Match recaps by Will Newnham. Photos by Paul Schwartz.
First up for tonight’s session was Luke Forster from Australia against Maxym Leclair from Canada. The rallies were hotly contested from the beginning of the match, with Forster coming out on top with his attacking style of play. In the first two games Forster conducted play by controlling the middle of the court and keeping his opponent at the back of the court. Once Forster had the young Canadian pinned at the back, it was his delays from the front that were causing Leclair to work hard. Forster takes a 2-0 lead. In the third there was a turn of events. Here, Leclair started hitting the ball tighter, thus preventing Forster from conducting play with his arsenal of precise drop shots. This was a good game from Leclair where he prevailed, 11-6. The last game was tight all the way, with both players finding good length. The fans thought that they were in for a treat when Leclair seemed to be getting the better of Forster in the forth. However, Forster dug deep to come away victorious 14-12 in the forth.
Luke Forster bt. Maxym Leclair 11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 14-12 (48 min)
On at the same time as Leclair and Forster was Joe Chapman, the University of Rochester #7, and former U of R player Fred Reid. Reid’s deception paid off from the start, forcing Chapman to be on the receiving end of some great flick shots from the front. Chapman, renowned for his competitive spirit, battled hard to keep Reid at bay. However the talented Canadian proved too skillful for Chapman of the British Virgin Islands, as he booked his place into the main draw in three games.
Fred Reid bt. Joe Chapman 11-3, 11-6, 11-5(29 min)
For the second session of the night, Jonathon Ramos Uriel Islas of Mexico faced off against the University of Rochester’s #4, the Peruvian, Andres Duany. Duany came out of the blocks at a rapid pace, playing precision squash and seemed to be a man on a mission, as he sailed through the first game, 11-5. As the second game progressed, the rallies were extended and the pace remained consistent. However, the tables turned in favour of Islas as he relentlessly picked up every shot that Duany through at him. To make matters worse for the Peruvian, every shot that Islas retrieved was coming back in a clinical manner. Second game to Islas, 11-6. The following game was a similar story with both players chasing down every single ball as if it were their last, but again Islas came out on top 11-7. As Duany entered the court for the fourth game, he seemed to be more focused. Here he played disciplined squash where he hit all four corners with fading lengths and clinical drop shots. Although the Mexican ran all balls down, Duany prevailed 11-8. Going into the fifth game, the crowd could tell they were in for a treat when the first point lasted a good couple of minutes with both players showing that they both desired obtaining the victory. After a few more grueling points, Fabien Versaille, the referee declared that it was the one of the longest games he had ever refereed. The length of the game became evident as Islas began to cramp in his left quad after a long point. At 8-8 in the fifth, Islas was cramping heavily and the fans sensed a Duany victory. However, the Mexican somehow managed to carry his leg around the court for a few more points and somehow picked up a tight Duany drop shot to seal the deal 11-9 in the fifth. Good game boys.
Jonathan Uriel Ramos Islas bt. Andres Duany 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9 (85 min)
The last match of the evening featured the U of R #2, Jim “piglet nipples” Bristow and Oliver Pett, who were renewing their junior days rivalry. Both players started the game off very steadily, both finding good length, but Pett took control by dominating the “T” and chopping in some stylish drops. Although Bristow dug deep throughout the match, it became clear towards the end that Pett’s training regimen combined with Bristow consuming too many Cornish pastries, ultimately resulted in a victorious Pett and a pink Bristow. All in all, a fair and good spirited match from both players.
Oliver Pett bt. Jim Bristow 11-4, 11-7, 11-6 (36 min)
Results:
Luke Forster bt. Maxym Leclair 11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 14-12 (48 min)
Fred Reid bt. Joe Chapman 11-3, 11-6, 11-5 (29 min)
Jonathan Uriel Ramos Islas bt. Andres Duany 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9 (85 min)
Oliver Pett bt. Jim Bristow 11-4, 11-7, 11-6 (36 min)
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