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The amateurs got a piece of the action as well. With four divisions and close to sixty entrants its been a full house at the Genesee Valley Club and the University of Rochester courts everyday beginning Wednesday through the weekend.
Photos by Paul Schwartz:
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Patrick Chifunda bt. Salvador Martinez (11-8, 5-11, 11-1, 11-9) [By Ryan Evans]
The match was high-energy all the way through, with both players really pushing forward. Chifunda controlled the tempo early on, but Martinez hung tight. They traded points throughout the first game, with Chifunda coming out on top after a couple of nicks. Martinez bounced back in the second game, using his incredible touch to even the match up. Chifunda returned with a vengeance in the third, pushing the pace and keeping Martinez on his heels. The fourth game was hotly contested, with a number of argued lets, but Chifunda again edged Martinez out to take the match 3-1.
(Photos by Paul Schwartz)
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Quarterfinal results:
Patrick Chifunda bt Salvador Martinez (11-8, 5-11, 11-1, 11-9)
Lekgotla Mosope bt. Fernando Lopez (11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6)
Ahmed Hamza bt. Michal Reid (8-11, 8-11, 10-5, 10-4, 10-6)
Andrew McDougall bt. Arturo Castillo (11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6)
The Rochester squash community had a chance to “meet the players” off the squash courts at a fun Friday night social at the Behringers’ basement sports bar. (Photos by Karen Behringer)
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By Martin Heath
After a successful qualifying day, the 3 local University of Rochester players put up strong resistance for the seeded players in the first round. The popular, energetic and highly athletic 1st seed Patrick Chifunda showed his match experience against “local boy” Hameed Ahmed. Hameed controlled most of the rallies, though the retrieving ability, counter attack and deception of Chifunda proved too much for Hameed to control for the duration of the match, Chifunda pulling through in a tough 3-1 battle.
Will Newnham also put up stern resistance against 4th seeded Fernando Lopez from Mexico. Lopez fits with the Mexican tradition of great basic game, strong movement and a dogged determination, a combination that was to prove too tough for Newnham in the long run. Lopez clinched a close 2-0 lead, and while Newnham fought back to win the 3rd game with some killer dropshots, fell short physically in the 4th game to the searching, moving strategy of the Mexican player.
Jim Bristow came into the tournament as a wildcard and with high expectations, though didn’t rise to the occasion against 3rd seed Quebecer Michael Reid. Reid used his Power-esque terse technique and attritional strategy to test Bristow’s ability to take control. Unfortunately Bristow didn’t come with his typical controlled game, and didn’t really find his rhythm, not applying enough pressure to break Reid’s resolve, Reid coming through to the quarter finals with a relatively straightforward 3-0 victory.
With all eight quarter finalists impressing in their own ways, it seems impossible to predict a winner on Sunday, though there are sure to be some great matches to come.
Patrick Chifunda bt. Hameed Ahmed (11-9, 11-2, 10-12, 11-4)
Salvador Martinez bt. Jacques Swanepoel (11-9, 6-11, 11-8, 11-8)
Fernando Lopez bt. Will Newnham (11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8)
Lekgotla Mosope bt. Armando Olguin (11-6, 11-3, 11-4)
Ahmed Maged Hamza bt. Jason Delierre (14-12, 11-9, 11-7)
Michal Reid bt. Jim Bristow (11-7, 11-3, 11-9)
Arturo Castillo bt. Navin Samarasinghe (11-7, 13-11, 11-4)
Andrew McDougall bt. Joe Millman (11-5, 11-2, 11-3)
(*We’re lucky to have Martin’s insight on tonights matches*)
Photos from Round 1 by Jonathan Davis:
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Gavin Lee Perrett in action against Will Newnham
The first round of the qualifiers began this morning with Dan Roberts and Lekgotla Mosope overcoming University of Rochester squash team members #5 Yohay Wakabayashi and #6 Edwin Goncharuk respectively in straight sets.
Two other locals, UR#1 Hameed Ahmed and UR#4 Fred Reid squared off against each other with Hameed prevailing. In the final match of the morning, Gavin Lee Perrett fought a strong battle against local Will Newnham (UR#3) but eventually losing 3-1.
Gavin Lee Perrett vs Will Newnham
The final round of the qualifiers played out in the evening session with both UR locals, Hameed Ahmed and Will Newnham carrying through to the main draw.
Ahmed quickly went 2-0 up against Bruno Vega but Vega came back strong in the third and almost kept it going until Hameed’s racquet skills got the better of him.
Will Newnham and Maxym Leclair played out the longest match in the qualifiers, almost an hour. The first two games were neck-to-neck and could have gone either way with each going to 15-13 in favor of Newnham. In the third, Newnham surged ahead to 11-2 to take the match.
Lekgotla Mosope and Graham Bassett started off with a closely contested first game which eventually went to Mosope 12-10. It looked like Mosope had the upper hand in the second game but Bassett had an opportunity in the third at 8-4 up. Mosope consistently dug back to eventually win the match.
