Chinese Water Torture Made Redundant
by Martin Bronstein in London, Mar 24, 2004 © 2004    Draw/results  

[ CANARY WHARF WEDNESDAY - First Report ]

James Willstrop- the man to watch. photo: ©2004 Debra Tessier

Forget the outdated Chinese water torture or being locked in a room and being made to listen to Tony Bennett; the newest, cruelest punishment is going on to a squash court with John White, a tall skinny Aussie who wears tartan underpants.

Ten minutes would be enough to make even the Governor of California start crying for his mommy. White hits the ball harder than anybody and does it without break for as long as it takes to reduce his opponent to a collection of torn ligaments lying in a pool of sweat on the floor. Mind you, it doesn’t always work. Tonight he tried it on James Willstrop and the found the young upstart had the speed – and the shots – to stay with him. And win!

Tonight I watched from a traditional position - behind the court - and was equally astonished at the speed at which this match was played. It was essentially White’s speed and tightness against Willstrop’s lightning reaction and incredible reach. Of one thing I’m sure – Willstrop will be very stiff tonight. He twisted and turned, dived and reached, jumped and leapt; he simply would not allow White the satisfaction of winning any point without having to work for it. There were rallies where Willstrop saved the point at least six times and then put in his own delicate volley drop to win the point.

White would pull Willstrop down the court, watch as Willstrop headed north west , anticipating the length drive, and then send the ball north east. In mid-stride Willstrop would change direction and scrape the ball off the floor to send a perfect length drive tight down the wall into the back corner. If the speed was jaw- droppingly, breathtakingly fast, then the accuracy was quite incredible. It is one thing to be accurate when time allows, it is quite something else to be just as accurate when the ball matching the pace of a speeding bullet.

Andrew Castle, a former British top professional tennis player, was watching the squash here and he was totally astounded at the accuracy. (Not to mention the fitness level).

As I have written before Willstrop is something special; he may be the best player ever to come out of the UK. He may have the best low volley drop into the nick in the game. He is certainly the greatest prospect to come along in a decade. That he beat White at White’s own game – and this shortened nine-point scoring, is right up White’s alley – is the proof of the pudding. It’s almost impossible to describe the games – all the above applies to the four games. It was 45 minutes of sheer exhilaration for the spectators and the scoreline, 9-7, 6-9, 9-7, 97 for Willstrop, shows how close it was. That Willstrop came back from 5-1 down in the fourth to win is a significant pointer to his competitiveness . Next time you have a chance to see Willstrop, take it. Mortgage your house if you have to, should the tickets be that expensive.

CANADA PLACE GROUP
James Willstrop (Eng) bt John White (Sco) 9-7, 6-9 9-7, 9-7.

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