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ISS Canary Wharf
Squash Classic 2008, Canary Wharf, London
14-Mar, Final:
[2] James Willstrop (ENG)
bt [7] Cameron Pilley (AUS) 9-11, 11-9, 8-11,
11-6, 11-3 (78m)
Weary Willstrop takes third Canary Wharf title
 England's
James Willstrop won the ISS Canary Wharf Classic for a
third time with a battling performance against Australian Cameron
Pilley in the final of the 5-star PSA Tour squash event
at East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, London
The
24-year-old second seed fought back from the brink of collapse to
overturn a 2/1 deficit in games as Pilley, the seventh seed, came
close to a shock result in his first major final.
The
UK-based Pilley played fast, controlled and aggressive squash to
establish his lead against the world No4 from Pontefract in
Yorkshire, who was exhausted following a punishing tournament
schedule in which he has collected five titles already this year.
Pilley, 25, from New South Wales, began solidly and fought back from
7-4 down to win the opening game 11-9 before a capacity audience at
the superb East Wintergarden venue.
Willstrop heeded the words of advice from his father Malcolm between
games and resumed with a more focused approach.
 However,
he still had to resist some ferocious competition from Pilley before
clinching the game with a stunning kill shot after Pilley had played
an amazing shot with the racket behind his back.
Pilley grew in confidence and, when he took the third game - after
leading throughout - a major upset was on the cards. But the
24-year-old British National champion dug deep into his physical
reserves and at 6-6 in the fourth the match swung Willstrop's way.
Pilley was in uncharted territory and visibly wilted as Willstrop
reeled off the next five points. Willstrop maintained the momentum
throughout the fifth game and clinched his 9-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6,
11-3 victory after 78 minutes of brutal combat.
Willstrop paid tribute to his opponent: "Cameron may be ranked 20 in the world but he clearly has the
game to be up there with the best. He has shown that this week in
every game he has played.
“I
am just delighted and relieved to have won the tournament. I am
looking forward to a complete rest and forgetting about squash for a
few days to let my body heal and recover," added Willstrop, after
claiming his fourth PSA Tour title in his fifth successive
Tour final appearance since December!
 “I
love playing squash but the travelling takes a toll on the mind and
the body and that match hurt. That was painful, extremely painful.
“Winning this tournament is special. It gets bigger and better
every year. The Canary Wharf venue is fantastic. It's right up
there with the best venues in the world and the audiences are
brilliant. The London crowds are very knowledgeable and love to get
involved, which the players appreciate. Any event that sells out
every night is obviously good for the game and the players love
coming here.”
Earlier, the capacity Canary Wharf crowd was treated to a women's
exhibition match between England's newly-crowned British National
champion Alison Waters and the world number one from Malaysia
Nicol David. Playing in front of a 'home town' London crowd,
Waters put up a great display - taking the world's top player the
full distance. But David ultimately prevailed 11-9, 4-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-1 in
41 minutes.
Official website:
www.canarywharfsquash.com
13-Mar, Semi-finals:
[7] Cameron Pilley
(AUS) bt Alister Walker (ENG) 11-1, 11-10 (2-0), 11-5 (41m)
[2] James Willstrop
(ENG) bt [3] Lee Beachill (ENG) 11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9 (58m)
Willstrop & Pilley To Contest
Canary Wharf Classic Climax
England's second seed James Willstrop will take on surprise
opponent Cameron Pilley, the No7 seed from Australia, in the
final of the ISS Canary Wharf Classic after both players
survived tough semi-finals in the 5-star PSA Tour squash
event before a packed crowd at East Wintergarden in Canary
Wharf, London.
 Reigning
champion Willstrop reached his third Canary Wharf final by beating
his Pontefract and England team-mate Lee Beachill. The world
No4 was made to battle hard for his win as Beachill’s trademark
precision play contained his opponent’s attacking flair.
Willstrop edged home in the first game but former world No1 Beachill
imposed himself in the second to draw level. However, Willstrop at
last began to play with a flourish in the third and a capacity crowd
at the stylish East Wintergarden venue was treated to a superb
contest as Beachill tried his hardest to stem the flow of winners.
 The
24-year-old Leeds-based Yorkshireman survived a concerted fight-back
from 30-year-old Beachill to complete his 11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9
victory in 58 minutes, bringing the crowd to their feet with a
dazzling winner at the conclusion of a marathon final rally.
