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Men's
final:
[1] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [2] James Willstrop (ENG) 11-6,
11-7, 11-7 (67m)
Bronze
medal play-off:
[3] Peter Barker (ENG) bt [6] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) 11-5,
11-4, 11-2 (45m)
England's
Nick Matthew Wins Gold In Delhi
England's
world number two squash player Nick Matthew achieved "the most
important thing in my career so far" when he beat fellow countryman James
Willstrop in the men's Commonwealth Games singles final at the
Siri Fort Complex in Delhi to win his first gold medal in his
second appearance in the event.
In the
sport's first 1-2-3 in the Games, third-seeded Englishman Peter Barker
clinched the bronze medal when he beat Malaysia's sixth seed Mohd Azlan
Iskandar 11-5, 11-4, 11-2 in the third place play-off.
Matthew,
the 30-year-old from Sheffield who topped the world rankings in June, then
suffered an illness setback last month, struggled earlier in the tournament
- but was on top form to beat fellow Yorkshireman Willstrop, ranked four in
the world, 11-6, 11-7, 11-7 in 67 minutes.
Cheered on
by a boisterous crowd of more then 2,000, Matthew and Willstrop produced an
exhilarating display of world-class squash on the spectacular all-glass
showcourt in the Indian city's new sports complex.
"This is
the most important thing in my career so far," enthused Matthew after his
triumph. "This was a massive goal. Four years ago I came fourth and saw what
it was like. It's amazing to get gold - I'll savour it for a long time.
"I
remember sitting at home watching Peter Nicol win gold in 1998 - then
saw him win it again in Melbourne four years ago when I came fourth, which
was quite hard to take. I've worked such a long time for this.
"I'm also
so happy for Pete, winning bronze. I was at the same stage last time. I'm
captain of the team and I'm so proud of them.
"The match
was so tough - after all James is four in the world. I had to try and forget
it was a Commonwealth Games final. I was a little bit lucky as James
had played two tough games earlier."
When asked
what his thoughts were of Delhi, Matthew replied: "I've enjoyed every minute
of it. It's fantastic - I'll remember this for the rest of my life.
"The crowd
were right behind both of us today - they were fantastic. They were cheering
for squash."
Willstrop,
from Leeds, was full of praise for his England team-mate: "I'm disappointed
with the result - but that was some performance from Nick. He has a
fantastic record. He played too well for me - I really had no answer.
"He played
out of his skin, though I thought I played pretty well too. He's playing at
a standard that's higher than anyone else. He keeps asking more questions of
me.
"It might
be the best he's ever played against me - so that's a nice thing to take
from the match. He's dismantled me the last few times. So whilst it's
disappointing, I've got to keep learning.
"I have no
regrets - I've won the silver medal," added the 27-year-old. "It was a great
atmosphere today."
Peter
Barker
was also delighted with his bronze medal achievement. "I played really well
today. Winning this medal has to be one of the highlights of my career.
"It's a
strange feeling - normally when you lose (as in the semi-finals), you pack
your bags and go home. Nick said to me yesterday 'don't make the same
mistake I did last time'. I took his advice and got my head together and
told myself it's a massive match.
"It'll
take a little while to sink in - but not many people win a Commonwealth
Games medal. My Mum and girlfriend are here. This'll probably mean more
to my Mum!
"Azlan did
incredibly well to get here. He and I are good friends. We train together in
London. It's never easy, playing a friend. But I wanted to show something
for my efforts," added the world No8 from London.
When asked
to comment on England's success, the left-hander said: "We're pretty strong
in squash at the moment - we really wanted a 1/2/3 and hope this will help
get us some media coverage back home. To get all the medals in the men's
event really shows the dominance of our players.
"What a
lovely position for England to be in."
England
men's coach David Campion highlighted the background to the country's
success. "This is the culmination of a lot of effort over the last 18 months
by a number of people. It's testament to all the hard work and effort that
all the players have put in.
"We're
absolutely delighted to bring home all three medals in the men's event,"
added the former junior international. "And it's a great shame that Alison
(Waters) had to pull out of the women's bronze medal match. She looked in
great form yesterday and was a great prospect in the doubles too.
"The
Commonwealth Games is such a big occasion for any squash player -
something to cherish for life. It's big for England Squash and the English
Institute of Sport - and a lot of people there have contributed to this
success.
"I am very
proud to be part of it."
Women's
final:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [2] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 11-3, 11-5,
11-7 (40m)
Bronze
medal play-off:
[6] Kasey Brown (AUS) bt [3] Alison Waters (ENG) w/o
Nicol
David Finally Wins Commonwealth Games Gold
At her
fourth attempt, after competing in Squash's maiden appearance in the
Commonwealth Games in her home country in 1998 when just 15, Malaysia's
world number one Nicol David finally claimed gold when she beat
England's Jenny Duncalf, the world No2, in a convincing straight
games victory in today's women's final at the Siri Fort Complex in
Delhi.
David, who
picked up a record-equalling fifth world title only two weeks ago and this
month celebrated her 54th month as world No1, traded points with her WISPA
Tour rival in the early exchanges - but, from three-all, the event favourite
won eight points in a row to take the opening game.
After
taking the second for five points, the Malaysian had to handle a late surge
by Duncalf as the 27-year-old from Harrogate in Yorkshire battled to stay in
the game.
But, after
some inspiring rallies from both players, Nicol served for the match for the
first time only to win the point on a stroke - thus giving the long-awaited
gold medal to the Malaysian superstar for the first time.
The packed
crowd screamed and whistled as Nicol David did a 'lap of honour'
around the spectacular all-glass showcourt with the Malaysian flag draped
around her shoulders.
"I'm so
excited right now - it's just so wonderful," said the jubilant David after
her 11-3, 11-5, 11-7 triumph.
"Jenny
didn't play her best today - but I had to take my opportunities.
"At match
ball I just knew that I had to be ready to play the longest rally I've ever
played. It wasn't the best way to finish - but it meant winning gold! I was
just on another planet."
Was there
a sense of relief in her win? "Yes - but at the same time I knew I had a
great week, coming in from my success at the worlds - I had to be true to my
game."
And did
she feel under pressure? "There will always be that, whatever I do - I feel
I always have to win and in my mind I want to go for it.
"A
Commonwealth Games gold medal is one of my highest achievements so far.
The fact that it's in a multi-sport event, which means so much for Malaysia,
makes it even more important for me," concluded the 27-year-old from Penang.
Duncalf
admitted to mixed feelings about the outcome: "It's a strange feeling - you
come into a final hoping to win. But at the same time, winning a silver
medal is one of my highest achievements. To get a silver medal is truly
precious.
"I don't
think Nicol did a lot wrong - she didn't really give me a look in. All
credit to her - she's a deserved winner."
The
third-place play-off match did not take place after England's third seed
Alison Waters was forced to withdraw following an Achilles injury
sustained in the semi-final against Duncalf - giving the bronze medal to
Australia's sixth seed Kasey Brown.
"I'm
pretty gutted," said 26-year-old Londoner, who learned that she moved to a
career-high world No3 in the women's rankings today. "I had a scan today and
have a slight tear on the Achilles tendon in my left leg. I'll be out for a
couple of weeks so I'm pretty disappointed.
"Having
not lost to Kasey, I'd have felt confident against her - but she's playing
well at the moment. And in the doubles I had chances of medals in both
events.
"But we've
got strength in the team - we'll still be pushing for medals.
"I'll be
staying here till the end - I'll be their No1 supporter!
"And at
least I've had some good news today by going to No3 in the world rankings,"
added Waters. |
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Siri Fort Sports Complex
Competition dates: 4-13 October 2010
Shelly Offers Reassurance to Squash
While we have closely monitored the building
process of the venue (I was there a couple of weeks ago) - and all is well;
it is the province of the nations and the CGF to review the Village,
transport, security etc, i.e. the Games wide facets as our role is
restricted to the sport itself.
We know that many teams already have their
advance parties inspecting, hence the concerns raised now, and CGF are
working tirelessly with the organising committees to deal with last minute
problems.
