World Champs Day4: RSA vs Mexico

Squash Captain’s Report: Day 4 at World Champs 2014

RSA beat Mexico 2-0

Mexico was the next team on our path to our Top 10 goal. This team is lead by Samantha Teran who has been a Top20 player for many years. The order of play was 2,1,3.

Milnay Louw went on first against a player that runs after every ball. She played good attacking squash to see her get into the lead, but her opponent picked up everything and took the first game. Louw then mixed up the pace in the second game, which seemed to do the trick. Game Score1-1. The players were quite evenly matched and were fighting hard in each rally. Then it was 2-1 to Mexico, the 2-2. In the last game, Louw decided to stop playing catch up, and took control of the game by dominating in the middle and being clever with her shot selection. She went 8-3 up before finally clinching the final and crucial game!

I went on next knowing it would never be an easy battle, especially since I had recently lost to Teran in October. Instead I focused on the game plan we had come up with, and it worked! I took the first game 11-2. In the second game, she raised her game, but I didn’t respond fast enough and she took that game, also 11-2. In the 3^rd and 4^th, I went back to the plan and managed to produce the squash to execute it, and soon took the match 3-1, which gave South Africa the victory we needed!!!

We will now go on to play New Zealand, 9^th seeds, to fight for a place in the Top10.

World Champs 2014: Day 3

Squash Captain’s Report: Day 3 at World Champs 2014

After playing two matches on Monday, we had a rest day on Tuesday, only to play two more matches on Wednesday. We started the day of by playing the 5^th seeds , France at 11h00. It was always going to be a tough task on paper, with France being led by the Camille Serme, world #6. The playing order for the day was 1,2,3, therefore as captain, I would have to lead the way. In the first 2 games, Camille showed why she is Top10 player, by being accurate and absorbing any pressure I tried to impose, which saw me being the one making the errors.

In the 3^rd game, I settled down more and focused on imposing my game, which seemed to work, and showed more patience in playing out the rallies, instead of rushing them to end. I won the 3^rd game, and the 4^th was similar, but at 8-8, she then showed her experience by placing balls more accurately around the court and I was left trying to scrape balls off the walls. All in all, I gave my best and managed to produce some good squash against a top player.

Milnay and Alex Fuller, also had a tough task in their hands, with both girls having to compete against players with higher rankings than them. Both fought valiantly, but unfortunately succumbed to the game plan that France was enforcing on us. France won the fixture 3-0.

Next up was India at 18h00. This is a fixture we wanted to win to ensure we could have a chance to still reach our goal of finishing in the Top 10. My opponent was Joshana Chinnapa, a player with great attacking style to the front of the court, also ranked #22, and someone I have already had a few battles with in the past. She came out firing, and unfortunately I never quite settled down fast enough to be able to absorb her ferocious attack, and to also turn it around to impose mine. This was not my one of my finest moments, and was disappointed to lose that game 3-0.

But this is where the TEAM effort kicks in, because Milnay Louw and Cheyna Tucker played like superstars! Milnay went on court and the first two games were over before the girl new what hit her. In the third game she had to dig a bit to finish more convincingly, but managed to wrap up the match in straight games. Cheyna also had a great start and went 2-0 up, then her opponent began to fight back. All of a sudden it was 2-1, then 2-2 and all of us are now biting our fingernails in anticipation. Then in the fifth game, Cheyna adjusted her approach, took command again, and finished off as strongly as she began. It was an important game to win, and that showed that she’s got some of that much needed BMT…Big Match Temperament. Well done girls. We won the fixture 2-1.

Our next match is against Mexico, Thursday evening 18h00 (Niagara Time). The winner will be in 9^th-12^th section, so without a doubt, we want that to be us!

For full results, visit http://www.wsfwomensteams.com

Squash Captain’s Report: Day 1 at World Champs 2014

The Women World Squash Team Championships 2014 have kicked off here in Canada, and there’s no turning back now. We are ranked 12^th out of 20 teams, and our goal is to finish in the Top 10. In our pool we have some tough competitors, Hong Kong (4^th), France (5^th), India (13^th), Austria (17^th).

We have already had a taste of defeat and victory on Day 1. The tough match was the first one where we played Hong Kong in the morning. The matches were all a lot closer than what they looked on paper. Each of us had pivotal moments in the matches which could have turned the matches around, especially in tie-breakers, but Hong Kong finished them off better than we did. All in all, the basic groundwork was there, but we just needed to take our opportunities better when they presented themselves. That is exactly what we did when we played Austria later in the same day, and each of us won our matches in straight games.

As the captain of SA Team, I am really excited about what we can accomplish here at White Oak Resorts and Spa, as this is the first time our squad consists of only WSA professionally ranked players. Every single player has been working hard to get the right level of exposure by playing tournaments on the pro circuit and training at various locations overseas. We have a strong team with myself at no.1, Milany Louw (2), Cheyna Tucker (3) and Alex Fuller (4).

We hope to really bring some African flavour to the World Champs this year, on and off the court. With the Niagara falls just down the road, a reminder of God’s awesome creation, there are plenty of things that can be a source of inspiration to us to be the best we can be. For so long, we look to admire what other nations are capable of doing. It is time to show what South Africans are also capable of doing. Go Team SA!!!