Willstrop has reached the final of all six tournaments he has
entered this year, winning four of them - including the British
National crown - so far. Few will bet against him adding to that
tally - and clinching a hat-trick of Canary Wharf crowns, after
winning in 2004 and 2007.
 Australian
Cameron Pilley ended hopes of an all-English final when he beat
England’s giant-killer Alister Walker.
World No32 Walker had upset two Frenchmen on his way to the
semi-finals, including a shock victory over No1 seed Gregory
Gaultier.
But
the 25-year-old from Leeds found world No20 Pilley in dominant form.
The 6ft 2in tall Australian powered through the first game 11-1 -
remarkably his fourth 11-1 game win in the tournament - and
led 10-5 in the second before the dreadlocked Walker clawed his way
back to force a tiebreak.
However, Walker was unable to maintain the momentum and Pilley
claimed the next two points to lead two games to love.
Walker started brightly in the third but soon began to tire as
Pilley quickly advanced to an 8-4 lead. Walker’s exhaustion and
frustration showed as he hit two volleys into the floor.
 Pilley
maintained his discipline and continued to strike the ball with
power and accuracy to win 11-1, 11-10 (2-0), 11-5 and claim his
place in the final against Willstrop.
Pilley's triumph takes the 25-year-old from New South Wales into the
21st PSA Tour final of his career - but his biggest by
far!
With
the Australian's height eclipsed by the 6ft 5in Willstrop, there
certainly won’t be much room on court.
Official website:
www.canarywharfsquash.com
13-Mar, Quarter-finals:
Alister Walker (ENG) bt
[8] Renan Lavigne (FRA) 5-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 (56m)
[7] Cameron Pilley
(AUS) bt [4] Peter Barker (ENG) 11-1, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8 (66m)
[3] Lee Beachill (ENG)
bt Joey Barrington (ENG) 11-8, 10-11 (3-5), 11-9,
11-2 (76m)
[2] James Willstrop
(ENG) bt [6] Alex Gough (WAL) 11-3, 11-10 (2-0),
4-11, 11-2 (42m)
Pilley Revenge
Denies Clean Sweep
For England At Canary Wharf
 Australian
Cameron Pilley upset Londoner Peter Barker in
the quarter-finals of the ISS Canary Wharf Classic to deny
the hosts an all-English semi-final line-up in the 5-star PSA
Tour squash event in its fifth year at East Wintergarden
in Canary Wharf, London.
Pilley's 66-minute victory over the fourth seed avenged his defeat
by Barker in the deciding match in last December's World Team
Championship final in India, where England clinched
victory over Australia to retain the prestigious title.
In
their first meeting since December, before a sell-out Canary Wharf
crowd, seventh seed Pilley began like lightning - striking the ball
crisply and finding plenty of nicks at the side of the court as he
won the opening game for the loss of just one point.
Barker slapped the wall in frustration at the end of the game but
came out firing in the second. The left-hander advanced to 9-1 and
weathered a five-point run from Pilley before taking it 11-6 to draw
level.
The
third game was a tense affair with Pilley clinching the big points
at the end to nick it 11-9. Barker led 7-4 in the fourth but lost
his concentration and was docked a conduct stroke for throwing his
racket in anger. The tall, athletic Pilley launched a huge recovery
to win seven of the final eight points to win 11-1, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8
and clinch a surprise place in the semi-finals.
 The
UK-based 25-year-old from New South Wales now faces underdog
Alister Walker, the unseeded Englishman who continued his
giant-killing run by removing a second French opponent to reach the
semi-finals. Having beaten top seed Gregory Gaultier in the
first round, Walker produced another stylish and determined
performance to overcome No8 seed Renan Lavigne from
Marseille.
The
more experienced Lavigne, ranked 28 in the world, won the opening
game but Walker admitted his concentration had been affected by the
previous evening’s match highlights being replayed on the giant
screen above the glass court.
"I
know the crowd enjoyed it, but I was trying to blank it from my mind
and concentrate on this match," said Walker, from Gloucestershire
but now based in Leeds. "Renan is a great pro and I knew it was
going to be a difficult match.