Andrew Shelley
|
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|
Top
Half Men's Draw |
|
Bronze
08 Oct, Final 08 Oct |
Round One
04 Oct |
Round Two
04 Oct |
Round Three
05 Oct |
Quarters
06 Oct |
Semis
07 Oct |
[1] Nick Matthew (ENG)
bye |
Nick Matthew
11-6, 13-11, 8-11, 11-3 (75m)
Nafiizwan Adnan |
Nick Matthew
10-12, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5 (50m)
Aamir Atlas Khan |
Nick Matthew
11-7, 11-5, 11-6 (54m)
Cameron Pilley |
Nick Matthew
11-9, 11-2, 11-9 (60m)
Peter Barker |
Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS)
11-8, 11-2, 11-5 (25m)
Hartaj Bains (KEN) |
[10] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK)
11-2, 11-2, 11-6 (12m)
Masud Rana (BAN) |
Aamir Atlas Khan
11-2, 11-4, 11-2 (21m)
Colin Ramasra |
Colin Ramasra (TRI)
11-5, 11-3, 11-0 (17m)
Jules Snagg (SVG) |
[7] Cameron Pilley (AUS)
11-5, 11-9, 11-0 (23m)
Joe Chapman (IVB) |
Cameron Pilley
11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7 (74m)
Siddharth Suchde |
Cameron Pilley
11-6, 11-7, 11-8 (46m)
Ryan Cuskelly |
Siddharth Suchde (IND)
11-6, 11-5, 11-4 (37m)
Michael Hopkins (JEY) |
[14] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
11-7, 11-9, 11-4 (31m)
Sandeep Jangra (IND) |
Ryan Cuskelly
11-8, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6 (68m)
Bradley Hindle |
Bradley Hindle (MLT)
11-1, 11-5, 11-3 (23m)
Navin Samarasinghe (SRI) |
[3] Peter Barker (ENG)
11-2, 11-1, 11-1 (22m)
Kelvin Ndhlovu (ZAM) |
Peter Barker
11-4, 11-2, 11-3 (40m)
Alan Clyne |
Peter
Barker
11-5, 11-9, 11-13, 11-5 (76m)
Saurav Ghosal |
Peter Barker
10-12, 11-9, 11-3, 11-3 (73m)
Stewart Boswell |
Alan Clyne (SCO)
11-4, 11-0, 11-2 (20m)
Nick Kyme (BER) |
[11] Saurav Ghosal (IND)
11-1, 11-4, 11-0 (19m)
Ian Rukunya (UGA) |
Saurav Ghosal
11-6, 11-6, 11-7 (28m)
Lyall Paterson |
Lyall Paterson (SCO)
bye (Patrick
Chifunda w/d) |
[8] Stewart Boswell (AUS)
11-7, 11-6, 11-6 (42m)
Chris Small (SCO) |
Stewart Boswell
11-4, 11-7, 11-5 (38m)
Harinder Pal Sandhu |
Stewart Boswell
11-9,
11-6, 11-8 (47m)
Farhan Mehboob |
Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND)
11-3, 11-1, 11-2 (14m)
Shopon Pervez (BAN) |
[13] Farhan Mehboob (PAK)
11-3, 11-4, 11-8 (18m)
Samuel Kyagulanyi (UGA) |
Farhan Mehboob
11-3, 11-3, 11-1 (20m)
Yasir Butt |
Yasir Butt (PAK)
bye (Chris
Binnie w/d |
|
Bottom Half Men's Draw |
Round One
04 Oct |
Round Two
04 Oct |
Round Three
05 Oct |
Quarters
06 Oct |
Semis
07 Oct |
Lefika Ragontse (BOT)
11-6, 11-2, 8-11, 11-8 (36m)
Harry Leitch (SCO) |
Harry Leitch
11-4, 11-5, 11-3 (34m)
Campbell Grayson |
Campbell Grayson
11-8, 11-1, 11-3 (44m)
Azlan Iskandar |
Azlan Iskandar
11-6, 7-11, 13-11, 13-11 (135m)
Daryl Selby |
Azlan Iskandar
11-4, 11-7, 11-5 (44m)
James Willstrop |
[16] Campbell Grayson (NZL)
11-9, 11-6, 11-2 (29m)
Ray Simbule (ZAM) |
Robin Clarke (CAN)
11-9, 11-6, 11-3 (18m)3
Othniel Bailey (SVG) |
Robin Clarke
8-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-4 (48m)
Azlan Iskandar |
[6] Azlan Iskandar (MAS)
11-7, 11-3, 11-0 (15m)
James Bentick (SVG) |
Chris Simpson (GGY)
11-4, 11-3, 11-1 (15m)
Aubrey Taulo (MAW) |
Chris Simpson
11-8, 11-4, 12-14, 11-3 (64m)1
Martin Knight |
Chris Simpson
11-9, 11-5, 11-5 (52m)
Daryl Selby |
[15] Martin Knight (NZL)
11-3, 11-2, 11-5 (35m)
Hardeep Reel (KEN) |
Danish Atlas Khan (PAK)
11-1, 11-5, 11-2 (12m)
Bruce Burrowes (JAM) |
Danish Atlas Khan
11-5, 11-4, 11-3 (34m)
Daryl Selby |
[4] Daryl Selby (ENG)
11-2, 11-1, 11-2 (15m)
Michael Rucklinger (PNG) |
Lekgotla Mosope (BOT)
bye |
Lekgotla Mosope
11-7, 11-6, 11-3 (37m)
Ong Beng Hee |
Ong Beng Hee
11-4, 15-13, 11-5 (55m)
David Palmer |
David Palmer
9-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-5 (111m)
James Willstrop |
[9] Ong Beng Hee (MAS)
11-6, 11-3, 11-8 (26m)
Lazarus Chilufya (ZAM) |
Andrew McDougall (CAN)
11-1, 11-4, 11-4 (18m)
Orumu Ofoyuru (UGA) |
Andrew McDougall
11-3, 11-5, 11-6 (29m)
David Palmer |
[5] David Palmer (AUS)
11-1, 11-2, 11-3 (17m)
Julius Taulo (MAW) |
Shawn Delierre (CAN)
11-4, 11-9, 11-7 (22m)
Henry Birch (GGY) |
Shawn Delierre
11-5, 11-7, 11-7 (19m)
Michael Kawooya |
Shawn Delierre
11-7,
11-4, 10-12, 11-2 (38m)
James Willstrop |
Michael Kawooya (UGA)
bye (Shahier
Razik w/d) |
Ivan Yuen (MAS)
11-6, 11-0, 11-2 (18m)
James Matewere (MAW) |
Ivan Yuen
11-7, 11-4, 11-4
James Willstrop |
bye
[2] James Willstrop (ENG) |
Round Two
04 Oct |
Round Three
05 Oct |
Quarters
06Oct |
Semis
07 Oct |
Final
08 Oct |
[1] Nicol David (MAS)
11-2, 11-4, 11-2 (18m)
Damindha Udangawe (SRI) |
Nicol David
11-5, 12-10, 11-7 (29m)
Joshna Chinappa |
Nicol David
11-5, 11-3, 11-7 (29m)
Laura Massaro |
Nicol David
11-6, 11-3, 11-3 (38m)
Kasey Brown |
Nicol David
v
Jenny Duncalf |
[15] Joshna Chinappa (IND)
11-1, 11-4, 8-11, 11-4 (30m)
Sharon Wee (MAS) |
[5] Laura Massaro (ENG)
11-4, 11-2, 11-5 (22m)
Lisa Aitken (SCO) |
Laura Massaro
11-7, 11-4, 11-3 (26m)
Alana Miller |
[16] Alana Miller (CAN)
11-3, 11-6, 11-7 (22m)
Anwesha Reddy (IND) |
[4] Madeline Perry (NIR)
11-3, 11-7, 11-5 (15m)
Sharya Guruge (SRI) |
Madeline Perry
11-4, 11-4, 11-5 (25m)
Lisa Camilleri |
Madeline Perry
5-11, 6-11, 14-12, 11-9, 12-10 (84m)
Kasey Brown |
[13] Lisa Camilleri (AUS)
11-5, 11-7, 11-7 (29m)
Frania Gillen-Buchert (SCO) |
[6] Kasey Brown (AUS)
11-2, 11-4, 4-0 rtd (19m)
Miranda Ranieri (CAN) |
Kasey Brown
11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5 (85m)
Delia Arnold |
[11] Delia Arnold (MAS)
11-5, 11-4, 11-5 (19m)
Issey Norman-Ross (GGY) |
Jeannine Cowie (JEY)
11-2, 11-2, 11-4 (18m)
[12] Joelle King (NZL) |
Joelle King
11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 11-4 (37m)
Donna Urquhart |
Joelle King
12-10, 9-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2 (60m)
Alison Waters |
Alison Waters
6-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-4 (59m)
Jenny Duncalf |
Nicolette Fernandes (GUY)
12-10, 11-9, 11-7 (32m)
[8] Donna Urquhart (AUS) |
Stephanie Edmison (CAN)
11-2, 11-7, 12-10 (21m)
Surbhi Misra (IND) |
Stephanie Edmison
11-3, 11-3, 11-3 (17m)
Alison Waters |
Samantha Cornett (CAN)
11-2, 11-4, 11-5 (15m)
[3] Alison Waters (ENG) |
Zoe Barr (NIR)
11-4, 11-3, 11-3 (20m)
[9] Low Wee Wern (MAS) |
Low Wee Wern
11-7,
11-6, 5-11, 11-4 (62m)
Jaclyn Hawkes |
Jaclyn Hawkes
11-8,
11-4, 12-10 (40m)
Jenny Duncalf |
Amelia Pittock (AUS)
11-5, 11-9, 11-7 (25m)
[7] Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL) |
Anaka Alankamony (IND)
11-7, 11-4, 11-3 (21m)
[10] Sarah Kippax (ENG) |
Sarah Kippax
4-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-2 (43m)
Jenny Duncalf |
Zephanie Curgenven (GGY)
11-4, 11-3, 11-1 (18m)
[2] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) |
|
Round
One:
Sharya Guruge (SRI)
bt Safina Madhani (KEN) 11-3, 11-9, 11-2 (16m)
