 2004
EBS Asset Management Dayton Squash Open>
1st Round |
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| 2004 DAYTON OPEN | |
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| Main
Draw Begins in the $40,000 EBS Dayton Open |
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Galleries were packed tonight behind both show courts as main draw play began in the EBS Dayton Open. Play began at 4:00 pm local time and by 5:00 PM, there was "standing room only." The large crowd witnessed several good early matches and the night became "Q night" for qualifier's night as two qualifiers, Rodney Durbach from S. Africa and Wael El Hindi of Egypt, scored first round victories (see scores below). El Hindi prevailed in a contentious match with Australia's Paul Price while Durbach came out strong against Mark Chaloner of England in the first game (15/4) and then toughed it out for the win. Chaloner was nursing a sore ankle after the match but gracious in his comments, complemented Durbach on his superb play.
The crowd favorite match tonight was between Simon Parke of Nottingham, England (former world # 3) and the Dayton Squash Center's own touring professional Julian Wellings. Julian, originally from Eastbourne, England, grew up playing junior squash in the UK with, and against, Simon and they are "best mates." According to Julian, "they've probably played over 25 matches against each other, starting at age 8, and the only victory I've had was that first one at age 8!" Well tonight the crowd was cheering for a victory. Julian played well despite his heavy responsibilities running all the PSA details of this tournament and held his own in the first two games, leading at times, and with chances to win. Simon, however, has too much current tour match experience to bring to the table and edged out the local favorite despite the constant cheering for Julian (more than one "come on papa was heard shouted, as Julian & his wife Kelly are expecting their first child in May!).
Squash in the US is on the right track when 12-14 year old kids are fighting each other to get autographs from PSA tour players and many of the younger girls were keen to get Simon Parke and Joey Barrington's autograph tonight! Squash needs an Andy Roddick and we have lots of them! The EBS Dayton Open is one of the primary fundraising events for the Miami Valley Squash Foundation that, to date, has introduced squash to over 300 area kids and to see the interest in professional squash at the junior level is gratifying. Thursday's 1/4 final rounds promise lots of action as we have two "all Egyptian" matches and then Parke vs. Ryding & Durbach vs. Heath in the other 1/4 final contests. All this before 125 amateur players hit the courts on Friday for one of the largest squash tournaments ever held in the Miami Valley area. This year's Revenge of the Baby Boomers tournament has 125 entrants with 60% of the players from out of town. These guests, as well as the "townies," our local squash gladiators willing to mix it up in competition, will be treated to the highest caliber of international play during Friday evening's semi-final PSA matches and then again on Saturday for the finals. Questions about squash & the Dayton Squash Center, contact Charlie Johnson at 1-800-22-1143 or charlie@cjsquash.com. Dayton Squash is cooking!!! Come smell the aroma! First round results of the $40,000 EBS Dayton Open Karim Darwish (EGY)(1) bt Stacey Ross (ENG) (Q) 15-13, 15-4, 15-12 Omar Elborolossy (EGY)(6) bt Mark Heather (ENG)(Q) 15-9, 15-9, 15-12 Graham Ryding (CAN)(3) bt Shahier Razik (CAN) 15-8, 15-9, 5-4 ret. injured Simon Parke (ENG)(5) bt Julian Wellings (ENG) 15-11, 15-11, 15-7 Mohammed Abbas (EGY) bt Alex Gough (WAL)(7) 9-15, 15-11, 12-15, 15-9, 15-10 Wael El Hindi (EGY)(Q) bt Paul Price (AUS)(4) 15-10, 13-15, 7-15, 15-9, 15-9 Rodney Durbach (RSA)(Q) bt Mark Chaloner (ENG)(8) 15-4, 15-11, 13-15, 15-8 Martin Heath (SCO)(2) bt Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) 17-15, 7-15, 15-14, 15-9 Charlie Johnson's
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