“It’s a great feeling to be in the semi-finals and I just hope I can
continue to move well and play well," added the 25-year-old after
his 5-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 victory in 56 minutes.
 Yorkshire's
Lee Beachill avenged his defeat by Joey Barrington in
their last Tour meeting in Saudi Arabia to beat his fellow
Englishman in four games to reach the semi-finals.
Barrington, son of squash legend Jonah, fought valiantly and won the
second game after a prolonged tie-break to draw level at one game
all. However, third seed Beachill's vast experience told in the end
as he edged the third game and powered home in the fourth to win
11-8, 10-11 (3-5), 11-9, 11-2 after 76 minutes.
"It
was a bit scrappy at times, probably because we were both trying to
go for the same space on court,” admitted Beachill. "But I was
moving well and that’s the pleasing thing for me."
A
vice president of the PSA, the governing body of the men’s world
tour, Beachill said he was delighted to see every seat sold at the
fabulous East Wintergarden venue at Canary Wharf.
"This is one of the world’s great squash venues and it’s fantastic
to see the place absolutely full.
"If
more people were to come here and see the world’s top players in
action, they would soon realise what squash today is all about. The
product is fantastic and the presentation of the sport is getting
better all the time with venues like this and the giant screen above
the court,” added Beachill.
 The
former world number one will now face his Pontefract club-mate
James Willstrop in the semi-finals after the second seed beat
Welsh veteran Alex Gough in four games.
Gough produced an inspired spell in the middle of the match to run
Willstrop close during the second game and take the third with some
ease, but Willstrop regained control to win the fourth for the loss
of just two points.
Willstrop is hot favourite for the tournament following the shock
exit of top seed Gregory Gaultier, but the world No4 refused to
believe it made his task of winning the tournament any easier.
"The
depth of ability in this game is so high that anybody can win the
tournament," said the 24-year-old England number one who is now one
match away from his fourth successive PSA Tour final. "It would be
ridiculous of me to think any other way. Every player in this
tournament is a quality performer and I respect every one of them.”
Willstrop, who has won four of his last five tournaments, achieved
his first career victory over Beachill on his way to winning last
year’s Canary Wharf title, and added: “I am just enjoying the way I
am playing at the moment and taking each match as it comes.”
Official website:
www.canarywharfsquash.com
11-Mar, 1st round (top half of draw:
Alister Walker (ENG) bt
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 3-11, 11-4, 4-11, 11-7, 11-7
(53m)
[8] Renan Lavigne (FRA)
bt [Q] Jesse Engelbrecht (RSA) 11-8, 11-10 (2-0), 9-11, 11-8 (54m)
[4] Peter Barker (ENG)
bt Daryl Selby (ENG) 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 (46m)
[7] Cameron Pilley
(AUS) bt Davide Bianchetti (ITA) 11-1, 11-1, 11-5 (32m)
Unseeded Walker Stuns Top Seed
Gaultier In Canary Wharf Classic Upset
 Alister
Walker produced a sensational
fight-back from the brink of defeat to beat top seed Gregory
Gaultier in the first round of the ISS Canary Wharf Squash
Classic to become the second unseeded Englishman to reach the
last eight of the 5-star PSA Tour squash event in its fifth
year at East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, London.
It
was an astonishing performance by the world No32 from Leeds to
remove the reigning British Open champion and ensure English
interest in all four quarter-finals.
The
French maestro, ranked three in the world and runner-up in the last
two World Open finals, dominated the opening game - but
Walker stepped up a gear to win the second.
"This was competitive sport at its most brutal and spectacular,"
said tournament spokesman Alan Thatcher. "These two superb
athletes twisted and turned to retrieve almost unplayable shots and
delivered entertainment of the highest quality to a near-capacity
crowd at the East Wintergarden."
 The
audience roared as Walker clinched the second game and Gaultier
stared in disbelief at the giant screen mounted above the glass
court as Walker matched his shot-making audacity.
The
Aix-en-Provence-based Frenchman slowed down the pace in the third
game and placed the ball with pinpoint accuracy as he regained his
authority. However, Walker staged another massive recovery to win
the fourth, continuing to chase down every ball and producing
faultless finishing with exquisite drops and kills at the front of
the court.
Gaultier looked to have the match sewn up as he advanced to a 6-3
lead in the fifth game - but again Walker found incredible reserves
of courage and perseverance to claw his way back, point by point.
