Gilly Lane bt Maxym Leclair 11-4,11-6, 11-1 (20m)
Alfredo Avila bt Justin Todd 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 (23m)
Patrick Chifunda bt Omar El Kashef 12-10, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6 (56m)
Erik Tepos Valtierra bt Jonathan Ramos 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 (72m)
Wade Johnstone bt Lewis Walters 11-8, 11-8, 12-10 (45m)
Gerardo De Paul Garcia bt Thomas Brinkman 11-8, 11-9, 11-8 (50m)
Dane Sharp bt Anthony Graham 8-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7 (76m)
Eddie Charlton bt Matt Serediak 11-4, 11-7, 11-6 (45m)
Wade Johnstone bt Lewis Walters 11-8, 11-8, 12-10 (45m)
Match report by Will Newnham
It’s the eight o’clock matches and the spectators have gathered in anticipation for the Walters and Johnstone match. Both players started the match off finding good length and width, with Wade getting the better of the first few exchanges. Wade started dominating the T on more of a consistent basis towards the end of the first, edging it 11-8.
Walters got off to a better start at the beginning of the second game. Taking a 6-3 lead over Johnstone. Clearly the advise from Charlton, his Nottinghamshire training partner and life friend, must have paid. Johnstone took the next two points with some tight drops shots to the backhand corner, and appeared to be taking control of matters. Johnstone asks for a let, but is denied by the referee, 7-5 to Walters. Both have been rallying back and forth, working hard for it, but Johnstone’s patience helps him fight back to an 8-8 dead heat. The rhythm changes in the last few points with Johnstone finding a bit more variation that seemed to have Walters running from corner to corner, second game to Johnstone 11-8.
Walters takes the first point of the second with an immaculate drop shot to the backhand, clinging it to the wall. Two unforced errors from Johnstone and Walter’s looks determined on fighting back, 3-0 Walters. A long rally at 4-1 is ended by a backhand straight volley nick from Johnstone, bringing Johnstone back in the game, with a score of 4 -2. A tight ball on the forehand wall by Walters, forces a loose shot by Johnson. Stroke to Walters, much to Johnstone’s dismay, 6-3 to Walters. Walters, is now attacking much more and constantly placing the ball in all for corners, Johnstone is on the run, while Walters applies the pressure, 8-4 Walters. Both players are now in full flow and Johnstone gets it back to 8-8 with some attacking squash. A game ball to Walters at 10-9, is denied by Johnstone after a long and tiring rally. Johnstone takes the next 2 points to secure the match in the tie break (2-0), 3-0 Johnstone.
Photos by Paul Schwartz:
No responses yet