Point by Point Play – Day 2
Monday 26th November – World Open First Round
Matthew vs Barrington
Matthew serving. The first rally sees both players feeling each other’s game out until Barrington tins it. Matthew takes the next point to lead 2-0. The squash is fast, hard and aggressive. Barrington tins an attempted drop in the next rally. 3-0 Matthew. Matthew then tins a drop front left. 1-3 Barrington. Matthew wins the next and seems to be using boats to great effect. He then plays an unbeatable tight line drive down the left, followed by a low hard winner down the middle. 6-1 to Matthew. He then wins a stroke (with contact) to move to 7-1. Another great boast puts Barrington under too much pressure and he cannot recover. 8-1. Some great lobs and drops from both players in the next rally. Barrington seems to be struggling to find winners, and Matthew is very fast. Barrington then tins an attempted backhand drop to the left corner and Matthew has a commanding 9-1 lead. Another tin shot from Barrington on a boast from the back right. 10-1 game ball. Matthew then plays a great drop front left which Barrington cannot retrieve, and he wins the game 11-1 in 11 minutes. Very convincing stuff from Nick Matthew.
In game 2 the first rally is long and ends with Matthew tinning a shot. Barrington then loses a let call and it is 1-1. Another ball played down from Matthew – that is more mistakes than he made in the first game already – and Barrington has a 2-1 lead. A great drop from Matthew in the front right corner cannot be reached by Barrington. 2-2. Barrington then plays a fantastic boast which Matthew just can’t get to. 3-2. They both slow it down in the next rally with some great lobs, before Matthew can only return a drop back to himself. Barrington leads 4-2. A great boast from Matthew is countered by an unbeatable drop from Barrington into the front right. 5-2. Barrington then keeps Matthew under pressure and a tinned drop takes it to 6-2 in Barrington’s favour. Matthew then pulls off a great drop to serve at 3-6, but Barrington still seems to be in the driving seat, and is awarded a stroke on the next point. 7-3. Several drops in a row and Barrington just cannot reach Matthew’s fine effort front left. 4-7 and we have been playing for 27 minutes now. Much more aggressive play now from Matthew, but Barrington counters with a devastating drop front left. Matthew then tins a ball shortly into the next rally and Barrington leads 9-4. Then Matthew plays a shot into the right corner which Barrington disputes as being down – the three referees do not agree and it is 5-9. More aggressive play from Matthew leads to a quick winner – 6-9. The next rally has Barrington scrambling, but it ends up in a let play. Another let play as Matthew sneaks a short serve but cannot consolidate. A great long rally ends with Matthew tinning the ball front left. 10-6 game ball to Barrington. Matthew then plays a boast which Barrington just does not see and it is 7-10. Matthew controls the next rally and wins it with a drop shot front right. 8-10 and Barrington looking slightly nervous, but he plays an unbeatable drop to win the game 11-8. That ties the match at one game apiece.
Barrington serves at the start of the next game. He takes the first point, but tries to be too clever with a high shot and Matthew punishes him in the back left corner. 1-1. Barrington then wins the next point – he seems to be playing a few more lobs, and slowing it down slightly. Barrington plays the next two point down in quick succession and it is 3-2 to Matthew. The next rally sees two fantastic recoveries from Matthew before it ends with a let call. Matthew plays the next ball high and out down the left to move the match to 3-3, but then plays an unreachable drop front right. He now leads 4-3, and then 5-3 as Barrington plays the ball down. An overhead volley to the front right takes Matthew to 6-3, then a failed drop down the left from Barrington and it is 7-3. Barrington suddenly seems to be making mistakes, much like in the first game. He then fails to reach a drop and Matthew leads 8-3, then 9-3 as he plays a low cross-court drive winner from the back left. Barrington recovers a point before Matthew moves to 10-4 game ball. Barrington the executes a winning low cross-court drive from the left. 5-10 game ball. Another quick point to Barrington and it is 6-10. Barrington then loses a let call and Matthew takes the game 11-6. He now leads 2-1 in the match. Matthew was much tighter in that game and Barrington started making mistakes in the latter stages.