The
match developed a physical dimension as both players hunted the ball
down the backhand wall and there were frequent discussions with
referee Jos Aarts following a series of collisions.
From
7-4 down, Walker produced a phenomenal sequence of controlled,
attacking and aggressive squash to win seven points in a row to book
his place in the quarter finals.
As
the crowd erupted, Gaultier raced from the court, grabbed his bag
and headed for the exit as a delirious Walker ran round the building
on a lap of honour.
The
25-year-old, who was born in Botswana but is now based in Yorkshire,
said: "That was my best result without a doubt. I have played well
against the top guys on many, many occasions without getting the
results. But I sensed that he was getting tired and I was
determined to get every ball back."
Walker faces another Frenchman Renan Lavigne in the
quarter-finals and must fancy his chances of causing another upset
against an opponent ranked just four places above him in the world.
Lavigne, the No8 seed from Marseille, regained some lost pride for
France by beating South African No1 Jesse Engelbrecht. The
experienced 33-year-old had too much court craft and experience and
beat qualifier Engelbrecht 11-8, 11-10 (2-0), 9-11, 11-8 in 54
minutes. The UK-based South African battled hard throughout and was
delighted to have taken the third game.
 In
the opening match of the day, Italy's Davide Bianchetti made
a hot-foot exit from the event after leaving his shoes back home in
Brescia. The 31-year-old Italian number one was forced to borrow a
pair from England's fourth seed Peter Barker - but was
clearly unsettled as he lost to Australia's Cameron Pilley
11-1, 11-1, 11-5. The No7 seed from New South Wales powered his way
through the opening two games and weathered a brief recovery from
the Italian in the third to stroll through to Wednesday's
quarter-finals.
 Pilley
will face Peter Barker after the England international eased past
Essex team-mate Daryl Selby. The left-handed Londoner was
always in front, but Selby competed ferociously despite having his
left ankle strapped. One rally of more than 100 shots had the
audience spellbound but ended in a let. Barker started strongly in
each game and never looked in danger of surrendering his lead,
eventually winning 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 in 46 minutes.
Quarter-final line-up:
Alister Walker (ENG) v
[8] Renan Lavigne (FRA)
[4] Peter Barker (ENG)
v [7] Cameron Pilley (AUS)
[3] Lee Beachill (ENG)
v Joey Barrington (ENG)
[2] James Willstrop
(ENG) v [6] Alex Gough (WAL)
Official website:
www.canarywharfsquash.com
10-Mar, 1st round (lower half of draw):
Joey Barrington (ENG)
bt [5] Olli Tuominen (FIN) 11-6, 6-11, 11-10 (2-0),
11-8 (68m)
[3] Lee Beachill (ENG)
bt [Q] Chris Ryder (ENG) 11-8, 11-4, 11-5
(37m)
[6] Alex Gough (WAL) bt
[Q] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) 11-5, 11-8, 4-11, 3-11, 11-5 (67m)
[2] James Willstrop
(ENG) bt [Q] Mark Krajcsak (HUN) 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 (30m)
Barrington Bursts Into
Canary Wharf Classic Quarters
Unseeded Englishman Joey Barrington produced the first upset
on the opening day of action in the ISS Canary Wharf Classic
when he despatched Finland's fifth seed Olli Tuominen in a
brutal first round battle in the 5-star PSA Tour squash event
in its fifth year at the East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, London.
 The
28-year-old from Glastonbury in Somerset played a solid tactical
game against the world No16 from Helsinki, concentrating on keeping
the ball tight down the backhand wall of the all-glass court at East
Wintergarden. A simmering contest was littered with stoppages
caused by bodily contact and both players seemed constantly on the
brink of stepping across the boundaries of acceptable physical
behaviour.
Ultimately, the quality and accuracy of Barrington’s disciplined
approach paid dividends as the son of squash legend Jonah
Barrington clinched his 11-6, 6-11, 11-10 (2-0), 11-8 victory in
68 minutes to book a place in the last eight against fellow
countryman Lee Beachill.
Yorkshireman Beachill, the third seed, overcame some fierce
resistance from fellow Englishman Chris Ryder in an earlier
first round clash. Qualifier Ryder, the Herts No1 who is based at
Wolverhampton, gave as good as he got for much of the match but
Beachill’s quality shone through when it mattered most.
