Gordon Comes Down to Earth
April 11, 2005, Bruce de Wet and Gus Cook from Richmond VA
SquashTalk Independent News Service © 2005 all Rights Reserved;

Quick Justifies #1 Seeding    [draw/results]
Sunday, April 10, 2005: Final

Preston Quick, the USA's #2 ranked player, and first seed in this event, made amends for his desultory performance in the March US National Championships, with a decisive win in the Richmond stop of the US Men's Squash Selection Tour over reigning US National Juniors champion Christopher Gordon.

Gordon, who at 18 has declared his intention to play full-time on the international PSA pro tour, made his first major move amongst the top US players by reaching this event's finals, but had no answers for Quick's characteristic fast and frenetic style of play.

By 1:00pm on Sunday afternoon the finalists in the Superstars Pizza sponsored US Men’s Team Selection Team Event were ready to take the court. The gallery was still being filled while the warm-up took place. Christopher Gordon, seeded #3/4, had scored an upset win over the second seed in order to reach the final and none of his earlier matches could be described as being easy. By contrast, Preston Quick, seeded #1, had yet to lose a game. When the match commenced, the pace was brisk and both players were looking to impose themselves on their opponent. Quick seemed to find a crisper shot whenever it was needed and built a lead; with the score 6-1 in Quick’s favor, Gordon composed himself again and put together his own run of four points. When Quick was able to regain the serve, he attacked and found some winners in the front. First game to Quick, 9-4.

In the second game the patterns remained the same, Quick applied the pressure, managing to maintain it with some great digs and considerable effort. Gordon was also putting up a spirited fight, but somehow more of the nicks and scrapes went Quick’s way. Both players looked remarkably fresh by the time Quick closed out the second game 9-5 in his favor. Gordon was showing signs of frustration by now thanks to Quick’s uncanny ability to keep even the ugliest of knuckle ball shots in play.

Quick started the third game at a blistering tempo, he seemed determined to close the match out. When his lead over Gordon reached 4-0, the spectators realized that the game and match was slipping away from the younger player. Gordon’s brilliant shots and athletic effort failed to make an impact thanks to a few unforced errors and so Quick forged ahead. By the time he was leading 6-2, Quick dominated every exchange, cutting off everything to reply with his particular brand of driving the ball for depth. Gordon succumbed under the barrage and Quick won the final game 9-4 to take the match and championship in three.

Gordon, whose game has increased exponentially in its maturity, is still very predictable and mostly without an attacking component. As such, he is still not able to handle the likes of Preston Quick, whose quickness and constant attacking style of play keeps most of his US opponents off balance, and whose fitness can withstand Gordon's desire to patiently stay on court forever.

Superstars US Selection Tourney, Richmond VA [complete draw]
Finals:
[1] Preston Quick (CT) def Christopher Gordon (NY) 9-4 9-5 9-4

Semifinals:
Preston Quick (CT) def Julian Illingworth (OR) 9-3 9-0 9-4
Christopher Gordon (NY) def Michael Puertas (MO) 4-9 9-6 9-3 9-3

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