HURRICANE SANDY CHASES ME OUT OF NEW YORK

NEW YORK PYRAMIDES INTERNATIONAL 2012

 

I had long tough match against Kylie, happy with the kind of squash i had to play to win that.

Then I had to play another match 4hours later against a fresher Kanzy. I had a very slow start in the first 2 games. Only started making a positive impact in the third game, but had left too big a mountain to climb for that stage of the match with “unfresh” legs.

 

Good news is, I was able to change my flight to leave USA on Sunday, since Hurrican Sandy was going to cause airports to shut down on Monday and Tuesday.

 

Quater Final, 27th Oct Saturday AM

Opponent: Kylie Lindsay

Nationality: New Zealand

Seed: 5

World Ranking: 36

Result: WON 3-2  6/11 12/10 7/11 11/7 11/9

 

 

Semi Final, 27th Oct Saturday PM

Opponent: Kanzy El Dafrawy

Nationality: Egypt

Seed: 2

Current World Ranking: 42

Highest World Ranking: 29 (Dec ’11)

Result: LOST 3-0   11/8 11/2 11/8

Draw Info: http://www.squashsite.co.uk/2009/pyramid2012.htm

 

NEXT UP:

 

Mexicano de Raquetas 2012

1st Round, 1st November

Opponent: Nayelly Hernandez

Nationality:Mexico

Seed: Unseeded

World Ranking: 106

Highest World Ranking: 57 (Oct 2011)

NEW YORK OPEN 2012

Pyramid Internationals 2012

1st Round, Friday 26th October

Opponent: Salma Hany

Nationality: Egypt

Seed: Unseeded

World Ranking: 68
Highest ranking: 68

Result: WON 3 – 0;   11/9  11/4  11/9

 

I had a really tough battle with Salma last year in May in her home turf in Egypt, where i was leading 2-0, then found my self at 2-2, then lost that match 12-10. So to come through in 3-games only was a pleasing result.

 

The quarter finals and semis will be played out on the same day, which is often not ideal – especially if you are the winner needing to play on. Lets see…

 

Draw info: http://www.squashsite.co.uk/2009/pyramid2012.htm

 

 

MACAU OPEN 2012

1st ROUND  (18th October)

Opponent: Donna Urquhart

Nationality: Australia

Seed: 4

World Ranking: 17

RESULT: WON 3/2 9/11 8/11 11/5 11/7 11/9

 

A tough match in many ways, and super thrilled to have followed through and taken in in the end. I caused an upset by beating the World No.17, tournament 4th seed. I remember looking at the clock when i was 2-0 down, and seeing that we had only been playing for 20min, and i knew that i just wanted to make this match longer. Earlier, i had watched two player friends cause upsets themselves, and that reminded me that we have all trained hard to be here, and gotta grab our opportunities when they present themselves.

 

QUARTER FINALS

Opponent: Aisling Blake

Nationality: Ireland

Seed: 7

World Ranking: 26

Lost: 11/3 12/10 11/6

 

 

 I wish i could have backed up the next match with the same tenacious performance, but was too tentative and not as patient. I played like I was the one under pressure, but she was still the higher seed, with more to prove. This is something i must learn fast, to relax and continue to play my game fearlessly!

Slowly the puzzle pieces are falling into place:)

 

Draw info: http://www.squashsite.co.uk/2009/macauopen2012.htm

 

NEXT UP . . .

 

Pyramides International New York Open

(26th – 28th October)

 

SPRING CATCH UP

NEW ZEALAND
MATAMATA OPEN (August 2012)

Lisa Aitken

Farm life

 In New Zealand, I was hosted by a lovely family that own and live on a farm. They are members at the squash club we were competing at.  I enjoyed experiencing a little of the fun the often have there: milking the cows at dawn, feeding the young calves, feeding the pigs, making sure that heavily pregnant cows and horses are doing well. In fact, I was told that one of the cows had twins on the day that I left.

There is no place like New Zealand.

On Court

 My tournament was ended by Lisa Aitken,  a fiery Scottish chick.  We both came out all guns blazing, playing at a blistering pace. My hand had a cramp in the 3^rd game, so bad that the ref gave me some injury time. My finger was stuck around the handle of my racket and wouldn’t move.

 Looking back,  I should have mixed up the pace a bit. It was a little too one dimensional, and I played straight into her hands, after seeing her pick up a few balls on the dive. The final score was 3-1 to her; 16/14 8/11 11/7 11/6.

 

SA TRAINING

 The month of September saw me taking a little break while my in-laws and family from UK came down to visit.  Then was back to training, group sessions overseen by coach, Mark Allen. I was also blessed that Rowan Smith, former Champion here in Cape Town, was available to be my training partner a few days a week.

 

FUNDRAISER

With the help of Kim Commins and Wendy Harvey, we threw a fundraiser event at Wendy and Gavin’s home, to ensure I had enough funds to prepare for upcoming world tournament, leading me towards World Womens Team Championships. The evening weather was perfect for a sunset mini-concert, with yours truly, taking over the singing for the evening. The event was attended by squash enthusiasts from Western Province Cricket Club, as well as Villager Squash Club. I was fortunate to have my friends from church attend the event too, as well as make up the band to serenade the crowds.

 A surprise twist to the evening was when CEO of LASER Group, Phil Hayes, announced that they will be sponsoring me immediately for the rest of 2012, also looking to have further discussions about 2013/2014. I hope to be a great ambassador for their company.

 

 

NEXT UP …

MACAU OPEN
(18th – 21st October)

PYRAMIDES INTERNATIONAL NEW YORK OPEN
(26th – 28th October)

MEXICO TOLUCA OPEN
(1st – 4th November)

WORLD WOMEN’S TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
Nimes, France
(12th – 17th November)