#nbashcup

4pm  Katie Malliff (ENG; 38) VS. Marina Stefanoni (USA; 58)

The quarter finals kick of with our #2 seed Katie Malliff taking on #8 seed Marina Stefanoni. This is Katies first NASH Cup and Marina’s 5th consecutive visit. Her first was the first event she participated in outside the US.

The first game is a back and for the battle with long controlled rallies. Neither seems to get too aggressive. They position well and prepare for each shot waiting for an opportunity to go for a winner. There are a series of shots won with killer drops which leave Marina up 9-8. First game goes to Marina. Squash TV is down, so I’ll beef up the notes for game 2.

Katie grabs the opening point but is leaving Marina on the T and pays for it. 1-1. Marina plays with a very calm demeanor which could be unsettling to some opponents. 2-2. Katie raises her shot forcing Marina back and providing opportunities to mis-direct.5-3 Katie. There will come a point where Marina needs to step up the aggression, but for now she continues to glide across the court with patience. 6-4. A fantastic back and forth rally finished with 3 drop shots moves us to 6-5. A couple of missed shots brings things to 9-5. Katie is winning, but she is also working at least twice as hard. Time will tell if it’s the right strategy for Marina. 10-6. Marina leaves a drop along and the game ends 11-6. We are at 1-1.

Katie has an approach that works and is sticking to it. She gets up 4-0. Marina jumps back with a pair, but then catches tin. 6-2. Marina has started to pick up the pace and is moving faster, but needs to gain more of the wins. 7-4. A long rally and missed drop by Katie. 7-5….7-6. Gears have shifted and the rallies are getting faster and stronger. A great winner from Marina ties things up. She gets the opportunity to go ahead with an overhead smash but catches tin. Then a weak boast in the back corner comes up short. 9-7 Katie. A great straight drop down the right wall and Katie is up 10-8. Nice drop from Marina. 10-9. Katie wins 11-9 and is up 2-1. Squash TV is fixed.

Marina grabs the first 2 points in game 3. She maintains steady control, still patient, but making more winners. Both players are working hard. I don’t think there has been a single let called. 9-3 Marina. Looks like yet another game 5. Good thing tonight is booked for 60 minute courts…..we’re already going to be running late. 10-3 and a great cross drop ends it. 11-3 Marina. 2-2.

The NASH Cup has had 32 matches so far….this is the 10th one going 5. Both players jump to an aggressive start. Katie was showing some wear at the end of game four and is looking to pick up a lead she can defend. 1-0 Katie. Some great length is forcing some misses on both sides. 3-2 Katie. Katie picks up a stroke as a ball bounces loose form the corner….that may be the first request. This a great battle. Long rallies and both are chasing everything. 6-5 Katie. Marina makes an amazing dive to save the tight drop, but Katie is there to hit it back. 7-5 A perfect front right straight drop from Katie. 8-5. Now a hard left corner straight drop from Katie 9-5.  We’ve seen bigger comebacks this week, but this is Katie’s to lose. A no let call on a nice boast from Katie and it’s 11-7. 3-2 Katie.

5pm  Yahya Elnawasany (EGY; 39) VS. Mohamad Zakaria (EGY; 64)

Stingray Hanebury back for another match write up. This will be the match report you didn’t know you needed in your life.

Tonight’s match will be a special one: Elnawasany vs Zakaria aka the Phoenix

This match features two very likely future world top 10 players and maybe even a future world champion. As expected, the club members are wagering beers by the dozen.

The beginning of the first game is neck and neck until at 5-5 the Phoenix wings a big point and celebrates with a loud cheer that gets the crowd going.

Up 8-5 and the Phoenix is looking impossible to put away despite Elnawasany often looking in control of rallies.

At 10-8 the Phoenix plays a backhand reverse boast to win the game. He cheers gladiator style as the crowd erupts.

I don’t know about you, but seeing a a 17-year-old play squash at this level really makes you ponder what you’ve done with your life thus far…

Also of note, Elnawasany chooses not to come off the court after the game. Power move? We shall see.

Second game sees the Phoenix take an early lead to 5-2. Elnawasany is composed but frankly seems like he isn’t sure what he can do to win.

The phoenix gets up 10-4 and tries to get some quick points to close out the game but Elnawasany doesn’t allow him the easy points and comes back to 10-7 playing some very tight squash. But the lead was too large and the Phoenix takes it go up 2-0.

Third game and Elnawasany takes and early lead 3-0. A good and necessary start for him if he wants to give himself a chance of winning.

But the lead is short lived, and the Phoenix ties it up 3-3.

The Phoenix rides a wave of confidence to a 10-6 lead, helped a bit by two or three questionable calls from the refs. Elnawasany comes back to 8-10 but the Phoenix takes it on a stroke for 11-8.

A fantastic match and the crowd, if disappointed, is only so because they wanted to see more of this excellent squash.

