Latest Tournament News - Matthew vs. Chaloner

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

Nick Matthew (ENG) vs. Mark Chaloner (ENG)

Robert Edwards talks about the importance of this event for Bermuda. He says that with all due respect, Bermuda is not a 'squash nation' like England for example, but has achieved a great deal in the last few years. He also talks about the remarkable technology in use by the main sponsors, Virtual Spectator. He says that everyone should bring laughter and smiles to the official opening ceremony tomorrow (Monday) evening. He also talks about looking forward to the World Open here in 2007.

Game 1

  • Matthew serving.
  • A long, cagey first rally ends with Matthew putting the ball down. 1-0 to Chaloner.
  • Another long rally, edged out by Matthew. 1-1. Three let plays follow.
  • Matthew tins a volley. Chaloner serves at 2-1.
  • Matthew has Chaloner under pressure, and a long rally ends in a let ball. The next rally is a fantastic display of agility and touch shots. 2-2.
  • Matthew puts the ball out. Then he plays a deft return of service - 3-3.
  • Chaloner then wins a dramatic point, followed by another with a great low drive down the left. 5-3.
  • A similar position in the next rally, but Matthew is in position - stroke to him.
  • Chaloner wins next two points to take a 7-4 lead.
  • Matthew then puts Chaloner under severe pressure and takes next two points. 6-7.
  • Some short rallies see Matthew serving at 7-8. Some great reaction shots by both players.
  • A tight ball down the left from Matthew is unretrievable - 8-8. Then Chaloner plays ball down - 9-8.
  • Matthew plays ball down. 9-9. Then Chaloner plays an easy ball straight into the tin. 10-9 game ball to Matthew.
  • Matthew then tins the ball attempting a volley drop to front left. Tie-break.
  • Another volley drop attempt by Matthew ends up in the tin. Game ball to Chaloner. 11-10.
  • Agressive play by Matthew does not pay off, and Chaloner wins 12-10.

Game 2

  • Chaloner serving.
  • Chaloner plays into the tin, the plays another ball down. 2-0 to Matthew.
  • A cagey rally leads to a stroke to Matthew front right. 3-0.
  • A tight, fast shot down the right line from Matthew cannot be retrieved by Chaloner. Another quick point by Matthew takes him to 5-0.
  • Chaloner is under all sorts of pressure early on, but then slows the rally down to take the point. 1-5.
  • A great service return by Matthew, followed by a tin shot from Chaloner take the game to 7-1 in Matthew's favour.
  • A drop shot front right from Matthew is too good. 8-1.
  • Great depth to the back left from Chaloner. Matthew cannot retrieve. 2-8.
  • A nice bounce out of the back right from Matthew, followed by some fast reaction shots in 2 rallies, take him to 11-2. Match level at one game apiece.

Game 3

  • Matthew serving.
  • Nice early drop front right take Matthew to 1-0. He then tins a boast 1-1.
  • Let call by Chaloner denied. Matthew leads 2-1.
  • A fast and furious rally ends with Matthew playing a low cross-court to the back right. 3-1.
  • A long rally ends in a let call. Then a miss-hit from Matthew. 2-3.
  • Chaloner is denied a let, then plays the ball out of court. 5-2 to Matthew.
  • Spectacular return of serve from Chaloner - too fast for Matthew. 3-5. Chaloner then plays the ball out of court. 6-3 to Matthew.
  • Matthew awarded a stroke, then another ball out of court by Chaloner puts the score at 8-3 in Matthew's favour.
  • Chaloner plays the ball down at the end of a frantic rally. 9-3.
  • Another great return of service. 4-9. Then a Matthew tin shot. 5-9.
  • Chaloner wins a stroke to move to 6-9.
  • A great volley drop to front left from Matthew takes him to 10-6 game ball.
  • Another great rally, with control switching between the two players, sees Chaloner error on a shot out of the back left. Matthew takes game 11-6. Leading 2-1.

Game 4

  • Matthew serving.
  • An easy first point for Matthew is followed by a frantic second rally leading to a let call. 1-0.
  • Chaloner fails to recover a drop shot. Matthew leads 2-0.
  • Chaloner then wins a stroke down the right hand side. 1-2. He follows up with a great drop to level the game at 2-2.
  • Matthew wins the next point easily as Chaloner puts the ball out. 3-2.
  • A cagey rally follows, Chaloner winning it with a deft drop shot. 3-3.
  • Matthew hits a hard ball down the left line to win the next point, and follows up with a sublime volley drop to the front left. 5-3.
  • Chaloner fails to capitalise on a drop front right. 6-3 to Matthew.
  • Chaloner wins a stroke on the next rally. 4-6.
  • Matthew disputes a ball called out. Chaloner moves to 5-6. Matthew then pressurizes Chaloner out of position in two consecutive rallies to move to 8-5.
  • Chaloner wins the next two points - 7-8. It's a tight game.
  • Hand out a s Matthew plays a great winner. 9-7.
  • Matthew tins a shot down the left line. Chaloner serving at 8-9.
  • Matthew puts a volley in the tin. The game is now at 9-9. The crowd can feel the tension.
  • Chaloner wins a stroke and serves at 10-9 game ball. He then puts the ball out. Tie-break.
  • A great rally ends with a tight cross-court from Chaloner. 11-10 game ball.
  • Matthew disputes a let call. A cagey rally focused down the left follows. It ends in a let call.
  • Fantastic reaction shots follow, then Chaloner tins a shot. 11-11.
  • Another rally down the left side ends with a stroke to Matthew. 12-11.
  • Chaloner then plays a ball which he may have called a let on. Matthew wins 13-11 and takes the match 3-1.

Our Summary
A very tight match with world rankings not playing a part. Lots of long, cagey rallies, with Chaloner solid down the line, but Matthew just seeming hungrier and looking like he had the edge on fitness. His drop volley game was particularly effective.

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