Australian Open thoughts

Published: 12 Aug 2010 - 09:24 by mike

Updated: 02 Apr 2011 - 12:39

Subscribers: Log in to subscribe to this post.

I got into Canberra in time to watch the last four first round matches. Just saw the last few points of Zac Alexander and Shorbagy. I would have liked to have seen more of that. Definitely seems as though Zac can compete above his current ranking and should make steady progress.

LJ Anjema v Julian Illingworth

3–0 to LJ, but never too dominant. LJ seemed a little more at ease with the situation. Both players were playing to the front of the court a lot. They were happy to stay up there for several shots in a row; counter drops and cross court flicks and the like. Illingworth a number of times held the ball at the front of the court and punched a straight drive down the wall for a winner. It was low key deception, but well executed. LJ pulled it out a few times as well.

Stewart Boswell v Thierry Lincou

Best match of the night. Excellent use of the front backhand corner, and fantastic movement by both players to keep getting those shots back. Extremely clean too, very few lets, especially considering the incoming speed. Attacking, accurate and patient. Good match.

Cameron Pilley v Scott Arnold

Although Scott got 8 points in each of the first two games, Pilley looked very comfortable. He had time on the ball, and could choose his shot quite late. Often seemed happy to throw in a boast (he hits this shot well) to move Scott around. Very crisp hitting. Scott did alright, had his chances, just a bit less experienced I guess. The first two games both ended with tins from Scott. The first was certainly unforced as he had an open ball and sensed an opportunity but rushed the ball into the tin. A few nice pieces of deception, but Cameron always looked like he was going to win it.

Ramy Ashour v Omar Abdel Aziz

Ramy is good at squash. He wasn’t being pushed to his brilliant best, but his racquet head speed, disguise and ability to generate pace from no where (or to take it off the ball) stands out. His reputation preceeds him. Even when he “half” hit a nick, not going for a winner, there were ooohs from the crowd. A standard shot off the back wall elicited an impressive sound from one or two. Poor Omar broke one set of strings in the warm up, and two more before the end of the match. He ran out of his own racquets and had to play the last few points with one Ramy lent him. You could hear him ask the crowd if anyone had a Head racquet, but he had to make do with a Dunlop from Ramy. Really looking forward to watching Ramy lift his level through the tournament.

Todays schedule is pretty brutal for me as a spectator. There are about 11 hours of matches scheduled back to back that I want to see.

How to add images to Members' Forum posts and replies here...

Replies...

Please Note: The most recent replies are now at the top!

From mike - 16 Aug 2010 - 16:22

The event went very well for first time organisers (of a major event). I think they may have bitten off more than they could chew in regards to also running the fringe tournaments (for amateurs to play in), but the main event went well. The court was good (players I heard from were all happy with how it played). Room for improvement though, for example there were no programs for people not familiar with the players.

I did not see much publicity about it in Canberra, though I didn't look at any newspapers or watch much TV until last night. There were a lot of posters at the Woden courts though.

There was a huge satellite dish on a truck outside the Convention Centre, which I'm told was for local TV. I don't know which station, or how much was/will be broadcast.

It was a great experience, really good to see the world's best players in Canberra. For anyone that hasn't heard the Ramy Ashour / Greg Gaultier match was the best of the tournament, and definitely worth catching a replay of on PSA Squash TV. Phenominal! (and Palmer Willstrop is probably one to miss unless you like hearing yes-let a lot. Credit to Willstrop for playing through a lot to win the fourth game).

From raystrach - 16 Aug 2010 - 11:15

i hope you survived the 11 hours, mike and more besides.

from your persepctive, how did the event go? i did not see any outside media on the event although i am sure there would have been a bit in canberra.

also wondering if anyone else saw much in the general media. maybe i have been in too much of a hole lately!

Sorry, only members can post replies on this and all other Members` Forum items.

Join Here - It`s fast and it`s free!

Check other member benefits here...