum of the first game into the 2nd and established a 5-2
lead. Shawn played some good attacking and aggressive squash to get back
to 4-5, but in “no let” at the front of the court (tight drop) gave Yan
the initiative again at 6-4. Jan used the lob well in the game when under
pressure and to break up Shawn’s rhythm. A few mammoth rallies later it
was 7 all. Anyone’s game at this stage. Shawn led 9-8 but an unforced
error evened the scores at 9 all. A winner from Shawn and an error from
Jan gave Shawn the game 11-9.
Game 3: 12-10 DELIERRE
Shawn started well in the 3rd to build a 4-2 lead. Jan dug deep to make it
5 all and the match totally square. He then edged ahead 6-5 with another
one of his trademark cross courts, but before he knew it he was 10-7 down.
Through uncharacteristic unforced errors, 2 quick winners from Jan made it
9-10. 5 lets followed before Shawn made an error in the front right with a
trickle boast, 10 all. A “no let” gave Shawn another game ball (11-10),
and then 4 more lets followed before Jan was denied a let to give Shawn
the game 12-10 and lead 2-1.
Game 4: 11-8 DELIERRE
Shawn definitely looked the stronger physically at the start of the 4th
and built up a 3-1, and 4-2 lead. Jan looked to be on the back foot but
persevered to lead 7-6. An error from Jan and it was 7 all, then 8-7
complements of a lovely tight drop in the front right. But suddenly before
he knew it , it was 10-8 match ball for Shawn, and a great cross court
dying length gave him the match.
QUOTES FROM THE PLAYERS
SHAWN DELIERRE:
“Relieved! I really wanted the first game and really wanted to impose my
game, but he stole that right from me, and my hope. In the 2nd he came out
firing and led for most of the game, but I tried to slow things down. I’m
not sure how, but I managed to win the 2nd. In the 3rd I decided to
straighten things up – Jan’s shots were on and I felt like a retriever,
but I also felt like I was placing the ball well. I scraped that game
12-10. The 4th was tough until 8 all, but I hung in there and managed to
take it 11-8.”
JAN KOUKAL
“Really disappointed. Started well doing what I wanted to do and did it
well. I really had to keep up with that game as he breaks the rhythm –
there were so many lets. In the 2nd I felt good and thought I made him
work hard, but he hung in there and didn’t break. The 3rd was a close one
too. I started cramping in the 4th and started going for it a bit more,
and actually played some great shots but wasn’t able to keep it up. Shawn
is not hard to play, but he’s hard to beat.”
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 10 Nash Cup, London, Ontario, Canada
Final:
[3] Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt [2] Jan Koukal (CZE) 9-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8 (91m)
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