Latest Tournament News - Shabana vs. Barrington

Welcome to the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006 presented by Logic and hosted by Endurance - a festival of squash hosted in paradise.

April 2nd 2006

Amr Shabana vs. Joey Barrington

Game 1

  • Barrington takes an early 4-1 lead in the first game, but Shabana comes back to 4-4.
  • Shabana moves to a 9-5 lead with some fantastic cross-court drives off Barrington boasts to the right corner.
  • Barrington has a let refused at 5-9, Shabana now serves for the first game, and wins it 11-5.

Game 2

  • Shabana serves and takes the first point 1-0
  • Shabana wins a stroke and an easy rally to extend to 3-0
  • Shabana tins it after a long rally to leave Barrington serving at 2-5.
  • Barrington capitalises on some mistakes to come back to 4-5.
  • Shabana then wins a great rally with a deft drop-shot to go 6-4 up.
  • Let ball at 7-4 after a marathon rally.
  • Shabana drives to go 8-5 up.
  • Barrington then drops superbly to serve at 6-8.
  • Two great shots put Shabana at 10-6 and game ball.
  • A tight drop down the line by Shabana leaves Barrington unable to retrieve, and Shabana takes the second game 11-6.

Game 3

  • Shabana serving.
  • Shabana gets the luck of a let ball, but then Barrington wins an easy point - 1-0.
  • A mistake by Barrington makes it 1-1, then he puts it out for Shabana to take a 2-1 lead.
  • A sublime boast right above the tin makes it 3-1 to Shabana.
  • A fantastic cut-off by Barrington anticipating a down the line brings him back to 2-4.
  • Good attacking play and depth from Barrington brings it to 4-4.
  • Shabana wins the next, but then Barrington plays a great shot into the nick - 5-5
  • After a long rally in which Barrington plays the same backhand 3 times into the nick, the final one pays off - 6-5.
  • Shabana moves to 6-6, then executes a devastating cross-court to go 7-6 up.
  • Two more great rallies with superb drops from Shabana put him at 9-6.
  • 10-6 match ball, Barrington tins it. Shabana wins the match 3-0. 11-5, 11-6, 11-6.

Post Match Interview

  • After the match, Robert Edwards speaks to Amr Shabana, who he calls the 'Magician from Cairo'.
  • Asked if that was a tough game, Shabana says that 'these days, no match is easy'.
  • Shabana remarks that Joey (Barrington) is a great player, who can only get stronger.
  • Edwards asks if the improvement in Shabana's game comes from growing up or getting married. This causes a chuckle from the crowd. Shabana says he has definitely become more serious about the game. He is 27 this year, and his wife keeps him in check. When asked who holds the cash, he replies - she does!
  • Edwards asks if the same atmosphere exists in Egypt for squash. Shabana says 'Yes, the game is still growing, but everyone is out to get me now'.
  • Edwards asks if squash will be back next to Pyramids? Shabana replies - 'Hopefully this year'.
  • Edwards thanks him and signs off by saying that Shabana has the talent to become the next Jonathan Power.

Our Summary
A very comprehensive display by Shabana. Barrington played well, but just could did not keep pace. One of the main strengths of Shabana's game was his cross-courts. They were low, hard and supremely effective. Shabana looks to be on great form right now.

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