Frania Gillen-Buchert (SCO)
bt Ashley Khalil (GUY) 11-2, 11-3, 11-6 (20m)
Miranda Ranieri (CAN)
bt Kate Cadigan (JEY) 11-5, 11-9, 13-11 (21m)
Issey Norman-Ross (GGY)
bt Kerrie Sample (TRI) w/o
Jeannine Cowie (JEY)
bt Barbara Stubbings (PNG) 11-5, 6-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6 (36m)
Nicolette Fernandes (GUY)
bt Khaaliqa Nimji (KEN) 11-0, 11-3, 11-1 (13m)
Stephanie Edmison (CAN) bt Natalie
Dodd (GGY) 11-5, 11-1,
11-5 (16m) |
England
Bid For Double Commonwealth Games Gold In Delhi
Only
Malaysian Nicol David stands in the way of double gold for England
in Friday's Commonwealth Games Squash Singles finals in Delhi
where the world number one from Penang meets second seed Jenny Duncalf
in the women's final, and top seeds Nick Matthew and James
Willstrop line up in an all-English men's final at the Siri Fort
Complex in the Indian capital.
Jenny
Duncalf
was the first to secure a place in the medals. But the world No2 from
Harrogate in Yorkshire had a tough battle against fellow countrywoman
Alison Waters, the third seed, dropping the first game and facing
game-ball against her at 10-9 down in the second.
But the
27-year-old England No1 recovered to draw level before taking the next two
games to avenge her defeat in this year's British National Championship,
beating Waters 6-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-4 in 59 minutes.
"Obviously
it's great to be in the Commonwealth Games final - tomorrow will be
one of the highlights of my career," said the jubilant Duncalf moments after
coming off the all-glass showcourt at the new 11-court complex.
"It was a
bit of a funny game as Ali got a twinge in her Achilles - it was a bit of a
tough trying not to think of her. It was a bit unsettling," explained
Duncalf.
"Getting
the second game was really important. We're extremely competitive - but best
mates off court."
How does
she see her chances in the final? "I'm just looking forward to it - whoever
I've got. I don't think it's really sunk in yet.
"I've felt
good this tournament - I really like the court and the arena's great."
When asked
if she felt she was playing as well as when she downed Nicol David
twice in succession last year, Duncalf replied: "I'm never totally sure how
I'm playing. But I definitely had to play well to beat Ali - she's a great
player technically and physically. She really dominated me in the first
game.
"Winning
gold would be unbelievable. It would be the highlight of my career. We're
all desperate to win gold."
A downcast
Waters confirmed her Achilles twinge: "This really hampered my movement. If
I'd won the second game, it would have made a big difference.
"I still
felt I was in it - the third game was close," added the Londoner. "I felt I
was playing really well. I'm now concentrating on bronze."
Can Jenny
win it, the 26-year-old was asked? "I hope so - she's playing well."
Later, top
seed Nicol David emerged from the second semi, recording her fourth
successive straight games win in Delhi by beating Australia's surprise
semi-finalist Kasey Brown, the sixth seed who upset Northern
Ireland's No5 seed Madeline Perry 24 hours earlier.
The
25-year-old from New South Wales led three times in the opening game, but at
six-all David took control to close out the game after winning the next five
points in row. The cool Malaysian was always ahead thereafter and after 38
minutes notched up her 11-6, 11-3, 11-3 victory.
Now just
win away from the only major tile which has hitherto eluded her, David was
pleased with her performance: "I was playing really well to stay with her,
moving well and hitting the ball well. I felt good. I had a really good run
today.
"I'm glad
to be in the final - but it's going to be a battle. Just one more push!"
Much is
expected of the record five-time world champion who finished in a
disappointing fourth place four years ago in Melbourne: "That was a big
turning point for me. I learned a lot from that. I've brought my game up."
The
favourite was asked what it would mean to win the title: "The
Commonwealth Games title would definitely be up there with the other big
ones," said the Penangite.
Brown was
philosophical about her defeat: "All this experience is going to help me in
the future. Maybe next time I can win gold."
When asked
to identify what makes her opponent so difficult to beat, the New York-based
Aussie replied: "Mentally Nicol is very strong - and physically too. She's
also very quick and consistent. You feel you have to win five points before
you get one."
Top seed
Nick Matthew became the first to claim a place in the men's final.
The world No2 from Sheffield avenged a recent defeat by Peter Barker
to beat his England team-mate in exactly one hour.
The
left-handed Londoner led Matthew 8-7 in the first game, and was poised at
9-9 in the third game - but the third seed came away empty-handed as the
favourite, who struggled to find his form earlier in the event, scored his
11-9, 11-2, 11-9 victory.
"I've got
better each match, for sure - but I had to," said Matthew. "The
competition's got tougher. I am pleased to get off in three.
"I feel
I'm back to my best. I'm a lot happier than I was the first couple of days.
"I've been
in contact my psychologist back home, which has been a help. If you start
day-dreaming about winning matches, as soon as you get ahead of yourself
that's when you slip up."
His
reaction on reaching the final? "It's fantastic. But I've not come here just
to get in the final - tomorrow is when the job is finished."
Barker
felt he had been let down by the referees: "The first and third games were
crucial - I had two bad decisions. Not that it would have made any
difference. Nick outplayed me in the second.
"But it's
disappointing when you work so hard - and it comes down to bad decisions.
"Nick
played a lot better: controlled and accurate squash."
Barker
ended a run of 10 successive defeats by Matthew in August by beating the
Yorkshireman for the first time in the Hong Kong Open. "He played
better than he did in Hong Kong - and I didn't play as well," said Barker.
"He just didn't let me. I thought it was a fair match."
Would he
win bronze? "I hope so," concluded the 27-year-old.
The
much-touted 'dream' all-English final came about a few hours later when
second seed James Willstrop defeated surprise opponent Mohd Azlan
Iskandar, the No6 seed from Malaysia, 11-4, 11-7, 11-5 in 44 minutes.
Whilst
Willstrop had survived a brutal 111-minute encounter the previous night -
fighting back from 2/0 down to beat dogged Australian David Palmer in
a match which finished at 12.45 am - the Malaysian had needed 135 minutes to
upset determined Englishman Daryl Selby in an incident-packed affair.
