Qualifying Complete In $15K PSA Northern Ontario Open
by Mike McCue
photo courtesy Meghan McCue
April 17, 2012 - First up to play for a coveted main draw spot were Aqeel Rehman and Matt Serediak. The first game saw the usual probing rallies, extended even longer than usual by the lively ball and bouncy floor. The score was always close and there wasn't much difference in either player's quality of shot, but Aqeel looked more relaxed in his movement and comfortable with the pace. He ultimately won the game 11-9 which put a big dent in Matt's chances. The second featured some wide open, sprinting rallies which Aqeel consistently got the better of. Matt (aka The Duck) tried to slow down the pace and use more court craft in the third but could not get Rehman out of his comfort zone. The Austrian moves into the main draw having won both qualifying matches 3-0.
Tyler Hamilton took a good start against Clinton Leeuw in the second match, staying in front and attacking his opponent's frequent boasts from the back court. Despite dropping that game 11-9, the Torontonian kept attacking and leveled at 1-all. From the middle of the third though, Leeuw's physical presence and movement began forcing Tyler into a higher risk game resulting in several errors. The South African advances to play another Canadian tomorrow in the form of Dane Sharp.
The victors of last night's only two five-gamers were up next in an all-English affair. Ben Coleman was favoured to win over Paul Rawden and lived up to the billing with an 11-5 first game victory. Of course, Paul was not going to simply accept the defeat and held game balls at 10-8 in the second to equal the match. The difference in experience showed at this crucial juncture; three tins and a stroke later Ben was up 2-0. Rawden reached the same stage again in the third after playing some cracking winners. He managed to close on that occasion, but Ben regrouped and took the fourth comfortably to finish a satisfying qualifying campaign.
The featured match of the night was last on at 8:00pm. Dave Letourneau started out asserting his attacking style on Scott Arnold, who was happy to keep the ball low and straight in the opening exchanges. The players were never separated by more than two or three points, but Scott put in some hard rallies around the midway point that left the Canadian's legs faltering ever so slightly. The Aussie was firing bullets down both sides and not giving Dave the chance to control the pace, as he does so well. Letourneau was struggling for ideas to get Arnold moving, and eventually found a few too many tins on high risk attacks. Scott drew Charles Sharpes in the main round which will surely be an interesting match.
Qualifying finals:
Aqeel Rehman (AUT) bt Matthew Serediak (CAN) 11-9, 11-3, 11-1 (36m) plays Illingworth
Clinton Leeuw (RSA) bt Tyler Hamilton (CAN) 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-3 (39m) plays Sharp
Ben Coleman (ENG) bt Pablo Rawden (ENG) 11-5, 12-10, 8-11, 11-7 (35m) plays Bennett
Scott Arnold (AUS) bt David Letourneau (CAN) 11-8, 11-7, 11-7 (38m) plays Sharpes
DRAW
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