The big boys arrive!!

The first round of the event proper got under way today.... and what a feast for the eyes it was for the San Francisco fans.
The matches at the Bay Club opened with Liam Kenny and David Philips (the Canadian Qualifier). Philips was on fire from the off and gave Kenny a real handful of challenges with his attacking style and tremendous use of short, hard cross-court kill shots that really unsettled the Australian born Irishmen. Control of the match switched several times between the two as Philips took the first, Kenny sneaked the second in a tie break and then Philips replied winning the 3rd convincingly before Kenny proved his metal and claimed the 4th to level the match. It was inevitable that the match should go the distance and indeed it did. As the 5th game progressed the players traded point for point until it reached 10-10 and it was anyones match. It was Philips day, after battling through qualifying he held his nerve and clinched the match 13-11 in the first game much to the crowds pleasure. A great match to really kick the tournament off.
Second match on was Shawn Delierre, the seeded French-Canadian, who was up against the several times retired Chris Walker (ex-world No.4 from England) 2 weeks shy of his 40th birthday. An intriguing battle, Delierre won the first game without much fuss but then Walker got the better of the Delierre on-slaught to the front of the court and played himself back in to the game by stepping up the court. Delierre suddenly found that his frontal attack was being countered with drops and lobs from the experienced Walker. Walker took the 2nd and worked hard to notch up the 3rd to lead 2-1 after a tie-break. The extra efforts of the tie-break took it's toll on Walker as Delierre continued to attack and keep the pressure on through the 4th and 5th games. Closing out the match, never relinquishing the lead again, in the 5th 11-6.
Then the crowd was treated to a display of Squash by the world No.9 (and ex-World No.1), John White, that moistened the taste buds for what might be coming later in the week. His opponent, Wade Johnstone, competed well and certainly game John and good run but the highlights were some world class shots and creative angles by White that left Johnstone searching for answers. White's pace, power and use of the angles always seemed to give him the edge in an entertaining match which White closed out in 3 games. The thought of more John White at the Bay Club is something the sell-out crowds are lookng forward to over the next few days!
Last match on the main court was Shahier Razik from Canada and the recent Princeton graduate, Yassar El Haliby from Egypt. Shahier is one of those players that just won't go away and today was no exception. A great demonstration of smooth movement and patience, Razik was able to control the pace and enthusiasm of his younger opponent answering most of Yassar's attacks with exceptional lobs and counter drops. In the end Yasar ran himself in to the ground. Shahier simply absorbed all the pace and pressure that Yassar could offer before closing out the match in 3 games.
At the Olympic Club the crowd had the pleasure of another great match between the Aussie Qualifier, Raj Nanda, and the No.2 seed Adrian Grant. Nanda, the under dog on paper surged to a 2-0 lead and was looking strong. However, Grant kept his cool and used his experience to hang in there while Nanda continued to press for the victory.
Grant's patience paid off as he dilligently worked his way back in to the match and took the last 3 games to claim victory - much to Raj's frustration as he has now played in San Francisco the last 3 years and squandered 2-0 leads every time!!
Let's hope next year proves to be different!
Meanwhile at Bay Club Marin, Azlan Iskander the Malaysian No.3 seed, wa faced with Omar El Borrolossy who was finalist in the Atlanta PSA event last week. After a slow start and dropping the first game, Aslan found his game and took control to claim a 2-1 lead. The fourth game proved to be the game of the night for the Marin crowd. Reaching 10-10 the tie break insued and El Borolossy extended the Malaysian to 12-12 before going down 14-12 in the closest finish of the evening.
The final match was between Chris Simpson and the US wild card entry, Ryan Donegan. Simpson was in fine form and confidently put Donegan in his place with a comfortable win. Donegan gaining experience, Simpson gaining a second round position in the draw.
A great nights squash accross the San Francisco Bay!
Results summary:

San Francisco Bay Club:

David Phillips beat Liam Kenny, 11/8, 12/10, 2/11, 6/11, 13/11
Shawn Delierre beat Chris Walker, 4/11, 11/9, 14/12, 4/11, 6/11
John White beat Wade Johnstone, 11/8, 12/10, 11/5
Shahier Razik beat Yasser El Haleby, 11/8, 11/3, 11/6

Olympic Club

Adrian Grant beat Raj Nanda, 5/11, 8/11, 11/5, 11/8, 11/3
Miguel Rodriguez w/o Eric Gomez


Bay Club Marin

Azlan Iskander beat Omar El Borolossy, 8/11, 11/6, 11/7, 14/12
Chris Simpson beat Ryan Donnegan, 11/6, 11/6, 11/8