Round one report
Chris Fuller bt Kevin Moran 11-4, 11-1, 11-1 (34 mins)
Moran looked to be feeling the effects of yesterdays tough qualifying final in this one. Fuller was too strong and accurate and despite some excellent rallies, Moran found himself doing too much work today.
Mike Harris bt Mark Broekman 11-9, 11-9, 11-5 (28 mins)
The first two games of this one were tight with Harris seeming to find an extra gear for the crucial points. He was always ahead in a third game full of great shot making.
Josh Masters bt Miles Jenkins 11-5, 11-7, 11-8 (31 mins)
Masters, fresh from him win in Bexley last week made a strong start with some trademark hard hitting and nicks. It was the second game before Jenkins found some rythm, starting to extend the rallies and limit the opportunities for his opponent. Whilst always slightly ahead in the third, Masters found himself under more pressure in the third game with Jenkins starting to impose himself and take control of more points. Some quality retrieval towards the end of the game saw Masters through to the quarter finals.
Ben Ford bt Nick Mulvey 11-8, 11-13, 10-12, 11-2, 11-8 (65 mins)
One of the matches of the tournament so far, this one had it all. Long rallies, excellent attacking play and fantastic movement. Mulvey took two out of three tight games before appearing to take his foot off the gas in the fourth, with Ford taking it easily 11-2. Mulvey found himself 6-4 up in the decider but some patient and controlled play from Ford turned things in his favour to gain a 9-7 lead and eventually close out a superb match 11-8. The balcony was packed for this one and the spectators showed their appreciation for a great match.
Mark Fuller bt Ismail Rauf 11-8, 11-4, 11-7 (24 mins)
This game was a total contrast of styles with Fuller playing accurate and controlled squash while Rauf looked to open up the court and finish the rallies quickly. It was evident partway through the first game that Fuller was going to pick up too many balls for Rauf’s strategy to be effective.
Patrick Rooney bt Asim Khan 11-7, 9-11, 11-3, 11-2 (39 mins)
A strange match this one. Khan seemed to put up little fight in the first game and lost it comfortably. He came out a totally different player in the second looking focused and began to control the rallies, making Rooney do more work. The third and fourth games were similar to the first with Khan offering up little resistance, I am not sure if he was carrying an injury. The crowds this week have been appreciating Rooney’s style of play and range of shots.
Jan Van Den Herrewegen bt Ondrej Uherka 5-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-8 (65 mins)
One word for this match, brutal! Uherka continued his fine form from qualifying to take the first and looked strong. The second game was an important game which was point for point until the end, Jan just edging it. By this point both players were giving their all and pushing each other to the limit. The third and fourth games were very competitive but Jan managed to keep ahead to take this one in four long games. A very impressive match.
Tristan Eysele bt Alex Noakes 11-8, 11-4, 11-4 (33 mins)
Having reached the semi finals in Bexley, This was Eyseles sixth match in five days and to think he was two points away from going out in the first round of qualifying here! Looking full of confidence he was always in control here showing an impressive rage of shots. Noakes worked hard today but looked slightly flat, perhaps due to returning from a tour of the US only yesterday.