For full results, visit http://www.wsfwomensteams.com

EASTERN CAPE TOUR

The month of March kicked off with a trip to the Eastern Cape, my province of birth. I wanted to visit the province and give back by doing clinics for juniors, linked in with existing development projects. The mini-tour included visiting Port Elizabeth, doing clinics on the Sunday and Monday afternoon. I then drove one and a half hours to Grahamstown Tuesday morning, to do clinics in the afternoon and evening. The last stop was a two hour drive to East London, for clinics on Wed afternoon, as well as Thursday afternoon and evening.

PORT ELIZABETH
3rd – 4th March 2013

On Sunday we had a clinic for some of the top ladies in PE. Monday, we held a clinic for local juniors, as well as had an exhibition match with the Eastern Province Champion, Lizelle van Niekerk.

GRAHAMSTOWN
5th March 2013

I visited Kingswood college which is the growing hub of squash in Grahamstown. Not only do they have a development programme where they reach out to kids living in a nearby orphanage,  but they have revived the interest in squash in the town amongst juniors. Many players from other schools come to join in to some of the sessions they host.

EAST LONDON 
6th – 7th March

Tim Leeuw was instrumental in getting the East London tour off the ground. We coached top juniors on the wednesday afternoon, then held a development clinic along with an exhibition match for both kids and adults. After the exhibition event, the adults were keen to get on court and learn for themselves how to play like the professionals.

WORLD WOMENS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012

NIMES, FRANCE

Monday 12th November; 10h30 (France Time)

RSA vs Spain

Monday 12th November; 17h30 (France Time)

RSA vs Malaysia

Match will be available on LIVE STREAMING on 
http://www.squashsite.co.uk/2009/wwt2012nimes.htm

Tuesday 13th November; 14h30 (France Time)

RSA vs China

 

MEXICAN OPEN RESULTS

Mexicano de Raquetas 2012

1st Round, 3rd November

Opponent: Graciela Lopez

Nationality: Mexico

Seed: Qualifier

World Ranking: 139

Highest World Ranking: 111 (Oct 2011)

RESULT: Won 3-1  8/11, 11/7, 11/8, 11/4

 

Quater-Final

Opponent: Nicolette Fernandes

Nationality: Guyana

Seed: Unseeded

World Ranking: 60

Highest World Ranking: 27 (May 2007)

Result: LOST 3-1 10/12,  11/7, 11/3, 11/4

 

Due to Hurrican Sandy, the tournament delayed the starting date to a day later. This  change allowed for players stranded in New York to have an opportunity to find flights to Mexico. Toluca is a city at high altitude. 2700m above sea level. So this may have an effect on our bodies. During the days of training, i felt the usual effects of altitude, which are shortness of breath quite early in the training session. But soon after 20min or so, regained some sort of comfort.

 

In my match against Nicollete, i started off feeling good, and expected the usual breathing issues. We were having some tough rallies in the first two games, each of us fighting for each precious point. Then in the 3rd game, i felt like i had been punched in the stomach. I couldn’t decide if i was hungry, or needed to throw up. I was then nowhere in the third, and just couldn’t recover fast enough in the fourth to be the same threat i was in the first half. I didn’t understand what was happening to me, or how i was feeling. I guess altitude sickness can hit you in a variety of ways. For next time i have been told that i must consume 4 times as much energy foods than usual. All in all, a win is a win, and I guess a loss is a loss, and mustn’t take anything away from her victory.

 

Next up: WORLD WOMEN’S TEAM CHAMPS, in NIMES, FRANCE

 

Watch this space!!!

 

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)

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)

INJURY BREAK

I have been blessed to have had a squash career that has not been marred by injuries. My back started giving me trouble at the end of April and I decided to play through my tournaments at the start of May, hoping it wasn’t going to be anything seriious, but after my disappointing exit from the British Open, the physio advised me to take a break, get it sorted, so i can play the rest of the season well…else i might not even make it to the end of the SA season which included Major events such as the Jarvis/Kaplan Cup interprovincial in July, as well as SA Nationals in August.

I have torn one of my glut muscles, which has caused some instability in my hip (resulting in a pain at the front of my hip), as well as causing my back to take on some extra pain – hence the back pain. I had to take 2 weeks completely off…and today i can slowly start to crawl back in the gym, and only play squash later on in the week.

The timing of such things is never perfect, as I was hoping to play more SA tournaments this year to improve my SA ranking. I have missed SA tournaments in the past two years because I decided to concentrate on international tournaments. As it turns out, i missed the WP Open last week in my home turf, Cape Town; I’m going to miss the Northerns Open this week in Pretoria, as well as the Gauteng Open the week after that!  I will work towards the Senior Interprovincial 9th-13th July, and look to be in good form for the SA Nationals starting 6th August.

On my break, a certain 6 time world squash champion (Nicol David) decided to have a private holiday in Cape Town for a few days. Tenille van der Merwe, former SA Champion, hosted her, and I managed to catch up with them on one of the days, on top of Table Mountain

The junior development programme has been keeping me busy, where we had a fun Youth Day tournament on the 15th June. The juniors have been really keen, and have show commitment levels that surpass the previous 2 years.

Alright, enough for now…I need to actually get started with my training!