But it was
clearly Iskandar who had been affected more as the 28-year-old from Kula
Lumpur fell to his sixth successive defeat to the tall Englishman.
"That
couldn't really have worked out much better," said Willstrop. "Looking back
at being 2/0 down last night, I didn't think I'd be in this position. Just
40 minutes on court today is handy.
"If we'd
had another ding dong tonight, it would have made it very difficult for
tomorrow. Yesterday, mentally, was very hard. I was nearly out of it last
night. Two hard back-to-back matches would have made it very difficult,"
explained the world No4 from Leeds.
"I set the
tone pretty well today - I felt alright, I didn't feel too bad. When he's
had two hours in his legs, and is 1/0 down, it's hard."
Four years
ago in Melbourne, Willstrop crashed out at the quarter-final stage - losing
to Matthew in an 82-minute marathon.
"Last time
was quite heart-breaking, playing Nick in a monster match in Melbourne,"
Willstrop recalled. "But I don't think the England team could be happier
this time - we've probably come and done as well as we could have hoped.
We've always said that this is a very important competition - all of the
players have put in a massive effort to get here."
On another
clash with Matthew, Willstrop stated: "I play him more than anyone. It'll be
a big game and an exciting one. Everybody talks about the rivalry - and
that's great for the sport.
"I'm
behind at the moment - it's time I got one!"
A tired
Iskandar praised his opponent: "James has a super attacking game - he just
didn't give me a chance to get going. He was simply too good - to beat him,
you need a fresh pair of legs. I thought he deserved to win.
"He's a
great player. He doesn't allow you to get into a rhythm.
"I set my
goal of making the semis - and I achieved that. I hope to recover tomorrow
to put in another day."
Double
England Silver Certain After Early Quarters' Successes In Delhi
England
can look forward to a minimum of two silver medals in the Commonwealth
Games Squash Championships in Delhi after Jenny Duncalf
and Alison Waters came through the first two women's quarter-finals,
and Nick Matthew and Peter Barker prevailed in the early last
eight men's matches at the Siri Fort Complex in the Indian capital.
Waters,
the third seed from London, was the first to put herself in medal contention
for the first time after beating New Zealand's Joelle King, the 12th
seed, 12-10, 9-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2 in 60 minutes.
It was the
world number four's second victory over the Kiwi this year - but clearly
Waters had a tougher hurdle to overcome this time:
"I've only
played Joelle once before - but I knew she'd be tough," said 26-year-old
Water. "She hits the ball well and hard. When I changed things around and
brought in a bit of variety, it all came together for me.
"I'm glad
to get through - winning that last game like I did gives you confidence.
Knowing I can play like that in the fifth gives me a boost. I've had more
experience than Joelle, and I think that was the key in the fifth.
"It's
exciting to be in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games - that's
pretty cool! Not many people can say that they've competed in the Games.
"It would
be great to play Jenny in the semis as at least one of would get a medal,"
added Waters.
Team-mate
Duncalf then obliged, ending the hopes of another New Zealander by beating
seventh seed Jaclyn Hawkes 11-8, 11-4, 12-10.
"I felt
good out there today - it's always good to get through in three," said
second seed Duncalf. "I maybe switched off slightly in the third - so I was
pleased not to go to a fourth.
"You can't
let up for one minute against these girls - you can't get complacent. As
soon as you sit back for a couple of points, the momentum goes."
Asked if
she was boosted by her team-mate's earlier win, Duncalf replied: "Yes, it's
great to see your team-mates do well. There's a great togetherness about the
squad - we all look out for each other.
"Ali and I
are sharing tonight - so I might have to think of a few tricks!"
Underdog
Hawkes admitted later she had been relaxed going into the game: "I had
nothing to lose.
"Jenny's
racket skills are so good. If you play a loose ball, you'll find yourself in
trouble. She just played better than me today.
"If I'd
managed to take the third, she might have tightened up a bit. Even though
she can come back from losing a game, I felt I had it in me to take it to a
fifth."
The
27-year-old from Auckland will now turn her attention to the Doubles: "I
think our chances in the doubles are really good. We've got a real good shot
to win."
Londoner
Peter Barker became the first man to earn a place in the semi-finals
when he recovered from a game down to beat experienced Australian Stewart
Boswell 10-12, 11-9, 11-3, 11-3.
Boswell,
the No8 seed in his third appearance in the Games, was two points away from
taking the second game when Barker edged through, then upped the pace to
record his 73-minute victory.
"That was
tough - and I was fortunate to win the second game," admitted the third
seed. "If he'd won that, it would have been really tough to come back - even
though I have a few years on him! Two down against someone of Bozza's
experience would not have been good.
"But after
winning the second, I was on the front foot."
When told
that Australian number one David Palmer had tipped him as a 'dark
horse' for the title, Barker was quick to respond: "No! Maybe people are
saying that because I beat Nick (Matthew) the last time we played. I'm
quietly confident of doing well, but I like being the underdog!"
The
left-hander then went on to admit how feared Palmer himself is: "We were all
not wanting to play David. In fact it's the first thing I thought of when I
saw the draw was - 'where's David?' That quarter was always going to be the
one everybody wanted to avoid."
The third
game was twice interrupted when the Englishman had to change his racket. "My
strings broke twice! And at 20 dollars a re-string, it's going to be an
expensive tournament! They're new Ashaway strings - and good strings - but
they have a life!"
Boswell
said that his plan had been to try and get a good length and get in front -
"which I did for about a game and a half. I thought I played pretty well -
but I fell off the pace a bit at the end, which was a bit disappointing.
"Pete's in
pretty good form and is an obvious contender for the title. I think he's
capable of winning it. I was hoping to get through at least another round -
but now we've got the doubles, so the only plus about losing is that I've
now got two days free.
"I haven't
really given the doubles much thought," added the Canberra-born 32-year-old.
"But it gives us a good opportunity to win gold for Australia."
Barker
will now line up against England team-mate Nick Matthew, the event
favourite, for as place in the final.
World No2
Matthew secured his first straight games win of the tournament when he
overcame Australia's seventh seed Cameron Pilley 11-7, 11-5, 11-6.
"It's
definitely the best I've played this week - but I needed to against somebody
like Cameron," said an upbeat Matthew. "I knew I had to start well. It's
getting better each day. I was moving a lot sharper around the court today.
"And I've
now got Pete (Barker). It's never easy to play a compatriot but I'm looking
forward to it. But Pete's playing well - he's confident. And he beat me the
last time we played.
When asked
if it felt good to know that England already had two certain silver medals,
the 30-year-old from Sheffield said: "The coaches might think of things like
that - but all of us are only after one thing! Nothing's been achieved yet."
Pressure-Free Palmer Looks Forward To Commonwealth Games Quarters
Australian
squash veteran David Palmer claimed one of the last slots in the
men's Commonwealth Games quarter-finals at the Siri Fort Complex
in Delhi - then admitted that the pressure is now off him.
"I've
nothing to lose now - I've reached my seeded position, I've achieved my
minimum goal here," said the 34-year-old fifth seed after the 11-4, 15-13,
11-5 victory in 55 minutes over his Malaysian rival Ong Beng Hee, the
No9 seed.
Palmer,
from New South Wales, won a bronze medal in 2002 and silver in the last
Games on home soil in Melbourne - and is the only player who could win a
third medal in a row in the Indian capital.
"I'm
relieved to get through today to put myself in a chance for the medals,"
said the former world number one and two-time world champion.
"Beng Hee
is a tough opponent and, although my head to head record is good against
him, we always have close matches. So I was pleased to get off in three
games - particularly on these bouncy courts, which suit his game.
"I'll be
fairly fresh going into tomorrow."
Palmer
will play England's James Willstrop, the No2 seed from Yorkshire who
beat unseeded Canadian Shawn Delierre 11-7, 11-4, 10-12, 11-2.
"He's a
player in form," said the US-based Australian. "We always have good matches
- and he beat me the last time in Australia.
"It'll be
good to play him on the all-glass court."
Willstrop
felt his match was average: "I was a bit rusty today - I wasn't very good.