This is match reporter Stingray Hanebury, signing off until next time.

6pm  David Baillargeon (CAN; 42) VS. Sanjay Jeeva (MAS; 67)

Game 1 - David wins 11-6

Game 2 - The two left handers start with a long rally, many hits down the right wall. Sanjay wins the first point. Soon 3-1 for David with a couple of errors from Sanjay. It’s 4-2 for David when he loses a let call. Both players are finding the tin. At 7-5 David wins a let call but loses the next point. They tie at 7-7. A stroke called in David’s favour and soon 9-8 in his favour. They are tied at 9-9. David hits tin. Sanjay is ahead 10-9. A drop shot wins it for Sanjay 11-9. 

Game 3 - 

They tie it up at 1-1.  David wins a stroke call, and the score is 4-2 in his favour. Again, they get tied up at 4-4. Sanjay pulls ahead at 6-4. Then 9-7 for him. David ties it up at 9-9 with a hard shot to front right corner. Sanjay wins the next point. And his final cross court clinches his win ... Sanjay wins 11-9.

Game 4 - Sanjay's short game quickly gives him a 3-0 lead. But David's tenacity allows him to catch up and tie at 3-3. Then 4-4. Sanjay's strength appears to be his ability to take a hard shot and make a soft return, low as a drop shot for a winner. They tie again at 8-8. Then 10-8 for David who wins the final point and the game ... David wins 11-8.

Game 5 - It is tied 2 games each. This is the tie breaker. Both players are now up to full speed. Collisions are few and they show each other mutual respect. Sanjay wins the first 3 points. A long rally at 4-1 for Sanjay and then he wins the next point. Sanjay serves at 7-3. Soon 10-4 for Sanjay. A stroke is awarded to him and Sanjay wins the match 11-4.

RS

6pm  Grace Gear (ENG; 44)  VS. Marta Dominguez (ESP; 61)

Game 1

The game is starting quite fast with short rallies and the score is quickly 2-2.  Both players are moving well on the court. The players so far seem very evenly matched with the score 6-6.  The players both have a great ability to quickly change the speed of the ball n a single shot - well done by both.  As this game is progressing Grace seems to be in control of the speed of play - Marta is doing a lot of running around the court to retrieve the shots of Grace.  However, Marta prevails 11-7.

Game 2

As this game is progressing along again Grace has Marta on the run I would say.  And her shots continue to have Marta on the run in this game and the score is reflecting that - currently 6-1 for Grace.  With the score 10-4 Grace is definitely outplaying Marta in this game and Marta banging the wall on her way out of the court shows her displeasure in her play in this game.  She was most definitely outplayed and the score reflects this - Grace won 11-4.

Game 3

What I find interesting in this match is that there has been very little interference between the players and very few lets - I believe only one let at this point in the games.  Perhaps I spoke too soon - this match with the score 5-4   has had the players run into each other now several times and I would say the ref has been consistent in his determinations.  Again, Grace has Marta on the run around the court.  Grace definitely takes more risk in getting the perfect shot which costs her points even though she has the advantage of movement on the court.  The score is now 8-8.  And Grace takes the third game 11-8.

Game 4

Grace is quickly up 4-1 and again the accuracy of her shots has Marta on the run.  A great get by Grace has her now leading 6-4.  Her agility on the court is wonderful to watch.  The score is now 9-5 for Grace and her play is superior to Marta's.  Match point for Grace now.  And she won 11-5.  Great play by Grace!!

PH

7pm  Torrie Malik (ENG; 54) VS. Caroline Fouts (USA; 92)

Game 1 - Malik wins the opening point. They tie it up at 3-3. Stroke call in Fout's favour. Collisions are common. They tie it at 5-5. At 8-6 Malik is showing more strength and tighter shots. Then 10-6 and wins at 11-7.

Game 2- The speed is picking up and Fouts is moving faster but Malik continues to lead. At 5-3 another collision occurs and a let is called. Fouts wins the next two points and it is tied at 5-5. Malik pulls ahead at 7-6.  Then 9-6  for her. Then 10-6. Fouts responds and the score is 10-9.  Then tied at 10-10.  Malik wins the next point. Stroke for Fouts and its now 11-11. A no-let is called and Malik wins 13-11.

Game 3 - They are tied at 2-2. Malik continues to show a little more power and Fouts continues to have trouble getting around her. Several mistakes later and the score is 7-4 for Fouts. Again mistakes are made and the tin  is hit. Soon it is tied at 8-8. Next point Malik. Tied again at 10-10. And again at 11-11. A drop winner for Malik. Then tied at 12-12. Stroke to Fouts. Tied 13-13. Advantage Fouts. Tied 14-14.Tin shot for Malik. A second tin shot for Malik and Fouts wins 16-14.

