Latest Tournament News - Lincou vs. Grant

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

Adrian Grant (ENG) vs. Thierry Lincou (FRA)

Robert Edwards talks with Anthony Ricketts - he is the British Open Champion and a proud Australian. Edwards asks him about the Commonwelath Games. Ricketts says 'words could not describe the event'. Edwards then asks about his passion. Ricketts says there is a fine balance, sometimes it overpowers his game, but often it helps. Edwards asks how much help Geoff Hunt and Rodney Eyles have been. Ricketts says it has been a great help and he admires them both. Ricketts then talks about how close the tour is at present. He is happy to be British Open Champion and he comments on how much the players love the Bermuda tournament.

Game 1

  • Lincou serving from the left (Grant is a left-hander). Grant tins it.
  • Another mistake from Grant - Lincou leads 2-0.
  • A great drop from Grant front right - 1-2.
  • 3-1 to Lincou after a cut-off shot. Then Grant tins it - 4-1 to Lincou.
  • An unfortunate mistake by Grant is then followed by a great drop shot by him. 2-5.
  • Lincou plays ball down. 3-5. A rally down the right, then a cross-court take Lincou to 6-3, then 7-3.
  • More mistakes from Grant. Lincou leads 8-3. Then a marathon rally followed by let ball.
  • Another long rally - Grant makes mistake at front left - 9-3 to Lincou.
  • Two let plays - then Grant tins an easy shot at the front. 10-3 game ball to Lincou.
  • Nice controlled shot by Lincou wins game 11-3.

Game 2

  • Lincou serving from the left.
  • Grant slips and Lincou takes first point. 1-0.
  • Great drop from Lincou front left - 2-0.
  • Mistake by Lincou then stroke to Grant - 2-2.
  • Grant 3-2 following tin shot from Lincou front right. Several let plays follow.
  • Stroke to Lincou as Grant recovers a drop shot front left. 3-3. Great shot from Grant cross-court takes him to 4-3.
  • A series of shots down the left side take Grant to 5-3, then a drop front right takes him to 6-3
  • 4-6 Lincou after a let call for Grant is denied. Rallies becoming increasingly physical as more lets are called.
  • A nice rally ends up front left where Lincou plays a drop which is unplayable by Grant. 5-6.
  • Another great rally follows - Grant takes it with a winner cross court just above the tin. 7-5. Lincou then wins the next point. 6-7. Close stuff.
  • Grant moves to 8-6 after a cross court to front left leaves Lincou struggling to pick up the ball.
  • Grant tins it from back left after lengthy rally. 7-8. Grant then completes a long rally with a tight ball down the right to move to 9-7.
  • Denied let call from Grant moves Lincou to 8-9. Then a long rally ends in a let disputed by Lincou.
  • Grant tins a shot down the right wall. 9-9. The pressure is palpable. Then Lincou sends Grant the wrong way with a cross-court to the left rear corner. 10-9 game ball to Lincou.
  • Grant wins a stroke on the next rally as ball comes out of front left. 10-10 tie-break.
  • Grant then plays a fantastic drop into the front right for a game ball 11-10.
  • Some physical contact leads to let ball.
  • Lincou then wins two points to go 12-11 up.
  • Several let plays follow. The game is then won by Lincou 13-11 following a stroke.

Game 3

  • Lincou serving from the left.
  • Grant plays deceptive ball down the left - 1-0. Lincou then boasts from back right to take it to 1-1.
  • Grant wins next point, then struggles to retrieve a drop shot front right 2-2.
  • Mistake from Grant takes the game to 3-2. Then Lincou recovers from a great cross-court with a boast to move to 4-2.
  • Grant breaks a string. There is a short break while he gets a new racquet. Then Lincou plays an easy shot out. 3-4.
  • Grant disputes a let call which is denied. 5-3 to Lincou. Lincou then plays the ball down. 4-5 Grant serving.
  • Long rally won by Lincou with an overhead volley to front left. Grant the wins next point. 5-6.
  • Lincou takes 2 relatively easy points to move to 8-5. More physical action follows.
  • A long rally - great shots and close play - ends when Lincou skies the ball. 6-8, Grant serving.
  • Another round of let calls. Grant then puts the ball high and out, then tins it. Lincou now serving for match 10-6.
  • Lincou wins serve to take match 3-0. 11-3, 13-11, 11-6.

Post Match Interview

  • Edwards asks Lincou his plans for this year. He replies - to keep winning matches.
  • What motivates him - he wants to try his best and play efficiently - and not to regret anything
  • Dis having the family here last year affect his performance? Lincou say it did not at all.
  • Lincou was born on an island, so he likes Bermuda as it reminds him of home.

Our Summary
A physical match with some great skill from both players. Grant had a strong short game, especially his drop-shots in the front right, but his long game down the right side was no match for Lincou's. Lincou also made few mistakes and looked extremely confident. He is definitely a force to contend with here in Bermuda.

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