DAY 2 RECAP

Everyone survived the cold for day 2 and we are looking forward to (literally) heating things up tomorrow as we move into round 2 of the ANJ men's draw. The women get a well-deserved rest tomorrow with action in the Summit women's draw starting up again on Thursday. As you have likely already guessed, our phenomenal photographer Lisa Cattran was in fine form tonight! See below for match summaries.
 
A. Leanza (USA) v. D. Khan (CAN) 3-1, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7 (37min)
Match report by Gary Delavigne
 
Khan was fired up in the first game and hitting crisp, attacking shots forcing loose balls from Leanza. He closed out game 1 with an 11-8 victory.  Leanza came out strong in the second game, extending the rallies and causing Khan to make some tired errors. Realizing the strategy was working, Leanza applied more pressure and took a controlling 11-5 victory in both the second and third games. Khan tried to rebound in the fourth but looked tired early, missing even a couple serve returns, leading Leanza to a 3-1 vicotry.
 
B. Ajagbe (NGR) v. [WC] J. Shortt 3-0, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8 (22min)
Match report by Gary Delavigne
 
Shortt, a junior from London, ON, looked eager to showcase his skills, but the veteran Ajagbe quickly showed Shortt what pro squash is all about. Moving smoothly and holding his shots well, he frequently caught Shortt wrong-footed. Ajagbe pulled ahead quickly winning 11-4, 11-5 in the first two games. Shortt rebounded in game 3 with better length and pace, but Ajagbe was patient and took advantage of every open opportunity, winning 11-8.
 
N. Browne (BER) v. J. Geekie (SCO) 3-0, 11-9, 13-11, 11-9 (31min)
Match report by Gary Delavigne
 
The two “giants” of the draw got into the match quickly, each trying to keep the pace up and take the ball early. They traded points for most of the first game. Browne surged forward with one last push toward the end of game 1 to take it 11-9. Game 2 was much the same but the space around the T got a little tighter, leading to a little more contact and “let” calls. At 11-11, an error by Geekie opened the door for Browne, which he immediately closed, taking the game 13-11. In game 3, Geekie seemed determined but tired. Browne ultimately wins another close one, taking the match 3-0.
 
H. Varela (ESP) v. J. Bassil (LIB) 3-0, 11-0, 11-0, 11-0 (0min)
 
Walkover.
 
A. Serme (CZE) v. [5] A. Thomson (SCO) 3-1, 12-10, 11-8, 13-15, 11-9 (45min)
Match report by Sam Cornett
 
With the cool court temperature, both players seemed tempted to go short early in the rallies. The two players exchanged leads throughout. An epic rally at 9-9 ended in Serme’s favour, but Thomson wasn’t finished. Both players took note of how well their length was rewarded and the next few rallies finished in the back. A close game to Serme 12-10. From 5-5 in the second, Serme pulled ahead to 9-5 and looked to be in charge with good length, crisp vollies and cross court drops. Two clever rallies from Serme closed out the second game 11-8.  Really well built rallies from both players in game 3. An error from Thomson late in the game and a great length winner from Serme lead her to a comfy 10-6 lead. Thomson clawed her way back to 10-10 where a few epic rallies ensued, seeing an unusual unforced error from Serme on game ball to keep this match alive for Thomson as she took game 3 in extra points. In game 4, Thomson came out strong, taking 6 quick points before Serme got on the scoreboard. Serme looked tired and flustered after an epic third game but settled in, forcing Thomson to do more of the running and clawed her way back in, winning the fourth game and the match.
 
D. Garcia (MEX) v. [8] J. Aribado (PHI) 3-1, 13-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-9 (38min)
Match report by Jeff Tudhope
 
Game 1 was a back and forth affair all the way to extra points, during which the rallies took on a progressively more heated tone. Garcia ends it 13-11 off a too-thin crosscourt, dropping a roller into the front left nick. The players begin trading points again in the second game before Garcia jumps to a 7-3 lead thanks to a few authoritative winners.  Even when under pressure, Garcia responds and puts the pressure back on Aribado, winning game 2, 11-4. Game 3 again begins fairly evenly with Garcia taking a slight lead. Aribado would not relent, hanging in every point and drawing even at 5-5. Garcia pushes ahead but Aribado responds as the players battle to 9-9. A great rally awards Garcia a match ball but shortly thereafter a stroke call sees the match move to 10-10. Aribado earns an 11-10 game ball and capitalizes to take the third.  Aribado continued her surge into game 4, taking an early 6-2 lead. Garcia then found her rhythm and strung together a number of points, moving ahead 9-6.  A stroke awarded to Garcia gives her match ball. Aribado slowly rebounds, and it’s 9-10. A let is awarded and the rally is replayed, with Garcia taking this rally and the next to win the match 3-1.
 