Game 4 - Two collisions and a stroke is awarded Malik who goes up 5-0. A drop from Fouts and it is 5-1. More tin and it is 6-1 for Malik. Then 7-1 Malik. A low drop from Fouts and it is 7-2. Malik falls and it is 7-3. Soon 8-3 for Malik. She then makes a power shot winner for 9-3 score. Then 10-3. And Malik is a winner at 11-3.

7pm  Leung Chi Hin Henry (HKG; 48) VS. Joseph White (AUS; 84)

I am looking forward to watching Leung play again this evening as I watched his match yesterday against Kareem.  Leung is ranked 48th while Joseph from Australia is ranked 84th.

Game 1

Game one started with a couple of quick short rallies with Leung up quickly however as the game went on the rallies became very long.  Leung was definitely outpowering and using more tactical shots to win the first game decisively 11-2.

Game 2

Well Leung is quickly up 9-3 in game two and the rallies are much shorter and Leung is definitely in control.  And Leung wins quickly 11-5.  He is definitely showing his superiority against Joseph.  I believe his superiority will continue into Game 3 with a quick exit for Joseph in this match.

Game 3

A great nick in the corner has Leung win the point to tie white 1-1 early in the match with two quick rallies.  It seems like Joseph is hurting - very time there is a break in the action he is bending over a fair amount - perhaps it is nothing.   A great rally - very long - and the point goes to Leung - now 5-3 for Leung.   The game has become closer with the score now 7-7.  The score is now 9-7 for Leung and Joseph seems to be getting frustrated - the match is almost over.  It is now match point for Leung - the skills level of his shots is definitely making the games difficult for Joseph.  and Leung wins 11-8 - the match is over.

PH

8pm  Georgia Adderley (SCO; 33) VS. Saran Nghiem (ENG; 67)

Game 1 - appears to be an even match at 2-1 for Georgia. At 7-2 Georgia is showing dominance. Again at 9-5 Georgia is still in the lead.  Both players hit the ball equally well, but Georgia seems to be moving slightly faster.  A long rally and it is 10-6.  Then 10-7. Georgia makes an unretrievable boast and wins the game 11-7. 

Game 2 - It is 3-1 for Georgia and the speed is picking up.  Saran hits the tin, and the score is 5-2 for Georgia. Two great drops from her and the score is 5-4. At 7-5 Saran hits tin. Then a mishit. It is tied at 7-7. Saran hits it out. Then can't get to the next shot. It is 9-8 for Georgia.  Then 11-8 for Georgia. 

Game 3 - and the game keeps heating up. The pace is faster and the stretches for retrieves are more impressive. They are tied at 2-2. A low winner for Georgia and the score is 5-3 for her. Georgia blocks a shot and wins the point. Now 6-4.  A good mix of cross-courts and rallies up and down the wall. Great stretches from Georgia. She wins a long rally down the left wall. It is 8-6 for Georgia. An error from Saran. Soon 10-7 for Georgia. Then 10-9 for Georgia. Saran is under great pressure to win this game but ends up hitting tin. Georgia wins 11-9.  

9pm  Curtis Malik (ENG; 40) VS. Cesar Salazar (MEX; 53)

Game 1:

0-0 (Malik serves): Malik starts with a precise serve, quickly asserting control with deep drives and sharp drops that force Salazar into defense.

3-0 Malik: Malik dominates early with effective shot placement, keeping Salazar on the back foot.

7-4 Malik: Malik maintains his control with powerful and strategic shots. Despite Salazar's attempts to counter, Malik's consistency prevails.

10-5 Malik: Malik earns multiple game balls with commanding play, applying constant pressure on Salazar.

11-6 Malik: Malik converts his first game ball with a well-placed drop shot, taking the first game 11-6.

Game 2:

0-0 (Malik serves): Salazar opens the second game strongly, quickly taking a 4-0 lead with precise shots and aggressive play.

4-0 Salazar: Salazar controls the game with effective drops and drives, putting Malik on the defensive.

4-2 Salazar : Malik begins his comeback with two quick points, adjusting his play to apply pressure.

10-7 Malik: Malik storms back from 4-0 down to take a 10-7 lead, earning three game balls with sharp, tactical plays.

11-7 Malik: Malik converts his third game ball with a decisive shot, taking the second game 11-7 and leveling the match at 1-1.

Game 3:

0-0 (Malik serves): Malik comes out aggressively in the third game, taking a commanding 5-0 lead with high-speed, relentless play.

5-2 Malik: Salazar briefly responds with two quick points, trying to make a comeback.

9-5 Malik: Malik continues his dominance, scoring to reach 9-5 and earning five match balls with his powerful play.

11-5 Malik: Malik takes the match with a final score of 11-5, converting his first match ball and securing a 3-0 victory with a dominating performance over the 6th-ranked Caesar Salazar from Mexico.

Final Score: Curtis Malik wins 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-5)