Ryan Ruskelly Captures the Oregon Open 2015
by Anders Giltvedt


February 22, 2015 - As reported last night, Ryan Cuskelly, Australia, and Egyptian Omar Abdel Meguid had monstrous, upsetting matches exceeding the 100 minute mark in the semis. Naturally, one might struggle the next day. And this was the case on the Oregon Open 2015 championship match. In the first game Cuskelly, who has been working extremely hard in Greenwich, CT, exposed Meguid with soft touch in front corners, resulting in the Aussie taking the first game relatively quickly with an 11-5 win.

In the second game Ryan continued in his impetuous form and forged out a 6-0 lead. Playing error free squash and moving the slightly fatigued Meguid around the court a bit too much for his liking had Cuskelly take a massive 9-2 lead. A couple of superb rallies later saw Meguid creep back two points; however, Ryan's fantastic short game tonight secured the second game with a beautiful, slightly paused, straight drive that licked the wall and a died in the back corner. Game two 11-4.

The start of the third game saw Omar change his tactics to increase the pace to force Cuskelly errors. This only lengthened the rallies as Cuskelly exemplified a human wall, with fast paced and slow-downs returns repeatedly. Meguid leveled at one all after another physical but creative rally and let out a scream in his attempt to gain some momentum. To his credit, Cuskelly responded swiftly with a deft drop-nick followed by a another fantastic front court nick at an astonishing angle. The sold-out crowd was on their feet for both players when at 2-4 Meguid hits a great kill on the forehand with an awesome slice to reduce the lead. The Aussie kept showcasing his wide array of shots including some quick, but hesitation trickle boasts. The players went back and forth and Meguid showed off his great length, width and feather hands hitting to level at 6-6. Another classic Cuskelly front right corner nick followed by a couple of long rallies culminating with Cuskelly winners resulted in a 10-7 lead. At match point Meguid went for a hard-charging nick which barely tinned, thus capping the game 11-7 for a 3-0 Cuskelly championship final win and a fantastic week of squash in Portland, Oregon.

Chris Gordon, currently the highest ranked U.S. player on the tour, made the right calls in a championship final exhibiting true sportsmanship by both players.

After the final, MAC Head Squash Professional Ashley Read asked Meguid whether the 107 minute semi-final against #1 seed affected his plan for the final. Meguid very graciously commented "The effort early on in the third game was defining the outcome reflecting the atrocious semi-finals. I apologize for not playing up to my standards tonight. However I'm planning on returning to Oregon Open next year, a tournament and squash community which makes me feel so welcome.”

Upon receiving his trophy, Cuskelly noted "In the past it's been a tough battle for me at the Oregon Open. I feel the result of strenuous work and focus over the past year has elevated my game towards the world top 20. Winning the Oregon Open defeating higher ranked and experienced players such as Adrian Grant and Meguid builds confidence moving forward".

On a final note, the Oregon Open Tournament Committee says hats off to Cuskelly, Meguid, and all the professionals for show-casing world class squash, exemplifying sportsmanship and camaraderie at the Oregon Open 2015 hosted by the Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland, Oregon, over the past week.