But that's not unusual," admitted the 27-year-old from Leeds who had to be
persuaded to come back off court to talk to the media after he had returned
there after his match to get some extra practice once the audience had
cleared the arena.
When told
that it was Palmer that he would next meet, Willstrop said: "He's probably
the worst of the eight I could have had - but I'm not complaining, I'll just
focus now on that match.
"But when
it comes to the last eight, anyone can beat anyone."
Asked
about the prospect of an all-English semi-final, the world No4 stated: "I
hope so - that's we've all been aiming for. But it'll be a hard day to go
first."
It is
Daryl Selby that will be England's representative in the other men's
semi-final decided tonight when the fourth seed takes on fifth-seeded
Malaysian Mohd Azlan Iskandar. Selby beat fellow Briton Chris
Simpson, representing Guernsey, 11-9, 11-5, 11-5, while Iskandar
defeated New Zealander Campbell Grayson 11-8, 11-1, 11-3.
"I played
pretty well and was happy to get through 3/0 to be honest," said Selby, the
world No10 from Essex. "Chris never stopped running and had great support
from a large crowd of Guernsey supporters which created an excellent
atmosphere in the arena.
"Winning
the first game was crucial. I had to play really well and be totally
focussed throughout."
The only
quarter-final without English interest will be the women's clash between
Northern Ireland's Madeline Perry and Australian Kasey Brown.
Fourth seed Perry celebrated her second successive appearance in the last
eight after beating Australia's Lisa Camilleri 11-4, 11-4, 11-5,
while sixth seed Brown had to battle for 85 minutes to get the better of
Malaysia's 11th seed Delia Arnold 11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5.
There was
great audience reaction to the women's all-glass showcourt match between the
Indian number one Joshna Chinappa and Asian rival Nicol David,
the world number one from Malaysia.
After
dropping the first game, Chinappa led 8-2 and 9-5 in the second, and had
game-ball at 10-9. But, incredibly, the 24-year-old from Chennai served the
ball out of the court - a mistake which David quickly jumped upon to close
out the game before moving on to beat the 15th seed 11-5, 12-10, 11-7.
"I feel
awful about what happened at the end of the second game - I don't want to
think about," said a crestfallen Chinappa to a swarm of local media hanging
on her every word. "I've never had a lead like that against Nicol before -
but I gave her too many chances to come back.
"But this
has been the best tournament I've ever played in - and the support was even
better than when I play in my home town Chennai," enthused the world No34.
Nicol
David,
the hot favourite expected to win her first Games medal, admitted that
Chinappa had been a tough opponent. "It's the best she's ever played against
me - but every time we play, she's improved," said the 27-year-old from
Penang. "I had to really push."
David will
now take on England's Laura Massaro, the fifth seed who beat Alana
Miller, the 16th seed from Canada, 11-7, 11-4, 11-3.
Miller,
the world No35 from Winnipeg, revealed a week ago that she would retire
after the Games.
"It feels
so weird," said Miller shortly after the completion of her final match. "I
decided some time ago, but wanted to slip away unnoticed - I wanted to do it
quietly. But it got out when people started asking questions when I didn't
put myself up for selection for this year's world team championships.
"I've
started at medical school at the NUIG (National University of Ireland in
Galway) - and I just love it! I'm so happy to be there - I feel like I've
arrived," said the 30-year-old, fighting back the tears.
"It's
definitely the right decision - and I feel quite fortunate to have made the
team here.
"I'm not
playing in the doubles, so this is it - I've played my last match!
"I've got
so many great memories about being a full-time squash player - perhaps none
greater than when the Canadian team won the Pan Am Games title in 2007. We
were the second seeds and beat favourites USA in the final. It was extra
special!
"But my
main memories are for all the great people I have met in squash," concluded
the three times Canadian national champion.
Matthew
Tested In Commonwealth Games Opener In Delhi
England
favourite Nick Matthew took his anticipated place in the last 16 of
the Commonwealth Games Squash Championship in Delhi -
but the world No2 from Sheffield was severely tested by unseeded Malaysian
Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan in today's (Monday) second round match at the
Siri Fort Complex in the Indian capital.
Matthew,
competing in his first event since a fever forced his withdrawal from the
British Grand Prix in England last month, took the first game - but then
found himself 10-7 down in the second.
The
England number one, who had a bye in the first round, saved four game balls
to take the game - and quickly moved 6-2 up in the third.
But this
time it was underdog Adnan that raised his game - the 24-year-old world No52
from Kuala Lumpur winning eight points in a row to reach game-ball, then
taking the game after a brief fightback by the Englishman.
Matthew,
bidding to win his first Games medal, steadied himself in the fourth and won
five straight points from 7-3 to clinch an 11-6, 13-11, 8-11, 11-3 victory
after 75 minutes.
"I've
played him once before - but I knew he'd improved, and that he'd had a good
run this morning, whereas it was my first match," said the relieved
Yorkshireman later. "When I nicked that second game, I thought I had it -
but, credit to him, he came back and took the third.
"Maybe it
will be good to have had bit more of a workout than I expected - it gave me
a good chance to get the cobwebs out of my system," added the 30-year-old
when asked to comment on his recent setback.
On being
in the Commonwealth Games, Matthew said: "It's the biggest thing for
us - it would be brilliant to win it - but there's a long way to go yet."
Adnan, who
credited England coach Peter Genever for having raised his game, rued
his missed opportunities: "I'm really disappointed that I didn't win that
second game. I had a good chance to hit a winner at 11-10, but was worried
about hitting Nick with my racket, so held back.
"But Peter
has helped me a lot over the last four years. Some day I'm going to be in
the top 20 - but I need to work harder, and be smarter!"
Chris
Simpson
caused the first upset - and became the first Guernsey player ever to make
the men's last 16 - when he beat New Zealand's 15th seed Martin Knight
11-8, 11-4, 12-14, 11-3 in 64 minutes.
"The
courts were really bouncy and I had to work hard for very point," said the
23-year-old world No48. "I squandered four match balls in the fourth - but
I'd already worked him pretty hard in the earlier games.
"I knew I
had a chance against Martin," Simpson explained. "Although he's ranked
higher than me, I've beaten him twice before.
"I was
well-supported by a big Guernsey contingent, who were pretty noisy - and
that was great.
"The
Guernsey squad - across all sports - is really close-knit," added the
Channel Islander. "My best friend Tobin Horton is in the cycling team, and
we've know each other since we were three!"
Malaysian
super star Nicol David began her 2010 Games campaign in stunning
style, overcoming Sri Lankan Damindhi Udangawa 11-2, 11-4, 11-2 in
just 18 minutes.
The top
women's seed, who celebrated her 50th consecutive month as world number one
last month, is firm favourite to win her first gold medal - after finishing
a disappointing fourth last time in Melbourne.
"I've
learned a lot from the last few years, even the last few weeks, and I want
to take that energy forward into the Games," said the 27-year-old from
Penang when asked about the pressure on her to win the only major title that
has eluded her.
"I felt
good on court today. I was trying to get the feel of the glass court. She
got a few good shots in and I had to tighten up.
"It's a
real boost having your team mates around you - they give you extra support.
Once you're there, you just want to get in there and get going."
Alison
Waters,
one of David's main rivals from England, took three fewer minutes to earn
her place in the last 16, beating Canadian Samantha Cornett 11-2,
11-4, 11-5 in her opening match in 15 minutes.
"I've
never played Sam before - but it's quite funny, as I met her years ago when
I played one of my first international events in Canada and stayed with her
family," explained the No3 seed afterwards.
"She was
11 years old then, and playing junior squash. But she's a good player now,
and hits the ball really well.
"Being in
the Games is a great experience - it was brilliant being involved with last
night's Opening Ceremony. The atmosphere is great - and the England team
spirit is brilliant - we all want to do well.
"But it's
good to get the first match out of the way," added the 26-year-old world No4
from London.
Fellow
Londoner Peter Barker also eased into the third round of the men's
competition after defeating Scotland's Alan Clyne 11-4, 11-2, 11-3.