Finally, the #1 qualifier seed Jason Delierre beat Dan Roberts 11-6, 11-7, 11-7 to earn a spot in the main draw.
Pictures from Qualifiers Round 1 (morning session) by Paul Schwartz:
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Qualifying finals:
Jason Delierre bt. Dan Roberts (11-6, 11-7, 11-7)
Lekgotla Mosope bt. Graham Bassett (12-10, 11-4, 11-8)
Will Newnham bt. Maxym Leclair (15-13, 15-13, 11-2)
Hameed Ahmed bt. Bruno Vega (11-3, 11-6, 12-10)
Qualifying Round 1:
Jason Delierre – Bye
Dan Roberts bt. Yohay Wakabayashi (11-4, 11-4, 11-5)
Graham Bassett – Bye
Lekgotla Mosope bt. Edwin Goncharuk (11-5, 11-7, 11-6)
Will Newnham bt. Gavin Lee Perrett (11-4, 11-9, 7-11, 11-6)
Maxym Leclair – Bye
Hameed Ahmed bt. Fred Reid (11-8, 11-5, 11-7)
Bruno Vega – Bye
Please contact Hugh Higgins (hugh_higgins at urmc dot rochester dot edu ) for match times.
Due to the large size of the draws, some matches will begin on Wednesday night.
(Wednesday, Thursday, Friday matches at the Genesee Valley Club, 421 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607 – Map. Saturday/Sunday semifinals/finals at University of Rochester)
Division 3.0/Beginner – Main Draw (Matches begin Wednesday night)
Division 3.0/Beginner – Consolation Draw
Division 3.5 – Main Draw (Matches begin Wednesday night)
Division 3.5 – Consolation Draw
Division 4.0 – Main Draw (Matches begin Wednesday night)
Division 4.0 – Consolation Draw
Division 5.0 – Main Draw (Matches begin Thursday night)
Division 5.0 – Consolation Draw
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Stills from the 2007 event
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As we roll into tournament week and the pros begin to trickle into town, there is a lot to look forward to. The UR team members will need all the home support they can get so don’t forget to look up the schedule and be there. FRIDAY NIGHT PARTY: Also on Friday, come out and “Meet the Players” after the first round of the main draw. The festivities begin at 8:00pm at 850 Highland Ave (the big green house at the corner of Highland and Clinton Ave. with the coolest sports bar in the basement) and is open to all players (pro and amateur), their hosts and spectators. A big thank you to the Behringers for the warmth and hospitality they have extended to the squash community. Food and drinks from On the Rocks, Mt. Hope Ave. |
CITY TOURNAMENT DRAWS:
If you’ve already signed up for the city tournament, the draws will be posted on the website on Tuesday April 2nd. And if you haven’t, the signup deadline is March 31st. So sign up now!
With a little more than two weeks remaining, the main draw for the 2008 Rochester Pro-Am has been announced. As per PSA rules, the qualifier draw will be picked the morning of Wednesday, April 3rd.
 Former longtime UR coach Peter Lyman & Patrick Chifunda at the ‘05 Rochester ProAm |
Patrick Chifunda(ZAM), a Rochester regular ranked #127 is returning this year as the #1 seed. Patrick is a squash professional based in Virginia and has played five out of the last six Rochester Pro events. Westchester based squash pro, Ahmed Hamza(EGY) is another familiar face who will be returning again this year. Others in the “no-strangers-to-Rochester” category are Andrew McDougall(CAN), Michal Reid(CAN), Fernando Lopez(MEX), Armando Olguin(MEX), Arturo Castillo(MEX) and Joe Millman(ENG).
Besides the strong Canadian and Mexican contingents, there will be a diverse array of young and upcoming squash talent on display from Sri Lanka, Botswana, Spain, Guatemala, Ireland, England, and South Africa. |
The new and improved UR squash team also command a strong presence with a wildcard (Jim Bristow) in the main draw and five of the remaining Yellowjackets (Hameed Ahmed, Will Newnham, Fred Reid, Yohay Wakabayashi, Edwin Goncharuk) in the qualifier as locals.
So here is the schedule – come out, support your favorites and if you don’t have any yet, you will by the time this tournament is over. Experience professional level squash right here in Rochester!
And if you want a piece of the action, don’t forget to sign up for the amateur city tournament!
Final player list has been announced – check out the final cut. This year, besides our own international squad of varsity players, the Rochester Pro will see players from Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Botswana, Guatemala, England, Sri Lanka, France, Spain, Ireland and Pakistan. Please contact us if you would like to host a player, there a few spots left. (Learn more about hosting a player.)
On April 3rd-6th 2008, Rochester will be witness to the seventh installment of the Rochester Pro tournament. Th tournament has been scheduled a couple of months later than the usual January time on purpose to allow our player guests to sample Rochester in relatively better weather in April. The tournament is currently registered and sanctioned on the PSA calendar and we’re looking forward to having a host of international pros come back to Rochester.
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