Delierre Excites the Crowd
Jan 20, 2004, by Ryan Barnett, SquashTalk correspondent, Independent News Service © 2005 all Rights Reserved;

SIX Canadian Qualifiers Fall   [draw/results]

If Wednesday's qualifying matches at the 2005 Talisman Energy Bankers Hall Club Pro-Am are any indication of what's to come, then squash fans in Calgary, Canada are in for a treat. No less then 7 Canadians took part in Wednesday's action. Once the dust had settled there remained only one.

Nonetheless, the jam packed galleries enjoyed an outstanding evening of squash.

Montreal's Shawn De Lierre was the most impressive of all players regardless of nationality winning both his matches in straight games and spending a total of only 52 minutes on court. First up was his 31min dismissal of Tournament Chair and Bankers Hall Club professional Bob Ballinger. He then had a nap, had a snack, and crushed his Mexican opponent Jose Angel Becerril in only 21mins. It's been over two years since I've seen De Lierre this focussed and motivated. We've all known he has the talent. Perhaps now his maturity and mental approach to the game have caught up? Whatever the reason I like what I saw. For his efforts he will face the event's #1 seed Peter Barker.

Sadly, his six countrymen did not fare as well. Only David Phillips managed to escape the first round and was quickly dispatched in the second by the young Aussie Aaron Francomb.

Main draw action begins at noon Thursday with 4 matches scheduled followed by the nightcap beginning at 5:45PM.

Qualifying Results as follows:

1st Round Qualifying
Aaron Francomb(Aus) bye
David Phillips(Can) beat Lefika Ragonste(Botswana) 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-6) 27mins David Barnett(Eng) beat David Ramsden-Wood(Can) 3-1 (11-6, 5-11, 11-6,
11-10(2-0) 50mins
Laurent Elriani(Fra) beat Andrew McDougall(Can) 3-1 (11-1, 11-3, 11-10(2-0) 34mins Mark Krajsack(Hun) beat Keith Pritchard(Can) 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-9) 27mins
Khawaja Adil Maqbool(Pak) beat Iain Crozier(Can) 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-5) 23mins
Jose Angel Becerril(Mex) beat Jonathon Hill(Can) 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-8) 25mins Shawn De Lierre(Can) beat Bob Ballinger(Can) 3-0 (11-6, 11-6, 11-7) 31mins

2nd Round Qualifying Final
Aaron Francomb(Aus) beat David Phillips(Can) 3-0 (11-8, 11-3, 11-8) 47mins
Laurent Elriani(Fra) beat David Barnett(Eng) 3-1 (7-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-6) 68mins Khawaja Adil Maqbool beat Mark Krajsack(Hun) 3-1 (11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8) 48mins Shawn De Lierre(Can) beat Jose Angel Becerril(Mex) 3-0 (11-7, 11-2, 11-5) 21mins

NEW ... Get the New Jonathon Power Instruction Video at the SquashTalk eStore!

Squashtalk.com All materials © 1999-2004. Communicate with us at info@squashtalk.com.
Published by Squashtalk LLC, 409 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 102, Acton, MA 01720 USA, Editor and Publisher Ron Beck,
Graphics editor Debra Tessier Send comments, ideas, contributions and feedback to the webmaster.
Copyright © 1999-2004 SquashTalk, all rights reserved, may not be reproduced in any form except for one-time personal use.