DAy 3 ROUNDUP

Day 3 was full of exciting action as promised, finishing off the evening with a thrilling five-game match between Hugo Varela and number 1 seed, Reiko Peter. Stay tuned for quarter-final action tomorrow, beginning at 4pm!

L. Turmel (ENG) v. A. Serme (CZE) 3-0, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 (25min)
Match report by Nikki Todd
 
Serme appeared to start the game nervously with Turmel starting just the opposite. Serme began to fight back but it was too late; a few perfect lengths from Turmel allowed her to take the first game 11-6. Serme started the second game well by setting up the rallies well for her kill shots and attacking boasts. Turmel responds with some tight drops. Both girls are attacking a bit too early and trade points back and forth. Turmel begins to use her aggressive length  to set up the rallies and takes game 2, 11-8. Turmel plays steady and draws some unforced errors from Serme. She balances with strong attacks and takes the match 3-0.
 
J. Camilo Vargas (COL) v. C. Fuller (ENG) 3-0, 11-2, 11-7, 11-6 (29min)
Match report by Gary Delavigne
 
Vargas came out true to form for his debut at this year’s tournament. He started the match strong, keeping Fuller on his heels and taking the first game easily 11-2. Fuller takes it up a notch in games 2 and 3 as the rallies get a bit longer but ultimately Vargas is in control of the match, making great use of available space on the court. Vargas advances to the quarter-finals with a convincing 3-0 victory.
 
[5] M. Yanez (MEX) v. M. Fuller (ENG) 3-0, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9 (27min)
Match report by Mark McLean
 
Yanez took control from the opening serve, never letting Fuller get his legs under him. Great width and good length had Fuller on his heels all game. Game 2 started much like the first, with Yanez cutting off ball after ball. Yanez attacks relentlessly in the front left. Yanez finishes the second looking strong and quick. Fuller begins trying to counter with pace and length in game 3. He puts Yanez to work, but Yanez responded with a variety of shots. A few great volley nicks see Yanez win the final game 11-9.
 
[8] H. Mustonen (FIN) v. M. Nabil (EGY) 3-1, 11-7, 11-5, 10-12, 11-5 (39min)
Match report by Anna Kimberley
 
Nabil was effective with short straight attacks early in the match but Mustonen was able to exert more control over the game with deeper, tighter lengths. He cut the ball off early across the middle and held the T to take the first. In the second, Mustonen extended his momentum and quickly took a significant lead, frustrating Nabil with great length and using all four corners of the court, winning the second. Nabil started the third strong, varying his attacks and using height to get out of trouble. He stayed with Mustonen throughout the game. Mustonen stepped up, looking to cinch the match, but Nabil pulled through, taking the third.  Nabil appeared to crash after the high of winning the third and quickly went down 6-0. He had a slight revival but Mustonen stayed solid with tight length and high intensity to take the final game of the match 11-5.
 
[3] L. Fuller (ENG_ v. [WC] D. Mill (CAN) 3-0, 11-6, 11-2, 11-7 (27min)
Match Report by Emilia Soini
 
A couple of loose balls from both players in the beginning of the game and a lot of traffic in the middle of the court. Fuller settled into the match before Mill, surging ahead to take game 1. In the second, Fuller found some height to take control of the game, with a little help from Mill’s errors. Fuller hits some great lines and creating openings and takes the second comfortably 11-2. Fuller takes control of the T in the third, getting the ball to all corners of the court. Mill is running and beginning to make more errors. Fuller stays consistently and patiently wins the match 3-0.
 
[4] S. Khan (PAK) v. A. Leanza (USA) 3-0, 11-9, 11-2, 11-6 (29min)
Match report by Tom Panabaker
 
The match started slow, both playing conservative length to get a feel for the court. After a long rally at 4-1, Leanza struggled to be tight on length, allowing Khan to take a more attacking approach. 4 unforced tins by Khan made this game tighter than it appeared. Khan continued tight front left drops in game 2, forcing Leanza to lunge hard to retrieve. Khan was then free to punish Leanza deep in the right back corner. Khan dominated game 2, 11-2. Leanza could not achieve consistent length in game 3 and Khan retrieved without issue, getting tighter and deeper as the game went on. A brief lead for Leanza at 5-2 was slowly chipped away at by Khan’s aggressive play. Khan took a surge of strong points, winning the third 11-6.
 
B. Ajagbe (NGR) v. [6] C. Seth (CAN) 3-0, 11-8, 13-11, ret.
Match report by Tom Panabaker
 
Things got exciting when Seth won a hard rally to bring the first game even at 6-6. Ajagbe put forth a solid attack, forcing Seth to retrieve over and over. Ajagbe tooka 9-6 lead and finished 11-8 in the first. Seth started more aggressively in the second, finding his attacking shots early. Ajagbe fought back and patiently took back the lead. Another lead change as Seth charged back to a 10-8 lead after a “no let” call and subsequent unforced error by Ajagbe. An exceptional long and entertaining rally put Ajagbe up game ball  and he went on to win 13-11. Seth, struggling with an injury from the past weekend’s provincial tournament, retired after game 2.
 
[7] A. Graham (ENG) v. N. Browne (BER) 3-0, 12-10, 11-8, 11-6
Match report by Mike Ethridge
 
Browne and Graham exchanged points, one long rally after another. The crowd quickly learns they will need more beer after game one. Graham squeaks out game 1, 12-10. The “giraffe of squash” Browne has a strong presence on the court in game 2, with more long rallies and great athleticism from both players. Banter by both players keeps the crowd entertained and allows the players to catch their breath. Graham seems to be able to maintain an edge in the match.  Graham continued to push hard in game 3, capitalizing on a few key rallies to take the match 3-0.
 
[1] R. Peter (SUI) v. H. Varela (ESP) 3-2, 9-11, 9-11, 15-13, 11-5, 11-5
Match report by Tom Panabaker
 
A thrilling final match to end day 3! Varela played solid length through games 1 and 2 to keep Peter in a defensive role, although both battled hard and made some amazing gets. Varela was able to squeak out both games to start the third up a mere 4 points. Varela continued to drive Peter to the back court, jumping on any loose returns. Peter found his drop and surged to a 7-3 lead. Varela persistently chipped away at this until the game was 7-7. Peter responded, taking a 10-8 game ball, only to have Varela revert back to his patient length game and tie it at 10-10. Trading leads and match/game balls, Peter eventually prevailed at 15-13, keeping himself alive in the match. Game 4 started with a long rally on the first point with Peter making some awesome gets but Varela waiting him out and winning this big point. Although Varela controlled the play early, Peter fought back, dominating the later half of game 4 with 6 unanswered points to tie the match at 2-2. A tough-fought fifth game with leads changing between players. Peter took control of the match, outlasting Varela in fitness. A great comeback from match ball down in game 3, #1 seed Peter survives for another day.