Berden, Barker to Calgary Finals
Jan 23, 2005, by Ryan Barnett, SquashTalk correspondent, Independent News Service © 2005 all Rights Reserved;

Galvez Puts up Stiff Resistance   [draw/results]   

England's Peter Barker the #1 seed at the Talisman Energy Bankers Hall Club Pro-Am assumed his seeded place for Sunday's final. His opponent, "The Flying Dutchman" #2 seed Tommy Berden kept up his end of the bargain ensuring the event's two highest ranked and seeded players would meet for the Calgary championship.

Barker plants "The Radish" would be an appropriate headline when summarizing this all-English match up. Quite simply this was one match too many for Ben Garner the winner last week in Vancouver. He ran out of gas and said afterwards,

"I've played a lot of squash in the last while and as a result I think I'm a bit jaded and a bit off the pace. Pete took advantage of that.

He kept me back and then went short and I didn't have the response I normally would of."

Barker controlled this from the beginning and except for a brief spell in the second game this one was never in doubt. He said the key to victory was the first game. "I was hoping it would go 3-0 but knew the first game would be crucial. I knew Ben was tired, could tell by the way he was moving. Once I got that first game I was on the front foot."

The front foot, back foot, whatever foot, this match was over in 39 minutes.

Any preference on who you meet in Sunday's final? "Obviously I prefer to play Galvez (he then laughs) but chances are I'll probably have to face Tommy. We played a National league game back home in England and he took it to me and won 3-0 so I'm happy to be finished tonight and will have plenty for tomorrow's match."

Barker called it right. The Dutchman will indeed be his opponent Sunday afternoon. Tommy Berden didn't receive an easy ride as Mexican Eric Galvez put forth a spirited effort giving the #2 seed all he wanted on this day.

HOT COURT, HEATED BALL
The court was warm and the green dot altitude ball the pros use at this event was bouncing like the double yellow we're all used to. As a result Berden had to change his tactic to come away with the win. You see, yesterday he told me how he now plays a more attacking style game but given the conditions on this day knew that attritional squash was going to be necessary. He said "The weather warmed up considerably today and they must of left the lights on all night or something. With a player as quick as Galvez and with such a lively ball and court you really must take your time and force the errors from your opponent as winners are tougher to come by when playing in these conditions."

Berden played patient squash and was awarded the first two games. The scores were tight both games but costly mistakes by Galvez in the later stages proved to be the difference.

In the third game Galvez knew he had nothing to lose and decided to go for it. He was attempting winners off the service, from the back, from everywhere. Low percentage squash at it's finest and it was working! Some unbelievable overhand volley cross court drop winners, trickle boasts, you name it. Galvez brought the crowd to life and took Game #3 11-5.

Could he defy the odds and do it again? No way. A new ball was required as the players began game #4 and this ball was even bouncier than it's predecessor. I kid you not when I say that the players were WALKING from the T to the corners and back again as there was so much time between shots.

After 66 minutes Berden takes the fourth 11-5 and the match 3-1.

Thoughts on tomorrow's match up with Peter Barker? "I'm looking forward to playing Peter again. He's a very tough, very strong left-handed player. He's moved up the rankings at a quick pace. I reckon it's going to be a long match. Should be pretty even."

Sunday's Final is scheduled for 3:30PM.

Semi-Final Results: [complete draw]
Peter Barker(Eng) def Ben Garner(Eng): 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-6) 39mins
Tommy Berden(Ned) def Eric Galvez(Mex): 3-1 (11-8, 11-7, 5-11, 11-5) 66mins

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