Canada Cup – Quarts Couverture Squashsite
ENORME!!!!
Mathieu Castagnet sort l’homme en forme du moment, Joel Makin, en quatre jeux en quart de finale de la Canada Cup et jouera Paul Coll pour une place en finale…
[8] Mathieu Castagnet 3-1 [4] Joel Makin 2-11, 11-7, 11-4, 12-10
{j’adore le nom que l’auteur de l’article a trouvé pour Mat!}
Game 1:
– Joel Makin takes game 1 with fantastic touch of a tight ball down the wall; 11-2
Game 2:
As the game begins, 1-1, an excruciating long point ends with Mathieu as the victor. The next 2 points leave Makin on his toes, keeping castange ahead, 3-1. Makin suddenly speaks again and strikes with power, allowing him to equalize the score. Castange stops Makin and elevates his score to 7-3. At 8-3, Castange ends the long point with a hold sending makin on the run. Castange takes game 2, equalizing the game score, 1 all.
Game 3:
Castange remains fired up from game 2 as he uses the energy to keep his run to take the game 11-4.
Game 4:
The opening rally leaves the audience in awe as Castange ends the point with a beautiful hold down the right hand wall. While the 1st point is very long, the 2nd is twice as lengthy, both players covering a lot of space amongst the court. As the game progresses, both players continuously exchange points between each other. The game creeps to 9-7 for Castange, Makin slams the ball into the tin, taking the score to 10-7 match ball. Makin saves 4 match balls, catching up to 10 all. CASTANGE ends Makin’s run, taking the match 3 games to 1.
2e Tour
[7] Cesar Salazar (Mex) 3-2 [9/16] Lucas Serme 2-11, 2-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-9 (84m)
[8] Mathieu Castagnet 3-2 Tayyab Aslam (Pak) 11-3, 9-11, 11-1, 8-11, 11-7
Mazen Hesham (Egy) 3-1 Baptiste Masotti 12-10, 8-11, 11-3, 11-8 (56m)
Lucas Serme
Mixed feelings here in Toronto. Two quality matches overall, but gutted to miss out on a quarter final spot after being so close! No time to brood over it though, picking myself up for the Windy city open starting next week!
Lucas/Cesar
This was the more anticipated match of the day, as world number 26 Cesar Salazar took on world number 32 Lucas Serme. The first two games were fairly one sided as Serme came out of the gates pushing the pace of play. Appearing to be battling some slight physical discomfort, Salazar gave up the first to games quickly 11-2, 11-2.
Salazar, known for his fortitude and strength, dug deep winning the third and fourth games in two extremely physical games 11-7,12-10.
In the last game, the two exchanged more physical rallies and traded points all the way to the end of the game. A couple controversial calls and a blood injury stoppage broke up the play at the end of the game. After the stoppage, both players appeared to be able to get back into the game mentally and continue the physical play. Ultimately the patience of Salazar was too much for Serme and took the fifth and deciding game 11-9.
Mat/Tayyab
Tayyab comes out attacking…Mathieu retrieving everything and not letting anything touch the floor twice. Eventually Tayyab would go for too much and find the tin. 11-3 Mathieu. Tayyab looks like he is finally warmed up and ready to play. He is happy to rally, volley, play fast. He was rewarded for this by taking the second game 11-9, games are tied 1-1.
Mathieu came our resolved and determined in the third game and raced to a 9-0 start. From there he never looked back, game Mathieu 11-1. Tayyab came out in the fourth game determined to rally, move the ball and keep with it mentally. He raced to a quick 6-1 lead but Mathieu fought back to level the game at 7-7. Tayyab won the big points at the end of the game, 11-8 Tayyab and the match is tied 2-2. Mathieu raced to a 3-0 lead….Tayyab fought back to 3-3. Mathieu resolved to push goes up 6-4. A few quick errors by Tayyab put Mathieu up and in the driver seat, game 11-7 and match to Mathieu 3-2.
Mazen/Baptiste
The quality of squash in this match was second to none. The first game was all about Baptiste retrieving Mazen’s hold and deception. While it frustrated Mazen he was able to establish some control and started to move Baptiste corner to corner. A few mistakes late in game 1 by Mazen made it close but he was able to pull it out 12-10. Baptiste started the second game going for more winners and this seemed to surprise Mazen who continued to make errors giving up a 7-1 lead.
As Baptiste tired he was able to get close but just too many mistakes early on game the game to baptiste 11-8. As the 3rd started you could see Baptiste was suffering from his 5 game match last night as his legs started to give out. Mazen continued his relentless holds and flicks and attacking every volley. As Baptiste tired Mazen was able to take control of the match winning the 3rd 11-3 and 4th 11-8.
Premier Tour
Premier tour de la Canada Cup à Toronto: 2 sur 3 avec une belle performance de Baptiste qui sort Rafi Kandra au 5ème.
[9/16] Lucas Serme 3-0 Yip Tsz Fung (Hkg) 15-13, 11-2, 11-6 (31m)
Baptiste Masotti 3-2 [9/16] Raphael Kandra (Ger) 10-12, 8-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-6 (76m)
[9/16] Borja Golan (Esp) 3-0 Victor Crouin 11-7, 12-10, 11-3 (28m)
Lucas/Yip
The first game was a back and forth affair with Tsz playing well and forcing Lucas to retrieve lots of tough balls. Tsz worked his way to 4 games ball but Lucas was able to save all four and frustrating Tsz by winning the 1st game 15-13. Tsz frustrated by not winning the first game fell behind with some unforced errors and lost the game 11-2. As the 3rd started it looked as though Tsz found his game getting off to a 5-3 start. Although he started quick it seemed Lucas wanted the match more taking the 3rd 11-6.
Cincinnati – 2e Tour Couverture SquashSite
[7] Tinne Gilis (Bel) 3-0 Enora Villard 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 (34m)
Mount Royal Calgary Quarts Couverture Squashsite
[3] Tristan Eysele (Rsa) v [6] Edwin Clain 11-9, 11-9, 13-11 (28mn)