 The
first game was level pegging until Beachill turned the screw and
stepped up his game. Ryder competed willingly in some long and
punishing rallies during the second game but it was usually Beachill
who had the final say. The pattern continued in the third and
former world No1 Beachill concluded a comfortable 11-8, 11-4, 11-5
victory in 37 minutes.
Ryder admitted the transition from club courts to the glass court at
Canary Wharf was a tough one to make. "It’s a big step up from
playing on tradition plaster courts for two days in qualifying to
playing on the glass court," said the reigning World University
champion. "It takes a while to get your line and length and
someone like Lee is one of the best in the world in that
department.”
Beachill said: “I am happy to be back on court so soon after my
recent operation and making the final of the National Championships
in Manchester was a real bonus. My long-term plan is to keep the
body in good shape and to continue challenging the younger guys for
as long as I can. I’m not worried about being world No1 again but
as long as I’m playing well and competing then I shall be more than
happy. But I shall definitely not be playing when I’m 37 years old
like Goughy. That’s just crazy!”
 In
the opening match of the day, teenage squash sensation Mohamed El
Shorbagy produced an electric performance to rattle sixth seed
Alex Gough. The 17-year-old Egyptian fought back from two
games down to take the game to a fifth - but the Welsh veteran
regained control to clinch victory after 67 minutes.
Shorbagy began in nervous fashion and the 20-year age-gap was
evident as the vastly experienced Welshman forced his young opponent
into a string of errors.
Shorbagy suddenly shed his nerves and began to find a rhythm. He
maintained his composure to win the third game despite a brief
hold-up when the court lighting failed. The Egyptian’s confidence
was soaring and he powered his way through the fourth game with a
succession of dazzling winners.
The
crowd were willing him to continue in that vein but the lights went
out on his bid to cause a shock result as Gough regained control in
the fifth game, wrapping it up 11-5 as a tired looking Shorbagy
struck the tin too many times.
A
relieved Gough said: "He is a future world champion for sure. I
have played him before, so I knew what to expect. He's got
phenomenal talent and he's also got a lot of guts, and that's the
main thing."
Shorbagy, a student at Millfield School in Somerset, revealed that
his coach, squash legend Jonah Barrington, had offered him some
sound advice earlier in the day. He said: "He told me not to play
junior squash and I was very happy with how I played against such a
very experienced opponent as Alex. He is a fine player and I am
very happy with how I played on the glass court. This is a
fantastic experience for me and I am sure I can learn a lot from
it."
 Reigning
Canary Wharf champion James Willstrop played with all the
flair, composure and confidence of a man on top of his game. The
second-seeded Englishman looked relaxed and enjoying his work as he
dealt solidly with the challenge posed by determined Hungarian
qualifier Mark Krajcsak to win in straight games.
Krajcsak started strongly and led 5-1 in the opening game before the
Yorkshireman began to impose his authority and won 10 of the next 11
points. Krajcsak again led 4-2 in the second before Willstrop took
control.
The
England number one's flair and love of the adventurous was evident
as he delighted the crowd with his shot-making in the third game,
but Krajcsak refused to roll over and put together a run of five
points to lead 9-5. However, he was not allowed another entry into
the scorebook as Willstrop tightened up, regained control and reeled
off six points in a row, winning several points with outrageous
flicks and feints that were beyond the reach of the diving,
acrobatic Krajcsak.
Willstrop said: “I am very happy with the way I am playing at the
moment. Winning four important tournaments in such a short space of
time is a wonderful feeling.
“This is certainly the best phase of my career and I hope it
continues for the next few days.”
Krajcsak said: “It is always a pleasure to play guys like James. He
is such a fantastic player. I had a tough match yesterday in the
qualifying final and someone like James makes you work incredibly
hard to try to stay in the game.”
Outstanding 1st round line-up:
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
v Alister Walker (ENG)
[8] Renan Lavigne (FRA)
v [Q] Jesse Engelbrecht (RSA)
[4] Peter Barker (ENG)
v Daryl Selby (ENG)
[7] Cameron Pilley
(AUS) v Davide Bianchetti (ITA)
Official website:
www.canarywharfsquash.com
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