Garner & Barker Survive Scares
Jan 22, 2005, by Ryan Barnett, SquashTalk correspondent, Independent News Service © 2005 all Rights Reserved;

Galvez Gets Strong Win   [draw/results]

Time to separate the pretenders from the contenders as quarterfinal action took center stage Friday at the 2005 Talisman Energy Bankers Hall Club Pro-Am. For the third straight day matches began during the noon hour providing the perfect excuse to get a head start on the weekend.

The Radish Ben Garner was pushed to the limit by Frenchman Jean-Michel Arcucci before emerging with a tough fought 5 game victory.

In Game #1 Garner was his own worst enemy. He committed error after error allowing Arcucci to jump out to a 10-4 lead. He then appeared to settle down and rattled off the next four points to make things interesting but a backhand boast into the tin saw his comeback fall short.

In the 2nd he came and made a statement. Garner upped the pace, cut out the unforced errors and began playing the high quality squash that has seen him enjoy recent success. Arcucci had no response and in the blink of an eye Garner reeled off a stunning 11-1 victory.

The third was the best game of the match. Both players worked the rail reminiscent of two prize fighters feeling each other out with the jab, unwilling to throw the knockout punch for worry about being countered. This game see-sawed back and forth all the way to 9. On the ensuing rally Garner was awarded a stroke to put him at game ball and promptly hit a nice low backhand crosscourt winner to close out the game.

Game #4 was a carbon copy of the opener. I counted no less than 8 errors from Garner providing Arcucci with a comfortable 11-4 decision.

As the fifth began the gallery was abuzz wondering what Ben Garner would take to the court? Arcucci had a legitimate chance to deny Garner his Canadian Double. The Frenchman was playing a very smart, patient game. He was keeping the rallies going and letting Garner make all the mistakes.
Unfortunately for him Garner once again found his A game and took the fifth by an identical 11-4 score.

Post match Arcucci said, "I'm disappointed not to have won. I played okay for a few games, lost a couple games I should of won and he hit a few lucky shots that found the nick. I guess if I apply a better tactic from the beginning I'll get the result in the end."

Garner heaved a huge sigh of relieve upon leaving the court knowing he had dodged a major bullet. "I'm thankful to have come out on top" he said.
"Today I didn't play my best squash but still got the win. This is a nice change from before. Now it appears like I'm winning the close matches where before I was losing. I knew he was going to be tough and never underestimated him as this is the third time we've played and every time it's gone 5."

Next on court another Englishman, Philip Barker, looking to knockoff the second seed Tommy Berden. That was not to be as Berden played another strong attacking game and came away with another straight games win. The Dutchman had revenge on his mind heading into this encounter. "I lost to him four months ago in Hong Kong qualifying so knew it would be a pretty tough match and even though I won 3-0 the scores were close. I've changed my game. I used to play more traditional squash and it got me to #21 in the world but now I attack more. With the scoring to 11 you have to attack. The squash is now much more intense and every point is crucial"

The first match of the evening session was the one that everyone wanted to see. With a boisterous crowd now numbering over 200 and with his grandparents in attendance Matthew Giuffre played like a man with nothing to lose and everything to gain. His opponent ranked #32 in the World, Englishman Peter Barker escaped with a thrilling 9-11, 11-9, 11-5, 7-11,
11-7 victory.

As the scoreline indicates this one was tight. The first game began with both players playing very rhythmic squash looking to find their length and perhaps calm some early nerves. With the score knotted at 8 Giuffre forced two errors from Barker and hung on taking the first 11-9.

In the second Barker stormed out and upped the pace of play and established a comfortable 7-2 advantage. Giuffre refused to give up on this night proving there wasn't any ball he couldn't get to and clawed his way back to level at 7. This time Barker saw the ball bounce his way during the later stages and took the second by an identical 11-9 score.

The pivotal third game was all Barker. He was now comfortably into his rhythm and raced away with an 11-5 win.

In the fourth the momentum swung back to the Canadian. He took an early 5-0 lead, took the game 11-7, mostly due to numerous unforced Barker errors and his willingness to never quit on any ball.

This match was now a best of one and it appeared that an upset was a definite possibility. It was point for point to 6-6 after which Barker hit two beautiful winners and established a cushion. He maintained this advantage, eventually stretching his lead and winning 11-7.

Was the event's #1 seed feeling the pressure? "No I don't think so. Matt played very well and I think I might of underestimated him. I wasn't feeling that great. I was a bit lethargic out there tonight but fortunately I won and will be back tomorrow"

Last match of the night saw Thursday's two giant killers going head to head.
Eric Galvez took out the #3 seed while Laurent Elriani earned his quarterfinal berth by marching through qualifying and then dispatching last years finalist. The Mexican won 3-0 but Elriani served notice that he'll be a force in future encounters once he tightens things up a bit. "I had 3 or 4 errors a game and when you look at the score that's what cost me. I played alright, felt good with the racket but the mistakes were the difference."

Quarterfinal Results:
Ben Garner(Eng) beat Jean-Michel Arcucci(Fra) 3-2 (8-11, 11-1, 11-9, 4-11,
11-4) 61mins
Peter Barker(Eng) beat Matthew Giuffre(Can) 3-2 (9-11, 11-9, 11-5, 7-11,
11-7) 74mins
Tommy Berden(Ned) beat Philip Barker(Eng) 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-7) 54mins Eric Galvez(Mex) beat Laurent Elriani(Fra) 3-0 (11-5, 11-9, 11-8) 53min

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