[7] E. Soini (FIN) v. A. Yeog Wai Yhann (SIN) 3-0, 11-5, 11-3, 11-2 (19min)
Match blog by Adam Kilner
 
The players looked similarly match coming out of the gates, each trying to get a feel for good length,.Soini pulled ahead with several unanswered points to take the first game. After game 1, Soini came out looking strong and determined. She was focused on taking the ball early and put her opponent under pressure quickly in every point. As her confidence grew, she continued to look in control as the match progressed, securing a 3-0 victory and a place in the next round.
 
[3] E. Villard (FRA) v. C. Gomez (ESP) 3-1, 11, 8, 11-3, 8-11, 12-10 (38min)
Match report by Chris Solness
 
Both girls came out hitting the ball hard with Villard trying to get a feel for the court for the first time this week. Game 1 was a high-intensity battle interspersed will some well-timed drop shots. A few mistakes by Gomez lead Villard to win the first. Villard came out in game two with her game face on, quickly edging out Gomez 11-3. Gomez, not out of it yet, returns to the court with a new work ethic, pushing Villard to the back repeatedly. She was able to win the third 11-8. Both players pushed hard in game 4, trading points throughout. Villard seemed the fitter in this last game, pushing to a close 12-10 victory to take the match.
 
[4] L. Turmel (ENG) v. D. Bradd [L] 3-0, 11-1, 11-1, 11-2 (13min)
Match report by M. Ethridge
 
Turmel applied pressure early in the match, sending the ball deep into the back of the court, preventing Bradd from settling in to the match. Turmel continued to dominate the second game, alternating between wide drives and tight drops to keep Bradd running the diagonals. Bradd started to adjust to the pace in game 3, however, Lucy continued to show her dominance, taking a commanding 3-0 victory.
 
[1] S. Cornett (CAN) v. A. Kimberley (ENG) 3-0, 11-4, 11-2, 11-6 (23min)
Match report by Alayna Bradd
 
Number 1 seed Cornett came out looking the part, starting the match with high intensity. She settled into some long rallies, waiting out the opportunities to deploy her backhand drop, which was looking sharp tonight. Cornett takes a controlling victory in game 1.  Cornett stepped up and began cutting off the ball in game 2, alternating between crisp volleys to length and some laser beam volley drops. Kimberley struggled to respond.  Game 3 starts and Anna begins to find her drop as well but ultimately it’s too little too late and Sam wins the match 3-0.
 
[6] C. Pelaez (COL) v. M. Fung-a-Fat (GUY) 3-1, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3, 11-8 (27min)
Match report by Emilia Soini
 
Pelaez came out strong, winning at the front court. Fung-a-Fat struggled to read Pelaez and settle into the match. Pelaez takes the first 11-8. Pelaez looks impatient in the second, trying to go short too early and Fung-a-Fat simulatenously finds her length, leading Fung-a-Fat to an 11-8 victory in game 2. The players start game 3 even but too many loose balls from Fung-A-Fat gave Pelaez ample opportunity to capitalize. She takes the third easily 11-3. Some longer rallies in the fourth with both players being a bit more patient and trying to get the ball deep. Pelaez waited for opportunities to closed out the rallies, ultimately winning her the match 3-1.
 
N. Todd (CAN) v. T. ter Sluis (NED) 3-0, 11-4, 11-2, 11-5 (16min)
Match report by Adam Kilner
 
Todd took control of the match early and didn’t let up. Ter Sluis did her back to rally back against last year’s champion but Todd continue to respond with her signature lob, keeping her in the rallies and allowing her to wait for opportunities to surge ahead. A decisive victory by Todd to put her one step closer to a spot in Chicago.