Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006

International Press Release 03-April-2006 - Evening Results

To: International Media
From: Roger J. Sherratt, Press Officer, Bermuda Squash Racquets Association
Date: 3rd April 2006

Subject:

Monday night’s action at the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006, presented by Logic and hosted by Endurance, got underway with all the requisite pomp and ceremony for this tiny British colony as Hamilton’s Town Crier gave a proclamation, the Bermuda Regiment Band Drum Corps marched on court, and the Deputy Premier officially declared the tournament open.

It was then time for local hero, world #69 Nick Kyme to make his entrance to the beat of a military drum roll in front of an enthusiastic, stamping and cheering home town audience. His opponent was none other than the current world #2 David Palmer of Australia, who also happens to reside in Bermuda when he is not on tour.

If Kyme was nervous he certainly showed no outward signs as he traded the first few points with Palmer, and with the score at 3-all, the packed audience cheered every rally with gusto. Unfortunately for Kyme, Palmer was in no mood for an extended match and after a long drawn out rally which saw Palmer dispatching his opponent to every corner of the court - and then some - the former world open champion turned on the power and dropped only one more point in the first game.

Kyme struggled in the 2nd game but managed to take 3 points after falling behind 8-0. Palmer took that game 11-3, and constantly kept Kyme under pressure in the 3rd, which he won 11-4. It was all over for Kyme in 30 minutes, but that is the nature of squash at the top level.

Ironically, the second encounter of the evening turned out to be the match of the tournament so far when Ong Beng Hee of Malaysia continued his longstanding rivalry with Wael El Hindi of Egypt. It was clear from the outset that neither player was giving any quarter while displaying their considerable racquet skills. If anything detracted from the match it was their inability to clear as they jostled for mid-court advantage. The referee had to make more than 60 let calls in total during a marathon 5 game match lasting 98 minutes.

It could not have been closer when at 2-2 in games they leveled at 7 all in the 5th and both finally showing signs of exhaustion, making uncharacteristic unforced errors followed by long rallies during which each player tried desperately not to make mistakes while still retrieving impossible shots. Neither player could manage two consecutive points as El Hindi served twice at match ball only to have Beng Hee claw his way back to level the score, and finally take the match on his own second serve for match ball as El Hindi vainly appealed for a let, which was not to be. Both had given their all and received a standing ovation from an appreciative crowd.

Despite numerous let calls, this was an exciting match from start to finish, and appeals to the referee, of which there were many, were never a major distraction due to the coolness under pressure of referee Dean Clayton who displayed a wry sense of humour throughout.

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