DAY 4 IN THE BOOKS

Well, the players put on a great show for our sponsors tonight with several matches going to five. Some epic displays of athleticism and heart from the players helped the sponsors to understand why we do what we do. The amateur action begins tomorrow at 4:30pm, with the pros getting underway for their semi-final matches beginning at 6pm. It's going to be a full house and we can't wait to see you there!

[5] M. Yanez v. [2] J. Camilo Vargas (COL) 3-1, 15-13, 10-12, 11-7, 14-12 (57min)
Match report by Gary Delavigne
 
The first game saw Yanez come out very powerful and aggressive, earning an early lead. Vargas fought back by extending the rallies. The players traded rallies into extra points until Yanez came up with a winner to take the first game 15-13. The second game saw Vargas take an early lead but he looked in jeopardy later in the game but he held on to tie the match with a 12-10 win in game 2. In game 3, Vargas again took an early lead but Yanez was up to the challenge, picking up the pace and cutting off the ball at every opportunity. He takes the third 11-7. Yanez didn’t relent in game 4. Vargas, to his credit, responded with some incredible gets to extend the rallies and tire his opponent. It appeared that Vargas was going to force game 5 but Ynaez found an extra gear, forcing extra points and taking the match 14-12 in the fourth.
 
[3] E. Villard (FRA) v. [7] E. Soini (FIN) 3-0, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 (31min)
Match report by Lucy Turmel
 
Villard had a solid start, keeping the ball tight and attacking well. She set the tone with tight length and stepped up well for some short winners to take the first game. Soini stepped up the pace to start game 2, forcing Villard to defend. Villard found her length as the game progressed and again stepped up, forcing some errors from Soini. Villard was patient and closed the second game 11-9. The third started with lots of let calls. Villard began to find good spaces and moved Soini around well, finishing the match 3-0.
 
[8] H. Mustonen (FIN) v. [3] L. Fuller (ENG) 3-2, 9-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-3, 11-1 (51min)
Match report by Noah Browne
 
The game started fast and furious. A few decisions and errors against Mustonen had Fuller taking an early 1-0 lead. Both players hitting all four corners early in the second. Mustonen attacking and Fuller slightly off on his counters saw Mustonen go up 6-3. Mustonen looked in control but a strong push from Fuller  saw him recover, taking the game to 9-9. Mustonen stays strong, taking the game with good length. In the third, Fuller gave an early lead to the stonefaced Fin. He sorted himself out and mastered his volleys, coming back to 7-6. Tense exchanges and good defending from Fuller sees him take the third. Mustonen comes out strong in game four, playing a powerful game that he eventually wins, taking the match to 2-2. Mustonen goes on to play near-perfect squash in the fifth. A nick winner at 10-1 sends Mustonen to the semi-final and one step closer to Chicago.
 
[1] S. Cornett (CAN) v. D. Garcia (MEX) 3-0, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10 (26min)
Match report by Laura Savage
 
Cornett, the number 1 seed, comes out looking the part, hitting tight length and strong attacking shots to take a commanding 5-1 lead. Garcia responds with a few points but it is not enough as Cornett finds her tight length again, taking the first 11-5. In game 2, Garcia tightened up her length and found some attacking shots that gained her a 5-4 lead. Cornett begins to move Garcia to all four corners of the court and takes the game on a tight forehand drive. Garcia comes out strong to start game 3, taking the first three points by moving Cornett around the court. Cornett responds with some solid crosscourts to make it 3-3. The players trade points, both making some great gets. Cornett starts to pin Garcia deep in the back, forcing boasts which she then gracefully capitalizes on.  Garcia hangs in some long rallies and the match is tight at 10-10. Cornett hits two perfect drops to take the third game in extra points.
 
[4] S. Khan (PAK) v. B. Ajagbe (NIG) 3-2, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9 (66min)
Match report by Anthony Graham
 
Both players come out ready for the match, with Ajagbe looking more relaxed in the early points, looking to hold the ball and disrupt Khan’s rhythm. This seemed to work well as he takes a 7-5 lead. Ajagbe rolled his ankle and took an injury timeout. He returned to the court with his ankle taped. The break seemed to work against him, allowing Khan time to gain some composure. Khan takes the first game. The second game was a back and forth affair from the first point. Ajagbe used his deception well and varied the pace to keep Khan on his heels and take a 9-8 lead. Khan battled back with amazing speed to stay in the game, making it difficult for Ajagbe to finish. It eventually took a perfect three-wall boast nick for Ajagbe to take the match to 1-1.  A blood injury early in the third had this match ticking all the boxes for a real squash fight. Upon return, Khan continued flying around the court and Ajagbe continued to vary the pace, attempting to disrupt Khan’s rhythm. Khan kept up the pace and grew a 9-3 lead. Ajagbe responded with 3 flat kill shots but it was not enough and Khan took the third 11-5. The fourth game was hotly constest. Both players refused to give anything away cheaply. Some incredible winners from Ajgabe in the nick boast, becoming his signature shot as he wins the fourth. A very tight fifth game with some incredible rallies and high pace. This appeared to take its toll on Ajagbe, who hit a few tins at crucial points. 9-9 in the fifth after some epic rallies and the crowd is completely silent. Khan finds the slightest edge to squeak out the match 11-9 in the fifth.
 
[2] N. Todd (CAN) v. [6] C. Pelaez (COL) 3-2, 11-5, 7-11, 11-5, 12-14, 12-10 (46min)
Match report by Sam Cornett
 
Todd controlled the first game with slow pace and timely drops and counter drops and taking a commanding lead in the first game. The second game started neck and neck. Pelaez edged ahead early on with great retrieving and a couple of early errors from Todd. Toward the end of the game, all kinds of drops were exchanged. The Colombian Pelaez loved this and dominated the front of the court, taking the second game. Todd looked good to start the third, stretching Pelaez in the back of the court before going very, very short. Pelaez was set back on her heels a bit and Todd took the third game. The start of game 4 looked similar but Pelaez turned up the heat to take a 7-5 lead. She continued with the same tried and true strateg, using great width and patience to force errors from Todd. A huge rally at 9-9 with a dive retrieval from Pelaez, followed by a few unforced errors from Todd and the match goes to 5. Both players were up to the task in the final game with beautiful changes of pace from the Columbian and signature drops from the Canadian. A close game had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Todd squeaks out a 12-10 victory to take the match.
 
[1] R. Peter (SUI) v. [7] A. Graham (ENG) 3-0, 11-3, 11-7, 11-5 (33min)
Match report by Jon Leppington
 
Domination by Peter from early in the match. He used his height to his advantage, stepping up to cut off almost everything. Both players hitting tight length but Peter able to capitalize more easily when the opportunities arose. Controversy started at 2-3 with lots of contacts and players chatting back to the referees and one another. While the tempers flared a bit, Peter regained his composure and a few strict words from the referee got the match back under control. Peter takes a closer second game. He comes out strong in the third. The rallies were longer but Peter looked comfortably throughout, moving smoothly and taking the opportunities when they were presented to him.