Hanscom Handicaps Tonight's Weymuller Quarters
September 28, 2012
Bob Hanscom reviews Thursday's first round predictions and handicaps the quarterfinals:
We're now down to the first round of the main draw with some difficult and some not so difficult predictions, all times eastern...
5.30 pm Nour El Sherbini V Camille Serme
The Prediction: Could be a tough one, but with Nour at #5 and Camille at #13, our quick-pick is Nour in four games.
The Reality: Nour El Shebini beat Camille Serme in five games.
Comments: Wow...! Sure it was five games, but at 14-12 in the fifth for Nour, it sure could have gone either way! Good fight Camille - congrats to Nour.
5.30 pm Jenny Duncalf V Dipika Pallikal
The Prediction: Although Jenny hasn't had the greatest results lately, she just may have a bit too much experience for the up-and-coming Indian #1. Jenny in four!
The Reality: Jenny Duncalf defeated Dipika Pallikal in three straight games.
Comments: Jenny is still very quick and too experienced for Dipika, who was not able to put enough pressure on Jenny to be competitive...this time!
6.15 pm Rachael Grinham V Joelle King
The Prediction: Rachael has been here many, many times! Can't quite see her going out in the first round. Rachael...maybe in five!
The Reality: Joelle King beat Rachael Grinham in three.
Comment: Missed totally on this one! Rachel must just not have been feeling her usual self.
6.15 pm Raneem El Weleily V Jaclyn Hawkes
The Prediction: Raneem is playing so well! If she stays patient, she should take the match in no more than four games.
The Reality: Raneem El Weleily beat Jaclyn Hawkes in three.
Comments: Raneem is really showing why she's now the #2 player in the world.
7.00 pm Laura Massaro V Low Wee Wern
The Prediction: Wee Wern will certainly put up a good fight, but Laura is always in there to win any tournament. We think Laura in three.
The Reality: Laura Massaro beat Low Wee Wern in five!
Comments: Well, a "fight" did Wee Wern make of it! She's now showing she can play with the best.
7.00pm Annie Au V Donna Urquhart
The Prediction: Annie is such a crafty player! Donna will be working hard, but come out second best in perhaps a good four game first round.
The Reality: Annie Au beat Donna Urquhart in five.
Comments: Well...Annie was crafty, and Donna did work hard, taking the match to five games.
7.45pm Madeline Perry V Alison Waters
The Prediction: Alison is playing well and on her way back. Madeline is still world #5, but it could be a great five-gamer with Alison coming through.
The Reality: Alison Waters beat Madeline Perry in four games.
Comments: Well...it only took Alison four games to put away Madeline, showing that she's really on her way back, beating the world #5.
7.45 pm Nicol David V Kasey Brown
The Prediction: You can bet Nicol will be coming out strong here in the first round on her way to avenge her Malaysian loss. Kasey is a great player, but will have to deal with someone on a mission. I see Nicol taking this match in three straight games.
The Reality: Nicol David beat Kasey brown three straight.
Comments: As predicted...Nicol is on a mission!
So...not bad on the predictions, picking seven out of the eight matches.
Now for Friday's quarter-final predictions...
5.30 pm Nour El Sherbini Versus Jenny Duncalf
The Prediction: This should be a real good one, with Nour playing good squash and Jenny showing that she's still quick as the very experienced player as the former #2 player in the world for over two straight years. How do we call this one? We'll give it a shot...Jenny in four!
6.15 pm Joelle King Versus Raneem El Weleily
The Prediction: Raneem is playing the best squash of her career, now at #2 in the world. So...we have to go with Raneem, possibly in three straight games...if she remains patient.
7.00 pm Annie Au Versus Laura Massaro
The Prediction: Laura's complete and patient game will neutralize Annie's shot-making, which should see Laura coming through in four games.
7.45 pm Alison Waters Versus Nicol David
The Prediction: As mentioned, Nicol is on a mission - and although on her come-back trail, Alison will have a tough time dealing with Nicol's complete game. Once again, we see it for Nicol in three straight well-fought games.
Stay tuned!
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