The fourth game sees Matthew take an early 2-0 lead. He then drops front right to move to 3-0. Barrington then plays a drop front right to serve 1-3. A hard low cross-court from the front right to the back left by Matthew is too good and he moves to 4-1. Another great cross-court drive from Matthew, this time from the front left, and he leads 5-1. Barrington then plays a deceptive drive from the front down the right and he is serving at 2-5. Barrington then plays the ball down on a drop in two successive rallies. He drops his racquet in disgust – Matthew now leads 7-2. Barrington looks to be limping slightly? A drop from Matthew takes it to 8-2, then 9-2 as Barrington tins an overhead shot. The match has now run for 69 minutes. Matthew then wins to move to 10-2, then wins a stroke to win the game 11-2 and the match 3-1.
Nick Matthew is asked by Edwards – “No easy games at this level?”. Matthew responds: “The first game was really bad for me – it threw me a bit. Credit to him because he could have lost confidence.” Nick had won the US Open and The British Open – Edwards asks if that was a special moment? “The British Open was out of the blue and the US was even bigger. My aim is to get into contention and keep consistency.”
Willstrop vs Anjema
Edwards introduces Laurens Jan Anjema (LJ), the World number 24. Anjema has played his opponent before, but the Dutchman has never won a game. But it has been close. Their last head-to-head, at the US Open, was a five game affair. Edwards then introduces his opponent – who was a great junior and has converted his promise to the professional tour – from Pontefract – James Willstrop.
The players trade points early on 1-1. The next long rally ends with a let call, the Anjema plays a drop winner. 2-1 to the Dutchman. Willstrop then plays a great drop into the front right – Anjema can’t reach it. 2-2. Another long rally is won by Anjema with a boast from the back left. Willstrop is playing some great lobs. A quick point from Willstrop and then Anjema does the same to lead 4-3. Willstrop plays the ball down, and it is 5-3 to Anjema. Anjema then calls for a let on a nick shot but does not get it. 4-5 Willstrop, who is also very deceptive with his cross-courts. He wins the next and the game is tied at 5-5. Then he gets 2 quick points to move to a 7-5 lead. Points are traded and Willstrop leads 8-6. But the Dutchman isn’t giving up yet, and plays a fantastic volley into the left nick. 7-8. Then a tight shot to the back right which Willstrop cannot scrape off the wall. 8-8. A cat-and-mouse rally follows, ending in a let play. Another winning volley to the nick – this time on the right side – by the Dutchman, followed by a passing shot, and he serves 10-8 game ball. He then plays the ball down at the front right, and Willstrop serves 9-10. Several let plays ensue. Then Willstrop plays a delightful drop to the front right to tie the game at 10-10. Tie-break – player to win by two clear points. A lightning shot down the right from Anjema – 11-10, then he has Willstrop under pressure and drops at the front left to win 12-10. What a great ending to the first game.
Second game – a great drop to the front left by the Dutchman. 1-0. Willstrop is struggling, and power play from Anjema takes him to 2-0. Then a deceptive winning drive from Willstrop down the right, but Anjema immediately gets a point back. 3-1. Willstrop then wins a stroke – 2-3, but then plays the ball down. Anjema now serves at 4-2. Another ball in the tin from Willstrop. 5-2. Anjema is playing superbly down the right and drops one which Willstrop cannot reach. 6-2. A disputed call gives Willstrop a point to serve at 3-6. Anjema then thinks about a let call on the next point but decides against it. 4-6 Willstrop. Then Anjema has him under all sorts of pressure and volleys a winner into the left nick. 7-4. Willstrop then plays another deceptive drive which the Dutchman does not see. 5-7. A stroke to Willstrop and it is 6-7. Anjema then plays a great low cross-court to the right and is serving 8-6. But in the next rally he tins the ball. 7-8 with Willstrop serving. Then the Dutchman is denied a let and the game is tied at 8-8. A good comeback by the Englishman. Then he tries to get to a cross-court and loses his racquet – asks for a let which is not given. 9-8 to Anjema. Another superb volley-drop to the right from Anjema and it is 10-8 game ball. He wins the game with a stroke – 11-8.