"To be
honest, I was a bit apprehensive about my match - I would have preferred to
play Alan on the glass court," said the third-seeded left-hander after his
40-minute victory. "But I knew I'd have to be there for a long time as he's
so fit.
"But I'm
pleased with the way I played - I was happy with 3/0."
Another
left-hander who booked a place in the third round was 13th seed Farhan
Mehboob, who beat fellow Pakistani Yasir Butt 11-3, 11-3, 11-1.
"I think I
played my best squash in that game. I know Yasir's game well - we practise a
lot together - so I was able to exploit his weaknesses," said the world No31
from Peshawar.
Mehboob
will now meet Stewart Boswell after the eighth seed from Australia
defeated India's Harinder Pal Sandhu 11-4, 11-7, 11-5.
"I'm
really focussed. I play Stewart Boswell next - and the last time we
played was in the Pakistan Open two years ago, when he beat me.
"But I
think I am ready for him now - I'm feeling confident!"
Palmer On
Course For Complete Set Of Games Medals In India
Australia's David Palmer, one of only a handful of squash players
making his fourth successive appearance in the Commonwealth Games,
successfully began his 2010 campaign by beating Malawi's Julius Taulo
in the first round of the men's squash singles championship at the Siri
Fort Complex in Delhi, India.
After
winning bronze in the Manchester Games in 2002, the former world number one
and two-time world champion secured silver in 2006 on home soil in Melbourne
- and is after singles gold in Delhi to complete the set.
"It would
be nice to finish off with gold - but it won't be easy," conceded the
34-year-old from New South Wales after his 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 victory over
32-year-old Taulo.
One his
country's most successful players of all-time, Palmer notched up ten
complete years in the world top ten in August. And, after slipping to 12 in
the September list, burst back into the top 10 this month after
rediscovering his form in the British Grand Prix in England, where he
reached the semi-finals against expectations.
"It hasn't
been a great year for me - but Manchester gave me a big boost. I was pretty
impressed with what I achieved there.
"It's nice
to get into it here with a good win. There's a great atmosphere here."
"I'm
healthy and fit. I hope I can continue my form this week."
The 2010
Commonwealth Games squash action is taking place in the impressive
new Siri Fort Complex which boasts 10 glass-backed courts and a
state-of-the-art all-glass showcourt boasting seating for 3,000 spectators.
"I've got
a pretty tricky draw, but I want to get onto the all-glass court - it's
where I like to play," added Palmer.
Malaysia's
world number one Nicol David is seeded to win her first
Commonwealth Games gold medal in the women's singles event - but had a
bye in the first round and will face Sri Lanka's Damindhi Udangawa in
today's second round
David made
her debut in the sport's maiden appearance in the Games in her home country
in 1998 - as a 15-year-old.
But
history was made today when Khaaliqa Nimji became the youngest
competitor ever to compete in the Games. The 12-year-old from Nairobi took
on the Guyana number one Nicolette Fernandes - but went down 11-0,
11-3, 11-1 to the 27-year-old former world No27.
"It was
very exciting for me, especially as I am so young - but it was a great
experience," said the schoolgirl who last year, aged just 11, became the
Kenyan women's national (senior) champion.
"Nicolette
is very good - she really plays some great shots," enthused the youngster.
"I tried my best, but I just couldn't do it. She's the best player I've ever
played."
Khaaliqa
took up squash when she was five. "My Dad (Sadruddin) started me off. I
started with tennis, but I liked squash better.
"My aim is
to be world number one in squash - and I would love to meet Nicol David
while I'm here," added the confident Miss Nimji who now moves forward to
represent Kenya in the Women's Doubles and Mixed Doubles later in the week.
|
|
Preview
Commonwealth Games Boasts World-Class Squash Field
Led by
nine players from both the men's and women's world top 20 rankings, the cast
list for next week's Commonwealth Games Squash championships
in Delhi will be world-class - with Malaysia's world number one
Nicol David seeded to win the women's singles gold medal and England's
Nick Matthew, the world No2, expected to take men's gold.
Players
from 27 countries will compete in the two singles events which get underway
at the superb new eleven-court Siri Fort Complex - which features an
all-glass centre court - on Monday 4 October. Following the Gold and Bronze
medal play-offs on Friday 8 October, the three Doubles championships (Men,
Women & Mixed) will take place from Saturday 9th to Wednesday 13th October.
New
medallists will be certain in the Women's Singles event - with no previous
winners in the field, and after Nicol David finished only in fourth
place in Melbourne in 2006. It was the 27-year-old from Penang's third
successive appearance in the event following her debut in her home country
in the sport's first appearance in the Games in 1998.
Nicol
David,
who celebrated her 50th successive month as world number one this month, is
in sparkling form after winning a record-equalling fifth World Open
title in Egypt earlier this month.
"After my
win at the World Open in Sharm El Sheikh I'm looking forward to
bringing that over to Delhi for the Commonwealth Games," said the
Malaysian on the eve of her departure for Delhi. "The Games will be a
completely different atmosphere and being part of the Malaysian contingent
will be a nice boost to do my best out there for the country.
"The
Commonwealth Games is always special and I will go all out for it!"
Nick
Matthew
is also enjoying the best form of his career this year after becoming the
first player to win three PSA Super Series championships. But, after
becoming England's first world number one for six years in June, the
30-year-old from Sheffield suffered a minor setback when illness forced him
to withdraw from the British Grand Prix, the biggest event in Europe
this year, in England earlier this month.
"I'm fully
fit now and looking forward to being in Delhi," said Matthew as he joined
his England team-mates for the flight to India. "I hear that the atmosphere
in the England camp has been buzzing and we all can't wait to get out there
and get amongst it now.
"On a
personal point of view, it will be my second Commonwealth Games - and
the first one was among the highlights of my career, so I can't wait to get
playing, especially after missing the British Grand Prix.
"Hopefully
the enforced rest has done me good," added the gold favourite.
Whilst a
new gold medallist is assured in both the men's and women's events,
Australia's David Palmer will be hoping to win his third successive
medal after clinching Bronze in England in 2002 and Silver on home soil four
years ago.
One his
country's most successful players of all-time, Palmer celebrated ten
complete years in the world's top 10 last month - and earlier this month
rediscovered his former form by reaching the semi-finals of the British
Grand Prix in Manchester.
Despite
losing to Egypt's Ramy Ashour, the reigning world number one and the
event's eventual champion, Palmer took positives from his performance: "It's
given me encouragement," said the two-time World Open champion. "I
haven't been able to play a match like that for the last four or five
months.
"The
Commonwealth Games is very important to me - and it looks as if I'm back
in form. It's better late than never! "So I can go back home and be happy
now.
"But it's
going to be very tough in Delhi," admitted the 34-year-old fifth seed.
England, Australia & Malaysia Expected To Share Commonwealth
Games Squash Gold
England, Australia
and Malaysia are expected to share the Squash gold medals in
next month's Commonwealth Games in Delhi, according to the
draws announced today by the World Squash Federation.
Malaysian
Nicol David, who celebrated her 50th successive month as world number
one this month, is the firm favourite to win the women's singles gold medal
for the first time - while Englishman Nick Matthew, the world No2, is
top seed in the men's individual event.
But the
seeding suggests that the remaining singles medals will go to England - with
James Willstrop, the world No6 who was runner-up in this week's
British Grand Prix in Manchester, winning silver and Peter Barker
bronze.
World
number two Jenny Duncalf is seeded to be runner-up in the women's
individual event, while her England team-mate Alison Waters is the
bronze prediction.
Yorkshireman Nick Matthew teams up with Londoner Adrian Grant
for the Men's Doubles, in which a gold medal is predicted for the English
pair.
But
Australia are expected to win gold in both the Women's and Mixed Doubles -
with New South Wales's Kasey Brown lining up with Donna Urquhart
as favourites in the women's event, and teaming up with Cameron Pilley,
also from NSW, as top seeds in the mixed championship.
Hosts
India are expected to win their first ever Commonwealth Games Squash
medal in the Women's Doubles where Joshna Chinappa & Dipika
Pallikal are seeded to secure silver - but they, and the other
favourites, may be upset by the specialist doubles combinations from New
Zealand and Scotland.
