DC Squash On Fire Semis Report
from Hunt Richardson
August 18, 2012 - Kippax was all business in beating lower-ranked Fialova in three. After seesawing through the first game until 5-4, Kippax broke away with deft drop shots and closed it out 11-6. She raced ahead 8-3 in the second game before Fialova woke up and then Kippax made some uncharacteristic errors. Fialova pushed herself to the limit, bravely fighting off Kippax’s withering combinations and firing some crisp volley winners. Fialova clawed up 9-10 but Kippax kept up the pressure and won 11-9. In the third and last game Fialova lost the will to push, and Kippax stepped on the gas and sped away.
Meguid played much better than her #61 ranking would indicate. She and #14 ranked Teran bumped, slugged and wrong-footed each other all over the court for an hour. Throughout the match they kept the three referees busy with spirited appeals on pickups and interference. After splitting the first two games with her taller opponent, Teran easily won the third game 11-2 and looked to walk away with the match. During the break sharp words in Meguid’s corner from Egyptian Team Coach Amir Wagih sparked a revival for Meguid. In the fourth she began cutting off Teran’s length-bound shots, volleying everything possible and making Teran scuttle around the floor like water drops on a hot pan. Meguid notched leads of 6-0 and 9-4 before she sealed the game, forcing the decider. She kept forging ahead in the fifth game 5-3, 7-4, 8-5. The gallery was certain they were witnessing a major upset. However Teran reached deep into her reservoirs of fitness and experience, exhuming kill shots by Meguid that would have been winners against any other player in the tournament, and inching to 10-8 which she converted with an ungettable drop that was answered with vigorous applause from the appreciative spectators in the bleacher seats. If Meguid continues to play this well then she will be in the top 30 within a few months.
Results:
Kippax 3-0 Fialova: 11-6, 11-9, 11-1 (35m)
Teran 3-2 Meguid: 11-7, (9-11), 11-2, (6-11), 11-8 (60m)
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