Game three – the Dutchman is flying and wins 3 quick points to take an early lead. He then wins a stroke. 4-0. Willstrop is looking slightly sluggish, and he tins the next point. 5-0 to Anjema, who seems to be trying to move Willstrop around more with more boasts. They trade points and it is 6-1, before Willstrop wins a stroke to serve at 2-6. Can he come back like he did in the second game? Willstrop wins the next point, then some tight play down the right before Willstrop takes the point. 4-6. Anjema then plays the ball down, and there is some urgency about Willstrop, who serves at 5-6. The Dutchman takes the next point, and serves at 7-5. A frantic rally ensues, then Anjema tins a drop front right. The crowd gasp. It is 6-7 with Willstrop serving. Willstrop suddenly seems much tighter on the right side, and wins a stroke. 7-7. Another great comeback. He then plays a superb drop to move ahead 8-7. Another deep shot into the back right corner from Willstrop and Anjema goes down on the deck trying to recover. “The court is too wet”, he shouts as he loses the point. On come the court rats to clean up. Willstrop leads 9-7 after being 6-1 down. Willstrop is focusing on the right side now, but Anjema gets the point to serve at 8-9. Two let plays, then Anjema is under pressure and Willstrop drops to go to 10-8 game ball. Anjema is then denied a let and Willstrop wins the game 11-8.
Game four and it has been an hour since this match started. Willstrop can’t reach Anjema’s first winning drop front right, and the Dutchman gets a quick second. 2-0. A quick point from Willstrop and it is 1-2. A great rally with both players making great shots ends in a let play. Anjema then plays the ball down twice in a row. 3-2 to Willstrop. The Dutchman then plays a superb shot which Willstrop cannot reach. 3-3. A disputed call from Anjema – he is not given a let front right. 4-3 Willstrop. Another frantic rally sees Willstrop trying to fool his opponent, who reads the ball and volleys. Willstrop ends up losing the point and on his back. 4-4 with Anjema serving. Willstrop plays the serve down – 5-4. A great drop from the Dutchman – Willstrop asks for a let but not given. Anjema leads 6-4. A superb volley-drop to the right nick from Willstrop, then another quick point and the game is tied at 6-6. Willstrop then plays a great low boast to move ahead 7-6. A drop from Anjema but Willstrop is there at the front and wins a stroke. 8-6. A rally around all fur corners sees the Dutchman front left playing a low cross-court winner to the back right. 7-8. Willstrop gets out of jail after being under pressure with a great drop, but the rally leads in a let play. A fantastic rally follows, but Willstrop prevails with a drop to move to 9-7. We are 75 minutes in and then Anjema delivers a killer winner. 8-9. Willstrop then tins the ball. 9-9. Nail-biting stuff, and the crowd are loving it. Willstrop is much tighter down the right, then reaches a great drop to deliver a low cross-court winner to the back left. 10-9 game ball. Anjema then tins a drop front right and Willstrop wins the game 11-9.
Two games all, and Willstrop serves in the decider. He gets an early 4-0 lead before Anjema mis foots him. 1-4. In the next rally the Dutchman tins an attempted drop front left. 5-1. Then he plays a superb fast volley to move to 2-5. Willstrop then plays an exquisite drop winner to move to 6-2. In the next rally Anjema has the Englishman under all sorts of pressure, and capitalises 3-6. But he plays the next ball down and Willstrop leads 7-3. Then another two mistakes in a row from the Dutchman. 9-3 to Willstrop. Willstrop then plays a great boats – Anjema is looking tired. 10-3 match ball, and he then takes the next point to win 11-3.
Edwards asks Willstrop – you were 2 games and 6-1 down – what did you do? “I just dug and dug and dug. I am very proud that I could dig in in the biggest tournament on the calendar”. “Very happy to have a day off tomorrow. Mentally that was one of the hardest matches I have played this season.”
White vs Walker
Edwards welcomes Alister Walker onto the court. “Very recognisable”. The next man is the “hardest hitting player in the world” – 34 year-old world number 8 John White. They warm up as Edwards gives some insight into John White – “one of the greatest personalities in the squash world”. “He has delighted crowds all over the world”. He was born in Australia but plays for Scotland – his father is from Edinburgh. Alister Walker believes he can win tonight – White has not played in several tournaments so may be lacking in match fitness.
Game one has White serving. He blasts a quick point, then tins one. 1-1. In the next rally he has Walker under pressure but tins the ball. 2-1 Walker. White wins the next, and is then awarded a stroke. 3-2. Then Walker plays the ball down. 4-2. He then plays some exhibition shots and drives to move to 5-2. He then wins a stroke and serves at 6-2. Walker plays another ball down. 7-2 to White, who then plays the ball down trying to boast. 3-7. Another tinned shot from White and it is 4-7. A great rally with fantastic recoveries from both players ends with Walker winning a stroke. 5-7. A rocket-shot from White and it is 8-5. Walker then wins another stroke, but White quickly cancels it out. 9-6. A long rally sees White drive left – too good. 10-6 game ball to White. He tins the next shot going for a hard strike. 7-10. Walker then gets a great shot down the right side which White cannot reach. 8-10. White wins the game with a deceptive boast. 11-8.