The
Commonwealth Games Squash events will take place at the superb new
eleven-court Siri Fort Squash Complex in Delhi - which features an
all-glass centre court - from 4-13 October.
Men's
Singles
1st round draw:
[1] Nick Matthew (ENG) bye
Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) v Hartaj Bains (KEN)
[10] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) v Masud Rana (BAN)
Colin Ramasra (TRI) v Jules Snagg (SVG)
[7] Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Joe Chapman (IVB)
Siddharth Suchde (IND) v Michael Hopkins (JEY)
[14] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) v Sandeep Jangra (IND)
Bradley Hindle (MLT) v Navin Samarasinghe (SRI)
[3] Peter Barker (ENG) v Kelvin Ndhlovu (ZAM)
Alan Clyne (SCO) v Nicholas Kyme (BER)
[11] Saurav Ghosal (IND) v Ian Rukunya (UGA)
Patrick Chifunda (ZAM) v Lyall Paterson (SCO)
[8] Stewart Boswell (AUS) v Chris Small (SCO)
Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND) v Shopon Pervez (BAN)
[13] Farhan Mehboob (PAK) v Samuel Kyagulanyi (UGA)
Yasir Butt (PAK) v Christopher Binnie (JAM)
Lefika Ragontse (BOT) v Harry Leitch (SCO)
[16] Campbell Grayson (NZL) v Ray Simbule (ZAM)
Robin Clarke (CAN) v Othniel Bailey (SVG)
[6] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) v James Bentick (SVG)
Chris Simpson (GGY) v Aubrey Taulo (MAW)
[15] Martin Knight (NZL) v Hardeep Reel (KEN)
Danish Atlas Khan (PAK) v Bruce Burrowes (JAM)
[4] Daryl Selby (ENG) v Michael Rucklinger (PNG)
Lekgotla Mosope (BOT) v Shawn Simpson (BAR)
[9] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) v Lazarus Chiluba Chilufya (ZAM)
Andrew McDougall (CAN) v Orumu Ofoyuru (UGA)
[5] David Palmer (AUS) v Julius Taulo (MAW)
Shawn Delierre (CAN) v Henry Birch (GGY)
[12] Shahier Razik (CAN) v Kawooya Nsaale (UGA)
Ivan Yuen (MAS) v James Matewere (MAW)
[2] James Willstrop (ENG) bye
Women's
Singles
2nd round draw:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v Karen Meakins (BAR)
[15] Joshna Chinappa (IND) v Sharon Wee (MAS)
[5] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Lisa Aitken (SCO)
[16] Alana Miller (CAN) v Anwesha Reddy (IND)
[4] Madeline Perry (NIR) v Sharya Guruge (SRI) or Safina
Madhani (KEN)
[13] Lisa Camilleri (AUS) v Frania Gillen-Buchert (SCO) or
Ashley Khalil (GUY)
[6] Kasey Brown (AUS) v Miranda Ranieri (CAN) or Kate
Cadigan (JEY)
[11] Delia Arnold (MAS) v Kerrie Sample (TRI) or Issey
Norman-Ross (GGY)
[12] Joelle King (NZL) v Jeannine Cowie (JEY) or Barbara
Stubbings (PNG)
[8] Donna Urquhart (AUS) v Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) or
Khaaliqa Nimji (KEN)
[14] Dipika Pallikal (IND) v Natalie Dodd (GGY) or
Stephanie Edmison (CAN)
[3] Alison Waters (ENG) v Samantha Cornett (CAN)
[9] Low Wee Wern (MAS) v Zoe Barr (NIR)
[7] Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL) v Amelia Pittock (AUS)
[10] Sarah Kippax (ENG) v Anaka Alankamony (IND)
[2] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v Zephanie Curgenven (GGY)
Men's
Doubles
schedule (seedings prefix pairings):
Pool 1: [1] Adrian Grant & Nick Matthew (ENG); [16] Patrick
Chifunda & Lazarus Chiluba Chilufya (ZAM); Malton Blair &
Alexander Fraser (CAY)
Pool 2: [2] Stewart Boswell & David Palmer (AUS); [15]
Lekgotla Mosope & Lefika Ragontse (BOT); Kelvin Ndhlovu &
Ray Simbule (ZAM); Gye Duncan & Duncan Gray (NFK)
Pool 3: [3] Peter Barker & Daryl Selby (ENG); [14] Michael
Fiteni & Bradley Hindle (MLT); Peter Christian-Bailey &
Mal Rundell (NFK)
Pool 4: [4] Ryan Cuskelly & Cameron Pilley (AUS); [13]
Robin Clarke & Shawn Delierre (CAN); James Bentick &
Jules Snagg (SVG)
Pool 5: [5] Alan Clyne & Harry Leitch (SCO); [12] Yasir
Butt & Danish Atlas Khan (PAK); James Matewere & Julius
Taulo (MAW)
Pool 6: [6] Mohd Azlan Iskandar & Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS);
[11] Sandeep Jangra & Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND); Kawooya
Nsaale & Orumu Ofoyuru (UGA); Shopon Pervez & Masud
Rana (BAN)
Pool 7: [7] Campbell Grayson & Martin Knight (NZL); [10]
Aamir Atlas Khan & Farhan Mehboob (PAK); Samuel Kyagulanyi
& Ian Rukunya (UGA)
Pool 8: [8] Gaurav Nandrajog & Siddharth Suchde (IND); [9]
Lyall Paterson & Chris Small (SCO); Hartaj Bains &
Hardeep Reel (KEN)
Women's
Doubles
schedule (seedings prefix pairings):
Pool 1: [1] Kasey Brown & Donna Urquhart (AUS); [8] Tamsyn
Leevey & Kylie Lindsay (NZL); Samantha Cornett &
Miranda Ranieri (CAN); Kate Cadigan & Jeannine Cowie (JEY)
Pool 2: [2] Joshna Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal (IND); [7]
Lisa Aitken & Frania Gillen-Buchert (SCO); Delia Arnold &
Low Wee Wern (MAS); Zephanie Curgenven & Issey Norman-Ross
(GGY)
Pool 3: [3] Lisa Camilleri & Amelia Pittock (AUS); [6]
Tania Bailey & Laura Massaro (ENG); Zoe Barr & Madeline
Perry (NIR); Nicolette Fernandes & Ashley Khalil (GUY)
Pool 4: [4] Jenny Duncalf & Alison Waters (ENG); [5] Jaclyn
Hawkes & Joelle King (NZL); Anaka Alankamony & Surbhi
Misra (IND); Safina Madhani & Khaaliqa Nimji (KEN)
Mixed
Doubles
schedule (seedings prefix pairings):
Pool 1: [1] Kasey Brown & Cameron Pilley (AUS); [12] Sharon
Wee & Ivan Yuen (MAS); Samantha Cornett & Robin Clarke
(CAN); Kerrie Sample & Colin Ramasra (TRI)
Pool 2: [2] Jenny Duncalf & James Willstrop (ENG); [11]
Joelle King & Martin Knight (NZL); Jeannine Cowie &
Michael Hopkins (JEY); Safina Madhani & Hartaj Bains (KEN)
Pool 3: [3] Nicol David & Ong Beng Hee (MAS); [10] Harry
Leitch & Lisa Aitken (SCO); Stephanie Edmison & Andrew
McDougall (CAN); Khaaliqa Nimji & Hardeep Reel (KEN)
Pool 4: [4] Dipika Pallikal & Saurav Ghosal (IND); [9]
Frania Gillen-Buchert & Alan Clyne (SCO); Marlene West &
Cameron Stafford (CAY); Barbara Stubbings & Michael
Rucklinger (PNG)
Pool 5: [5] Jaclyn Hawkes & Campbell Grayson (NZL); [8]
Donna Urquhart & David Palmer (AUS); Karen Meakins &
Shawn Simpson (BAR)
Pool 6: [6] Alison Waters & Adrian Grant (ENG); [7] Joshna
Chinappa & Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND); Sharya Guruge &
Navin Samarasinghe (SRI); Zephanie Curgenven & Henry Birch
(GGY)
ENGLAND SET FOR GOLD IN INDIA
Commonwealth
Games England (CGE) and England Squash & Racketball (ESR) have announced
their Men’s and Women’s Squash squad for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in
Delhi.
