WILLSTROP - SHABANA SHOWDOWN LOOMS

John White went "too short too soon" and lost to world #1 Amr Shabana in four. (photo © 2006 Fritz Borchert.)

Amr Shabana and John White staged an offensive duel this afternoon in Hamilton Bermuda.

John White often cannot resist the all-out attack, but he realized too late that that was a doomed strategy against the ultimate offensive counterpuncher - Amr Shabana.

White, one of the hardest hitters on the PSA Tour, is a frequent visitor to Bermuda and enjoyed strong crowd support, especially as he started in fine style, taking a 4-1 lead in the first game.  Shabana, the top-seeded World Open champion, played catch up and eventually managed to overtake White to take the opening advantage.

The situation reversed itself in the second with Shabana taking an early lead to 5-1, before White hit his stride and played a series of exhilarating shots, and even caused Shabana to make several uncharacteristic unforced errors.  White took the game to draw level as the Bermuda audience began to sense that the ninth-seeded Scot was capable of pulling off a major upset.

They reckoned without Shabana - who simply raised his level of play, refused to make mistakes, and played exquisitely gentle drop winners in the nick at every opportunity.  This was Shabana at his best as he took White to task and, after 56 minutes, secured his 11-8, 9-11, 11-2, 11-6 victory.

Amr Shabana felt fresh after facing John White. (photo © 2006 Fritz Borchert.)

"It’s always tough playing John White any day because he’s so strong and I can’t afford to play loose shots," said the 26-year-old from Cairo afterwards.  "I’m pleased with the win and feeling fresh, so with a rest day tomorrow I look forward to the next round.

“It was great to hear I just reached No1 - and that is sweet for me.   Now my goal is to see how long I can stay there,” added Shabana.

White said, "I played too short, too early and that is not the way to be playing against Shabana. He's too good at the front, and these days he's very disciplined and doesn't make many mistakes. What more can I say?".

In the other part of that quarterfinal bracket, Willstrop had a 50 minute workout against Graham Ryding. For Ryding it was a few too many errors and missed opportunities against the extremely controlled and disciplined Willstrop. Willstrop credited Ryding's tactical experience for extending the match, and felt luck to escape in three straight games. Willstrop prevailed despite seemingly suffering with a back injury during the match.

"I thought I played fairly well on a warm court and I’m very pleased to have won it 3-0," said the 22-year-old from Yorkshire afterwards. 

When asked about his next match against Shabana, Willstrop commented:  “I’m really looking forward to it.  I’ve won matches against him before so I know I can win.  But he is the man in form - he has great racquet skills and great strength, and he takes the ball short.  I can’t wait to get out there. There is a fantastic atmosphere here and I want to play at my best.” 

James Willstrop stayed focused against Graham Ryding . (photo © 2006 Fritz Borchert. )

There will be English interest in the other quarter-final in the top half of the draw after Willstrop's Commonwealth Games team-mate and doubles partner Nick Matthew, the eighth seed, brushed aside Malaysia's 12th seed Mohd Azlan Iskandar 11-3, 11-5, 11-2 in 32 minutes. 

Matthew was in devastating form, simply outplaying Iskandar in every aspect of the game - using his height and reach to recover almost everything that the Malaysian could throw at him. 

The 25-year-old from Sheffield admitted afterwards that he was “chomping at the bit for a good game and really looking forward to getting on court." 

Thierry Lincou over Stewart Boswell in four (photo © 2006 Debra Tessier. )

Matthew will meet France's Thierry Lincou in the last eight after the fourth seed edged to an 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6 victory in 69 minutes over rapidly-improving Australian Stewart Boswell, the 15th seed. 

In the post-match interview, Lincou recalled how he and Boswell had risen through the ranks together until the latter’s back injury took him out of action for two years.  “I’m glad he’s back and playing well. It was really close. I’m pleased to get through,” said the former world number one-ranked Frenchman. 

When asked about his performance, Boswell said:  “I played well in patches but there were times when I allowed him to play his own game and then he was too good for me.  I played the wrong shots at the wrong time.  You’ve definitely got to think your way through a match better than I did tonight.”

FROM TUESDAY [Round of 16, top half of draw results]
[1] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [9] John White (SCO) 11-8 9-11 11-2 11-6 (56 m)
[5] James Willstrop (ENG) bt Graham Ryding (CAN) 11-9 11-7 11-9 (49 m)
[4] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [15] Stewart Boswell (AUS) 11-6 11-7 8-11 11-6
[8] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [12] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) 11-3 11-5 11-2