In the second game White goes for a hard drive but tins it. 1-0 to Walker. Another tinned shot from White takes Walker to 2-0. White then plays an exquisite drive down the left into the nick. 1-2. Walker then plays the ball down and it is 2-2. Walker now plays a superb winning drop. 3-2, but White counters with a bullet winner. 3-3. Walker plays his next boast down and White leads 4-3. The next rally is hard and fast – Walker isn’t looking out of his depth here, but White plays a drive and wins a stroke. 5-3. Another two quick points for White and he leads 7-3. He then plays a great recovery shot to move to 8-3. Walker falls to the ground during the next rally – White now leads 9-3. Walker tins an attempted drop and it is 10-3 game ball. Walker then hits a bullet winner – 4-10. A great rally follows but Walker tins a drop front right. White takes the game 11-4.
The third game sees White shoot to a quick 3-0 lead before blasting the ball into the tin. 1-3 Walker. A great cross-court drive winner from Walker, but White trades the point and leads 4-2. In the next rally White slips and can’t stay in the rally. Walker serves 3-4. A mistake from Walker and White leads 5-3. He attempts a chop-drop front left but tins it. Two more quick points from White take him to a 7-4 lead, and he then boats from the back into the nick. 8-4. Another quick point from White – 9-4. He then recovers well and plays a devastating nick – match ball 10-4. The next rally sees White play the ball back into himself. 5-10 Walker. White then kills the ball to win 11-5.
Gaultier vs Selby
Edwards welcomes qualifier Daryl Selby from England to the court. His opponent is one of the “three musketeers” from France. He has “a gift”, and recently played in the World Open in Cairo – he lost to David Palmer after beating Amr Shabana – Gregory Gaultier.
In the first game Gaultier leads off with two quick points. A long rally ends with Gaultier hitting the nick front left. 3-0. He then plays a length cross-court to the back right which is too good. 4-0. Selby then wins his first point. 1-4. Gaultier then wins a stroke on the turn. 5-1. A tinned shot from the Frenchman and Selby serves 2-5. Another long rally ends with Selby failing to make a boast from the back right. 6-2 to Gaultier. Selby tins the ball again – Gaultier leads 7-2. Gaultier has Selby under pressure early in the next rally, but the Englishman recovers, and the rally ends with a let play. Gaultier then tins an attempted backhand drop to the front left. 3-7. A tight ball down the left from Selby – Gaultier cannot reach it. 4-7. Then Gaultier plays a tight drive down the right and Selby cannot play it off the wall. 8-4 to the Frenchman. Selby then loses a let call – 9-4 to Gaultier. Selby plays the next ball down and it is 10-4 game ball. Gaultier the plays a switch shot to the corner to win the first game 11-4.
In the second game Gaultier moves to a 2-0 lead early on. He then has Selby scrambling, but Selby then turns the pressure around. The rally ends in a let play. Selby wins the next as Gaultier tins it. 1-2. Another tinned shot – this time a boast – from Gaultier. 2-2. Selby is not making it easy for the Frenchman, winning the next point. Gaultier then plays a great drop into the nick at the front left. 3-3. The players trade points and the game moves to 4-4. A great backhand volley drop from Selby takes him into the lead at 5-4. Gaultier takes the next point and the game is tied again. 5-5. Several let plays, then Gaultier plays a great length winner into the back right corner. He leads 6-5. Another two quick points for the Frenchman. 8-5. Several let plays, then Selby tins a boast. 9-5 to Gaultier. A great backhand drop down the left from Selby moves him to 6-9. Gaultier then repays the compliment with a similar shot. 10-6 game ball. Selby drops a winner down the right. 7-10. Then a great rally sees Selby struggling, then recovering, only to tin the ball. Gaultier takes the game 11-7.
In the third game Gaultier speeds into a 5-0 lead. Selby plays a great drop but Gaultier retrieves and the gap is now 6 points. A mistake from Selby and Gaultier is 7-0 up. A sublime winner from the Frenchman. 8-0. Selby then makes another mistake at the back right. 9-0. He then tins a drop. 10-0 match ball to Gaultier. Another tinned shot and Gaultier wins 11-0.
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