The ten person squad features a whole host of players ranked in the world
top 20, including PSA World Number 1 Nick Matthew and current Women’s
European Champion and WISPA World Number 2 Jenny Duncalf.
The squads were unveiled at a media day at the National Squash Centre in
Manchester. The entire England squad was in attendance to hear the news and
receive their team shirts for the tournament.
Given the level of talent within the squad, ESR CEO Nick Rider believes that
the England squash squads will be the team to watch in Delhi, and that
squash will be the sport where England gets the greatest number of gold
medals. He said “The talent in this squad is unbelievable. When you consider
how many truly world class athletes we have in this team I think it’s fairly
clear that we will be one of, if not the strongest team representing England
in Delhi. We shouldn’t even consider not bringing gold home with us.
“Our players are well aware that they are going to be the ones to beat in
Delhi, but they are more than ready for that kind of pressure, particularly
our captains Nick Matthew and Tania Bailey. We’ve never had a crop of
players as talented as this bunch, but England Squash & Racketball have all
of the grassroots in place to ensure that the next generation to come
through are a ‘golden generation’ like this one.”
World Number 1 Nick Mathew can’t wait for Delhi, and has his eyes firmly
placed on a medal at the competition. He says; “The state of squash in
England is the best that it’s been. We have five guys in the top fifteen in
the world and three girls in the top ten. I’m expecting gold medals for
myself and the rest of the squad.”
Matthew, 29, believes that English success in Delhi should inspire a new
wave of squash players to join ESR’s development teams and emulate his World
Number 1 status. “We now need to make sure that the next generation coming
through is as strong as this one, and the development work that England
Squash & Racketball do should ensure that the foundations are in place.”
The England Squash Commonwealth Games Squads are as follows:
England Men’s Squad
(inc. PSA World Ranking)*
Nick Matthew - Captain
(World Number 1) Sheffield, Yorkshire
Peter Barker (World Number 8) London
Daryl Selby (World Number 9) Shennfield, Essex
Adrian Grant (World Number 13) Leeds, Yorkshire
James Willstrop (World Number 6) Pontefract, Yorkshire
England Women’s Squad
(inc. WISPA World Ranking)
Captain
Tania Bailey –
(World Number 32) Stamford, Lincolnshire
Jenny Duncalf (World Number 2) Harrogate, Yorkshire
Alison Waters (World Number 4) London
Laura Massaro (World Number 8) Preston, Lancashire
Sarah Kippax (World Number 22) Tarporley, Cheshire
*Rankings correct at time of writing.
World number one Nick Matthew heads
England squash challenge at Delhi
World number one Nick
Matthew and women’s world number two Jenny
Duncalf will head England’s challenge at the
Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games in October.
The pair were today (Wednesday) named by
Commonwealth Games England in a 10-strong
squash team for Delhi.
Matthew went to the top of the world
rankings for the first time in his career
last month following victories in a string
of major tournaments including the British
Open, Canary Wharf Classic, Qatar Open and
the Sky Open.
The 29-year-old from Sheffield makes his
second appearance at a Commonwealth Games
after just missing out on the medals in
Melbourne four years ago, when he lost the
men’s singles bronze medal match to another
Englishman, Lee Beachill.
Matthew said: “I’m going there to win gold.
Coming fourth last time was very
disappointing. It hurt a lot - it’s the
worst position you can finish. I’m going to
use that experience to spur me on in Delhi.
“With squash not being in the Olympics, the
Commonwealth Games are one of the highlights
for us, especially as it only comes around
every four years. Hopefully we can put on a
show for people to prove what we could bring
to the Olympics.
“The field in Delhi will be incredibly
strong. Our preparations have been
meticulous, but you can’t get ahead of
yourself and we’ve got to make sure we do
the simple things right.”
Such is the strength of England men’s squash
that another three members of the men’s team
also feature in the world’s top 10, with
former world number two James Willstrop
currently ranked sixth, Peter Barker eighth
and Daryl Selby ninth. Adrian Grant is
ranked 13th in the world.
Jenny Duncalf is one of three England
players in the world top-10 women’s
rankings. She has a current career high
position of second, behind Malaysia’s Nicol
David. Ali Waters is ranked fourth in the
world, with Laura Massaro eighth. Sarah
Kippax is ranked 22 in the world, with Tania
Bailey 32nd.
Duncalf, from Harrogate, said: “The
Commonwealth Games are massive for us.
They’re our Olympics.
“I’ve looked forward to it for four years
since playing at the last Commonwealth
Games. It’s right at the top of my list now
and I’m really excited about it.
“We’ve got a good bunch of girls going and
we’re all raring to go,” she added.
“I’ll probably be playing in three events.
I’m obviously going for gold. It will be
disappointing to come away with nothing, but
I know it’s not going to be easy.”
Matthew, Willstrop, Grant, Duncalf, Waters
and Bailey all featured in England’s team at
the Melbourne Games four years ago.
Willstrop and Bailey are the only medallists
from Melbourne – they captured the mixed
doubles silver and women’s doubles bronze
respectively – both partnering Vicky
Botwright. Bailey also won women’s doubles
silver with Cassie Jackman at the Manchester
2002 Games.
The squash team’s selection today takes the
total size of the England team for Delhi to
date to 99 athletes, with more team
announcements expected shortly.
Craig Hunter, England’s Chef de Mission for
the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, said:
“I’d like to congratulate members of the
squash team on their selection and wish them
the very best of luck for their preparations
for Delhi.”
England have won a third of the 15 squash
gold medals awarded to date since the sport
was added to the Commonwealth Games
programme at Kuala Lumpur in 1998, along
with four silvers and 10 bronzes. That puts
England second in the all-time Commonwealth
Games squash medal table behind Australia.
England also finished second in the squash
medals table to Australia in Melbourne, with
two golds, a silver and two bronzes.
The England squash team for the Delhi 2010
Commonwealth Games is:
Men
Peter Barker – born 26.09.83 at Harold Wood,
Essex; lives Islington, London.
Adrian Grant – born 06.10.80 at London;
lives Lewisham, London.
Nick Matthew – born 25.07.80 at Sheffield,
South Yorkshire; lives Sheffield.
Daryl Selby – born 03.11.82 at Harlow,
Essex; lives Brentwood, Essex.
James Willstrop – born 15.08.83 at North
Walsham, Norfolk; lives Pontefract, West
Yorkshire.
Women
Tania Bailey – born 02.10.79 at Stamford,
Lincolnshire; lives Stamford.
Jenny Duncalf – born 10.11.82 at Haarlem,
Netherlands; lives Harrogate, North
Yorkshire.
Sarah Kippax – born 10.05.83 at Chester,
Cheshire; lives Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Laura Massaro – born 02.11.83 at Great
Yarmouth, Norfolk; lives Preston,
Lancashire.
Ali Waters – born 19.03.84 at London; lives
Oakwood, London.
The 2010 Commonwealth Games take place in
Delhi, India, from 3 to 14 October 2010.
They will feature 17 sports - archery,
aquatics (swimming, synchronised swimming &
diving), athletics, badminton, boxing,
cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls,
netball, rugby 7s, shooting, squash, table
tennis, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.
With the 2012 Olympic Games in London and
the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow,
Commonwealth Games England is entering a
breath-taking four years of sport.
Commonwealth Games England (GCE) is the
organisation responsible for selecting and
organising England's team at the
Commonwealth Games. England finished
second to Australia on the medal table at
the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games with
36 golds, 40 silvers and 34 bronzes.
Sport England is responsible for building
the foundations of sporting success, by
creating a world-leading community sport
system of clubs, coaches, facilities and
volunteers. Their focus is growing and
sustaining the numbers of people taking part
in sport and improving talent development to
help more people excel.
For further information about squash in
England please see the England Squash &
Racketball website at
http://www.englandsquashandracketball.com/
For further information about Commonwealth
Games England please contact the
Commonwealth Games England press office at
Matchtight Ltd on 07765 071683 or 07831
755351 or see the CGE’s website at
www.weareengland.org |
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