Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006

International Press Release 03-April-2006

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

Subject:

Bermuda squash enthusiasts eagerly await the appearance of their home-town hero, Nick Kyme (world #69), who steps onto the court later this evening as Bermudas wildcard to face current world #2 David Palmer. It may be a little optimistic to expect any kind of upset in this encounter, but there were a few closer than expected matches on this second day of competition in the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006, presented by Logic and hosted by Endurance.

On the all-glass court in Hamilton, Anthony Ricketts demonstrated that he was in no mood to be charitable as he raced to a 10-0 lead in the first game against Laurens Jan Anjema of The Netherlands. He took the game 11-2 but kept up the pressure for a comfortable 3-0 (11/2, 11/5, 11/6) victory.

In was a different story in the other all glass court match when experienced Welshman, Alex Gough, faced off against young Australian Cameron Pilley who certainly had a huge reach advantage against his much shorter opponent. Although starting off strong, Gough seemed to be rattled by several calls against him and Pilley took the first 11-9. Gough had trouble settling down in the 2nd game and made a string of unforced errors to find himself down 2-0, but he fought back gamely in a tightly fought 3rd game which stood at 9-9 before Gough took the next two points to stay in the match. Momentum seemed to be slowly slipping away from the younger player as Gough raced into the lead at 9-4, but Pilley stayed loose and patient during a series of long rallies, which began to sap the energy from his older opponent. Pilley never lost his cool, and two consecutive winners gave him the 4th game and the match.

Meanwhile, on the Devonshire courts, Peter Nicol was given an early scare by fellow Englishman Jonathan Kemp who played exceptionally well to take the first game 11-2. Nicol eventually settled down, but was never in full control of the match. He was taken to 14-12 in the 3rd, and Kemp continued to show grit and determination in the 4th, which he lost 11-8. After the match, Nicol said, “It was a very tough first round. I played well. There was always a danger after the Commonwealth Games that I’d be a bit sluggish but I’m hitting well, moving well, and I enjoyed that a lot. Joey played at an unbelievable pace with no errors. It was just great squash.”

In other matches at the Devonshire Court, Lee Beachill won comfortably against Dan Jenson 3-0. Gregory Gaultier defeated Joe Kneipp by the same score, and Karim Darwish beat fellow countryman Hisham Ashour 3-0 in 23 minutes - one of the shortest matches of the tournament so far.

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